Topless Activist Dons Dead Ostrich to Protest Hermès Bags

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PETA Protest Against Use Of Ostrich Leather By Fashion House Hermes - Paris
A PETA model wearing a gore-version of Bjork's legendary 'swan-dress', covered with the bloody carcass of an ostrich and carrying a handbag made out of fake ostrich leather, demonstrates outside the Garde Republicaine headquarters during the Hermes fashion show, as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris on March 7, 2016.Apaydin Alain—Sipa USA
By Julia Zorthian

A bare-chested activist draped herself in a dead ostrich outside Hermès London store on Thursday, to protest the sale of handbags made from ostrich leather.

PETA had published an investigation into slaughtering ostriches for meat and leather that inspired the demonstration, which showed how ostriches were killed at a young age. PETA alleged that the slaughterhouses supplied Hermès, among other brands. The luxury designer denies the claims.

Jackie Joyce, 29, led the rally wearing a faux dead ostrich neck wrapped around her neck and chest, the Guardian reports. The three activists held cardboard signs shaped similarly to Hermès’ famous Birkin bags, which characteristically have the bumpy leather of ostrich skin.

Hermès said it does not condone animal cruelty. “Contrary to what the video broadcast by [PETA] suggests, the farms shown in the videos do not belong to Hermès,” it said in a statement.

“Hermès deplores the relentless attacks by Peta aiming to harm its reputation through a dishonest representation of the facts and a complete ignorance of the deep ethical commitment of Hermès to the fight against animal cruelty, as well as any other welfare concerns.”

[The Guardian]

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Write to Julia Zorthian at julia.zorthian@time.com