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Fierce: The History of Leopard Print Hardcover – Illustrated, June 26, 2018
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In this lush compendium illustrated with full-color images, the author of The Burlesque Handbook chronicles the history of one of the world’s most beloved fashion patterns—leopard print—celebrating its beauty and place in couture, and the women who have dared to wear it.
In nature, the distinctive markings on big cats served as camouflage, helping them to blend into their surroundings when hunting prey. Unlike these magnificent predators, humans have donned this distinctive animal pattern to be noticed; leopard print demands an audience. Jo Weldon, an expert in the world of burlesque, reveals how this sexy, playful, decadent, and vibrant pattern once reserved for royalty came into vogue and became a staple of fashion.
With the revolution in technology and the rise of mass production in the early 1900s, textiles could be produced quickly and inexpensively, transforming every industry. Couture experienced a creative awakening: colors, prints, and patterns never seen before became ubiquitous. A greater freedom of choice in ready-to-wear clothing gave women the opportunity to express themselves in new styles. From its inception in textile, leopard print—long used as a symbol of a warrior’s power or a ruler’s wealth—became a sensation, adopted by daring trendsetters and members of the avant-garde, including film stars and celebrities such as Carole Lombard and Josephine Baker, who walked her pet Cheetah, Chiquita, on a diamond-encrusted leash. The desire for leopard print continues today as Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and other stars flaunt their feline-inspired spots on film and stage, the catwalk and the red carpet.
With a lively narrative, informative sidebars, and stunning images, Fierce is a must have collection for designers and fashionistas of all kinds.
- Print length232 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarper
- Publication dateJune 26, 2018
- Dimensions6.5 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
- ISBN-10006269295X
- ISBN-13978-0062692955
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“That’s Jo Weldon – and she’s perfect!” — Leighton Meester, star of Gossip Gir
“Jo Weldon is the gold-standard for New Burlesque. A learned burly-q historian, a skilled and gracious teacher, and a breathtaking, world-class performer, she’s everything you could want in a shimmy queen. I am proud to call her my friend, and unashamed to admit she’s my idol.” — Lily Burana, author of Strip City: A Stripper’s Farewell Journey Across America and head bombshell of Operation Bombshell: The Burlesque School for Military Wives
“Jo is one of the true champions of the burlesque world….Hearing her speak, seeing her teach, and marveling at the way she has been the driving force behind successful events is a real pleasure for me!” — Catherine D’Lish, Two-Time Miss Exotic World, Creative Director for Dita Von Teese
Leopard print is the beast of pattern, its history loaded with symbolism, from power to seduction. — The Guardian
Fierce is fun and entertaining. At its very core, it is inspirational. My hunt for new leopard print shoes and other gear has already begun. — NewsOK
If you love leopard print as much as I do, this is the book for you. Throughout this impeccably researched book, Jo covers all aspects of the history and significance of leopard. — Style Crone
About the Author
Jo Weldon is an expert in the study of contemporary burlesque, women’s issues, and fashion. Her writings and transcripts of lectures on the history of leopard print have been published in Mental Floss, Time Out New York, and the New York Times. As headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque, she teaches weekly classes and tours internationally, teaching and performing. Weldon combines years of professional experience as an adult entertainer with a deep understanding of women’s issues. She has presented media analyses of women’s rights in conferences around the country and lobbied at the U.N. for inclusion of diverse perspectives in human rights initiatives. She lives in New York City. You can find more of her work, and more about leopard print, at www.joweldon.com.
Product details
- Publisher : Harper; Illustrated edition (June 26, 2018)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 232 pages
- ISBN-10 : 006269295X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062692955
- Item Weight : 1.68 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.5 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #710,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,429 in Fashion Design
- #1,461 in Pop Culture Art
- #6,440 in Sociology Reference
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Jo is the Headmistress and Founder of the New York School of Burlesque, and is one of the most recognized burlesque instructors in the world. She is a recipient of the coveted Burlesque Hall of Fame award for Recognition of Outstanding Contribution to the Art of Burlesque. Her groundbreaking DVD, Honey and Spice, is the best-selling how-to burlesque DVD in the world. She is Co-Director of Education at The Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Vice President of Burlycon, and conducts the Master Class in Burlesque at Coney Island USA. She has been interviewed for or mentioned in countless major press articles, films, documentaries, news items, and television shows. Internationally renowned as burlesque personality Jo Boobs, she's rounded her heels on stages from Coney Island to Sydney Harbour. Garo Sparo named her one of the Top Ten Badass Burlesque Babes, and she has been voted one of the top ten Burlesque Performers in the World at 21st Century Burlesque 3 years in a row. She's taught thousands of women (and men!) to twirl tassels, and has conducted performance workshops producing some of the most respected new performers in burlesque. She recently taught burlesque to disabled performers at DaDaFest in Liverpool. She's the winner of such exotic titles as Best Bump N Grinder, Best Teacher and Mentor, and Biggest Cougar in Burlesque! She has worked with performers from Leonard Cohen to Spinal Tap, and has been featured on television shows from CBS Sunday Morning to Gossip Girl. She's taken it off in the grimiest strip clubs and at the most esteemed venues, including being the first burlesquer to ever strip down at The New York Public Library, and has performed and headlined at dozens of festivals all over the world, including The Vancouver Burlesque Festival, the Toronto Burlesque Festival, and the New Zealand Burlesque Festival. She has released three ground-breaking how-to burlesque DVDs (via World Dance New York), and her critically acclaimed book The Burlesque Handbook, with a foreword by Margaret Cho, (HarperCollins/ItBooks) is the first book ever published on how to create burlesque routines. She is also the founder of Pink Light Burlesque, a program that produces free burlesque classes for breast cancer survivors and patients.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book well-written and entertaining. They appreciate the interesting content and thought-provoking history. The visual appeal is described as beautiful and nicely illustrated.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it's a great resource for animal print lovers and fashionistas of every kind. The book is well-written with fascinating research.
"...Not to mention I’m an interior designer. So to say this is the perfect table book, is an understatement! Love love love this book!" Read more
"This book is so well done. It's beautifully printed and well organized...." Read more
"...but this book, "Fierce: The History of Leopard Print", is so well written. The research was fascinatingly deep...." Read more
"...The book is an enjoyable read, clearly well-researched, and equally at home in your bookcase or on your coffee table...." Read more
Customers find the book informative and entertaining. They appreciate the thorough research and interesting facts about leopard print history. The book is a fun way to learn about big cat natural history and conservation.
"...The author obviously has a deep love for this subject! I have deep respect for her tenacity to delve so deeply into a "material pattern"...." Read more
"...Not only does it educate us on leopard print versus other animal prints (for the more pedantically-inclined), but it presents a rather rich history..." Read more
"Ms. Weldon presents a concise and entertainingly written history of perhaps the world’s best fashion choice, leopard...." Read more
"...I found this book very interesting and full of facts and photo's. A fun and informative masterpiece !!" Read more
Customers appreciate the book's visual appeal. They find it visually appealing, with interesting facts and photos about fashion history. The book is beautifully curated and colorful.
"...In addition to being an intriguing look at leopard prints’ place in fashion and society throughout history it’s beautifully curated...." Read more
"...I found this book very interesting and full of facts and photo's. A fun and informative masterpiece !!" Read more
"...the reader about big cat natural history and conservation, history of fashion and the motives behind wearing leopard print. I adore this book!" Read more
"...She's a huge fan of both leopard print and fashion." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2024I love everything leopard! Not to mention I’m an interior designer. So to say this is the perfect table book, is an understatement! Love love love this book!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2020This book is so well done. It's beautifully printed and well organized. If you're a fashion history nerd like me, you will love and be inspired by this book. Leopard print is often considered a "neutral" in fashion, sort of taken for granted, but there's so much life in it! I've actually not been a fan of leopard print most of my fashionable life, but this book is changing my mind. Starting to LOVE it.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2018I'm sorry for this short review, but this book, "Fierce: The History of Leopard Print", is so well written. The research was fascinatingly deep. The subject matter... I had never thought that much about. But, I'm glad the book intrigued me enough to purchase, and I'm still very glad I did. The author obviously has a deep love for this subject! I have deep respect for her tenacity to delve so deeply into a "material pattern". Excellent work, Jo Weldon!
- Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2018Full disclosure: my wife has been a fan of leopard print for decades, so I'm biased a bit. Though I appreciate its aesthetic appeal, I didn't know much about its history. Thanks to Jo Weldon's "Fierce," I've learned quite a lot! Not only does it educate us on leopard print versus other animal prints (for the more pedantically-inclined), but it presents a rather rich history of the pattern than I expected. The book is an enjoyable read, clearly well-researched, and equally at home in your bookcase or on your coffee table. Get the hardcover edition right away! It's a terrific bargain on Amazon right now.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2018Ms. Weldon presents a concise and entertainingly written history of perhaps the world’s best fashion choice, leopard. In addition to being an intriguing look at leopard prints’ place in fashion and society throughout history it’s beautifully curated. This book will appeal to fashion lovers, history buffs and ladies who lunch, alike.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2018This is a book that once opened you have to turn to the next page and the next and so on. I found this book very interesting and full of facts and photo's. A fun and informative masterpiece !!
5.0 out of 5 stars Unknown Information AboundThis is a book that once opened you have to turn to the next page and the next and so on. I found this book very interesting and full of facts and photo's. A fun and informative masterpiece !!
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2018
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2018Want to deepen your love for feline prints or give yourself permission to bring big cats into your wardrobe? Fierce femme, Jo Weldon, shares her research into the lore of iconic leopard print. Learn the history of the apex predator in fashion and how people have used its image to bolster their confidence and build a strong public presence. Give this compelling read pride of place on your coffee table, in your boudoir, or in your backpack. Embrace your ferocity, and run with the big cats!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2018Very in-depth and chock full of history. So much I didn't know. It's a good read, well written and researched. This costume designer and performer is inspired.
Top reviews from other countries
- Sandra J.Reviewed in Canada on February 17, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect condition, Wonderful book!
It's such a fascinating book, well researched and gorgeous photos.
- René BrungsReviewed in Germany on June 4, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!
I loved everything about this book. Very informative and very beautiful selection of pictures.
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JerryReviewed in Italy on October 29, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Se avete questo tipo di passione è un ottimo libro per saperne di più.
Libro acquistato per un regalo. È piaciuto moltissimo.
Se avete la passione per questo tipo di tessuto scoprirete moltissime curiosità e cenni storici su come è nato, perché e come mai lo troviamo attraente. Una lettura per appassionati.
- womanonthewaterReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars There's no such thing as too much leopard
This is a cracking little book - from the glitzy front cover through to the quotes at the start of each chapter - it's a leopard (print) lovers delight. And there is a resource list at the back of organisations working with real big cats. For those of us who can't get through the day without a little leopard something (shoes, bag, clothes, throw, kindle covers...) this is a essential piece of reading packed with stunning pics - Ava Gardner, Jayne Mansfield and of course Bettie Page. A book to dip into and feel instantly at home in a world more glamorous.
- Great FindsReviewed in Canada on October 1, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Loveeee
Perfect coffee table book and has really pretty inspirational pictures
Great Finds
Reviewed in Canada on October 1, 2020
Images in this review