It seems that Schiaparelli‘s Spring/ Summer 2023 Paris Fashion Week collection is taking over the internet today, with many fans taken aback by a dress that Kylie Jenner donned at the Haute Couture show, specifically.
While attending the show, the reality star, 25, donned a low-cut, velvet cinched black gown that showcased her curves, and also boasted a fake (but very realistic) lion head attached at the neckline.
READ MORE: Kylie Jenner Shows Off Newly Bleached Brows And Iconic Curves In Plunging Black Gown
View this post on Instagram
Kylie Jenner Shocks Fans In Black Gown With A Fake Lion Head Attached
As explained by creative director Daniel Roseberry, the collection was inspired by Dante’s classic “Inferno” and the nine circles of hell, “a metaphor for the doubt and creative torment” that all artists experience.
In the famous 14th century poem, readers may recall the significance of a leopard, lion and she-wolf, which were all represented as animal heads on various dresses in the red carpet collection.
View this post on Instagram
While the Kylie Cosmetics mogul was seen in a gown with a lion head, Naomi Campbell modeled a black faux fur coat with a wolf’s head on the left shoulder, and model Shalom Harlow wore a strapless tube dress with a snow leopard head at the bust.
Each animal head, Roseberry stressed, was made from foam resin and other man-made materials, and he called them “faux-taxidermy.”
View this post on Instagram
In an Instagram post from the brand dedicated to the dress Jenner rocked, the label wrote in its caption, “Leo Couture Embroidered Lion in hand sculpted foam, wool and silk faux fur, and hand painted to look as life-like as possible, celebrating the glory of the natural world.”
The brand went on, “Nothing is as it appears to be in Schiaparellis Inferno Couture… NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN MAKING THIS LOOK.”
View this post on Instagram
Jenner’s Dress (And The Whole Collection) Sparks ‘Animal Cruelty’ And ‘Pro Trophy Hunting’ Criticism
While Schiaparelli’s collection was meant to blur the lines between what seems to be real and what actually is, some fans thought the fake animal heads on the dresses looked a little *too real* for their liking.
This, many stressed, could inspire some to actually pursue and harm animals like these in the wild, if we make something “so barbaric” seem like “high fashion,” as one fan tweeted.
each of the animal heads from schiaparelli ss23 couture were hand painted AND hand sculpted NO WORDS pic.twitter.com/Xji7bfBiyW
— corinne ☆ (@MIUCClAMUSE) January 23, 2023
While some directed their disappointment and anger at Jenner for wearing a piece like this, others turned their focus toward the Italian luxury label.
Another user who criticized the collection wrote under one of the brand’s Instagram posts,”The only thing this is glorifying is the killing of these animals, even if this is fake. The lion, cheetah and the wolf seem like they are literally meant to look as if they were killed and used for clothing. How is this celebrating the glory of the natural world. Make it make sense.”
not to be extremely ~vegan~ today but my stomach is absolutely turning looking at photos from the schiaparelli show— yes, the animals were fake, but in 2023 we really don’t need to be idolizing trophy hunting, do we? pic.twitter.com/gn6YbRVKR3
— annie black (@helloannieblack) January 23, 2023
One other commenter chimed in, adding, “Sorry but it’s a no for me. Whether it’s fake or not, it promotes animal cruelty.”
Someone else replied, “Celebrate the glory of the natural world???? Doesn’t make any sense. This is so wrong. You are promoting animal violence and supporting trophy hunting and poaching.”
„Luxury, pride and avarice“
represents the three animais for Dante‘s inferno and Roseberry‘s inspiration to the new Schiaparelli collection pic.twitter.com/olae6ln7uZ— ؘ (@yves4int) January 23, 2023
Others disagreed, praising the “craftsmanship” of the pieces and noting that the brand “did a good job in making it clear that the animal heads were fake,” leaving social media feeds and many fashion enthusiasts divided.
