Groups Call for Designers to End Using Snake and Crocodile Skin

This quote found below sums it up: "Anyone who wears exotic skins is giving money toward unimaginable cruelties such as alligators and snakes being whacked on their heads with hammers or machetes, and then skinned while still conscious," she said.

Article:

Catwalk call to ban snake and crocodile skin fashion

http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1571142007

LOUISE BARNETT

ANIMAL-rights campaigners yesterday criticised the use of snake and crocodile skins in designer fashion.

It follows the appearance of exotic animal skins in recent catwalk shows.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has launched an anti-exotic animal skins advert which shows a reptile carrying a handbag. Several fashion designers included snakeskin in their recent bag, shoe and clothing collections.

PETA's Europe director, Poorva Joshipura, said the use of exotic skins in fashion was putting the animals in danger of extinction.

"Anyone who wears exotic skins is giving money toward unimaginable cruelties such as alligators and snakes being whacked on their heads with hammers or machetes, and then skinned while still conscious," she said.
"Beautiful synthetics are plentiful and used by progressive designers like Stella McCartney and Marc Bouwer. It's easy to choose faux and have a look that kills without killing animals."

Arrogant and Greedy Nike at it Again: This Time Releases Shoe Made out of Crocodile Skin

My question is why use crocodile? It seems that none of the bad press they receive has any affect on them. Perhaps this is why they do it – they simply don’t care and just look to the bottom line. Obviously if they’re now moving to using crocodile, they have absolutely no concern for anything other than money.

If after reading this article you’re disgusted at Nike and want to let them know (not that they’ll care I’m sure) here is the information to do so:

Tell Nike to Stop with Crocodile Shoes! Phone, Email, Write Now!!
by contact info
Monday Mar 12th, 2007 9:55 AM
Nike USA Consumer Services
• 1-800-344-6453 (7am - 3:50pm PST, Monday - Friday)
• E-mail Us - https://nike-store.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nike_store.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php and hear back from us within 1-2 business days
• Corporate mailing address:

Nike USA, Inc.
Consumer Services
P.O. Box 4027
Beaverton, OR 97076-4027


Article:

Animal rights groups fuming after Nike unveils new crocodile shoe
by Sun (repost)

Monday Mar 12th, 2007 9:49 AM

ANIMAL rights groups were fuming last night after Nike unveiled £1,400 trainers made from CROCODILE skin.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007110630,00.html


The sports shoes — with 18-carat gold lace tags — went on display at the company’s flagship store in London’s Oxford Circus at the weekend.

The trainers were made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Nike’s iconic Air Force 1 line.

Shoes are also being made from the skin of the world’s largest snake — the anaconda.

Stores around the world are exhibiting the croc shoe in a glass case while stocking only one pair in each size.

But Nick Rudge, of the National Animal Welfare Society, said last night: “What a horrific and objectionable way of making money — they are croccy horrors.

“It is fashion gone mad and no different to wearing fur.”

Clifford Warwick, a reptile biologist with the Animal Protection Agency, said: “Wild crocodiles are hacked up alive for their skins, while farmed animals are treated equally barbarically.

“If people knew, it would put a lot of them off buying these shoes.

“It is distasteful consumer excess.

“Nike has crossed the line.”

Poorva Joshipura, of ethical animal treatment group Peta, said: “Anyone buying them is supporting cruelty.”

Andrew Tyler, director of campaign group Animal Aid, dismissed the shoes as “the height of decadence”.

No one from Nike was available to comment last night.