Move Over, Hermès: The ‘V’irkin Has Arrived
There’s a new Birkin in town, courtesy of Freedom of Animals, whose “PETA x Freedom of Animals” vegan, mock-croc “V”irkin debuts today. An H&M Conscious collection partner that’s been dubbed the “Céline of vegan fashion” for its high-end, minimalist vegan handbag designs, Freedom of Animals is beloved by everyday shoppers as well as celebrities such as Olivia Wilde, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Olivia Culpo, and its latest line of limited-edition bags is a beauty that no one had to die for.
Debuting on the heels of PETA’s new eyewitness investigation of Hermès-supplying alligator and crocodile farms, where animals are packed into dark sheds and barren concrete pits, the investigation clearly shows workers crudely hacking into the necks of some alligators and trying to scramble their brains with metal rods—and some of them were still conscious and flailing their legs minutes after workers cut into them.
“Letting hearts be free is a core value that Freedom of Animals share, so I couldn’t be more pleased to offer a special edition PETA tote, The ‘V’irkin, that proves we don’t have to sacrifice style to live by our values,” says Freedom of Animals owner and founder Morgan Bogle.
While it’s heartbreaking to see how Birkin bags sentence beautiful, sensitive animals to miserable lives and gruesome deaths, it’s easy to help them—all you have to do is choose gorgeous, cruelty-free accessories like the ‘V’irkin. PETA challenges everyone who cares about animals to watch our investigation of Hermès suppliers—and make the kind choice to leave exotic skins on the shelf.
A portion of the proceeds from each ‘V’irkin purchase will go to support the work of PETA and are available starting today at FreedomofAnimals.com and the PETA Catalog. Learn more about how to wear vegan, urge Hermes to stop selling items made from crocodile and alligator skins now, and get your ‘V’irkin today!
