Leopard-alooza!

Photo Courtesy of Defenders.org

In the wild leopards are endangered or near-threatened in many of their habitats, but in fashion and home décor faux leopard prints are in no danger of going extinct! Their fur is so distinctively beautiful that people covet it – in reproductions, of course – for furniture, rugs, dresses, handbags and shoes.

Photo Courtesy of ByKoket.com

Our attraction is more than fur deep, however. Leopards are graceful, intelligent, successful and strong. They’re excellent mothers, can run up to 35 miles and hour and they can be dangerous too! Though leopards are the smallest of the four big cats – including lions, tigers and jaguars – they are HUGE in fashion accessories for fall – wouldn’t you feel just a bit adventurous carrying one of these bag, below?

Photo Courtesy of Net-a-Porter.com

On the home front we’re seeing leopard prints mixed into traditional décor as well as transitional and even modern.

Photo Courtesy of TraditionalHome.com

Photo Courtesy of SavvyHomeblog.com

Photo Courtesy of Luxe.com

We’ve seen leopards running up stairs, too!

Photo Courtesy of ElementsofStyle.com

We can sit on them….(please don't try this in the wild!)

Photo Courtesy of HarpersBazaar.com

Or rest our feet on them!

Photo Courtesy of Lonny.com

Sometimes leopards are pretty in pink, whether it’s a chair or a Valentino Cavallio satchel….

Photo Courtesy of StyleMePretty.com

Photo Courtesy of NeimanMarcus.com

And here’s a fun factoid: The term “leopard” has become urban slang for a single or divorced woman 35 to 55 who is educated, successful and self-assured. While “cougars” hunt younger men, leopards don’t have to hunt at all - men come to them. No wonder we relate to leopards - much classier!