Why we're going wild for the animal print that's set to replace leopard

Everyone knows that the lion is the king of animals. And everyone who can dress knows that the leopard is the king of animal prints. Fierce, bold and sexy, the leopard print has truly stood the test of time. Both Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent adorned their muses in this fiercely feline pattern, while long-standing leopard-loyalists such as Kate Moss and singer Mel B have given us decades of unforgettable spotty looks.

Just as the leopard has adapted to live in almost any kind of environment, leopard prints are pretty much everywhere – even doing well in the snow, as last year’s DiorAlps collection proved. So rest assured, there’s no threat of leopard print going extinct anytime soon. But as the pattern becomes so ubiquitous that it starts to feel neutral, is its reign finally coming to an end?

The stripy waters have been stirring for a while now. Back in December 2019, Danish stylist and creative director Pernille Teisbæk declared it was ‘Zebra Season’ as she graced the streets of Copenhagen with a pair of zebra-print boots from the Attico. And she wasn't alone, the likes of Megan Fox and Hailey Bieber followed suit with their love of Bottega Veneta’s iconic clutch pouch in zebra.

But this season, the roles of predator and prey have had a runway reversal as zebra sets out to end leopard’s long-lasting reign, stomping its striped hooves all the way down the catwalk.

While scientists agonise over whether or not a zebra’s stripes function as a camouflage, in the fashion world, this print has proven itself to be a surefire way to stand out from the rest of the herd. Knee-high zebra boots were the statement shoes of Samsøe Samsøe’s autumn/winter 2022 runway, while Stine Goya’s ribbed green take proved that the print isn’t merely do-able in just black and white.

On the international runways, Comme des Garçons transformed its signature silhouettes into a herd of layered zebra looks in differing prints and fabrics, all dancing against one another. Dries Van Noten, who showcased six zebra-print looks, was a particular standout this season. The name-sake designer showed the print on structured tailoring and printed on faux fur, paired with pops of pink artfully clashing with other animal patterns, including leopard and cow-print.

Stepping off the runway, our local tastemakers show us how to wear this versatile print fares in the wild (i.e. the Nordics), where street style favourites include Zeffon's signature zebra blazer. In its classic black and white iteration, Petra Henriette’s zebra-print trousers are the perfect base to the vibrant blue and green of her top and bag, while an acid green mule is all it takes to make Trine Kjær’s zebra skirt and shirt combo truly pop.

Lest we fall into the trap of mistakenly thinking that zebra is merely a supporting act for more interesting colours and patterns, we've got Elsa Hosk and Cassandra Klatzkow to show us otherwise. The pair kept it simple in their zebra-print dresses, styled with neutral sandals and an eggshell handbag in Hosk’s case. Klatzkow’s black-and-white slip dress and Hosk’s elegant long-sleeved brown dress leave no doubt as to whether this print can hold its own.

Want to try it yourself? Vogue Scandinavia has curated these picks to help you earn your sartorial stripes: