Cardi B uses live crow as fashion accessory for Paris couture

American rapper Cardi B is facing criticism after showing up with a live crow perched on her arm at Schiaparelli’s Fall/Winter 2025-26 couture show on the first day of Paris Haute Couture Week.

Sharing a video on Instagram, the rapper playfully referred to the bird as “my little friend Crowdi B.”

On July 7, Cardi turned heads at the Petit Palais in a custom Schiaparelli gown adorned with structured pearl fringes. But while the outfit drew praise, it was the live crow that truly stole the spotlight—cawing and eyeing the crowd as Cardi urged paparazzi to lower their voices so the bird wouldn’t be startled.

Though some fans admired the bold styling, many online expressed concern over the use of a real animal as a fashion accessory. “Really hoping this doesn’t start a fashion trend of animals as accessories,” one Reddit user wrote. Another added, “There’s a lot worse in fashion, but I don’t like seeing any animal used this way.”

Others questioned why a robotic or faux bird wasn’t used instead. “No one could have made her a little robotic crow?” one person asked. “Seeing a crow on a leash is not fun.”

“Animals are not accessories,” another critic wrote. “It’s nothing new for rich people to use exotic animals as fashion statements—and nothing good ever comes of it for the animals.”

“Live animals should not be props,” added another. “This is just unnecessary.”

Cardi’s crow-accompanied look is a reimagining of a runway piece first worn by Karlie Kloss at Schiaparelli’s Spring 2024 couture show. For her version, Cardi styled her hair in a sleek side-parted bob, paired with bold pearl earrings—and the crow.

Interestingly, the bird motif appears to tie in with her upcoming album Am I The Drama?, set for release on September 19, 2025. The album’s cover art also features Cardi with a crow perched on her stiletto.

Later that evening, she changed into a burgundy rhinestone gown by Indian designer Rahul Mishra, complete with oversized 3D floral embellishments—a continuation of her nature-themed looks.

Other stars in attendance at the show included singer Dua Lipa and actress-model Hunter Schafer. Paris Haute Couture Week runs through July 10.