ANIMAL INSTINCT
FOR A/W 19-20, LEOPARD PRINTS HAVE SPILLED OVER FROM THEIR USUAL HOME – WOMENSWEAR – ONTO MENSWEAR CATWALKS
MENSWEAR TREND
Animal prints have always been a ‘love it or hate it’ kind of pattern. Provocative, sexy, glamorous, pop or tacky, they have been part of fashion’s vernacular for decades: think Italian black-and-white films from the 1950s, Jackie Kennedy’s iconic 1960s looks, or 1980s celebrity photos. However, until recently, they were usually relegated to women’s collections by mainstream fashion. Not anymore: the upcoming winter sees some of the most respectable and established brands inject their collections with a dash of leopard chic. Their styling proves the print is versatile and can be worn in a variety of ways, creating both fun and sophisticated looks.
Paired with soft silk shirts and trousers, the leopard coats at Versace became iconic as soon as they hit the runway. Celine’s version of leopard-printed outerwear can be combined with suits, resulting in a bold but elegant look. At Dior, artistic director Kim Jones combines the Maison’s rich heritage with a street attitude: a coat with an animal print, worn with black sophisticated pants and contemporary black boots, is a case in point. Meanwhile at Marni, Francesco Risso has opted for a colorful version of the print, adding a tongue-in-cheek vibe to a collection already infused with irony. Unexpectedly, colors and leopard print generally seem to work together: Neil Barrett paired a jacket in leopard print with red trousers and a camel coat, while at MSGM, the pattern is seen on a futuristic black-andred parka. Lastly, the Japanese label John Lawrence Sullivan is unabashedly rock-n-roll about leopard prints in its menswear line: they feature on oversize coats, shirts and tuxedos, and are layered with snake and camouflage patterns.