Henri Rousseau (1844-1910) was a self-taught artist well known for his paintings of jungle scenes and wild animals. The funny thing is, he never saw a jungle in real life or even left his home country of France.
Henri Rousseau, Exotic Landscape, 1910, Norton Simon Collection, Pasadena, California.
Rousseau drew inspiration from illustrated books, the botanical gardens of Paris, and stories from soldiers who had been on expeditions to subtropical regions that Rousseau only dreamed about.
Henri Rousseau, Jungle Sunset, c1910, Kunst Museum, Switzerland.
Like Rousseau, some of us may not have ever been to a jungle or seen a cheetah like in Jungle Sunset, but we too can admire and find inspiration from the wild, and specifically, leopardly, lovely spots.
My homage to the Cheetah Print:
This leopard tunic is a fun attention-grabber because of the pairing of variegated spots and splashes of black. It also makes me excited for all the glorious tights you can wear underneath. And by glorious, I mean solid cherry red, royal blue, mustard yellow, violet....... Forever 21, $22.80
Need some key-candy? MJ's got the perfect spotted charm for you. Marc Jacobs, $5
Subtle spots make for classy retro eyewear. Add a head scarf and say hello to Old Hollywood Glam. Topshop, $30
A turquoise cheetah print scarf is oh-so-versatile when you're in need of that one thing in your outfit to pop. Wrap it around your neck, hair, purse handle, floppy hat--get funky.
Forever 21, $7.80
Can animal print get more chic? Didn't think so. The sharp shoulders would nicely compliment leggings or skinny jeans below,
just keep it simple.
Topshop, $125
Taking leopard print flats to the next level, these electric red and purple spots look almost like flowers--the evolution of the leopard spot, I like that. Great for Spring, Summer, and Fall, pair these with skinny capris, a denim mini, 0r--harem pants, if you're feeling bold.
Delia's, $34.50
For the risk-taker in you. These cheetah stirrups remind me of Cirque du Soleil, like if i put these on, I'd be able to do
some amazing acrobatic moves.
I do love its combo with the black stilettos.
80's Purple, $72.
Something more subtle, the slight sheen of the spots are perfect for a night out on the town. Hm.. I'm thinking about a loose fitted assymetrical cropped shirt for the top....
Karmaloop, $36
Gwenny Gwen Gwen. I remember shopping at Wet Seal when I was in Jr. High looking at the TV there, seeing No Doubt's "Trapped in a Box" video and thinking, that woman's got style. And her style just evolved from there. This pic from the "Sunday Morning" video reminded me just how much I love her outfit here. She knew in the '90s to give the '40s a modern look with her knee length cheetah print skirt, and here we are in '09 doing the same, but with our twist.
Watch the "Sunday Morning" video and you can see her change from
Japanese Geta Sandals to fabulous 90's platforms a la cheetah.
Cheetah print can always be classy. It's all about having the print be the focal point and have everything else be more subdued as its support.
Forever 21, $13.80
These were just some ideas, now its time to choose your leopard look.
i have the first cheetah print from f21 shown in this post but in a long t-shirt form. i don't wear it much though....
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