Copyright

HarperCollinsPublishers

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First published by HarperCollinsPublishers 2020

© HarperCollinsPublishers 2020

Text by Emma Bastow

Illustrations by Abi Read and Shutterstock

Design by Abi Read

A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library

Emma Bastow asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

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Source ISBN 978-0-00-838101-1

Ebook Edition © February 2020 ISBN: 978-0-00-840305-8

Version 2020-01-13

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Leopard Fashion

Leopard Makes

Leopard Lives

Leopard Fun

About the Publisher

Introduction

Welcome, leopard-lovers, to this totally roarsome book, full of feline fun, frolics and a huge dose of fabulousness. Whether you’re curious about the evolution of leopard-print fashion, keen to learn a few leopard-themed jokes or planning a party fit for a spot-obsessed friend, there’s a chapter here for you.

Let Leopard Fashion take you on a journey from the age of the silver screen, through punk via glam rock, to today’s influencer-obsessed fast-fashion culture. Learn how the trend for wearing real fur was overtaken by luscious silks and expensive gowns created to showcase these spotted designs, and how leopard print has constantly evolved and adapted to suit the fashions of the day.

Get creative with Leopard Makes and wow your friends with leopard-print cakes and cookies. Kids will love the hide-and-seek bread (especially if it’s served slathered in chocolate spread – yum) and the spotted jelly, and the easy-peasy leopard face paint will make fancy dress parties a doddle for both kids and adults. And for a touch of class in a glass, try out the spot painting technique included in this chapter – so simple but oh-so-leopard.

For facts, fiction and philosophy, look no further than Leopard Lives. Here you will read about the majestic snow leopard, find out how to analyse your leopard dreams and perhaps even learn a proverb or two. Heard about the leopard that lost its spots? Or the unusual strawberry-coloured leopard that’s been sighted |in South Africa? Read on to discover more about these fascinating and surprising creatures.

Leopard Fun is packed with ideas, inspiration and ideology. Did you know about the leopard-print house? Believe it or not, it really does exist. Want to know which celebrity includes a leopard-print rug in their riders? Or just how many Instagram posts have been tagged with the hashtag ‘leopard’? It’s all here, along with crazy quotes, jolly jokes and a sackful of silliness.

So my fellow feline friends, let’s delve into this world of leopard-print madness and celebrate all that is great about these beautiful animals. Enjoy, and remember to always keep it leopard.

Leopard Fashion

Dress Like a Leopard

Leopard print has come a long way since the hide of these beautiful animals was adopted by African tribal leaders to symbolise power, and draped over the shoulders of kings to show off their hunting prowess. Thankfully the twentieth century saw the advent of synthetic leopard-print fabric, and so the obsession began.

The first leopard-print garment appeared on the catwalk in 1947 and it quickly earned a cult following. Popularised by everyone from ’40s screen sirens to ’80s punks, the print has undergone numerous incarnations in the fashion world and has established a reputation for being daring, bold and rebellious.

Today pretty much every high-street and online fashion store will stock at least one leopard-print item at any one time, and although the fashion peaks and wanes, the print never truly vanishes – reappearing as a must-have every few seasons. From bags, jewellery and scarves to nail art, underwear, nightwear and everything in between, virtually every item of clothing and fashion accessory is available in this vibrant design.

And leopard print is no longer confined to the traditional cream–brown and yellow–orange colour scheme. Is bright pink your thing? There’s a leopard-print design out there for you. Lover of bright rainbow patterns? Yep, rainbow leopard print is a thing. But why did we start wearing leopard spots in the first place? And how has this print endured for so many decades? Read on to find out.

DID YOU KNOW…?

Henry VIII was fashion-forward

Leopard skin was the height of fashion among the British nobility in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and Henry VIII and his courtiers wore velvet gowns adorned with animal fur to display their wealth. Commoners, however, were banned from wearing fur as well as the colour purple.

Leopard print first appeared on the catwalk in 1947

Leopard-print fabric – rather than fur – first appeared on the catwalk in 1947 thanks to Christian Dior, whose Spring/Summer collection that year featured a silk-chiffon ‘Jungle’ print evening gown and day dress.

Leopard-Print Evolution

1920

This stylish and sexy fabric becomes popular among rich and famous women during the Jazz Age, as modelled by Joan Crawford.

1940

Leopard print plays a big part in Christian Dior’s New Look styles, as screen sirens and pin-ups are photographed wearing daring leopard corsets and lingerie. The print takes on new meaning, being seen as exotic and erotic.

1950

Fur hits the catwalk as the latest must-have fabric, and, sadly, leopard hide comes into fashion in a big way among the super-rich.

1960

First Lady Jackie Kennedy shows fierce dedication to the print, Audrey Hepburn models a leopard-print pillarbox hat in Charade, and Mrs Robinson wears a leopard-print coat and matching underwear in The Graduate. Ooh la la.

1970

Glam rock, punk and spandex bodysuits – the ’70s see leopard print explode into pop culture, as sported most famously by Sid Vicious and Debbie Harry.

1980

As fashion becomes all about power-dressing, Diane Von Furstenberg chooses the design for her iconic wrap dress, taking leopard print from the fringes to the mainstream.

1990

Leopard print hits the mass market in a big way. Everyone from Scary Spice to Kate Moss adopts the spots, and it’s all over the high street as animal print sees a massive surge in popularity.

2000

Influencers and designers find new ways to use the spots. In 2019 Versace sends a male model down the catwalk with leopard-print hair and almost causes total internet collapse. One bold enthusiast in Rogers Park, Chicago, paints their house with a leopard-print design (see Chapter 4). We can only imagine what leopard-print creations the next decade will bring, but one thing is for sure – leopard print is here to stay.

Leopard Goes Mainstream

Diana Vreeland, the legendary fashion editor who took the helm at both Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar during her illustrious career, was largely responsible for bringing leopard print to the masses. Her unwavering commitment to the design included hailing it as the Next Big Thing after a young Yves Saint Laurent showcased leopard designs, a piece she no doubt wrote in her leopard-print-adorned office. Diana’s leopard-loving influence reached far and wide, from music – Joey Ramone of the Ramones is said to have worn leopard bracelets in her honour – to Pop Art. Without her, who knows if leopard print would be the enduring force it is today.

I’ve never met aleopard print I didn’t like.

Diana Vreeland 1903–1989

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VOGUE AND HARPER’S BAZAAR

How Do You Wear Yours?

Subtle and muted or bright and bold? Whether you’re an in-your-face leopard-clad goddess or prefer a little more sophistication with just the flash of a leopard-print scarf or purse, see here to learn what your leopard style says about you.

The classic leopard

You’re a puritan – only the classic black-and-brown combo works for you, and you wear it with style. Smart, sophisticated and in control, your wardrobe oozes class and contains timeless pieces that you wear season after season.

The colourful leopard

You like your leopard prints BRIGHT. Pinks, purples, greens, yellows – anything but beige. You were ahead of the curve when rose-gold animal prints hit the high street and love nothing more than a leopard-print colour clash to see you from day to eveningwear.

The on-trend leopard

You follow the fashion pages closely and are always first in line for the latest leopard-print item. This season’s leopard skirt a sellout? No problem, you were on the waiting list three seasons ago and bought one in every colourway.

The leopard accessoriser

Is the all-over leopard look a bit much for you? Do you keep it classy with black and muted tones and then go wild with your add-on items? You’re a textbook accessoriser. From scarfs, shoes and notebooks to mobile phone covers, you love to accent with leopard print.

The experimental leopard

A lover of pushing the boundaries, your leopard style is fierce. Neons are mixed with animal prints in a mish-mash that shouldn’t work but somehow you manage to pull off. Always. For you, leopard is most definitely a neutral.

‘To wear leopard you must have a kind of femininity which is a little bit sophisticated. If you are fair and sweet, don’t wear it.’

—The Little Dictionary of Fashion

CHRISTIAN DIOR

DID YOU KNOW…?

Faux fur has been embraced by African tribespeople

African tribal leaders, who traditionally wear leopard hide, have recently embraced faux fur in an effort to reduce the poaching of these beautiful animals.

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