fantastic foxes
Animals come in and out of style. But one cunning urban survivor is set to be a firm favourite in the fashion world
One would think that animals would be immune to trends. Not so, my friends. Not so. Powerful talons, unique plumage and habitual regurgitation are a hat trick that has helped innumerable human beings stay on top in the cut-throat world of fashion. Alas, they could not insulate the owl – creature of the moment for so long it almost seemed like it might become a classic – from its recent fall from grace.
Rewind to 2008. Britain's GDP is in the black, a young buck called Nick Clegg has just been elected Lib Dem leader (he seems like a breath of fresh air) and Michael Jackson is preparing to announce his comeback tour. The owl is the hipster animal of the moment. Marc Jacobs unveils his autumn/winter 2009 collection – he "goes big" on owls and their status is sealed. Saucer-eyed Strigiformes (the order of birds containing owls) start popping up everywhere from kids' pyjamas to wallpaper, often rendered in a folky print revealing the aspirations of the day. A comforting, pastoral presence – nice in an organic-tea-and-Mumford-&-Sons kind of way.
Four years later, things have changed. The owl has been ousted in favour of a beast whose characteristics (both actual and anthropomorphic) are more in tune with the times. An urban survivor who lives on his guile in an almost-dog eat almost-dog world. A veritable fleet of foxes (although ardent fox fans will know the correct collective noun is a skulk, leash, troop or earth) has descended upon the high street. Here is my pick of the bunch…
Peter Jensen anticipated the trend with an awesome intarsia jumper from his A/W 2008 collection. Such is the demand for vulpine tropes, however, that he has reprised it this winter and it's available at Asos.
The online emporium is also offering a few foxy buys of its own, like this T-shirt, an exclusive collaboration with London designer Simeon Farrar, and this smart belt from its own range, appropriately appealing to wily shoppers at just a tenner.
Meanwhile, Oasis is offering this fabulous skater dress; M&S has rustled up this marvellous sweater; Aubin & Wills has emblazoned the auburn beast upon a scarf, and Hobbs has created this rather wonderful bag.
So if you're feeling foxy, fill your boots. You're sure to look fantastic.
lauren laverne/guardian.co.uk
Model wears: Jumper £165, Peter Jensen (peterjensen.co.uk)
On Lauren?s shopping list: (clockwise from top left) Denton scarf £45, Aubin & Wills (net-a-porter.com) Skater dress £55, Oasis (oasis-stores.com) Fox tee £55, Simeon Farrar (asos.com) Fox jumper £29.50, Limited Collection (marksandspencer.com) Grey suede bag £129, NW3 (hobbs.co.uk)
Animals come in and out of style. But one cunning urban survivor is set to be a firm favourite in the fashion world
One would think that animals would be immune to trends. Not so, my friends. Not so. Powerful talons, unique plumage and habitual regurgitation are a hat trick that has helped innumerable human beings stay on top in the cut-throat world of fashion. Alas, they could not insulate the owl – creature of the moment for so long it almost seemed like it might become a classic – from its recent fall from grace.
Rewind to 2008. Britain's GDP is in the black, a young buck called Nick Clegg has just been elected Lib Dem leader (he seems like a breath of fresh air) and Michael Jackson is preparing to announce his comeback tour. The owl is the hipster animal of the moment. Marc Jacobs unveils his autumn/winter 2009 collection – he "goes big" on owls and their status is sealed. Saucer-eyed Strigiformes (the order of birds containing owls) start popping up everywhere from kids' pyjamas to wallpaper, often rendered in a folky print revealing the aspirations of the day. A comforting, pastoral presence – nice in an organic-tea-and-Mumford-&-Sons kind of way.
Four years later, things have changed. The owl has been ousted in favour of a beast whose characteristics (both actual and anthropomorphic) are more in tune with the times. An urban survivor who lives on his guile in an almost-dog eat almost-dog world. A veritable fleet of foxes (although ardent fox fans will know the correct collective noun is a skulk, leash, troop or earth) has descended upon the high street. Here is my pick of the bunch…
Peter Jensen anticipated the trend with an awesome intarsia jumper from his A/W 2008 collection. Such is the demand for vulpine tropes, however, that he has reprised it this winter and it's available at Asos.
The online emporium is also offering a few foxy buys of its own, like this T-shirt, an exclusive collaboration with London designer Simeon Farrar, and this smart belt from its own range, appropriately appealing to wily shoppers at just a tenner.
Meanwhile, Oasis is offering this fabulous skater dress; M&S has rustled up this marvellous sweater; Aubin & Wills has emblazoned the auburn beast upon a scarf, and Hobbs has created this rather wonderful bag.
So if you're feeling foxy, fill your boots. You're sure to look fantastic.
lauren laverne/guardian.co.uk
Model wears: Jumper £165, Peter Jensen (peterjensen.co.uk)
On Lauren?s shopping list: (clockwise from top left) Denton scarf £45, Aubin & Wills (net-a-porter.com) Skater dress £55, Oasis (oasis-stores.com) Fox tee £55, Simeon Farrar (asos.com) Fox jumper £29.50, Limited Collection (marksandspencer.com) Grey suede bag £129, NW3 (hobbs.co.uk)
