Trend Report: new ways with animal prints

Derek Lam Resort 2013
Image via http://www.style.com

I have never been one for wearing animal prints. I have a few scarves, the occasional accessory, but was never been attracted to animal print garments; that is until the leopard print dress worn by Maudie Atkinson (actress Rosemary Murphy) in To Kill a Mockingbird caught my eye and my imagination. 

http://www.freewebs.com/wantonwontons/mockingbird6.jpg

According to Tanya D. Wilson, curator of the animal print collection for the Imprint (NYC) exhibition, "From prehistoric time animal skin, fur, and leather has been a form of protection as well as a sartorial statement of social status." Maudie's day dress manages to make animal print a subtle statement, not a primal scream. 

Diane von Furstenberg's 2013/14 offerings achieve the same effect, with sophisticated shapes, beautiful fabrics, and unexpected combinations of prints and colours. Unlike Roberto Cavalli's designs, which tend to contrast animal prints with bright summery colours and vibrant floral prints, DVF's recent designs tend to use autumnal tones to compliment and enhance the animal prints.

Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2013
image via http://aventurachic.com/ 

Roberto Cavalli for Target,
image via http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Roberto+Cavalli+Launches+Range+Target+ZPbl3GvSSNal.jpg

Perhaps I am drawn to von Furstenberg's designs because I prefer an autumn palette;, or because the cut of her clothes are better suited to my figure; or perhaps I am innately more conservative than Roberto Cavalli's muse. Whatever the reason, I shall be exploring my wild side, and subtly  incorporating more animal prints into my wardrobe. 

Joan Harris, Mad Men season 6
Image via http://www.trashtalktv.com

Other ways with animal prints:

• Imprint (NYC) animal print essay by Tanya D. Wilson: imprintnyc.org/animal.html 
• Shauna's Vintage Closet "The History of Animal Print: Why people love to do wild things": blog.shaunasvintagecloset.com/?photo=1186
• Style.com "Animal print is not Tacky": www.style.com/community/lookbooks/thumbnails/mylookbook1292156?iphoto=0
• Aventura Chic "Reinvented Trends": http://aventurachic.com/reinvented-trends-animal-print/#.UgrXhtKnqfo
• Costuming To Kill a Mockingbird: An Interview with Costume Designer, Ellen MacKay 
• To Kill a mockingbird: IMDB entry