PETA Imagines Human Skin As Leather On Freakish New Billboard
Image taken by Cinava Photography, courtesy of PETA
Your leather bag looks so elegant over your shoulder. But picture this, says PETA—what if it had been crafted from your own skin?
A new grotesque billboard advertisement near Penn Station in New York is set to leave an imprint on onlookers’ minds with the image of a naked man whose skin is peeled off, exposing his insides. “Leather is someone’s skin,” the print reads.
The figure is none other than celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz, who has photographed for A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Ricky Martin, Katy Perry, and Paris Hilton, as well as took on the role as judge at America’s Next Top Model and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The graphic, installed in time for the Pride Parade on June 27, turns the tables on shoppers by planting the sense of loss and pain felt by animals at slaughter. PETA and Ruiz hope that brands and designers can turn to vegan alternatives instead, like mushroom leather.
The animal rights group adds in a press release that leather production isn’t just cruel, but it also contributes to the climate problem as it releases hazardous chemicals. The World Bank also cited cattle ranching as one of the largest drivers of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon.
“My friends at PETA and I are encouraging people to wear their values and take pride in coming out of the closet in beautiful, fashion-forward vegan pieces,” explains Ruiz. The billboard is currently displayed near the intersection of Seventh Avenue and W. 33rd Street.
Image taken by Cinava Photography, courtesy of PETA
Image courtesy of PETA
[via PETA]
Also check out these recent news
