Wild instincts take a quirky turn

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Animal prints have always been hot favourites in the fashion scene. Leopard, tiger, snake and zebra prints have for long brought out our wild side. Even Dalmatian spots have been in vogue. However, fashionistas are now flaunting their love for animal prints with quirky designs of camels, horses, fish, birds, butterflies and many more.
Recently Anushka Sharma and Kajol turned heads when they flaunted fish prints. Gul Panag’s camel print at a public event was much talked about. “These days there is a lot of emphasis on quirkiness. Wearing something that’s new and has a quirky air about it immediately draws attention. While leopard spots and zebra stripes have been around for a while, prints of birds, fish, butterflies and other animals like camel and horse are becoming popular not just in India but among international designers as well,” says fashion designer Archana Kochar, who is presently busy making animal print motif for the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week.
Animal prints have always been in fashion. We have always worn them and there is no question of them going out of fashion, says fashion designer Gaurav Gupta. “Animal prints have never disappointed fashionistas. Animal is the most primal instinct. These instincts connect us to the very elements we are supposedly made of. Therefore, animal prints can click for anyone who wears it with the right attitude. Butterfly and bird prints give us a sense of freedom. If mixed with bright colours they can do wonders. I recently designed clothes with bird prints which were an instant hit with fashion lovers,” says Gautam Gupta.
Designer Falguni Mehta says wearing animal prints as accessories adds that right dose of oomph. “Animal print on shoes, stoles, scarves and handbags are always safe and stylish,” she adds. Archana gives a valuable advice to all those who want to flaunt their wild side: “Pairing print on print can be a very challenging task. If not properly matched, there are chances of this combo going wrong and proving disastrous. Try to keep it simple with a plain shirt paired with animal print trousers or vice versa. This is a safer bet. Keep the jewellery minimal.”