Primitive Urges

THE STRONGEST EVIDENCE was at the showings of fall fashions by top designers. Christian Lacroix sent a pony-skin vest and faux leopard March Hare hat down the runway, while Bill Blass crowned his show with a white leopard trapeze coat--fake, of course. Then fashion’s African and primitive looks, with their hand-blocked prints and emphasis on imitation animal skins, began crossing over into fall home furnishings, showing up on furniture, carpet, wallpaper, fabric and accessories. Now what seemed early this year like a flash-in-the-pan fashion fad has become a serious trend in both high-priced fashion and residential interiors.

What does this fashion/home furnishings crossover mean? People can look like their chairs. Or vice versa.