Birkin vs. Birkin

Jane Birkin, the namesake of the elusive bag by luxury giant Hermès, 


pleaded the use of her name on croc Birkins be suspended until the issue of crocodile farming for luxury bag-making , as per video presented by pro-animal rights group PETA, is resolved.

Hermès was swift on the defense, noting, 

".. that this farm does not belong to them and that the crocodile skins supplied are not for the fabrication of Birkin bags,”

In giving more light to the story, Vanessa Friedman of The New York Times clarifies:

"... the crisis is entirely exaggerated. First, Ms. Birkin’s statement said that she had asked only that Hermès rename the crocodile bag — not all handbags that bear her name, which come in a variety of skins, including calfskin — and then only until the supplier could be properly vetted.

Beyond that, she can’t actually legally compel Hermès to change the name. Hugh Devlin, a lawyer at Withers LLP in London who specializes in the fashion sector, said Hermès trademarked the name in 1997 and can thus use it as the company sees fit.

Guess the name shall remain so. To have a bag named after you -- though most commonly now the practice is on a first-name basis, ain't it grand?

P.S. Her Birkin (or perhaps one of her many) has since been auctioned to benefit Red Cross efforts in Japan.