Horror For Handbags: Model Robyn Lawley Narrates Wild Skins Investigation Footage in New PETA Video

12.06.2026

Sydney  – Model Robyn Lawley has shone a spotlight on the gruesome history of “luxury” accessories sold by companies like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, and Hermès in a new PETA video documenting how crocodiles, snakes, lizards and ostriches are abused and slaughtered in the wild-animal skins industry.

“I used to envy the bags I’m protesting about – I used to aspire to have one hanging in my closet. However, when you really learn the truths of how these poor, beautiful animals are kept and how they are killed, the bag’s beauty turns grey, ” says Lawley. “They keep the animals in horrid prisons, then bludgeon them alive. Even crocodiles, one of the ancient marvels! We do not need other animals’ skins; we can make leather from mushrooms and fruit. It should become a thing of the past – today! #govegan.”

The video, which features footage from various PETA exposés of the wild-animal skins supply chain, reveals the routine practises behind items like Hermès’ crocodile-skin Birkin Bag and Louis Vuitton’s Capucine bag, made from snakes’ skins. The investigation footage shows ostriches being butchered, snakes being stood on, lizards being hacked apart, and crocodiles having screwdrivers jammed into their spinal cords. The video also features footage from the Farm Transparency Project’s investigation into Australian crocodile farms, which supply some 60% of the world’s crocodile skins. 

Research shows that snakes can make friends and crocodiles are dedicated parents. A growing number of fashion brands have dropped wild-animal skins, including Balenciaga, Burberry, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry, Paul Smith, Victoria Beckham, and Vivienne Westwood. The Fashion Weeks of London, Copenhagen, and Melbourne also all have a ban on wild skins. Vegan leather options can be made from a wide range of plant-derived materials such as mushrooms, apples, corn, and cactus.

PETA— whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear”— points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits. For more information, please visit PETA.org.au and follow PETA on Facebook and Instagram.

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