Despite the wide variety of prints to cover the catwalks for AW11, there was one in particular which caught my eye: dalmatian. Although monochrome looks could be seen on almost every runway, Karen Bonser at Topshop Unique revived this most classic of colour palettes by injecting timeless, thirties Hollywood style with childlike references to Disney's adaptation of Dodie Smith's novel,
The Hundred and One Dalmatians.
With the most literal references to the canine classic embodied in the dog ear buns and sooty black noses of the models, the rest of the collection showed us how to wear one of the trickiest of animal prints without being mistaken for a modern day Cruella de Vil. The key is to not layer heavy dalmatian print on top of heavy dalmatian print. Note the furry trims on just the lapels and hem of Look 2, and the sparsely printed cream stole over the more literal, busy print of the dress in Look 3. The uniform colour of the tights offers that much needed respite from print overload before finishing the style off with a statement print shoe.
 |
| Dalmatian Swing Coat - Topshop |
Madison Loafers - Topshop |
 |
| Print Skirt - Sonia by Sonia Rykiel at Net A Porter |
 |
| Ankle Boots - Kurt Geiger |
Despite being a self confessed print phobe, I have to say even I'm drawn to this playful print and I definitely see myself investing in a dalmatian shoe or two in the coming season. For those more wary of dalmatian print, I'd opt for a doggy inspired nail design for a simple seasonal update.
What do you think of dalmatian print? Will you be wearing it?
