London fashion week: leopard prints make roaring comeback on catwalk

Topshop and Hill & Friends shows both team animal print with hot pink, a combination rarely seen since the party pages of 1980s Tatler

Jackie Collins, who once said her weakness was “too much leopard print”, would have loved next spring. As London fashion week passed its halfway point on Sunday, leopard print – seen on the catwalks, on a filmy blouse at Topshop, or as a handbag at Hill & Friends – was emerging as a strong contender for trend of the season. What’s more, at both Topshop and Hill & Friends animal print was teamed with hot pink, a combination rarely seen since the party pages of 80s Tatler.

The first collection by Hill & Friends was both a debut and a comeback. The label is a partnership of two Mulberry alumni: Emma Hill, who was creative director until two years ago, and ex-brand director Georgia Fendley. Hill’s Mulberry was once a fashion hit-factory, and her return to the schedule six months before her eventual replacement, Céline bag designer Johnny Coca, is expected to show his first Mulberry collection was keenly anticipated.