Joaquin Phoenix Vs. Luxury Goods

Joaquin Phoenix filmed this graphic video at the bottom for Peta.

It’s a brief look at the exotic skin trade and the methods of farming lizards, snakes and alligators for luxury shoes and bags.

Peta says he’s sent the video to both Jimmy Choo (the company, not the man) and Christian Louboutin, along with a letter that says, “I think that you will find it hard to continue to sell exotic-animal skins after seeing just how much cruelty goes into making a single alligator or snakeskin shoe or bag. Animal welfare is simply not a consideration at all for those who hunt, poach, factory-farm, and often skin alive animals such as these.”

He’s asking them to join Nike and H&M in banning the use of exotic skins, although Nike and H&M would never sell exotic skins anyway. Luxury brands will never ditch skins, but maybe Joaquin can make them pay closer attention to where the skins come from and how the animals are treated.