Kendall Jenner Does the Snakeskin Trend the Responsible Way

One of the most significant issues the fashion industry has grappled with throughout 2019 is the question of fur: from Gucci to Versace, many of the world’s biggest brands have spent the year taking unprecedented steps to ban animal pelts from their collections. Meanwhile, designers like Stella McCartney—whose cover feature in this month’s Vogue touches on her long-standing efforts to encourage a more responsible approach to fashion production—have taken things one step further, developing faux furs that don’t just protect animals, but are also environmentally friendly.

But what of the other questionably-sourced textiles that dominate luxury fashion, including the ongoing use of exotic skins? It seems Kendall Jenner has an answer to that: a humble print can get the job done, and with plenty of style, too. Continuing the impressive fashion streak she’s been enjoying while attending Art Basel Miami, the model stepped out wearing a pair of form-fitting Balenciaga trousers, which she teamed with a snake print top from emerging genderless Parisian label Nicolas Lecourt Mansion. (She finished the look with another of the year’s unlikeliest trends, the flip-flop heel; although naturally, Jenner’s very chic pair came courtesy of her brother-in-law’s brand, Yeezy.)

Snakeskin print is something that’s been cropping up more and more: just take the slithery vintage trousers Kim Kardashian West was spotted in while also out in Miami earlier this week. But if there’s one lesson we’ve learned this year, it’s that faux can be just as impressive as the real thing—and if it’s ethically sound, too, then all the better.