Pharrell Williams has made another big move alongside Louis Vuitton, but not everyone celebrating it. PETA called out the legendary producer and luxury brand for animal abuse following the debut of their new “Millionaire” Speedy handbag.
Priced at $1 million, the accessory features crocodile skin and comes in four different colors. TMZ Hip Hop procured a letter written by PETA’s Senior Vice President Lisa Lange which specifically references some of his biggest hits while also conveying serious frustration and concern.
“When you were made men’s creative director of Louis Vuitton, we hoped animals would ‘Get Lucky’ and that you would choose vegan fabrics, which are the preference of today’s ethical and environmentally conscious consumers,” Lange wrote. “But we aren’t ‘Happy’ to note your newest design, the ‘Millionaire’ Speedy bag, which is crafted from crocodile skin, because when it comes to animals being used for fashion, it isn’t ‘Beautiful’—it’s abuse.”
Lisa Lange’s letter also includes accusations about LVMH mutilating crocodiles and other animals while they were still alive. “A PETA Asia investigation found workers at LVMH’s suppliers cutting live crocodiles’ necks open and ramming metal rods down their spines while they were still conscious,” the executive wrote. “Another investigation revealed that workers at facilities supplying LVMH struck pythons repeatedly on the head, suspending them in the air, inflating their bodies with water, and disemboweling them — even as they moved about.”
She also offers the 50-year-old producer the opportunity to tour a “deadly” crocodile farm. “You’d want to bring along nose plugs and high boots to wade through fetid, waste-filled water,” she wrote. “If we go to an indoor tank, also bring a flashlight, because you won’t see daylight. There are no ‘Blurred Lines’ here. Killing wildlife for a bag isn’t cool—it’s cold. Are you up for this trip?”
Williams took over as the head of menswear at Louis Vuitton back in February, after the passing of Virgil Abloh. Over the last several months, he has created some major cultural moments like reuniting the Clipse, debuting a new song during a Paris Fashion Week show, performing “Frontin’” with Jay-Z in Paris, and more. Check out Skateboard P and Hov’s performance below.
