The animal kingdom is roaring in an en vogue chorus and we, being fanatical fashionistas, can’t dare ignore it. Some might say that the call of the wild on the streets and runways is not an unfamiliar sound. After all, (if you may) even cavemen wore the hides of the animals they hunted. But today, thankfully and humanely, we no longer need to resort to the literal manner of hunting the prints we love, and instead see a stunning collection of nature-inspired fashions and accessories appear from our favorite designers. This season’s loud roar is about upping one’s style quotient with primal power, and romancing its captivating silhouettes in the form of faux furs, prints, motifs, and much more.
When seeing the fashion’s most wanted animals and birds on the runways, the question of whether or not these trends are to be accepted no longer counts. Instead, it’s all about how these trends are to be embraced. Yes, gone are the days when nature-inspired outfits were defined by just kitty pullovers and leopard print jeggings. Because as of now, from Paris to Goa and Dubai to London, everyone is unleashing their feline power with absolute zeal. So if you are a true blue fashionista then you have to own at least one wild piece and master style it just right, as long as you don’t sport a complete animal look from head to toe.
Tip number one: If the animal instinct suggests you slip into leopard print trousers, then these should be teamed up with a pair of nude pumps. Or sporting a Prada fish scale dress or a Milia M (Summer 2013) printed bird gown with a solid color clutch. Yes, animal prints look sensational on everybody, provided it is toned down with a neutral.
An emerald green cardigan with an exotic snake skin skirt or beige knee-length boots with loud giraffe pants will both tone down and compliment the look. Roberto Cavalli had once confessed that one of his biggest passions is animal print, for it is like copying the nature that God created. No wonder he plays with the feline prints so often. And this feline power can be further supressed for the less adventurous in the form of leopard print belts and cutesy snake skin clutches.
Interestingly, accessories are the best and most chic way to get comfortable with the wild side. Louis Vuitton’s giraffe heels would pep up a neon asymmetrical dress and a casual evening with the girls will gel well with Marc Jacob’s Espadrille Mouse Flats or Camo Studded Mouse Ballerinas.
If you can handle the bold and the bling, then we suggest that you spoil yourself with Stephen Webster’s (Forevermark) couture Chinese dragon brooch carved on a tattooed leather piece or tempt the devil with the Temptation of Eve, a ring inspired from the devilish serpent. The ferocious enthusiasts would like designer Manish Arora’s line of panther cuffs, ear rings and maang teekas for Amrapali Jewels.
The primal power always lies in mixing the elements and trends. Even a single button with a tiger print on a black fitted boyfriend blazer, and a hippo patterned scarf with a pair of neon shorts, can be a conversation starter this season. Don’t be afraid to walk into a business lunch with an Olivia Burton watch on your wrist, let the hand-drawn owl, humming bird or butterfly chirp up the work for you. Play with the winged creatures with lovely butterfly, nightingale and swan pendants from Swarovski.
If the blooms and floral prints are your preference to animal prints, yet you still wish to embrace this trend, then be careful to choose a floral or botanical printed dress that is well-constructed. Nothing would flatter your figure more than a timeless silhouette. Moschino’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection is one such blooming affair; with its green grass shades and floral prints.
A splash of floral hues on the nails for the beach, a serpentine watch for a dinner, and animal print gloves for a Friday night, are just some of endless other fabulous and fierce choices. So, we suggest you go ahead and step out of that cage. Let your style inhibitions run free, and remember that the jungle is yours!
