Fierce: The History of Leopard Print by Jo Weldon

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.

• Published by HarperCollins
• 232 pages
• Hardcover
• Measures approx. 6 1/2" x 1” x 8 1/4"
  

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.