‘Cruel’ RiRi slammed for wearing ostrich feather top at perfume launch

London: Pop singer Rihanna recently landed in controversy after she appeared at her perfume launch wearing an outfit that featured ostrich feathers.

Animal charity PETA slammed the 23-year-old singing sensation for her pale green top, designed by British designer Antonio Berardi, claiming that it comes from ostriches whose feathers are plucked while they are still alive. “Rihanna is flaunting stolen property, in this case feathers possibly plucked right off their rightful owners’ backs,” the Daily Star quoted PETA spokeswoman Sandra Smiley as saying. “She has shown little regard for foxes, cows and reptiles, now she’s adding birds to the list of species exploited for her dubious looks. “Feathers are often ripped off chickens, geese, ostriches and emus in live plucking. This can result in gaping wounds that are sewn up with a needle and thread without anaesthetic,” she said. Smiley also criticised Rihanna saying that as a victim of violence herself, she must know how to open her heart. “We keep hoping that Rihanna, a victim of violence herself, will learn to open her heart and start empathising with the suffering of others,” she said. “That includes the animals who are beaten, gassed, electrocuted and poisoned to be turned into fashion accessories,” she added. ANI