Gigi Hadid Bombarded by Anti-Fur Protesters Pretending to Be Fans at Meet-and-Greet

With designers waiting to dress her and millions of fans desperate to copy her looks, Gigi Hadid is an undeniable fashion icon. But that doesn’t mean that everyone is a fan of her outfits. On Thursday, the 23-year-old model was bombarded at a meet-and-greet by a group of anti-fur protesters who had an issue with her history of wearing fur.

The incident occurred at a signing for Hadid’s collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger at a Macy’s in New York City’s Herald Square. In a video obtained by the Daily Mail, Hadid can be seen sitting at a table, waiting for the next fan as a woman, pretending to be a fan, approaches her. Hadid reaches up for a hug as the woman tells her something and tries to show her something on her phone.

When Hadid looks away to sign a card for her, the woman reaches from under her clothes and pulls out a sign with the words: “Gigi Kills.” Seconds later, another woman approaches the table with a sign reading, “Fur Scum.” The women are seen chanting, “Gigi Hadid. Shame on you!” as their signs are wrestled away from them and they’re ushered off the premises by security. The video shows Hadid briefly looking up at the women’s signs when they begin chanting before looking toward the crowd and back down at the table until the commotion is over.

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The video then cuts to moments later when Hadid is escorted away from the stage to compose herself. According to fans who were there, Hadid returns minutes later to continue her signing. However, almost immediately after her return, the model was approached by protesters again, leading security to cancel the event.

Source: Instagram

Though it’s unclear whether she was wearing real or faux fur, Hadid has been photographed wearing fur-looking clothes on many occasions.

Aside from a couple Instagram pictures from the event Hadid hasn’t addressed the incident. Ironically enough, Tommy Hilfiger, Hadid’s collaborator, went fur-free in 2007. We wonder when, if ever, Hadid did the same.

MORE: The Evolution of Gigi Hadid—From Fresh-Faced Newbie to Runway Ruler

Photo: Getty Images