Wild style
Curated by Nina Tucker
“It’s been one year since we launched. We are feeling very lucky to be here,” say brothers Tom, Ike and Cosmo behind fashion label Sylvester.
For their high winter collection, Lucky, is a snug-yet-chic segue into the season, and feels like their most thoughtful yet. “We have released eight collections so far, and we aren’t slowing down. A huge thank you to everyone who has shared love and been a part of the journey.” The collection meets the moment – equal parts playful and pared-back. Faux fur becomes a hero textile, accompanying an animal-inspired trend showing significant buying power in the fashion industry right now.
While the deer and dalmatian-inspired prints haven’t made their way to our shores yet, mainstream favourites like leopard and snakeskin, and of course, faux fur, are everywhere in stores and on the streets.
For Chanel, Matthieu Blazy’s Métiers d’Art 2026 collection was a safari of animal print, and the rest of the world has been quick to pick up on his forecasting. And when both Anne Hathaway or Jamie-Lee Curtis step out in their take on zebra print shoes, who wouldn’t want their own?
“I’ve never met a leopard print I didn’t like” – Diana Vreeland, legendary American fashion editor.
If there’s anyone to trust in the name of wild-child-style, it’s the late Diana Vreeland. The glossy fashion magazine legend and International Best Dressed List Hall of Famer earned herself that influence. Trust her word, because I spotted at least 30 different animal-inspired garments and accessories on my latest shopping spree around Christchurch. Animal-inspired style – leopard, zebra, cheetah, snakeskin (my personal favourite), shearling, and don’t forget faux fur – feels ultra high-end and ultra chic, given you wear it with class.
