Irina Shayk speaks out for the designers behind Schiaparelli’s controversial lion headdress after Kylie Jenner rocked the look on Monday.
The 25-year-old reality star sparked a social media firestorm when she wore the black velvet strapless gown, which featured a massive embroidered lion’s head pinned at the neckline, to Schiaparelli’s Spring 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week. Shayk, 37, modeled an almost identical dress as she later strutted down the runway during the show.
“I support these incredible artists who worked tirelessly with their hands in wool, silk and foam to shape this embroidered lion and image of the proud supermodel,” wrote the caption to an Instagram post she shared on Tuesday.
Irina Shayk defended Schiaparelli’s headline-grabbing lion head dress, which she modeled after Kylie Jenner was slammed by the designer for a similar look. Hours later, Jenner came under fire for wearing Givenchy’s controversial noose necklace. (Getty)
“I’m honored to be called upon to donate my art as a woman,” she added with a black heart emoji, tagging Schiaparelli’s creative director Daniel Roseberry.
KYLIE JENNER STANDS UP FOR AWESOME LION HEAD DRESS WITH COUNTERACTION
Shayk’s post included a slideshow of images of her wearing the dress on the runway, in fittings and backstage, as well as a drawing of the design and a snap of Schiaparelli’s signature gold toe pumps.
According to the designer’s Instagram page, the animal head was made from “hand-sculpted faux fur using foam, wool and silk and hand-painted to look as lifelike as possible and to celebrate the glory of the natural world.”
The fashion house emphasized, “No animals were harmed in the creation of this look.”
The lion headdress was part of Schiaparelli’s “Inferno Couture” collection, which also included ensembles with lifelike replicas of a snow leopard and a wolf.
Naomi Campbell was photographed walking the runway in a furry black trench coat with a wolf’s head on her shoulder. Shalom Harlow wore a leopard print dress with a snow leopard head sewn into the bodice.
In another Instagram post, the fashion house wrote: “The leopard, the lion and the she-wolf – representing lust, pride and avarice in Dante’s iconic allegory – in hand-sculpted faux fur in foam, resin, wool and silk, hand-painted to be as lifelike as possible look.”
Schiaparelli reiterated, “No animals were harmed in the making of this look.”
However, some social media users condemned the designs, claiming the animal heads could promote trophy hunting.
One user wrote on Instagram: “The only thing that glorifies this is killing these animals, even if it’s fake. The lion, cheetah, and wolf appear to be literally meant to appear as if they had been killed and used for clothing. How does this celebrate the glory of the natural world? Does it make sense.”
Another expressed his dismay, writing: “Sorry but it’s a no for me. Whether it’s fake or not, it encourages animal cruelty,” while an additional comment read, “Celebrate the glory of nature???? Don’t. That’s so wrong. They encourage animal violence and support trophy hunting and poaching.”
Jenner shared her look on Instagram and thanked Schiaparelli and Roseberry. “Beauty and the Beast. Thank you @danielroseberry and @schiaparelli for such a special morning. Wow I loved wearing this faux art creation made by hand from faux materials. beautiful, beautiful,” Jenner wrote alongside a series of photos.
However, some of her followers criticized her decision to model the design, commenting, “There are times you just say no. This was one of them.”
Another person wrote: “One of your worst fashion blunders ever.”
Shayk’s Instagram post also drew some criticism. One fan wrote: “Sorry Irina but no matter what you say it still encourages animal trophy hunting. A big NO.”
Another argued: “Putting a lot of work and effort into something doesn’t make it right per se. As a designer, as a model, as an influential photographer… you have a certain responsibility.”
“I understand that the animals are not real, not killed, but created. Still, it’s a visual cue to trophy hunting. Knowingly or not, the campaign sends a very damaging message to the world. One that defines lifeless, dead animals as a luxury. It was probably done with the best of intentions, but it still makes it a very bad idea. Why not accept the reaction of people who care about nature and fight for life every day?
However, nonprofit animal rights organization PETA defended Schiaparelli’s designs in a statement to Vanity Fair.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
“These fabulously innovative three-dimensional animal heads show that where there’s a will, there’s a way. We encourage everyone to adhere to 100% cruelty-free designs that demonstrate human ingenuity and prevent animal suffering,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, just hours later, Jenner came under fire again for donning another controversial look. The Kylie Cosmetics mogul was photographed while wearing Givenchy’s noose necklace, which drew widespread criticism when it debuted in October 2021.
The accessory was spotted on the catwalk as part of Givenchy’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection during the Paris Fashion Week show. It was quick to draw comparisons to Burberry’s 2019 Noose Hoodie scandal. Burberry apologized after unveiling a hoodie with loop-style drawstrings during London Fashion Week.
Fashion website Diet Prada posted a side-by-side comparison of the sling hoodie and sling necklace, writing: “You’d think the industry would have learned not to put things around a model’s neck after all the @Burberry sling that Slings are akin to hoodie debacles in 2019… This @givenchyofficial necklace, which just walked down the runway, is heading perilously close to the same territory. It really makes you wonder how no one noticed, but alas… history repeats itself.”
The Kylie Cosmetics mogul was photographed while wearing Givenchy’s noose necklace, which drew widespread criticism when it debuted in October 2021. (MEGA / GC Images)
On Monday, Jenner shared photos to Instagram of her wearing the Givenchy necklace, which she paired with a light blue bodycon dress and sparkly pink boots.
Social media users were quick to slam the fashion choice. One Twitter user wrote: “Kylie Jenner wearing a sling necklace is disgusting. This woman is not at all ashamed.
A Jenner representative did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital’s Caroline Thayer contributed to this report.
Ashley Hume is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @ashleyhume