Bikini-clad activists protest out the front of a luxury handbag store over the brand’s use of crocodile skins
- The three women were seen outside the Hermès store in Melbourne on Tuesday
- They are protesting brand’s use of exotic animal skins like crocodiles and lizards
- Plans are also reportedly in store for Hermès to build a crocodile farm in the NT
Three bikini-clad women have been spotted standing outside the front of a Hermès store in protest of the high fashion label’s use of crocodile and exotic animal skins.
Each protester was dressed in a pale green bikini, donned a crocodile mask over their face and held up a sign cut into the shape of a handbag outside the store in Melbourne’s CBD on Tuesday.
Standing silently as thousands of commuters walked past, the trio of activists proudly held up their signs which read: ‘cruelty to crocs unmasked’, ‘animals die for exotic skins’ and a call out for the French luxury label to ‘bin crocodile skin’.
The demonstration in Melbourne, organised by animals rights group PETA, is just one of many that will be seen across Australia this month, with another protest due to be held in Brisbane in the coming weeks.
Three bikini-clad women have been spotted standing out the front of a Hermès store in Melbourne in protest of the high fashion label’s use of crocodile and exotic animal skins
A woman at the Melbourne protest is seen holding a sign that reads: ‘Hermès: Bin crocodile skin’
‘For every bag, belt, or pair of boots made with the skin of a crocodile, a highly intelligent and sensitive animal was held captive, lived a horrible life, and endured unimaginable suffering before they were killed,’ PETA spokesperson Emily Rice said.
‘Conservation experts also warn that the fashion industry’s use of skins from animals like crocodiles increases the risk that dangerous viruses will spread to humans.
‘It’s time for Hermès to do the socially responsible thing and switch to vegan materials.’
At the start of the month a similar protest was held outside the Hermès store in Sydney.
As well as the brand’s use of reptile skins, activists are also protesting the plans to build a crocodile farm in Darwin.
The proposal would mean up to 50,000 crocodiles will be farmed for skin and meat products.
The demonstration in Melbourne, organised by animals rights group PETA, is just one of many that will be seen across Australia with another protest due to be held in Brisbane in the coming weeks
Animal activists from PETA preparing for the protests with their eye-catching crocodile masks in Sydney at the start of the month
A string of powerhouse fashion labels have announced they will not be using or selling exotic animal skins including crocodiles, lizards and snakes.
Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein are just some of the major brands that have ditched exotic skins.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hermès for comment.
The bikini clad women stood out the front of the Sydney store holding handbag shaped placards with anti-crocodile skin slogans