Recent allegations have rocked Hermès, the luxury brand famed for its high-priced goods. The accusations claim that the company uses inhumane methods to produce its crocodile leather items—a troubling issue that has surfaced before.
The Korean Animal Protection Alliance, an animal rights advocacy group, held a press conference outside Hermès flagship store in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. They sharply criticized the brand, stating, “Despite Hermès’ reputation for luxury and high fashion, the process used to make their animal leather handbags is literally brutal and vicious.” They called for an immediate halt to what they described as “horrific animal slaughter.”
The group outlined the alleged crocodile leather production methods at Hermès, referencing multiple undercover investigations conducted by international animal protection organizations and testimonies from whistleblowers. They criticized Hermès for allegedly using harsh and cruel slaughter techniques in the creation of its crocodile leather products.
Animal rights advocates have expressed serious concern about Hermès’ use of crocodile skin. According to the group, “Hermès selects only crocodile skins free of scratches and have a consistent texture for their handbags, wallets, and boots. To create a single crocodile leather handbag, the skins of 3 to 4 crocodiles are needed, while a jacket requires the skins of 6 crocodiles.” The group further detailed the conditions in which these crocodiles are kept: “The crocodiles have their mouths taped shut and their limbs bound behind them, with their restrained limbs resembling the way a baby might be swaddled.”
The group further described the harrowing process of skinning the crocodiles: “It’s almost unbearable to watch. They restrain the snout of a living crocodile, cut the back of its head, and insert a knife to slice down its spine to the base of the tail, then peel off the skin. Blood gushes like a fountain from the crocodile’s neck, which is partially severed, as it writhes on the steel table.”
They also revealed that before slaughter, an electric bolt gun is used on the crocodile’s head, its spinal cord is severed, and its brain is pierced with a metal skewer or knife. Whistleblowers claim that despite these methods, the crocodiles often remain conscious for a significant time and continue to move.
This brings renewed attention to ongoing concerns about the poor conditions in which crocodiles are raised and slaughtered. The animal rights group criticized the conditions, stating, “To produce the highest quality leather, crocodiles are kept in tiny cages that severely restrict their movement, preventing any damage to their skin.” They further explained, “Confined to narrow spaces where they can barely move, the crocodiles are deprived of their natural behaviors and endure a harsh, filthy environment right up until slaughter.”
The issue of Hermès allegedly engaging in unethical crocodile slaughter for their leather goods has been consistently raised by international animal rights organizations like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
Notably, the late British actress and singer Jane Birkin publicly criticized Hermès in 2015, saying, “I witnessed the horrific killing of crocodiles to make the bag named after me,” and requested that her name be removed from the Hermès Birkin bag.
In 2020, The Guardian and Australian ABC reported that Hermès was planning to establish a large-scale crocodile farm in the Northern Territory, Australia, to supply crocodile skin for their bags.
Initially, Hermès sourced crocodile leather from a specific farm in Australia, which was reported to have the capacity to raise up to 50,000 saltwater crocodiles. Despite ongoing criticism about animal welfare, Hermès maintained that by directly managing the farm operations, they could ensure the quality of their products and decided to move forward with their plans. The company asserted that it had already acquired the land and received approval from the Australian government, claiming there were no legal issues since the project had government authorization.
However, concerns about unethical slaughter practices extend beyond Hermès. The use of methods such as plucking animals’ fur or skinning them alive for luxury goods has long been a topic of ethical debate.
Between 2019 and 2020, several major luxury brands, including Prada, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, and Cartier, pledged to stop using animal fur and leather. Additionally, animal rights organizations have intensified their advocacy efforts. For example, PETA became a shareholder in Prada in 2016, aiming to reduce the use of animal skins in high-end products.
Despite the high prices of Hermès crocodile and alligator bags, which range from US$50,000 to US$300,000, their popularity remains strong, and they continue to sell quickly. It is reported that making these items requires the skins of 3 to 4 crocodiles and up to 6 crocodiles for clothing items like jackets. As a result, the controversy surrounding Hermès products persists.
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