Wolves, lions and snow leopards: how did the Schiaparelli couture show go and why the brand is on the verge of a scandal

Couture Fashion Week kicked off in Paris today. And it started with an incredibly beautiful Schiaparelli show. This time, the brand's creative director Daniel Roseberry was inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy, and the collection itself was named Inferno.

Kylie Jenner, Doja Cat, Anna Wintour, and a whole galaxy of A-list guests proudly sat in the front row, while models literally floated to the catwalk in dresses with fancy shield tops, hourglass suits, and voluminous lace jackets. But the most discussed moment of the show was the appearance of Irina Shayk, Naomi Campbell, and Shalom Harlow. Three legendary models got dresses with artificial animal heads.

Of course, there was no scandal. After the show, the brand was attacked by an army of animal rights activists who accused Schiaparelli of romanticizing animal cruelty. Even the post, in which the team explains that no animals were harmed when creating the heads of the lion, wolf, and snow leopard, did not save. Negative comments continue to pour in from all sides.

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1. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

2. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

3. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

Even industry representatives are divided into two camps. The former is of the opinion that the animal world is the leitmotif of the house, which was addressed not only by Elsa Schiaparelli herself but also by the previous creative director Bertrand Guyon. For the 2019 couture collection, he commissioned dog, panther, and flamingo headwear from legendary hatter Stephen Jones.

4. Schiaparelli Spring 2019 Couture

5. Schiaparelli Spring 2019 Couture

6. Schiaparelli Spring 2019 Couture

7. Schiaparelli fur coat 1938. Photo: brand archive

As for the founder of the brand herself, back in 1938, she introduced a lynx fur coat and a hat from her head.

But the latter still believe that any hint of stuffed animals is a terrible sin and an unforgivable design decision. Even though it was used as a reference to Dante's aforementioned Divine Comedy. For those who don't know, let's explain. The events of the epic are described by the author in the first person, and in the introductory part the poet tells how, having reached the middle of his life, he got lost in a dense forest, where he met three wild animals - a lynx, a lion, and a she-wolf. Each animal personified the three most powerful passions - voluptuousness, pride, and greed. That is why Irina Shayk - a lioness, Naomi Campbell - a wolf, and Shalom Harlow - a snow leopard appeared on the podium.

8. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

9. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

10. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

11. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

12. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

13. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

14. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

15. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

16. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture

17. Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Couture