Animal Prints

 

Animal prints and skins are widely thought to bestow power on the wearer. Fabrics with patterns and colors resembling animal skins became fashionable as early as the eighteenth century, when elaborate silk designs resembling exotic furs intertwined with expensive laces to evoke a sense of luxury and wealth.

Uses

Animal-patterned clothing is thought to transfer characteristics associated with a specific animal, such as a tiger's fierceness, to the wearer. Animal motifs are also widely regarded as erotic, and thus appear on clothing intended to attract others. Animal prints, for example, are a constant presence in overtly sexual lingerie. A person wearing animal print makes a confident statement and expresses a desire to be noticed. With their multicolored patterns and irregular designs, these eye-catching prints grab the viewer's attention. Their reputation in high fashion ranges from classic and sophisticated to cheap and trashy. Animal prints should be limited to accents, according to mainstream fashion articles, to avoid sending an overly suggestive message.

Patterns

The patterns of the world's big cats have been constants in the fashion world, from tiger stripes to cheetah spots. The leopard's rosette pattern has long been a favorite. They are graceful and powerful hunters with "feminine" cunning and instinct. When MGM released Tarzan the Apeman in 1932, it was a huge success. During the 1930s, the revealing leopard-patterned clothing of stars Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan and Maureen O'Sullivan as Jane created a sensation for leopard and cheetah prints. Blouses, coats, and scarves were among the popular animal print items at the time. These items embodied the excitement and adventure of the jungle, as well as an independence of spirit that was unusual for depictions of women at the time.

Growing Popularity

Rudi Gernreich, a fashion designer, created a collection of animal-patterned dresses with matching tights and underwear in 1968, which was documented in the film Basic Black (1968) by photographer William Claxton and model Peggy Moffitt. In the 1970s and 1980s, animal prints were very popular for dresses, leggings, and accessories. Animal pelts and prints reflected the 1970s' free-spirited independence and increased interest in world cultures. In the 1980s, animal motifs were perfectly suited to the combination of extravagance, bold patterns, and color. Animal prints have become synonymous with fashion designers Dominico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. These prints accentuate the diva personas of the celebrities who wear them.

Influence of Politics

Political concerns about the use of real leather and animal fur have influenced the use of animal prints. Trade in endangered species is illegal under international law. Animal rights activists and organizations have promoted wearing clothing printed with animal motifs rather than actual pelts to raise awareness of the treatment of animals killed for the use of their skins.