The One & Only Leopard Print
The famous Leopard print. Like marmite, you either love it or hate it. By Jade.
Its historical journey across the fashion industry has reached both highs and lows, highlighting the print with connotations of luxury, status, wealth, yet provocative, sexual, trashy and kitsch- I personally think it’s great!
Its ability to make its way back into our runways despite its controversy is admirable.
Within the natural world of survival, the print is designed to blend. Its neutral tones and blotches are used to hide the predators as they hunt their prey. However, within Western society, the print takes on an entirely different identity. Indicating either social status, or sexual availability.
Burlesque dancer Jo Weldon draws inspiration for her book Fierce: The History of Leopard Print, from the iconic 1950’s fashion image of singer and actress Eartha Kitt, styled head-to-toe in leopard fur. The book delves into the evolution and changing status of the pattern.
Weldon discusses the patriarchal significations behind the print, its connection to hunting, in association with “wild men” such as the likes of Tarzan, creates this sense of domination over the animal.
Evolving into the fashion industry from the 1950s and 60s, wearing leopard fur created a strong identification as a trophy wife, those who wore it were belittled and seen as an attraction for older men.
The introduction of mass-produced fabrics within the 20th century decreased the value and status of the print. It became more accessible for all classes as it entered a mainstream culture. We have seen the print used to indicate signs of tackiness, in recent pop culture films and music videos, it is used to portray women as mean and shallow characters. A.K.A. “The Trophy Wife,” “The Bad Mother” and “The Femme Fatale”… or to those Eastenders watchers…the one and only Pat Butcher.
Now don’t get too ahead of yourselves and frown upon the leopard print, we have also seen the print celebrated and embraced across catwalks from the likes of Christian Dior- the first designer to use leopard print rather than fur on the runway in 1940s. Styled on the likes of Kate Moss, there is a sense of empowerment and class still associated with it.
Throughout the 70s and 80s, the print transformed again into this iconic wardrobe staple for men and women in rock. Seen on the likes of Grace Jones, leopard print was seen as a symbol of power. Many women continue to wear it within today’s society as it brings a sense of daringness… go on ladies!
Kinda ironic how predators used this print as a survival mechanism and hunting technique, whereas women within fashion are making it their own and using it to stand out. As Weldon suggests, “she’s not necessarily saying that she is a predator, but she sure isn’t prey”.
Weldon makes a grand point suggesting, “In all its forms — sophisticated, luxe, rebellious, sexy — (the) leopard print makes a statement. It can’t be ignored, whether you like it or loathe it. That’s why it’s still so prominent in mainstream culture.
Like anything within the fashion industry, leopard print has its own controversies and interpretations. I believe it is something which should be embraced, experimented with through styling; it’s always great to add that extra bit of pattern into your wardrobe, and no other way to do it than with a leopard print jacket!
