Leopard prints made a debut in the sixties as a symbol of the wild, free thinking spirits of the Bohemian movement. For years, they were considered tacky by the ladies of the upper class. Eventually, the trends changed and began favouring animal prints. Everyone could be seen strutting around in them—elite socialites and celebrities included. Animal prints became the paragon of sexy and stylish.

Come 2012, leopard and tiger prints are passé; dog and cow prints are scorching the ramp. Step aside wild things, for the meek shall inherit the earth. Right from the Miu Miu swan dress to the naughty monkeys cavorting on Prada’s dresses, fashionistas seem to have taken a liking for the tame and unconventional. Also in vogue are animal accessories like parakeet clutches and cow bracelets.

They are funky and mischievous, which make them alluring, but Bengaluru’s fashion brigade is not entirely taken in by the style statement, “This trend is quirky, compared to regular leopard and cheetah prints that are feminine and sexy. Cow and monkey prints fall under a different category altogether. They look great on jackets and trousers. These prints are good for a cool and casual look, but would look silly on evening wear,” says designer Nimirta Lalwani. The age factor seems to be a deterrent; some believe it won’t last. “It’s a fad,” says designer Raj Shroff, “It’s quirky and works well with T-shirts. It can be worn to brunches and afternoon parties but it’s not a classic because it largely depends on a client’s taste. It has limited usage and won’t have a cult following.”