PETA slams Victoria Beckham bag line
Victoria Beckham and one of her bags
Photo Credit: Getty
The way I see it, whether you love reptiles or hate them, you probably don't really want one dangling from your shoulder… Still, there's definitely a market for so-called 'exotic' skin, just ask Victoria Beckham's accountant...
After the former Spice Girl launched her line of accessories including goods made from crocodile, lizard and calf skin last year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) slammed her, which prompted VB's people to release a statement reading:
"Everyone is entitled to personal opinion and choice, but as with all Victoria Beckham products, the handbags are made to the highest quality and design. These skins sit strictly within the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regulations, and are monitored at every step of production. The skins are farmed in America under very tight guidelines."
Sounds a bit snakey….
Anyway, the animal rights group clearly weren't happy with the defence, for they taken another aim at VB, this time saying:
"PETA pledges to eat its own cloth hat if the animals skinned to make Victoria Beckham’s bags are humanely or ethically treated. Whether in America or elsewhere, exotic animals suffer tremendously before they are turned into accessories. In the US, wild alligators are gaffed (skinned) alive in the swamps, strung up and skinned, or they are raised in filthy, crowded, waste-infused tanks, often in sheds, where the smell alone would knock you over.
"They may be killed by being repeatedly bludgeoned with baseball bats and having their spines crudely severed with hammers and chisels. Exotic skins are produced by incredibly cruel means, no matter how Mrs Beckham’s PR people try to spin it."
Back over to the VB camp, who've this time announced to the Daily Mail:
"There is no PR spin here. As is the case for many luxury handbag brands including Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, Dior and others, the Victoria Beckham handbag collection features a small number of styles made from exotic skins.
"Working with and using exotic skins, sits within very strict ethical guidelines and we work absolutely within those guidelines to ensure every bag we produce is accredited with the required Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species certificates."
Still fancy owning one of Victoria Beckham's bags? Hopefully you've got a spare couple of grand - her two-tone lizard and leather clutch is £1,800.
Post Your Comment