Spotted...in Leopard

SPOTTED...IN LEOPARD

 I couldn't agree more with Jenna....and, may I add, it's definitely a CLASSIC and we all know that by 'classic', we mean HERE TO STAY !

We have clad ourselves in Leopard spots for as long as we know. Well before it appeared in magazines, been featured in the collections (almost every season, every year...) or on the 'best-dressed' lists of every Sartorial blog, Leopard has always been a pattern of choice.

Let's rewind a bit...back to prehistoric times. What, do you guess, decorated the walls of our ancestor's humble abodes caves...?

Yessss...

The Ancient Egyptians favoured that Leopard print too...

Only the Egyptian Elite - Priests and Pharaohs - wore Leopard

The Greeks and the Romans also went Leopard...some even rode them...(!) 

DIONYSUS ON A LEOPARD - late 4th C B.C, from the floor in the 'Home of Dionysus' at Pella, Archaeological Museum, Greece

Leopard Detail from ORPHEUS CHARMING THE ANIMALS - Roman Mozaics

The Leopard is such a majestic, powerful and beautiful beast that for some ethnic groups, wearing its' skin ensures protection and power.

This is true of the Zulu People of South Africa, where, still today, Leopard skin is worn as ceremonial adornment. Because the Leopard is now an endangered species, there is much pressure for the Zulu tradition to adopt synthetic alternatives...

On the left - YOUNG ZULU WARRIOR - around 1870. Photo by GRAY BROTHERS. On the right - ZULU WEARING LEOPARD around 1853. Metropolitan Museum of Art

A fine line between tradition and modernity...now the cell phone, next the fake fur ??

'Fast Forward'...to 18th Century Europe...

Those Breeches !!! - Detail from "AN INTERIOR WITH ELEGANT COMPANY"  by VENCESLAO VERLIN

Get this...

Napoleon himself enjoyed the wild print and had a wool carpet made for his 'Army Tent' during the Campagne de Russie; the French Invasion of Russia in 1812. Didn't really bring him luck...but that's another story.

Leopard Love in the most unlikely places...NAPOLEON'S Army Tent. 'Musée de l'Armée', Paris

So, you see, Leopard print has been around, like FOREVER ! But, you may ask...(or not...just play along here...ok), when did Leopard become the 'modern' fashion statement we know (and Luuurve...) today ?

Blame it all on Hollywood.

In the 'Roaring Twenties' (1925 actually) where wild and wonderful extravaganza defined Hollywood; a young actress became a sensation, not necessarily for her talent but rather because of the unusual pet - yep - a Leopaaaarddddhhh - she  proudly paraded with on Hollywood Boulevard. Her name was Marian Nixon and she was probably the first to fully grasp the power of effective accessorizing (and media exposure)!! 

Coat and 'pet cat' - playing matchy - matchy...

For decades, Leopard ( as well as Panther, Ocelot and Jaguar) skins were used to make coats, trimmings and even furniture upholstery. Owning a Leopard or Panther (etc...) coat conveyed an image of glamour, wealth, success and power. Movie stars and fashion icons alike, all wore those sought-after spots. 

An Ocelot Coat by BERGER - 1954 - photo: F.C. GUNDLACH - Hamburg

 ROMY SCHNEIDER - photo: SAM LEVINE

 CATHERINE DENEUVE

But although real fur was not yet that taboo in the 50's, and 60's, the Leopard print took a new 'couture' twist thanks to Christian Dior in 1947. For the first time Leopard was used as a print and not as fur!

Fur 'Impressions' - CHRISTIAN DIOR -

CHRISTIAN DIOR 1947 Spring/Summer Collection with 'Afrique', his Leopard- Print Evening Gown

That same 1947 gown, could well be worn here and now (a 'CLASSIC', I tell you) although today, if you've got that J.LO 'attitude' (and sexy curves) you may bring that neckline down a little...

Panther Diva

You may, on the other hand, go for a more classical version of the printed dress ...

I would totally wear this - loooove it...

or, be inspired by Victoria Beckham, and opt for a long, body hugging pencil skirt and high heels...

Dark shades compulsory...

Or for the young, urban, chic chick...

The length of these shorts, paired with a loose, silk shirt...perfect...for my daughters that is...but love it just the same...

And if you don't really feel comfortable stepping out in spotted shorts; try the 'leopard meets jeans' version - always a safe bet - and workable at any age...

 Neeeeeed that coat

Whatever your spots and however you wear them, don't overdo it! As much as I worship Leopard, it can be toooo much... If you're not careful about how you wear Leopard, it may end up wearing you....

Vintage VALENTINO - Wool Suit - Fall/Winter 1966-67. I'll have BOTH please (but I promise not to wear them at the same time...)

Now where to begin....or stop...

One item of clothing in Leopard is just indispensable wonderful. Why not a statement coat or jacket to unleash your inner wild side...

Hellooo KEITH...

or 'à la Kate Moss'...rockin' it...

VOGUE UK - 2010 - Photo by PATRICK DEMARCHELIER

On her best behaviour...

  

If you prefer Leopard in small doses, try an accessory...

NOT AS an ACTUAL accessory... btw, are you sure these guys have been fed ?...hurry up and take the picture please...Nice kitty kitty....(FRANCOISE HARDY wondering why she accepted this photo shoot....)

Gorgeous and classic - the scarf

Yes please. Love the mix of prints too.

How about a hat?

CARMEN DELL' ORIFICE

Or a great shoe? For day...

Shoes by ALDO

Or night...

Spotted in the spotlight...wearing GUISEPPE ZANOTTI heels

Bags are a perfect accent too...

Cute little clutch - at SHOPBOP

But, careful, there are a few Total No No's when it comes to animal prints in general, as in:-

Leopard Oversized Glasses...Pass...

or, letting your man wear this...

Sorry CARY...as much as I love you...Just doesn't do it...

Talking about addiction...

Leopard and I go hand in paw...

Illustration by the great RENE GRUAU for MISS DIOR

 

I have loved Leopard for a very very long time...

Well, maybe not THAT long...although I wish I knew then what I know now...these darlings found on tgustore.com

 

If I were to tell you I own (today, not counting stuff from a previous life...)...in Leopard print...( no real skin obviously) a Spanish tailored jacket, a custom-made Fedora from Vienna, a pair of Italian gloves, a scarf (or 2...or 3), Tory Burch ballerinas, a Zara bag, a pair of trousers, some tights (actually never worn...) and a pair of old US cowboy boots I bought in NYC, back in the eighties (a.k.a previous life) and with which I will never ever part...does that make me a Leopard junkie???  - Not really - I know I only have a 'mild' case of Leopard fever...Haven't quite gone ALL the way...

My ARASA MORELLI Jacket

Kicking up some leaves in my good ol'boots...

And, although I have, on occasion (ok only for the sake of this post...) dressed up my beloved pooches in Leopard and do have the occasional pillow for my couch... 

Spotted! Archie and Goa, looking good in DIOR

There is still lots left for me to do...like...

Carpet my living room in Leopard comme MADELEINE CASTAING...

Or the walls of my study, inspired perhaps, by the 'Milly-la-Forêt' home of French Artist and Poet JEAN COCTEAU (also decorated by Madeleine Castaing)

Upholster EVERYTHING in Leopard like YVES SAINT LAURENT, who gave the fabulous print his undivided attention in both his fashion and interior design ( his Art Collection wasn't too shabby either...).

Leopard Print, Red Walls, Amazing Art...oh la la...

Major Chair Crush...

Eat Leopard Cake...

Sweeeet...

Or go Leopard in the garden ???

Didn't think so...but if you change your mind...dirtcouture.com

On a more serious note...not only talking 'fashionable' spots here...so many of these animals are in great danger today because Nature has doted them with extraordinary beauty and, as some people believe, phenomenal powers. These very things may well lead them to extinction. Our duty is to absolutely help preserve and protect them. If you take just a few minutes and look at the WWF 'Species Directory' of the 'critically endangered' and 'endangered' list, you will probably be shocked and saddened by what you will read. 

So, yes, animal prints (not only spots ...think zebra, tiger even giraffe...) are here to stay; in fashion, in interior design, in creative design...you name it...they will always be 'en vogue'...

VOGUE Cover 1940

But don't forget where the inspiration came from...

That Face...

So, LOVE your Leopard...

But remember...

We can buy 'prints' but only THEY own the ORIGINAL.

Meeeow

A très vite...

Credits:- www.asmmgz.com - tgustore.com - www.wwf.com - www.shopbop.com -  ww.dirtcouture.com - www.vogue.com - www.dreaminparis.tumblr.com - www.maliciousglamour.tumblr.com - www.keepitchic.com - www.flickr.com - www.lemonde.fr - www.notyourstandard.com - www.thezoereport.tumblr.com - www.dior.com - www.wikigallery.org - www.splendidsass.blogspot.com - www.wikipedia.com - www.carnivora.com - www.theancientworld.tumblr.com - www.telegraphe.co.uk - www.lespetitesmains.blogspot.ch

AD Interieurs - Carte Blanche in Paris

CARTE BLANCHE IN PARIS

One of the places I love to go to when I visit Paris is the Musée des Arts Décoratifs on the rue de Rivoli. They always have the best exhibits and their gift shop isn't bad either...

 Just up that staircase...

you can spot the brightly coloured doors leading to the fabulous Dries Van Noten exhibit, (now over unfortunately...but you can still feast your eyes upon the beautiful catalogue from the gift shop...)

Push open these doors and enter the wonderfully creative world of this uber talented Belgian designer.

Dries Van Noten

 The exhibit was an artful mix of all the influences; musical, social, artistic...etc... that have driven the designer throughout his career. His eclectic, colourful and sophisticated work somehow also channel ease and comfort. The fabrics are sublime; tweeds or hand embroidered silks alike. Dries Van Noten's designs are uniquely chic, unpretentious and in that way, supremely elegant.  

Down the stairs again and across the hall to another sensational show...especially if you are into interior design...

This is the AD INTERIEURS 2014 interior design show (and their fifth edition) at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. 

This year, sixteen leading designers have been invited and given 'Carte Blanche' to create a living space around a special art piece selected from the reserve collection of the Museum. This exhibit/show is a great opportunity to see some rarely-seen works of art (you'll discover unique furniture, sculpture, paintings, lamps and much more...) and to experience the vision of the creators' styles, tastes and inspiration.

So...par ici la visite...

 

walk through the antichambre...

And into the room. Very 'dadaiste' don't you think...? Here, the selected art work is a sculpture by ARMAN,still packed in its' wooden container (caisse); hence the name of the room. You can see it on the left.

How about the 'Salon Facetté' designed by Pierre Yovanovitch?

Best lights...

I was so fascinated by these lamps here that I didn't snap the 1926 wooden garden chair which was his chosen piece...ooops...

The next room, appropriately called 'Le Cabinet d'une Elégante' is designed by Caroline Sarkozy and Laurent Bourgois (and yes, she is related to France's ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy; she's his half-sister...).
 
Their selected piece is this delicate little 'banquette', once Marie-Antoinette's royal seat at the theatre of the Trianon in Versailles, no less ! How about that...

  
Perhaps what the Boudoir of Marie-Antoinette would look like if she were 'first lady' today...sleek and elegant.

 

with these delicate and beautiful porcelaine sculptures by Japanese Artist HITOMI HOSONO

Imagine a long, warm bath in this spectacular tub...you can even hold court as you soak. You are, after all, in the ultra glamourous 'Salon de Bain' designed by Charles Zana.

Charles Zana's statement piece is this sculptural, metal and plexiglass ceiling lamp  by ETTORE SOTTSASS, 1957.

Where your guests will sit as you soak...

So large, you may even have a party in there...what happens in the Musée des Arts Déco...stays in the...ahem

If you prefer a more conventional setting to entertain, then why not go with famous architect Isabelle Stanislas' concept of a space incorporating both a bar and a library...the 'Bar-Bibliothèque'. 

Can you spot the early 16th Century Venetian trunk amongst the dorian, marble,and glass...

That light...a definite WOW factor !!

And for some inspiration from the Orient...'Le Pavillon Chinois' designed by François Joseph Graf for Fendi.

14th Century MING DYNASTY Vase

There are also stunning details, like some of the doors marking the entrance to the various 'rooms' ; for example; this monumental one by the Cabinet Albert Pinto...leading the way into his 'Salon de Dégustation' - wine tasting room.

Looking through, at the main central hall, which is flanked on either side by the showcase rooms...

Amazing lamps too at Studio Alberto Pinto

These are just a few pictures (and believe me... they don't do the show justice...) from this wonderful designer showcase. Every room offers so many interesting and beautiful details and works of art.  The mixture of old and new, along with the great creativity of the designers and highly skilled artists and artisans, contribute to the highly acclaimed and recognized 'Art de Vivre à la Française'. 


So, if you happen to be in Paris anytime before November 23rd...and if interior design tickles your fancy...you know what to do...



As for me...and for now...I will leave you with one last light sculpture by Isabelle Stanislas...

A très vite....





Credits.-  www.parisinfo.com - www.tendances-de-mode.com