How designers’ missteps are shaping today’s fashion movements.

By Paulina Kasssak Brown

Elsa Schiaparelli was an Italian fashion designer who rose to fame in the 1920s and 1930s with her avant-garde designs that challenged traditional fashion norms. Born in Rome in 1890, Schiaparelli studied philosophy before moving to London to work as a nanny. It was during her time in London that she became interested in fashion and began designing clothes. Schiaparelli returned to Paris in the 1920s and opened her own fashion house, which quickly became known for its bold and imaginative designs. She was a pioneer in the use of zippers, asymmetrical designs, and bright, shocking colors. Schiaparelli was also known for her collaborations with artists such as Salvador Dali and Jean Cocteau, which resulted in some of her most iconic designs, such as the “lobster dress” and the “shoe hat.”

Schiaparelli Spring-Summer 2023 collection “Inferno” features garments adorned with faux taxidermied animal heads, including lions, tigers, wolf and even a snow leopard. Kylie Jenner was one of the celebrities wearing Schiaparelli’s design to the fashion show the same as Irina Shayk.

While the brand claims that the collection is a celebration of the beauty and majesty of these animals, many have taken issue with the use of their heads as decorative elements. Animal rights activists have accused the brand of promoting the idea that animals are mere objects to be used for human pleasure, and have called for a boycott of the brand.

“NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN MAKING THIS LOOK.“

Commented Schiaparreli on her Instagram page after the Fashion Show where the collection was presented.

Schiaparelli has responded to the controversy with a statement defending the collection as a work of art and a tribute to the natural world. Schiaparelli’s designer Daniel Roseberry was defending his idea of presenting animal sculptures as a symbol of the vices of Dante’s “inferno” which is lust, pride, avarice.

The brand has also pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds from the collection to animal conservation efforts. However, the controversy surrounding the collection highlights a larger issue in the fashion industry – the use of animal products for fashion. While many brands have made efforts to move towards more sustainable and ethical practices, the use of animal products in fashion remains a contentious issue.

As consumers become more conscious of the impact of their purchases on the environment and animal welfare, it is likely that we will continue to see more scrutiny of the fashion industry’s use of animal products. The Schiaparelli collection is just one example of the ongoing debate, and it remains to be seen how the industry will respond to the growing demand for more responsible and ethical practices.