Birkin bag: from status symbol to badge of shame
LA TimesThe ne plus ultra of luxury fashion status symbols is the target of a take-down by its celebrity namesake. But that hasn’t quieted the outrage, which PETA has been stoking for several weeks by organizing protests around luxury shopping districts, promoting thehashtag #killedforhermes on social media and teaming up with the group Freedom of Animals to create a mockcroc, vegan “Virkin” bag, selling for $400, with 20% of sales of the style to be donated to PETA. Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >> Social media’s court of public opinion has mostly applauded Birkin’s high-profile diss, with some Twitter users calling her a “fashion hero.” The controversy is interesting for a few reasons. The Hermes Birkin controversy is expanding the discussion to include fashion’s toll on the animal kingdom in the most high-profile way, by targeting the very symbol of luxury, the vaunted Hermes brand. Last year, many pop culture observers gagged when Kanye West gave Kim Kardashian an Hermes Birkin bag for her 34th birthday that had been hand painted by their 1-year-old daughter, North.
History of this topic
Walmart’s $78 Hermès Birkin dupe is a hit on TikTok — but fashionistas are divided
The Independent
Move over Birkin, the Wirkin's here. Why these dupes are going viral
Firstpost
Walmart’s $78 Hermès Birkin dupe is a hit on TikTok — but fashionistas are divided
The Independent
Walmart’s $100 Birkin bag lookalike is selling out—Here’s why everyone wants one
Live Mint
Has the Hermès Birkin finally been de-throned? Fashion fanatics hail $6,000 handbag from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's brand The Row as the ultimate NEW style status symbol - and it's already racked up
Daily Mail
The ultimate insiders' guide to buying an Hermès Birkin bag: Fashion experts reveal top tips for securing one of the wildly pricey style status symbols - as luxury brand is SUED for 'exploiting' popul
Daily Mail
REVEALED: Buying a coveted Hermes Birkin or Kelly bag can net you a HUGE profit on the resale market - but there's two popular luxury brands whose purses lose up to 50% of their value
Daily Mail
How Jane Birkin inspired the most expensive bag in the world
The Independent
How Jane Birkin inspired the famous Hermes Birkin Bag
Deccan Chronicle
Jane Birkin: How Kim Kardashian and Cardi B have customised their Hermes Birkin bags
Daily Mail
Hermes responds to Jane Birkin’s request to drop her name from the iconic handbag
The Independent
Hermes responds to Jane Birkin’s request to drop her name from the iconic handbag
The Independent
Jane Birkin asks Hermès fashion house to rename luxury Birkin bags after animal cruelty concerns
The Independent
The icon who inspired the Birkin bag
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