A Print that Combines Past and Present

Written By Madison Clayburn

Photos By Britney Spangenberg

Models: Jada Brandt, Madison Clayburn, Arden Dickson, Lilian Elcan

Animal print has been around for centuries, not traditionally as clothing and accessories, but as decoration and a symbol of power and wealth. Historically, animal print and skins were expensive and only reserved for royalty. It wasn’t until 1932, when the film Tarzan the Apeman premiered, spotlighting the attractiveness of leopard print. This print as a fashion trend evoked “adventure and exoticism and gave the feeling of escaping from ordinary and embarking on a crazy adventure deep in the forest.” From this moment on, animal print became a statement. In the 1960’s, Christian Dior took on animal print and changed the public opinion from it being risky and exotic to elegant and classy. 

The mass market didn’t truly grab hold of animal print until the 1970’s when punk rock was all the rage. All of a sudden animal print was everywhere and on various garments. Cheetah and Leopard print went from elegant back to exciting and funky, “Jumpsuits, undergarments, shoes, and bell bottoms were all infused with animal print style”. In the 80’s zebra and snake prints were introduced as animal prints and rose to popularity. Some would call animal print a classic that really is never “out of style” while others would call this print “tacky” or “overdone”.

As time has gone on, animal print has been in and out of the trend spotlight. During the 1990’s and early 2000’s animal print calmed down and wasn’t used as often by designers. It wasn’t until the 2010’s that animal print including tiger, crocodile, and cow print, exploded on the runway and in everyday fashion again. A variety of animal prints can be worn in any season, any color, or any silhouette. Today we have a wide range of clothing, accessories, and shoes decked out in animal print that combine the edgy and adventurous spirit from the 1930’s and 1970’s with the elegance and classic look of the 1960’s.