PETA's Gruesome New Influencer Makes a DIY Leather Bag

PETA has launched its latest campaign from the community. 

Ten days ago PETA launched a 'new' influencer sharing her 'Hermès Birkin' DIY Tutorial.

In a new campaign, titled 'Dismember It Yourself', PETA exposes the gruesome reality behind Hermès Birkin bags. But PETA putting out a shocking video, well, it isn’t that shocking. So before PETA claimed the video, it first had a 'new creator' (read: actor) share a DIY-style video, playing into all the creator videos we see every day. Except, this one has a shocking twist as the creator makes a DIY Birkin bag and the process unfolds, the horrific truth behind leather bags is revealed when she appears to dismember a 'real' crocodile for its leather. The goal? Spark conversation and speculation - could this actually be how Birkin bags are made? Is the crocodile real? Would someone second guess a purchase if they knew what went into creating it? Also, so you don’t have to ask the question - no, the crocodile isn’t real. Just a really impressive puppet.

This website walks you through the process of 'How to DIY a Hermès Birkin Bag in 10 Easy Steps'

PETA’s spoof video proves a crucial point: if you don’t want to be directly involved in such abuse, don’t support it by buying these items.

“No one would want to be caught dead with a Birkin if they had to make one themselves by hacking apart a thinking, feeling being,” says PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman. “PETA is delighted to work with the community for this twist on a DIY video and hopes fashion lovers everywhere bag the skins and stick to luxurious vegan accessories that no one had to be butchered for. ”

Per PETA, more than a billion cows, pigs, goats, sheep, alligators, ostriches, kangaroos, and even dogs and cats are killed for their skins each year. Industry workers cut off the tails and horns of many of these animals without painkillers, and some are even skinned and cut apart while still conscious.

“Our feeds are full of creator videos, from try-ons to cooking to DIY and so much more. The idea of flipping the script and having a creator seemingly make a DIY leather bag was the perfect creative solution to telling PETA’s story in an unexpected way,” said Ricky Vior, SVP, executive creative director at the community. “Our goal with this new campaign was to challenge viewers to question the ethical cost of luxury goods, hopefully forcing a re-evaluation of their relationship with animal products.”