Why everyone should have leopard print in their wardrobe - Carte Blanche à Nawal

“I hate leopards. I hate that" . Imagine the scene: you are starting a new job and, therefore, want to make a good impression. Everything is going wonderfully, the coffee is good, the people are welcoming. And then suddenly, during a conversation, your manager drops a bombshell: he hates one of your favorite motives . Quite a cold shower - especially if you were planning to come home the next day with a coat all stained.

The one who can't stand the leopard pattern is Christophe, the editor-in-chief of BonneGueule. Generally speaking, he doesn't really like patterns of any kind. However, I am the anti-Christophe: I love prints and own very few plain clothes. I like flowers ( it's even the subject of my first Gimmick ), checks, polka dots and even twisted psychedelic designs that hurt the eyes a little . And the leopard, of course .

This is why I decided to make Christophe love it. Or, at least, make him tolerate it a little more. Let him go from "I hate that" to "yeah, it's ugly but it doesn't make me want to gouge out my eyes either" . That would already be a good start.

THE LEOPARD, THIS BASIC THAT IS IGNORED

Like the white t-shirt, denim and black, I consider leopard to be a basic . It's simple, I find that it goes with absolutely everything. Attention: provided you opt for a classic leopard, in natural shades or close to those found on the animal from which the print takes its name .

Let's be clear, there is absolutely nothing basic about colorful leopard - even less so about flashy, too garish and/or low-contrast shades. We are talking here about the "classic" leopard, with shades of beige, brown, camel, a little white and black, and which can even, subtly, lean slightly towards yellow...

Color wise, this one goes with everything. With neutral shades like white or beige, but also with pine green, navy blue, mustard yellow, orange, pink and so on .

I especially love wearing it with red. I find that the two complement each other extremely well, and that it brings a little touch of vintage spirit that I really appreciate, and that I always try to infuse into my style . A few years ago, I found a poppy coat with fake leopard fur on the collar and sleeves, trapeze shape. I have the impression that he came out of Fran Fine's closet in A Nanny from Hell , I'm a fan of him.

In terms of materials, I find that leopard goes wonderfully with black leather , that it brings contrast to wool or that it modernizes velvet. And above all, it enhances denim .

The slightly yellow leopard print combo that leans towards gold + jeans is a must-have. The kind of reliable pairing I naturally turn to when I don't know what to wear. I think that the simple side of denim, an easy to wear and casual material that we see on a daily basis, naturally "calms down" the eccentricity of leopard.

And finally, leopard can, in my opinion, be mixed with other patterns. Especially stripes, flowers, checks and polka dots. To avoid falling into overkill and, by extension, bad taste, my advice is to focus on at least one shade in common between the two prints you are mixing (this could be white, black, camel, etc.). .).

Below is a risky and offbeat example, but the result is rather chic. The secret ? A first reminder of black between the stripes on the top and the outline of the spots on the coat, and a second of caramel, quite subtle, on the skirt.

Just as risky, the mix of the leopard blouse and the floral skirt, on a base of orange hues. More daring, more fashionable, the outfit is successful thanks to a well-designed set of materials (notably with the rigid leather bag which adds structure, and the velvet boots):

A ROCK PRINT

I always wanted to be a rock star but I can't sing, play guitar, drums or bass. In the absence of being able to go on stage and scream into a microphone, clothing has always been my only way to create a link with my love for music that moves and concerts after which we end up sweaty and drenched in beer.

One of my idols is Alison Mosshart - she's the singer of The Kills. Beautiful, cool and definitely rocking , she's the kind of charismatic and magnetic person that audiences can't take their eyes off of when she appears.

I saw her on stage twice and couldn't help but dissect her looks . And you know what ? Alison Mosshart, she wears a lot of leopard. Really a lot - you can actually see it in several shots in the video above. Whether during concerts, on red carpets, in music videos, for promotional shoots or in everyday life, the American singer almost always has a piece or accessory with this animal motif so dear to my heart .

She mixes her favorite print with black, leather, skinny pants, fringed biker jackets , chunky wedge boots, denim mini-shirts combined with tight-fitting thigh-high boots, or even gold cowboy boots.

I love this rock approach to the leopard, as opposed to the slightly kitsch image that we can associate with it , and it is in this state of mind that I approach it.

A TIMELESS WHICH I NEVER GET TIRED OF

I have a pretty hazy memory of the first time I wore leopard - I vaguely remember a shoddy black and white tank top that I wore in second grade . But this one was not of much interest, and served me more as an underlay under my sweaters than as a true “statement piece”.

On the other hand, I remember very well the first really important piece that I gave myself with this pattern . It was in 2009, just after getting my Baccalaureate. That summer, I worked as a saleswoman in a large decoration brand. I spent my days organizing the candle section and clumsily packing dishes while dreaming of what I could afford with my salary.

I was 18, it was fast fashion's great moment of glory. Four years before the Rana Plaza drama reshuffled the cards in the fashion industry and awakened my eco-responsible conscience .