Kim Kardashian Sparks Outcry with Fur Coat in Aspen Amid PETA Controversy
Reality television icon and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian, 45, ushered in the new year in Aspen, Colorado, making a bold fashion statement that has once again placed her squarely in the crosshairs of animal rights advocates. On January 1, 2026, Kardashian was spotted exiting a Prada boutique in the upscale ski resort, clad in a luxurious, full-length vintage Roberto Cavalli fur coat, a striking ensemble that swiftly drew attention given a recent and significant controversy involving People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The opulent look featured a vintage Roberto Cavalli fur coat, reportedly from the year 2000 and lined with leopard-print fabric. This high-end piece, according to Page Six, commands a resale price of up to $7,500 on platforms like Vestiaire Collective. Beneath the statement coat, Kardashian sported burgundy woven leather pants, speculated to be from the Italian fashion house’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, and a low-cut velvet corset. Her ensemble was further accessorized with a conspicuously fur-trimmed scarf, underscoring her commitment to incorporating animal products into her wardrobe despite public scrutiny. This choice also follows a previous collaboration between her shapewear brand, SKIMS, and Roberto Cavalli on an animal-print collection that featured Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, in its campaign.
PETA Condemnation Follows Christmas Puppy Gifts
The timing of Kardashian’s fur-clad outing comes just days after a highly publicized backlash over her Christmas gifts. On December 25, 2025, she revealed that she had gifted her four children—North West, 12, Saint West, 10, Chicago West, 7, and Psalm West, 6, whom she shares with ex-husband Kanye West—four individual Pomeranian puppies. This decision quickly drew condemnation from PETA, whose founder, Ingrid Newkirk, issued a scathing statement to PEOPLE on December 28. Newkirk asserted, “Puppies are not plushies, and it’s a damn shame that Kim missed the chance to be a spokesperson for shelter pups and instead is being rightly slammed on social media for that.”
Newkirk further urged Kardashian, and her sister Khloé Kardashian (who also reportedly gifted a dog for Christmas), to engage with animal welfare by volunteering at local shelters or sponsoring adoption events and spay/neuter days. This plea highlights PETA’s ongoing campaign against irresponsible pet acquisition and the broader issue of homeless animals. The incident underscores a recurring tension between Kardashian’s lifestyle choices and public perception regarding animal welfare.
A Pattern of Fur: Kardashian’s Consistent Style Choice
Kardashian’s recent fashion choices in Aspen are not isolated incidents but rather part of a documented pattern. In late 2025, while promoting her Hulu series with Ryan Murphy, she garnered attention for wearing a 1999 Dominique Sirop Haute Couture leather corset adorned with a fox fur collar. This consistent embrace of fur and animal-derived luxury items, even as public sentiment increasingly shifts towards ethical fashion alternatives, positions Kardashian at the center of an ongoing debate. While her sister Khloé opted for faux fur at a recent event, and her mother Kris Jenner wore an $8,500 shearling coat, Kim’s continued preference for genuine fur keeps her in the spotlight for more than just her fashion forwardness.
As Kardashian navigates her business ventures and reality television presence, her sartorial choices, particularly those involving fur, continue to generate significant discussion and criticism. Her latest Aspen appearance, marked by high-fashion luxury and a palpable disregard for recent animal welfare concerns, ensures that her actions remain a prominent topic, illustrating the complex interplay between celebrity influence, fashion, and ethical responsibility.
