The Edit
THE NEW FAUNA
From three-dimensional butterflies to deconstructed animal prints, go as wild.
For years, animal print in the abaya wardrobe meant one thing: a leopard trim, kept small and kept safe.
This season, the animal kingdom has been let loose.
Butterflies now land on sleeves in three dimensions, stitched, beaded and lifted off the fabric. Zebra stripes are stretched, warped and redrawn until they read almost like brushwork. Leopard spots are scattered, enlarged and softened into something closer to a dot. The prints are still recognisable, but they no longer behave the way they used to.
Why The New Fauna Is Gaining Attention
Print has returned to the abaya, and shoppers are looking for pieces with personality. Fauna gives designers a language that feels playful without losing polish. A deconstructed zebra reads graphic and modern. A butterfly appliqué reads romantic and handmade. Both turn a familiar silhouette into a conversation piece.
How To Wear It
Let the print lead. Keep the tarha and the bag quiet, and choose one statement area, whether that is a printed panel, a sleeve or an all-over print. Black and white zebra works from day to evening, while softer animal tones in brown, olive and blush feel easy for daytime gatherings.
The LBS View
The New Fauna is not about looking wild. It is about the freedom to be noticed. Designers across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf are treating nature as a starting point rather than a pattern to copy, and the result is a trend that feels both fun and considered.
