Controversies stemming from branding campaigns are now a routine affair. The buzz this time is around Gucci's new campaign to mark the Chinese zodiac year of the tiger. The use of tigers as a mere prop in a residential setting has not gone down well with activists. The campaign showcases people taming the big cats and capturing them as house pets. Critics believe that a leading fashion house encourages endangered animals for human entertainment and sells high-end products. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostEminent figures such as Elisa Allen, director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, have called out the Italian fashion house for its distasteful campaign. She added that the brand seems unfamiliar with the current guidelines for treating wild animals.FOUR PAWS Australia@fourpawsAUWe are concerned of Gucci's use of captive tigers in #GucciTiger, sending the wrong message that tigers are pets or fashion accessories. In honour of the #YearoftheTiger, we hope @Kering & @Gucci join us to protect this endangered species, and not promote tigers as commodities. twitter.com/gucci/status/1…gucci@gucciCelebrating the Year of the Tiger, the House presents #GucciTiger: a selection of ready-to-wear and accessories featuring various renditions of the animal appearing in a campaign shot by #AngeloPennetta. Creative Director #AlessandroMichele, Art Director #ChristopherSimmonds.4:48 AM · Jan 17, 20222515Celebrating the Year of the Tiger, the House presents #GucciTiger: a selection of ready-to-wear and accessories featuring various renditions of the animal appearing in a campaign shot by #AngeloPennetta. Creative Director #AlessandroMichele, Art Director #ChristopherSimmonds. https://t.co/TaYmgIsXVEWe are concerned of Gucci's use of captive tigers in #GucciTiger, sending the wrong message that tigers are pets or fashion accessories. In honour of the #YearoftheTiger, we hope @Kering & @Gucci join us to protect this endangered species, and not promote tigers as commodities. twitter.com/gucci/status/1…Why the backlash?The aesthetics of tigers heavily inspire Gucci’s limited edition collection. The brand themed its collections using tiger pictures on clothes, shoes, and accessories. However, the ad campaign features tigers roaming around the areas where many models gathered for high tea. This setting is a luxurious, retro-style hotel.@Cali@Cali_jsyYou have a responsibility to the @LionsShareFund to uphold and promote their ethos - this does not align to Tiger’s in hotel rooms no matter what the circumstances the campaign was shot in, they are endangered animals. #AnimalWelfare @gucci @AmericanHumane3:57 AM · Jan 19, 2022You have a responsibility to the @LionsShareFund to uphold and promote their ethos - this does not align to Tiger’s in hotel rooms no matter what the circumstances the campaign was shot in, they are endangered animals. #AnimalWelfare @gucci @AmericanHumane https://t.co/miPeRRDLoxThe tigers can be seen sitting perched on a piano, lying prone on rugs, or walking around the models. The China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation also condemned the campaign. They explained that it is unethical to keep wild animals outside their natural habitat for commercial purposes.The worst possible messageCarole Baskin, the founder of Big Cat Rescue, is one of the major voices criticizing the campaign. She left a comment on the campaign criticizing the brand for keeping big cats out of the wild. Baskins said the campaign promotes the captivity of wild animals. She added that the beauty of tigers is also lost by using them as a side prop.CaroleBaskin.ETH@carole_baskinWhy Did Gucci Apparently Hire Hollywood Animals in 2021 or 2022? Given the fact that anyone could do an Internet search and find all of this information, why would Gucci choose to associate their brand with Brian McMillan’s Hollywood Animals? 911animalabuse.com/hollywood-anim…6:37 AM · Jan 18, 2022176Why Did Gucci Apparently Hire Hollywood Animals in 2021 or 2022? Given the fact that anyone could do an Internet search and find all of this information, why would Gucci choose to associate their brand with Brian McMillan’s Hollywood Animals? 911animalabuse.com/hollywood-anim… https://t.co/v7dhlCAMsSWorld Animal Protection (WAP) issues concerns WAP (US) slammed the campaign by addressing the issue of promoting glamorization on tigers. Nick Stewart, WAP’s global head of wildlife campaigns, said all efforts should be made to protect the big cat.World Animal Protection@MoveTheWorldThe #YearoftheTiger should raise awareness that these incredible animals need respect and protection not commodificationWe are urging @gucci to stop glorifying captive wild animals in their campaigns 🗣️ Read more in @wwd wwd.com/fashion-news/d…8:59 AM · Jan 13, 20225125The #YearoftheTiger 🐯should raise awareness that these incredible animals need respect✅ and protection✅ not commodification❌We are urging @gucci to stop glorifying captive wild animals in their campaigns 🗣️🐅 Read more in @wwd ⬇️wwd.com/fashion-news/d…The organization said such campaigns cause stress to the animals from being photographed. Such photo shoots keep the animal in a cage for hours along with caged transportation. Such animals are prone to high-explotation as pets, selfie-props, use in traditional medicine, poaching, habitat destruction, and other impacts of climate change. WAP demanded the campaign be taken down to stop the commodification of the elegant animal.Plant Based News@PlantBasedNews. @MoveTheWorld: 'Tigers are under serious threat due to their exploitation as pets' on #Gucci's campaign plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/fash…2:30 AM · Jan 14, 20223516. @MoveTheWorld: 'Tigers are under serious threat due to their exploitation as pets' on #Gucci's campaign 🐅 plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/fash… https://t.co/Q3EFp7ioQQGucci’s responseGucci has remained firm on its decision to use wild cats as props. They claim the animals were monitored by a third party - American Humane. The multinational brand also claims the tigers were photographed and filmed in a separate safe environment. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostGucci’s spokesperson released a statement highlighting the brand’s initiative, the Lion’s Share Fund, raising funds to protect endangered species and their natural habitats. Gucci also committed to a carbon-neutral supply chain in 2018. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostFashion brands set the bar for elite trends and are usually scrutinized for their representations. This is not the first time a luxury brand has been accused of inappropriately co-opting the Chinese lunar year. So far, Gucci has made no statements suggesting the campaign will be suspended.