Gaudy or iconic? How leopard print took over

Leopard print, worn by everyone from pin-ups and “Yakuza wives” to Jackie O and royalty, has long divided opinion. As the holiday season approaches, bold patterns are the party look of choice for now.

Once dismissed as kitschy, leopard print has quietly made its way into the mainstream. Therefore, some people now consider bold patterns to be bold patterns. neutral. As party season approaches, street clothes rails fill up with blazers, blouses, belts, and dresses. All of these once boasted bisected handles.

But how did leopard print evolve into such a versatile style?Although it’s never completely disappeared from our wardrobes, this print has gone from punk rebellion to the edge of rock and roll to pin-up fashion. It has taken on many identities, symbolizing everything from glamor to royal elegance. Despite its wide appeal, it’s important to remember that it has survived times when it was considered ostentatious.

For Jo Weldon, author of Fierce: The History of Leopard Print, leopard print has always been a “progressive print” and one that she has long associated with outsiders. “In the 1950s, it was considered so daring that the first woman to model a leopard print bikini was exotic dancer Micheline Bernardini,” she told the BBC.

The history of leopard print predates our modern fashion heritage. In ancient Africa and Asia, genuine leopard skin was a symbol of status and was worn by royalty and warriors. In the 20th century, as fabrics became more available, Hollywood pushed questionable prints into pop culture. tarzan movie – Most notably, 1946’s Tarzan and the Leopard. Music icon Eartha Kitt embraced the print as a powerful move to reclaim fabric from its dubious association with primitivism. Jackie Kennedy Her 1962 leopard fur coat remains a source of inspiration and is credited with creating fashion trends at the time, including: killed thousands of leopards.

The association of leopard print with sophistication and sensuality is personified by Mrs. Robinson, played by Anne Bancroft. graduateHowever, moving from fur to prints wasn’t always considered so classy. It was the signature look of the iconic British soap character bet lynch coronation street and kat slater EastEnders and American TV characters Peggy Bundy Being married…with children not only shows that they are tough, but also flashy. But pop stars including Mel B – or scary spice – and amy winehouse – I wore it with rebellious pride. And chic leopard believers kate moss Her new prints also include coats collaboration With Zara. These names show how leopard print has become a symbol of self-expression and power, and that’s true in the pin-up world as well.

“It’s always been popular in burlesque,” Weldon says. In addition to writing, she is also the principal of the New York School of Burlesque. She traces the seductive power of prints back to the leopard itself. “They are nocturnal, mysterious creatures, which adds to the charm of the prints.”

Despite her love for all things leopard print, Weldon knows she’ll always be a snob. “There will always be people who discount this work as ‘trashy’, perhaps because of its association with characters like Peggy Bundy and Kat Slater, but that criticism is often rooted in classism.” “These characters made me love this print even more!” he added with a smile.

This sentiment is echoed by British Vogue’s Joy Montgomery. “There was always a tension between this print, which embodies liberation and sexuality, and being powerful yet feminine,” she told the BBC. Montgomery, the magazine’s commercial editor, recalls a time, not so long ago, when leopard print was associated with “a certain type of woman” who was outspoken. She added: ”friends janice Former Prime Minister Theresa May also comes to mind, as she often wore leopard print heels. aroused strong opinions. ”

Montgomery said attitudes have changed in recent years, largely due to Gen Z’s bold fashion experiments on TikTok. “Let’s think about the recent Yakuza wife tendencies“Suddenly, leopard print was all over our feeds,” she said, adding, “This is a generation that loves to draw inspiration from historical reference points and movie characters; It’s great to see them playing with leopard print without carrying any baggage.”

Gen Z’s love for vintage shopping It also spurred the revival of leopard print. This pattern has a long history and used copies are easily available online and in vintage and charity shops. Montgomery wonders whether older women feel the same freedom to experiment. But the fall/winter 2024-2025 catwalk was more sophisticated, she noted, adding that Dior’s leopard trench coat And Alaia’s chic knitwear As an example.

it belongs to the print designer christy dearing I also noticed. Over the past decade, she has designed for major high street brands, designing more than 10 leopard print garments in the last year alone. She credits luxury and “it girl” brands with making leopard print neutral. “We saw brands like Ganni and Rixo feature leopard print in 2023, and it’s back on the high-end 24/25 runways,” she says. Deering highlights two pairs of trainers. Adidas x Wales Bonner It helped standardize leopard print in accessories as well. “What was once considered a bold print can now be styled day or night, at work or even while you sleep,” she says. By the way, retail prices for these trainers started at $200 and are now selling for up to $2000.

While designing, Dearing always has one customer in mind. When asked who embodies the leopard print aesthetic, she explains that she’s someone who likes to dabble in trends while still maintaining individuality. “Leopard has become a safe staple in many women’s wardrobes. From glamor girls to femme girls to grunge girls, there’s always a home for leopard print,” she says.

“In today’s world, any judgment on leopard print isn’t about classism; it’s about individualism,” says fashion and beauty editor Lauren Cunningham. She believes this trend is here to stay, but points out that there is a growing desire for people to style it their own way.

“Vintage leopard print is always popular and with platforms like eBay, Vinted and charity shops it’s easier to personalize the trend than shopping straight from the high street.”

Like print designer Christy Dearing and Vogue’s Joy Montgomery, Cunningham follows fashion week closely. “Trying to find every runway trend often results in slim choices,” she says. “But this year, leopard print was everywhere, and I think that’s because it’s so versatile and fun. It can be punk, feminine, bohemian, or tailored.”

Her advice for anyone wanting to try this trend? “Start small with accessories like belts and bags, and gradually build up to larger leopard print spots.”