Exotic Skins, Lies & Limelight

Rihanna’s India trip drew heat: feeding a cow at Antilia while clutching a Dior leather bag. Netizens called out the mixed message. She isn’t the first star to slip — nor the last. Experts decode the clash between the stated values and wardrobe choices of celebrities.

Quiet compromises

Liza Verma says celebrity obsession with exotic skins is about status. When brand image clashes with activism, celebs quietly rework looks or ditch events. “The more illegal a material is, the more special it feels to certain people. And when a luxury brand’s image starts rubbing against a celebrity’s personal activism, you’ll notice the quiet adjustments first. Sometimes they simply go dark on events linked to a controversial drop or campaign. And yes, in the rare blow-up scenario, they’ll pay the price to walk away early; breaking a contract isn’t cheap, but reputation can be pricier,” says Verma.

In blissful ‘ignorance’

When it comes to whether the stars actually know the origins of their limited-edition handbags, activist Vasanthi Vadi says, “If they are clueless, it’s because they are playing a dirty game of professional ignorance.” She adds, “Their entire ecosystem runs on visibility and fan devotion. They do benefit from this level of attention.”

Mind your OOTD

Creative designer Ravi Gupta says leather still signals luxury, but the ‘No questions asked’ era is over. Today’s buyers check origins and manufacturing. “Even social media has officially evicted celebrities! But the market has made major strides in plant and lab-grown alternatives. Now, every OOTD is a potential PR landmine. If the vibe feels forced, the Internet goes off instantly.”

Turning blind eye

Dr Rahul Chandok, behavioural science expert at Artemis Hospitals, adds: “Celebrities often use moral distancing. A designer bag is sold as art, not as something tied to animal harm. That shift in narrative helps them forget how it started! In elite fashion circles, nobody’s raising ethical flags, so the behaviour feels normal. And many assume luxury brands must be sourcing responsibly even when that’s not guaranteed, which makes it easier to justify purchase.”

Moving in right direction

Celebrity designer Rachel J Amirtharaj strikes a hopeful note: “Fashion isn’t a solo act, it’s stylists, brand deals and red-carpet politics all shaping what gets worn. Many stars genuinely champion sustainable fashion, but translating that into every single appearance? That’s hard. Audiences today are sharp. As designers, our job is to make conscious choices easy; luxury and aesthetics shouldn’t be the casualty. More celebrities are slowly syncing their private values with their public wardrobe.”

When celebs’ fashion clashed with their stated ethics

· Alia Bhatt mourned the environment while clasping a $2800 Gucci calfskin leather bag

· Kim Kardashian in $7,500 designer fur coat

· JLo’s no stranger to real fur on the red carpet

· PCJ rocked a coat made of pure ostrich-feather drama