An upcoming anti-fur film starring designer Stella McCartney and pals Jude Law and Sadie Frost is causing a stir in fashion circles. Stella’s participation in the campaign has incensed designer Karl Lagerfeld, among others, who accuses her of taking a hypocritical stance: attacking Gucci and others for their practices while sharing in the profits.
The minute-long film, set to hit theatres in the US and Europe in October, aims to discourage the use of animal skins and fur in fashion. It may also feature Geri Halliwell and George Michael.
“Oh please, how can she be in business with Gucci while posturing in this overly dramatic way?” asks Lagerfeld. “It’s grotesque. She has plenty of her own money. If she finds their reliance on fur and leather so objectionable, why does she take their money and trade on their reputation to advance her own career?”
“It’s deeply hypocrticial of her and she’s making both herself and Gucci look ridiculous,” he added. “Everyone knows Gucci has made zillions of dollars by working with leather. When she signed with them, she closed the chapter as far as holding these sort of scruples with any kind of credibility.”
Some say Stella’s dealings with the Respect For Animals film may have crossed the line. “Gucci is cynical enough not to care about this from a business point of view,” said one fashion insider. “But there’s a question of respect here: if Stella is going to bite the hand that feeds her too hard, she might just find that hand eventually withdrawn.”
Gucci’s 2001 winter collection premiered in Milan featuring floor-length Mongolian fur coats and men’s jacket collars trimmed with fox fur. Stella, who recently signed a deal to produce her own signature line for the empire, insists she’ll never compromise her principles by working with fur and leather.
This is not the first time Chanel’s Lagerfeld has lashed out at the 29-year-old designer. When Chloé replaced him with the famous Beatles’ daughter, he said: “They should have taken a big name. They did, but in music, not fashion. Let’s hope she’s as gifted as her father.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
