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FASHIONS FIXATION WITH

FELINES

ISABEL BENTLEY
N0640766
BA (HONS) FASHION DESIGN
DCCT20001
TUTOR: LORRAINE WARDE
2017

Fashions Fixation With Felines


Theyve been creeping up, stalking us, and now the cat has pounced,
landing on all fours, capturing the fashion world. From Stella McCartneys
Pre-fall 2016/2017 collection, to Bershkas fun cat tees there appears to be
an influx in cat-related products and campaigns. As a cat lover myself I adore
my H & M cat print dress, which cost 99% less than the Dolce and Gabbana
equivalent!
I am intrigued as to why some of fashions most iconic items such as the
pussy bow, cat-suit, kitten heel, and cat eye sunglasses all share feline
inspired titles. Even print is pussycat themed, with a choice of Tiger stripe,
Ocelot, Leopard or Cheetah to adorn your garments. Not only that but the
catwalk and cat eye liner are also moggy themes. Cats are arguably linked
to an idea of femininity, something fashion is predominantly associated with,
attracting significant numbers of women to cat-themed clothing.
However, fashions feline fixation doesnt stop there. Top fashionista Grace
Coddington is a self-confessed cat lover famously saying Do I dream
predominantly about fashion? No. I dream much more about cats.
(Coddington, 2012) Also Karl Lagerfelds prize kitty Choupette is renowned
in the industry with an entire collection inspired by her and, along with her
modelling in various spreads for Vogue, Choupette is in high demand.
My visual product examines the cats prominent presence in art,
photography, fashion and popular culture, and suggests what it might
represent, and why Once you go cat, you never go back. (Atkinson, 2014)
Word count: 250 words

From kitten heels to cat-eye sunglasses and leopard print, feline fashion
has appeared on the catwalk for decades. Cats have likely played the role
of fashion muse in part due to their refined elegance and sophisticated
style. (University Wire, 2016)

Fig.1 Bershka cat print top (2016) Screenshot from Bershkawebsite

Its clear the cat is no longer my accessory; I am hers


(Baker, 2007: Online)

Fig. 2 Cat with Cher accessory (1974) Richard Avedon

Wherever they walk, they strut with purpose and


poise (the runway is after all called the catwalk)
(Atkinson, 2014 : National Post)

Fig, 3 Marc Jacobs Cruise (2017) Vogue

Cats figure in oil paintings by great masters and naive artists, and
in prints, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, and textiles
(ONeill, 1981: 7)

Fig. 4 Gucci Resort (2017) Vogue

Ten years ago it might have seemed a bit childish to post pictures of
your cat online, but now it marks you out as a bona fide digital native
(Welch, 2014 : Online)

Fig. 5 Model Staz Lindes Instagram post with cat (2016)


Instagram screenshot

Unlike needy canines, the cat graciously enjoys the attention but
with a fashionably aloof air that keeps admirers coming back
(Baker, 2007: Online)

Fig. 6 Gucci Pre- collection (Fall/Winter 2016/2017) Gucci


in Vogue

Cats have inspired love, reverence, fear, and hatred out of all
proportion to their interest - or lack of interest in the human race
(ONeill, 1981: 7)

Fig.7 Stella McCartney Pre- collection Fall/ Winter (2016/2017)


Vogue

It is quite in Vogue to love animals! (Pears in Welch, 2014: Online)

Fig, 8 Monster Choupette Accessories Collection, (Autumn/ WInter 2014/ 2015) Chanel

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To followers of Fashion, Choupette is the furry face of an emerging trend. Cats


are in the ascendant, style- wise. (Welch, 2014: Online)

Fig. 9 Choupette with adoring owner Karl Lagerfeld (2012) Karl Lagerfeld

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The Eyptians named the cat Mau, meaning to see (ONeill, 1981: 7)

Fig. 10 Bvlgari cat eye Sunglasses advert (2015) Unknown

Fig. 11 Welcome Back Kitten Heels (2017) Vogue Magazine

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Cats are low brow, highbrow, fun


and chic. Theyre the essential
fashion accessory
(Welch, 2014 : Online)

Fig. 12 H & M cat print dress


(2016) Screenshot

Fig. 13 Loewe (Fall /Winter


2016/2017) Vogue

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Like supermodels cats have an innate elegance (Atkinson, 2014 : National Post)

Fig. 14 Choupette with Kendall Jenner wearing all Chanel for Vogue (2015)
Karl Lagerfeld

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Now cats are inspiring products galore (Baker, 2007 : Online)

Fig. 15 Urban Outfitters Leopard print loving (2016) Instagram photo

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Illustrations
Fig.1 Bershka cat print top (2016) Screenshot from Bershka website
Fig. 2 Cat with Cher accessory (1974) Richard Avedon
Fig, 3 Marc Jacobs Cruise (2017) Vogue
Fig. 4 Gucci Resort (2017) Vogue
Fig. 5 Model Staz Lindes Instagram post with cat (2016) Instagram screenshot
Fig. 6 Gucci Pre- collection (Fall/Winter 2016/2017) Gucci in Vogue
Fig.7 Stell McCartney Pre- collection Fall/ Winter (2016/2017)Vogue
Fig, 8 Monster Choupette Accessories Collection, (Autumn/ WInter 2014/ 2015) Chanel
Fig. 9 Choupette with adoring owner Karl Lagerfeld (2012) Karl Lagerfeld
Fig. 10 Bvlgari cat eye sunglasses advert (2015) Unknown
Fig. 11 Welcome Back Kitten Heels (2017) Vogue Magazine
Fig. 12 H and M cat print dress (2016) Screenshot
Fig. 13 Loewe (Fall /Winter 2016/2017) Vogue
Fig. 14 Choupette with Kendall Jenner wearing all Chanel for Vogue (2015) Karl Lagerfeld
Fig. 15 Urban Outfitters Leopard print loving (2016) Instagram photo

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Citations
(Coddington, 2012)
(Atkinson, 2014)
(University Wire, 2016)
(Baker, 2007: Online)
(Atkinson, 2014 : National Post)
(ONeill, 1981: 7)
(Welch, 2014 : Online)
(Baker, 2007: Online)
(ONeill, 1981: 7)
(Pears in Welch, 2014: Online)
(Welch, 2014 : Online)
(ONeill, 1981: 7)
(Welch, 2014 : Online)
(Atkinson, 2014 : National Post)
(Baker, 2007: Online)

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Books

Bibliography

BAKER, S. 2000. The Postmodern Animal. London: Reaktion Books


DE LA HOZ, C. 2016. Audrey and Givenchy a Fashion Love Affair. Philadelphia: Running Press
LAGERFELD, K. 1995. Karl Lagerfeld Off the Record. Zurich: Scalo Publishers
ONEILL, J.P. 1981. Metropolitan Cats. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
SCHAFF, D. 1980. That Red Head Gal. Fashions and Designs of Gordon Conway 1916-1936. New York:
American Institute of Architects Foundation
WATT, J. 2003. Ossie Clark 1965/74. London: V and A Publications
Articles
Magazines
BAKER, R. 2007. Fashion Masochist: The Lap Cat. Boston Magazine (Online) Aug 3, 2007, Available via:
www.bostonmagazine.com (Accessed 27/12/16)
CHERNIKOFF, L. 2012. Revelations on Vogue, Anna Wintor, and Cats from Grace Coddingtons Memoir.
Fashionista Magazine (Online) November 21, 2012, Available via: fashionista.com/2012/11/revelationson-vogue-anna-wintour-and-cats-from-grace-coddingtons-memoir (Accessed 04/01/2017)
COWLES, C. 2012. Karl Lagerfeld Wears Cat Ears, Poses With Choupette. NY Magazine (Online) August
7, 2012, Available via: nymag.com/thecut/2012/08/lagerfeld-wears-cat-ears-poses-with-choupette.html
(Accessed 12/12/2016)
EMMA. 2015. How to Pronounce Designer Names. Select Specs.com Fashion and Lifestyle Magazine
(Online) JULY 10, 2015, Available via: www.selectspecs.com/fashion-lifestyle/how-to-pronounce-designer-names/ (Accessed 04/01/2017)
FERNANDEZ, C. 2016. Fashions Obession with Cats is Never Going Away. Fashionista Magazine (Online) March 8, 2016 Available via: http://fashionista.com/2016/03/cat-trend-fall-pre-fall-2016 (Accessed
18/11/2016)
GKSENIN, L. 2016. Cat Lady Cool: The Feline Trend Is Here to Stay. Vogue Magazine (Online) June 14,
2016, Available via: www.vogue.com (Accessed 18/11/2016)
HOBBS, J. 2016. Trend Test: Crazy Cat Lady Prints. Vogue Magazine (Online) August 05, 2016, Available
via: www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/trend-test-stella-mccartney-cat-print (Accessed 18/11/2016)
JOUDINA ROBINSON. M. 2016. Issue 4. Puss Puss Magazine (Online) December 2016, Available via:
www.pusspussmagazine.com (Accessed 04/01/2017)
VOGUE. 2017. February Vogue: Welcome Back, Kitten Heels. Vogue Magazine (Online) January 05,
2017, Available via: www.vogue.com (Accessed 05/01/2017)

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Newspapers
ATKINSON, N. 2014. The real glamour pusses; Why cats are fashions best accessory. The National Post.
(Online) Apr 14, 2014, Available via: www.thenationalpost.com (Accessed 02/01/2017)
LANKSTON, C. 2015. Kendall Jenner poses alongside Karl Lagerfelds beloved cat Choupette for striking
Vogue spread shot by the designer himself. The Daily Mail. (Online) 17 August 2015, Available via: www.
dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3201342/Kendall-Jenner-poses-alongside-designer-Karl-Lagerfeld-s-beloved-cat-Choupette-striking-Vogue-spread-shot-designer-himself.html (Accessed 02/01/2017)
ULOOP, INC. 2016. 6 fall looks for the modern cat lady. University Wire. (Online) Oct 3, 2016, Available
via: www.universitywire.com (Accessed 02/01/2017)
WELCH, A. 2014. Cool Cats in Fashion. The Financial Times Limited. (Online) Oct 3, 2014, Available via:
www.financialtimes.com (Accessed 05/12/2016)
Additional Sources
Websites
BERSHKA. 2016. Cat Print Top. (Online) Available via: www.bershka.com/ie/ (Accessed 07/12/2016)
H & M. 2016. Patterned Dress. (Online) Available via: www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0428139001.
html (Accessed 07/12/2016)
KARL.COM. 2017. Monster Choupette. (Online) Available via : www.karl.com/experience/us/fashion/
monster-choupette/ (Accessed 04/01/2017)
Social Networking
DOLCE AND GABBANA. 2016, Ruth Negga wearing Dolce&Gabbana at the Loving press conference. (Instagram) 3rd November, 2016. Available at: www.instagram.com/p/BMB2_b7giHO/ (Accessed
18/11/2016)
LINDES, S. 2016, Staz Lindes photo with cat (Instagram) 15th December, 2016. Available at: www.instagram.com/p/BOBToY6B5dM/?taken-by=yostazyo (Accessed 05/01/2017)
URBAN OUTFITTERS. 2016, Urban Outfitters (Instagram) 18th November, 2016. Available at: www.instagram.com/p/BM93G62hcxQ/ (Accessed 18/11/2016)
Blog
MISSLOVESCHIC, 2016. Cher With a Cat 1974 Photo by Richard Avedon for Vogue. Missloveschic (Online blog) October 18, 2016, Available via: missloveschic.com/cher-with-a-cat-1974-photo-by-richardavedon-for-vogue (Accessed 04/01/2017)

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