zebra

The Fine English Company is a recently launched line of luxurious furniture, luggage and lifestyle accessories reminiscent of Britain's colonial past with a contemporary flair. Founded by former financial consultant Benedict Wormald, the company was born out of a desire to trade in his city lifestyle in London and turn a lifelong passion for classic British design and antiquities into a business. The Fine English Company's products combine traditional craftsmanship with its detailing of exotic animal skins, rare and native woods and veneers to create a range of collectible and desirable objects betokening the best of bespoke British luxury,

With 15 years of experience sourcing unusual items and commissioning bespoke products, Benedict worked tirelessly to create the Fine English Company's first collection, a selection of which is now available at Holland & Holland, the famous London gunmaker established in 1835 and holder of the Royal Warrant. The core range includes steamer trunks finished with exquisite detailing and exotic zebra and giraffe skins, for £2,750 - £5,750. Larger furniture pieces include traditional leather armchairs, sofas and footstools, and club-style fireplace fenders upholstered in tweed, zebra and giraffe skin giving them a contemporary flair.

Fine English also has range of smaller items for sporting gentlemen including traditional handmade slippers with leather soles in a range of animal skins, bold tweed, and for the pocket pirate, a skull and crossbones. Also available are a number of iconic humidors for the busy plutocrat with rich wood finishes such as ebony, macassar and walnut, some decorated with the skull and bones (£2,500) or iconic Union Jack. Also a collection of stunning bespoke pocket knives featuring William Morris acanthus engraving, 18k pink gold with gold lipped pearl details, Damascus steel blades and ivory from the woolly mammoth, rivaling creations from the world's finest gun and watch makers.



A well-curated collection of fine antiques is also on offer, drawn from military, architecture, automotive, aeronautical and sporting pursuits and restored to perfection. Of course the company offers a complete bespoke service as well; if you can conceive of it, Wormald promises to make it happen - he claims to have never turned down any client's request. From unique taxidermy - one recent example being the finest Van Ingen Tiger to be seen in Europe - to whole games rooms, gun rooms, dramatic architectural statement pieces and even a mahogany WC seat with the skull and bones motif, Fine English will furnish it to your requirements.

Now here's a zebra print I actually like. The Zebra Canvas Shoulder Pouch by Temperley London is a little muted but still very much recognizable and fashion forward. Done in brown and blush in cotton canvas (another reason I like it!), it has brown leather trim and goldtone hardware. The drawstring top gives it a cute pouchy shape while the circular leather base helps it to both hold it's shape and stay sitting up when you set it down. The leather drawstring is pulled through large leather loops and the matching leather handle has a woven circular pattern at the top. One internal pouch pocket in the pale salmon lining, $600.

Zebra is a fairly 'seasonless' pattern but that pop of coral makes this Zebra-Print Clutch by Matthew Williamson look springy to me, not really summer-going-into-fall. But nevertheless it's a good looking bag in a simple, classy shape with an almost geometric version of zebra done in pony skin leather. The coral on top is actually a large acetate clasp embossed with the designer's logo, and the leather lining is also done in coral with more designer embossing on the interior and no pockets. This hard-box style clutch has no shoulder strap but a short leather wristlet instead. $1.595

Our love affair with Nancy Gonzalez continues with this striking Zebra Hobo.

Made in Columbia, this bag features a warm tan and black zebra-print haircalf exterior with shiny black Caiman fuscus crocodile accents, double top handles with a magnetic closure, and protective feet on the bottom. The inside has zipper pockets and a cell phone pocket, and at 13"H x 15"W x 4"D, this bag is big enough for day -- and still sexy and dressy enough for night.

What does this go with? Everything. Black compliments black, brown would pick up the golden tones, and white would be a sharp and fabulous contrast. That "Add to Wish List" button on the BG page has never been so enticing.

The Nancy Gonzales Zebra Hobo is available from Bergdorf Goodman for $2,550, unless you're in Canada. We don't know why.

Yay for zebra print mixed with flirty tassels and a feminine, puffy shape. This is the Safari Pouchette by Marc Jacobs and I love Net-a-Porter's idea of pairing it with a sleek business outfit for a chic punch of energy and style (although it could also work well for a casual party). It's a pony-skin bag with a drawstring closure, accented with tassels galore on blue and bronze rope ends and snake-effect leather flower charms that dangle off the bag's front. Other features include a bright blue leather lining (unusual) with an interior zip pocket. $1,895

The Amazon Shoulder Bag by Marc Jacobs is definitely not meant for the resident wall-flower at the party with vibrant hues, a mix of animal prints (including python, hairhide, and patchwork) and multiple flowery leather tassels dangling all over the place -- plus a little golden padlock detail. Very bold and retro-eighties. Unfortunately it's a shoulder bag (I think a clutch would work better with a crazy design like this) and features a layered flap top.

I think this bag is completely and totally horrendous, but if I ever see a woman carrying it I will respect her (for the guts). $2,850

This is one crazy looking handbag! Featuring three of the most difficult looks to pull off (fringe, zebra print, and rainbow colors) it's the very daring Fringed Zebra Baguette by Fendi. Just looking at it you're sure to have a smile on your face (whether you love it or are laughing at it!), and I suppose with all those colors it's probably pretty versatile when it comes to matching it up with outfits. Features include the multi-colored leather fringe, a removable leather shoulder strap, removable buckles, magnetic closure, and a suede lining. $5,420

Animal prints can be tricky to wear. In most instances, a little goes a long way, but they're fun to wear so it's not a bad idea to have a piece or two in your closet at home. Zebra print can be a little more forgiving than leopard or other spotted prints because stripes are a bit easier to work with and black and white is easy to accessorize. Jimmy Choo's Ramona Zebra-Print Tote is made of haircalf and has soft black leather on the trim, tab closure and shoulder straps. All the hardware is silver, which blends nicely with the white of the bag, including the logo push-lock on the bag's front. It measures 11"H x 17"W x 10"D. Price: $2,450.