Contention emerged from Covert's "terrarium" dresses, displayed at Paris Design Week
The founder of Japanese fashion brand Undercover, Jun Takahashi, has apologized and pledged to refrain from using live animals in designs after facing criticism from animal rights group PETA.
Controversy arose from Undercover's "terrarium" dress shown at Paris Fashion Week, which featured live butterflies.
The dresses designed by Takahashi caused a backlash as PETA raised concerns about the welfare of the insects, claiming that butterflies used for public displays often come from the wild or are raised in captivity on farms, resulting in worrying transport conditions.
In his response to PETA, Takahashi acknowledged the mistake and expressed regret for catching butterflies that were free to fly. He explained that the butterflies came from an "ethical" breeder and were given proper nutrition, space and temperature during the fashion show.
However, PETA countered that captive-bred butterflies struggle to survive in the wild and can spread disease to local insect populations. Takahashi released butterflies in the park after the runway show.
The designer revealed that his fondness for butterflies dates back to an experience at his grandmother's funeral two decades ago where a white butterfly flew by and stayed with him, bringing him comfort.
Despite Takahashi's attempt to create a positive environment for the creatures, PETA highlighted the potential harm caused by using live animals in fashion shows.
A spokesperson for PETA noted the constructive discussion with Takahashi and acknowledged his commitment to learning and doing better in the future.
The incident adds to the ongoing debate about ethical practices in the fashion industry, with animal rights groups pushing for more sustainable, cruelty-free approaches.
