When sewing a dress from leopard print, many women think about one question:
"Will it be in fashion after a couple of seasons?"
If you are also worried that the leopard print will quickly go out of style, then read to the end what stylist Karolīna Baumane has to tell us.
Karolīna replies:
Some patterns are "timeless", meaning they have proven themselves in human clothing for several decades, centuries, and even thousands of years. If these patterns read a fashion magazine that says "This season's trend is... leopard!", they would think: "People, are you serious?".
That is to say, there are some articles that cannot just suddenly go out of fashion. It is as absurd as Ancient Rome could go out of fashion. Yes, there are periods when a certain aesthetic is less relevant, but that does not shake Rome's position in any way. As it has stood, so it stands.
In our cultural and historical heritage, there are several such patterns: Scottish check or tartan, goosefoot, Welsh prince's check or glencheck, thousand flowers pattern or millefleur, Indian cucumber or paisley, and – LEOPARDS. The list can go on.
Thus, for the leopard, just like for the other patterns from the "eternal" family, it doesn't matter at all whether it is in season's trend or not. From this fabric, you can sew absolutely anything – the main thing is to ensure that the cut is current. Then the product will also be relevant. Because the "trendiness" of a piece is determined solely by its shape. Color or pattern – never.
One of my clients, who adores leopards, can't wait for the hype around leopards to die down so that everyone knows – the leopard is her love, not a nod to fashion trends.
That is: if you like leopard print, wear it for a lifetime and don't worry about its "trendiness."
From a stylistic point of view, the leopard is one of the most unique patterns. From a coloristic perspective (the study of colors) – neutral, meaning it can easily be matched with any other color, but from a semantic perspective – so variably different!
- elite glamorous like real leopard furs worn by Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth II in her youth, and other stars and wives of oil magnates.
- ironically mocking bourgeois snobbery like a cheap polyester half-jacket thrown over the shoulders of Kurt Cobain while he smoked a cigarethere.
- sensually seductive like a long dress made of smooth satin from Monte Carlo casino
- vulgar like a semi-transparent top in a basement nightclub.
- so feminine, as men do not wear leo
- so very gender-stereotype-breaking, as this is the favorite of all rebels, from punks to drag queens, article.
One thing about leopard print is constantly true: "Don't wear leopard if you're quiet and sweet." This was said by the maestro Christian Dior himself in the 1950s.
Leopards is visually loud and cannot help but attract attention. The main thing is to know what we want to say.
If we say yes to the leopard, a good idea to start with is a blouse, for example, with a large pussy bow. The pussy bow is an element of power dressing that will level out the connotation of feminine fragility, if someone is afraid of it.
If we let the leopard print in the bottom wear – I can recommend midi length skirts in a bias cut. They will not add visual volume to the hips, which women usually avoid, and rightly so.
A universal item is a dress in leopard print. The more we compensate for the sensuality of the leopard with sleeve length, minimizing the décolletage area, and the fabric's opacity properties, the safer it is.
Look for a fabric where the leopard spots (called rosettes) are rather small than large, and cover the background in a quite dense and chaotic manner. The less contrasting the rosettes are, the better, and the more natural the background color without veering into orange – as well.
The leopard always has something to say. Before sewing something in leopard print, think: what do you want to say?
With greetings, Karolīna
You will find fabrics for inspiration with a leopard print te.
If you want to learn more about leopard print and other stylistic principles, we invite you to join our masterclass. "The Basics of Styling for Sewing Enthusiasts", what will happen October 19th from 2:00 PM
In the interactive lecture, fashion stylist Karolīna Baumane will provide tips on how to choose patterns, how to create trendy cuts, and much more, so that your sewn garments are not only of high quality but also stylistically sophisticated.
Participation fee – 45 euros.
Registration:
📞 Call or message: 26 851 070
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