After photos from Schiaparelli’s Paris Couture Week were released, the internet was naturally divided in opinions.
Designer Daniel Roseberry’s take on the theme (Dante’s The Divine Comedy) saw animal heads adapted onto couture gowns—an obvious conversation starter.
The collection was no run-of-the-mill arts and crafts project inspired by wildlife either; said animal heads were about as life-like as it gets, though created from resin and faux fur.
Still, backlash was to be expected. As Vanessa Friedman of the New York Times wrote:
“So the fake animal heads collided with real animal rights and Jenner/Kardashian mores, and for a time the explosion swallowed the digisphere whole.”
Some environmental activists accused the show of promoting trophy hunting, including Carrie Johnson, ex U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s wife.
On Instagram, the fashion house saw an influx of praise and criticism.
“This generates a fashion trend where an animal on the body is a sign of status, power and class and it is the complete opposite of what we are trying to convey! I know it’s fake fur and your intention was to make art but anyway even if you didn’t intend to you are making marketing for the poachers…” wrote one user.
“I have only one question, why with all the creativity that the human mind can create, choose dead animal heads (replicas)?” wrote influencer Erika Aurora.
Many eagerly awaited PETA’s (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) response. To the surprise of many activists, PETA shared an unanticipated perspective.
The non-profit not only defended the show, but also seemingly praised it.
In an interview with TMZ, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said:
“Kylie’s look celebrates lions’ beauty and may be a statement against trophy hunting, in which lion families are torn apart to satisfy human egotism.”
However, PETA would later share on Twitter:
“We’re also asking folks to consider the real animals who did suffer and die for this runway show, sheep & silkworms.”
🚨 @Schiaparelli, @kyliejenner, @naomicampbell, & @theirishayk must extend this creativity to be 100% vegan & exclude sheep shorn bloody for wool & silkworms boiled alive for silk! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/axz2mg8Xpv
— PETA (@peta) January 23, 2023
A movement against trophy hunting or fuel to the fire?
Let us know your thoughts.
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Feature Image: @kyliejenner/Instagram
