Kim Kardashian Admits Elephant Birkin Bag Was Fake, Highlights the Clue Everyone Missed

When Kim Kardashian stepped out with what appeared to be a rare “elephant” Hermès Birkin bag in All’s Fair, the internet exploded with speculation. The bag instantly sparked debate among luxury fans over its authenticity and price tag. After months of silence, Kardashian herself jumped into the conversation. She recently revealed that the viral accessory was actually a fake, pointing out the telltale detail everyone missed.

Kim Kardashian says her Hermès elephant Birkin bag in ‘All’s Fair’ was fake

Kim Kardashian’s fashion choice ignited a fresh wave of debate when she appeared carrying what looked like an ultra-rare Hermès Birkin bag made from elephant skin in her Hulu series All’s Fair. Hermès never officially sold elephant leather as part of its regular offerings. Instead, a small number of custom-made pieces that reportedly date back to the 1980s were made from hide from an elephant killed on safari, making these bags extremely rare and controversial.

Public reaction was swift. Model Ireland Baldwin took to Instagram Stories to label Kardashian’s use of the bag “disgusting and shameful.” Now, in January 2026, Kardashian is setting the record straight on the bag. While on Khloé Kardashian’s podcast, Khloé in Wonder Land, the All’s Fair actress verified that the bag was fake.

“That was a bag that is fake that we bought for extra props,” Kardashian verified. “You know, I brought a lot of my bags in to film All’s Fair‘s accessories. But then we just got a bunch of other ones that we would have and leave on set that we can leave there and grab if we ever needed one for a specific outfit. And I was wearing gray; it was a gray one.”

The actress then noted the obvious detail that shows that the bag is fake.

“If you look at it — I actually have pictures of it. The hardware is upside down,” she said. “So, it’s like, an actual full-fake one. Even everything about the texture is not … whatever.”

Ellen DeGeneres texted Kim Kardashian when the Hermès elephant Birkin bag drama hit

While on the podcast, Kim Kardashian noted that Ellen DeGeneres texted her when the drama over the Hermès elephant Birkin bag hit the internet. Additionally, Kardashian admitted that DeGeneres is the reason why she no longer wears real fur.

“Well, you know what? She always has, no matter what it is,” Kardashian said. “If there’s an issue, she’s always been — she is the reason why I went to full faux fur, and I have my vintage furs, and I completely toned down a lot of things. And it was her approach and the way that she communicated with me about it.”

Kardashian explained how DeGeneres wrote to her after seeing the stories about the elephant Birkin online. Thankfully, the reality star was able to verify that the bag wasn’t real. And she told DeGeneres this.

“I was like, ‘The bag is fake,'” she said. “But it’s just also the stories, and the headlines, and all of that that follow it, with them not knowing what it is. I don’t blame that story or the outrage of that story, I really don’t.”

The ‘All’s Fair’ actress said she was ‘annoyed’ with herself for carrying the bag

Kim Kardashian has made it clear that she would never carry around the elephant Birkin bag on her own accord. While speaking to her sister, she noted that she was “annoyed” with herself for accidentally making it seem as if she was OK with the existence of the bag.

“What I was so annoyed with myself about is just that message that the elephant Birkin was OK,” she continued, “because people didn’t know if it was real or fake. So, even just putting that out there, I wish I was a little bit smarter on that and made a better choice on that.”