Recently, actress Florence Pugh posed with a dead fish for a photoshoot for the fashion magazine Vogue.

The 27-year-old sported various different outfits for Vogue’s Winter issue. The picture in question, however, shows Pugh wearing an ivory sleeveless dress with a plunging keyhole at the chest. It is paired with a statement black belt and over-the-elbow gloves. And she is holding a massive fish like it’s an accessory.

‘Animals are not objects’

Animal advocacy organisation Direct Action Everywhere called out The ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ star for her seemingly insensitive stance towards sentient beings.

“Animals are not objects to be used as props,” the organisation wrote on Instagram.

“Fishes are sentient beings who feel pain and suffer just like us.”

Backlash

A flood of comments criticised the commodification of animals and the implicit meaning of the photo.

According to one user, “Using a dead fish for fashion is just unacceptable.”

Another one added: “Please stop using dead animals as art/accessories. not necessary, does not add to the value of the photo. All creatures have lives which hold value. Speciesism is acting as if humans have more value than other species, that we have the right to harm and subject animals to our abuse and killing”

“Is this a magazine cover or a Tinder profile? Swipe left for animal cruelty,” a third commented.

Even Pugh was called out for having “every opportunity to refuse…yet didn’t.”

The magazine also came under fire for its bizarre concept.  “How can you be so brainless to even think up a shoot like this,”   a user wrote in the comments.  

“Disgusting. Won’t be supporting Vogue magazine. This is what they came up with? Pathetic,” added another.

Unethical fashion standards

This isn’t the first time the fashion industry has used animals as props.

In a recent appearance at Paris Fashion Week, Kylie Jenner wore a life-sized lion’s head fastened to her black dress. Her outfit made her a focal point as she arrived for the star-studded Schiaparelli show.

Last year, Italian luxury fashion house Gucci used tigers to show off its 2022’s Chinese New Year collection.

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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