Josephine Baker with Her Cheetah, c.1930-32; Brigitte Bardot with a cheetah; Reva wearing leopard swim suit at The Habana Riviera Hotel, Cuba, 1950s; Salvador Dali in Spain, Figueres, Photographed by Erich Andres, 1957; Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick, 1964, photographed by Ugo Mulas; Tory Burch leopard-print needlepoint pillow; Anne Bancroft in The Graduate, 1967; Françoise Hardy flanked by two cheetahs at Château de Thoiry, photo by Hugues Vassal, 1969; Tory wearing a leopard sweater in 2010; Backstage at the Fall 2019 fashion show, photo by Jennifer Livingston.
A leopard never changes its spots, so they say. However, when it comes to fashion, it’s debatable. Like the animal that inspires it, this graphic pattern has undergone an evolution as well. Spotted on everyone from the ancient Egyptian goddess of wisdom, Seshat, to Salvador Dali, French muse Brigitte Bardot and Beyoncé, this print runs the gamut from low-brow to haute couture.
Much like a cat that always lands on its feet, this feline print never goes out of style. Exert your own power with subtle touches such as a boxy leopard bag and demure Gigi Pointed-Toe flats from the Fall 2019 collection.