Fashion’s Wild Side Roars Back: Leopard, Zebra, Cow, and Snake Prints Dominate Fall/Winter 2025 Runways
The Autumn/Winter 2025 fashion season is embracing its wild streak. From leopard and zebra to cowhide and snake prints, animal patterns stormed the catwalks in a full-scale revival of maximalist glamour. While the season also introduced new aesthetics — from Victoriana flourishes to punk-inspired leather and après-ski chic — animal print proved to be the undeniable throughline of this year’s collections.
Long regarded as both bold and timeless, animal print has never truly gone out of style. Yet this season, it has returned with a renewed energy and sophistication. Once associated primarily with sultry Italian luxury houses like Versace, Roberto Cavalli, and Dolce & Gabbana, the motif is now finding modern reinterpretations across a wide range of designers and silhouettes.
At Saint Laurent, Fendi, and Khaite, leopard print appeared in daring new forms — from structured PVC jackets and leather trench coats to calf-hair statement pieces. Elsewhere, Nina Ricci, Balmain, and Conner Ives spotlighted zebra stripes across bedazzled dresses, oversized knits, and knee-high boots, turning a once-overlooked pattern into a bold street-style statement. Cow print, too, made a striking reappearance at Dries Van Noten and Zimmermann, adding a playful contrast to traditionally sleek collections.
But it was snake print that truly slithered into the spotlight. Featured at Valentino, Marni, Chloé, Gabriela Hearst, and Duran Lantink, the serpentine motif appeared across sequined gowns, sheer organza blouses, textured knits, and soft ruffles. Coincidentally aligning with the Chinese Year of the Snake (2025), the trend feels both symbolic and sensuous — an emblem of transformation, power, and allure.
This resurgence is about more than nostalgia; it’s about confidence and individuality. Designers have stripped away the subtlety of previous seasons in favor of statement-making looks — pieces that roar rather than whisper. The message is clear: this season’s animal print isn’t about blending in; it’s about standing out.
How to Wear It
Fall 2025’s rulebook is refreshingly open-ended. Whether you gravitate toward leopard in luxe fabrics, zebra in modern tailoring, or snake in shimmering accents, the key is to choose prints that feel personal and invest in pieces with timeless silhouettes. Mixing patterns or pairing them with classic neutrals can strike the perfect balance between edge and elegance.
After all, animal print’s enduring appeal lies in its adaptability — it evolves but never disappears. And this season, it’s more unapologetic than ever.
