Using tigers (or any wildlife for that matter) as dangerous show props (for example, Siegfried and Roy – “It took four men and a fire extinguisher to get the tiger off him”), or to promote an ‘aspirational lifestyle’ (sic) is reprehensible.
However, it appears that some fashion brands/influencers don’t get it – the “Gucci Tiger Collection” being a prime example.
A ‘Joint Letter‘ to Gucci emphasises that “This campaign, designed to celebrate the Year of the Tiger, fails to recognize that tigers are endangered wild animals, with highly complex physiological and behavioural needs, whose very survival is being threatened by their commercial exploitation. Instead, the #GucciTiger campaign glorifies the cruel and dangerous misuse of these animals as pets or luxury items. Displaying live tigers laying, sitting or walking around the house – regardless of whether or not the animals were actually placed in these settings during the shooting of the images –perpetuates the erroneous belief that these animals are suitable to be kept as pets” – see previous article, where big cats are commercially exploited for the pet trade (amongst other abuses).
How can a brand such as Gucci seemingly be so blind and tone-deaf to the plight of wildlife abuse (or perhaps they just don’t care) – how can displaying tigers as photo-props in any way project a positive way to promote the “Year of the Tiger” and help to positively advance the species’ plight in the wild, whilst simultaneously projecting tigers as some kind of aspirational lifestyle accessory – tacitly condoning commodification of tigers [and other hybrid cats and wildlife] to be bought, owned, sold and traded…..
Stay classy Gucci.
Guccio Gucci S.p.A. and G Commerce Europe S.p.A. – Both subject to the direction and coordination of Kering Holland NV
Guccio Gucci S.p.A. and G Commerce Europe S.p.A. – Both subject to the direction and coordination of Kering Holland NV
Comments 1
Keep up the good work !