Japan zoo makes wild fashion statement with lion-ripped jeans
The facility northeast of Tokyo has unveiled « Zoo Jeans », styled by the fangs and claws of lions, tigers and bears.
Zoo officials said the material held up well, all things considered.
« We wrapped several pieces of denim around tyres and other toys. Once they were thrown into the enclosures, the animals jumped on them, » said zoo director Nobutaka Namae, adding that the pieces were later patched together to create the finished product.
« The denim was actually much tougher than we had thought, and it turned out nicely destroyed. »
The idea came from a Tokyo advertising executive who wanted to give something back to the zoo where he spent time as a child, Namae added.
Two pairs of jeans ripped by lions and a tiger-destroyed version are being auctioned on the Internet with proceeds to be donated to the zoo and the conservation group WWF.
As of Monday, bidding on the tiger-torn denim had soared to 121,000 yen ($1,200).
They will be on exhibit at the Kamine Zoo — along with a bear-savaged version — until next week.
