Animal print: from trend to classic

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Animal print is a trend that came to stay, the important thing is to be careful when using it

It appeared on the catwalks of fashion, in the hands of Cristian Dior in 1947, and since then it has come to stay.

It became an iconic print that never goes out of style, used by celebrities and fashion figures such as Betty Page, Brigitte Bardot, Jackie Kennedy, Kate Moss and Paris Hilton.

Leer en español: Animal print: de tendencia a clásico

Yes, we are talking about the animal print or animalier, the animal skin print (including leopard, cow, crocodile, zebra, giraffe, python, tiger and even ostrich), embodied in dozens of garments, accessories, footwear and decorations .

A trend that many brands have joined (Gucci, Zanotti, Fendi, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton) and that, to tell the truth, loses the title of tendency to become an essential basic that every season is reinvented with new proposals and combinations . The leopard and the snake are, to a large extent, the favorites of brands such as Gucci, Giorgio Armani and Tom Ford, among other designers who propose this print on coats, pants, blouses and jackets.

The same pattern was shown with much more strength on the catwalks of Donatella Versace (one of the brands with great career that, in repeated collections, has used animal print as a trend) in the pv18 collection. There she commemorated her brother's golden age, rescuing the extravagant print of strong, more iconic, colors from the collection of the early 90s and that many designers have followed in their fashion proposals.

Max Mara opted for a more sober collection full of sophistication and dark tones where it is reinterpreted this trend by superimposing two sizes of animal print in the same look. Strong impact but extremely positive. In a more exuberant line, in contrast to the previous, Tom Ford went back to the 90s with the use of sequins and super acid and shocking colors.

Roberto Cavalli, king of the animal print, took as essential this year the leopard print in his Spring-Summer 2018 collection and we could see it in September at Milan Fashion Week. Eccentric, striking, elegant or sexual, the print, especially the leopard one, is suggested by most designers on the catwalks around the world, in different types of tones from the classic (brown and black tones) to pastel tones, to reach a lot more exuberant or extravagant colors.

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Is it an elegant or distasteful garment?

Let's face it, it's a piece of clothing that has its risk: it's not easy to wear, it can play for or against you. Well used can be synonymous with sensuality, elegance, distinction or glamour. But in contrast (misused), can make you look overloaded, disguised, distasteful or vulgar. For that reason, it can be a little dreaded.

The truth is that discreetly or not so discreetly there are those who have managed to take, highlighting and taking all the leading role. For example, Kim Kardashian is one of the celebrities who exploits this trend, especially the leopard. His favorite animal print brands are Roberto Cavalli and Versace. There is also Susana Giménez, a reference of Argentine fashion in the use of animal print prints.

"Less is more"

Others, on the other hand, have not been very favored. And they have not gone unnoticed, but not for their elegance but for looking a bit overloaded or disguised.

Although it has its risks, it can not be denied that the animal print has come to stay as a timeless basic that should be in your closet and that will never go out of style. The trick is to look balanced. You can combine it with the basic colors, warm or cold, depending on the pattern. Although with black it will always be a success.

Used moderately discreetly or recharged the animal print style never leaves anyone indifferent. Although some see it as a bit ordinary or ostentatious this contemporary style that is raging this season can add an elegant and riskier element to your clothes.

LatinAmerican Post | Yorledy Vivas Lázaro

Translated from "Animal print: de tendencia a clásico"