Showing posts with label leopard print. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leopard print. Show all posts

The faux show

Saturday, 11 May 2013


Fur throw over bed end - pic by favim.com

I am in love with faux fur!  Sometimes I get a really strong sense for a trend and after styling a shoot recently I had that 'I want it' moment with faux fur.  It was a fur stole to be exact but the model happened to be wearing a vintage dress of mine for this particular shot and that dress combined with the photographers 'prop' - a faux fur stole just took it to a whole other level. so I've been in love with the idea of faux fur ever since.  So much so that I've dedicated this whole post to it!


Fur capelet by kollabora.com

Faux fur in an interior sense (or faux anything) is always hard to get right as it can come off looking too fake or just plain inappropriate for the setting.  I think the key to getting above this wee challenge in any case is always to go for quality and that doesn't necessarily mean spending exorbitant prices from a high-end boutique but merely thinking outside the box, looking in secondhand stores or online auction sites.  If you were wanting to create your own  faux fur stole for instance, just visit any second hand store for a fur collared jacket and choose one that would be easy to disassemble the collar from the jacket as often this is easy to do.  See the tutorial I have posted below from Transient Expression.


Fur collar tutorial and image from transientexpression.com


Fur collars are so luxe - so they can really take what would otherwise be a non differential jacket or dress to something that oozes interest and sophistication. They also photograph well.  I especially love the idea of contrasting textures - as in leather and fur.  We are coming into Winter here so I'm always looking at ways to make the transition cheaply (as in using what I have) while giving people a new perspective.  This year that new perspective might just be a faux fur collar or accent.



Leopard accents - image by luxereport.blogspot.com

I love these leopard print accents above.  I think the interior designer has done a great job of staying under the line of being too OTT by keeping everything from the lampshades to the furniture both light, sleek and modern so that the personality of the print can shine.

Cosy fur bedspread and image by nikjillb.blogspot.com

Despite the fact that one of the bedside lamps is on the bend in the pic above (only just noticed this!) I really like (again) that everything is white and light in the bedroom above and yet the faux fur animal print bed spread gives it a warm, inviting and interesting feel.  Imagine how much colder the room could feel without it!  We have a guest room that gets no light during the day so everything is going to be light and white but I'm worried about the room looking cold, so this is great inspiration for that bedroom!


In fashion, as with interiors.  One solid contrasting colour (think black, white, red) is all you need and then your faux fur jacket, throw or collar will do the rest.  I mean, how chic does this woman look in all black and leopard.  This kind of look never gets old in my book.  Actually this also demonstrates another tip, that if you want to look coordinated from top to toe, try matching your shoe to an accent colour that you're wearing, (the less predictable the better).  She has chosen the nutty brown of the middle of the leopard print to accent in her heels.  She could have gone black but I love the contrast here.

In a funny coincidence, my husband and I are trying to declutter 10 years worth of personal belongings and we uncovered a shaggy fur throw from 5 years ago that I fell out of love with but you'll be pleased to know I am so in love with it again.  I guess because we are in a new place but I can see so many new possibilities for it in our interior space so 'it stays'.

Til next time, go faux!


How to mix prints

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

Left to right imagery: stylingon.com & designspiration.net


Mixing prints takes a bit of courage and an eye for colour combinations.  On the home front a combination of prints can be very chic and the overall feel can bring a plain or lifeless room to life.  On the fashion front it can give someone a real sense of personality...



Something for everyone - Image by theberry.com


My personal approach to print is one that is relatively reserved but what I love about mixing prints is that it doesn't always have to say 'hey look how many colours I can wear' - but rather, 'look what I can do with multiple prints and colour', take for instance these runway looks that are mixing prints yet in a monochromatic way.



Image from style.mtv.com


The overall look above is a look that is refined yet captivating as not only are the models mixing prints but they are mixing textures in a tonal colour palette of greys black and brown. Not once do I think this is too much print, which just goes to show that mixing prints can be refined and subtle.



Even if you are someone who likes to keep your colour scheme simple inside the home, introducing several different prints into an otherwise neutral space like for instance in window dressings or cushions (as above) shows a bit of flare yet is easily replaced should your relationship with the print sadly 'come to an end'.


Left to right: youareherefw.com and cosy.pt


Sometimes too much of something can be a wonderful thing like for instance this leopard on leopard look or this over the top zebra wallpaper.  Sometimes if you have the right oomph of colour to offset the print the scheme can just work - it shouldn't but it does, like these further examples


Micro-floral meets green zebra: greathomeinterior.com



The yellow floral is offset by a striking zebra print: asiankoreanfashion.com


Mixing prints can tread a fine line between creating a beautiful mess and an amazing fashion moment.  These celebs seem to get the balance right


Whitney Port, tartan and stripes myfashavenue.com



Scarlett mixes her black and white prints: olivekelly.blogspot.com



Miranda in double floral - lamodellamafia.com



Leopard and floral - who knew?: Olivia enpaper.blogspot.com


Mixing print the right way is all about maintaining balance and having the confidence to do it in the first place.  Occasionally it can be a happy coincidence that you were wearing 3 kinds of stripes and it looked fab but for the most part this is a blend that takes some coordination - there needs to be a common thread.  Either you try bold print with bold solid colours to offset, or you blend prints with tonal accessories which compliment rather than contrast.  The best thing about mixing prints is it really does get your imaginative juices flowing and when you strike it lucky - it can be a winning combination.

Have a go, I dare you!


Leopard print and green

Friday, 20 July 2012

Outfit pic: By Lindsay Keats - top from ASOS, belt from Glassons, skirt from Max, shoes from Mollini, purse from Marc Jacobs
Interior pic: courtesy of This is Glamorous 
So I never really appreciated how well leopard print and green went together until Erena styled this outfit and suggested we put this green belt with my leopard peplum top. I had no idea 'leopard and green' was such a great combo. So I did a search to find a relevant interior image and turns out many other people have also made this discovery, and it really is a 'thing'. I highly recommend Love Maegan's Dynamic Duo post for more fantastic green and leopard print examples.


The original trendsetter - pic via Love Maegan

Dita Von Teese - Image courtesy of Independent Woman
Dita does the leopard and green combo with fantastic retro glamour and style. The tortoiseshell sunglasses also have that leopard quality with the black and brown tones and complements her outfit perfectly.

Even if you're not a leopard print fan, I think you can appreciate the beauty of this combo and make it work with your own personal style.

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