Hermes Told to Rename Birkin Bag as Actress Faults Croc Skinning

Actress Jane Birkin demanded that Hermes International SCA stop using her name on its bestselling bag after objecting to the way some crocodiles are skinned in the making of the world’s most-expensive tote.

The 68-year-old asked that the bag be renamed until better practices replace the “cruel” methods that have been used at some slaughter facilities, she said in a statement released on the website of animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Hermes said it will penalize any breach of its animal welfare code.