Ireland Baldwin has publicly criticized Kim Kardashian for allegedly carrying a rare Birkin bag made from elephant leather. The model voiced her strong disapproval after seeing images of the luxury item.
The controversy centers on Kardashian, 45, who was reportedly seen with a gray Hermès bag while filming her Hulu legal drama, All’s Fair. In the series, Kardashian portrays a glamorous divorce attorney named Allura Grant.
Baldwin, 30, expressed her shock, commenting, “This is… beyond,” on an Instagram Reel that featured Kardashian with the bag. Her reaction was also shared via Instagram Stories, where she wrote, “This is so disgusting and shameful. I don’t understand how these people are supported this way.”
Baldwin was not alone in her criticism, as many online detractors argued that Kardashian had crossed an ethical boundary.
Fashion content creator Daniel Wesson, known for the "Birkin Junky" Instagram account, brought the bag to wider attention. He posted a Reel on November 21 showcasing Kardashian with the disputed Hermès accessory.
Wesson explained the bag’s controversial origins in his post’s caption. He stated that Hermès no longer produces elephant skin bags, but in the 1980s, they fulfilled a custom order for a client who provided an elephant hide from a hunting safari.
These custom-made elephant leather Birkin bags are exceedingly rare. When they do appear, they tend to generate significant online buzz.
PETA has noted that while Hermès never "officially" sold elephant bags, the luxury brand did craft several from elephant skin. These discontinued bags occasionally surface in the digital catalogs of high-end vintage sellers like 1stDibs.
Kardashian, an avid Birkin collector, enlisted stylist Soki Mak to curate her character Allura Grant’s sophisticated wardrobe for All’s Fair. The collection included vintage pieces from designers such as John Galliano, Donna Karan, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Mak revealed she connected with Kardashian via Instagram for the collaboration. She initially thought the direct message from Kardashian was from a fake profile.
The stylist recounted working on other projects with Kardashian before the All’s Fair opportunity arose, describing the process as very fast-paced and last minute.
Mak indicated that she and Kardashian anticipated the series would be a talking point, regardless of universal appeal. Their goal for Allura was to create a character who disregards others’ opinions and possesses a distinct, trend-defying personal style.
She further elaborated that Allura’s confidence stemmed from a woman who wears clothes rather than being worn by them. Mak noted that some outfits, like a Jean Paul Gaultier piece with thong detailing, were intentionally exaggerated for television.
Us Weekly has reached out to Kim Kardashian for comment on the matter.