Rampant Rabbit

The new trend in headwear sees animal ears being coveted by celebrities such as Madonna, the Olsen twins and Lily Allen. Should we have learned from Bridget Jones Tarts and Vicars faux pas or could sporting bunny ears be more telling than one might think? Miss M investigates.

The iconic image of the bunny ear has transformed with its consumer over the years. Many young girls first memory of sexual innuendos came from bunny rabbits whether in the form of the Playboy club hostesses or the iconic caricature of Jessica Rabbit in the late eighties. Two thousand and nine sees the bunny ears as not only an acceptable accessory to wear during cocktail hour but as the feather in the cap of many a fashionista.

Not since the rabbit appeared in Sex and the City has there been more talk of a woodland animal. These once forbidden accessories hopped into the spotlight on the Louis Vuitton Fall 2009 catwalk. “I like the kind of Playboy, French coquette aspect to it" said the labels designer Marc Jacobs. Indeed one can’t help but think of Playboy when they see women donning bunny ears. The brash symbol of sexuality was something Playboy founder Hugh Hefner had in mind for the brand. 'I selected a rabbit for the magazine because of the humorous sexual connotation, and because the image was frisky and playful’. No one was surprised then when Madonna, the friskiest of all celebs, wore a pair to the Met Ball Gala in May. Interview magazine may have cried “mutton dressed as rabbit” but the fashion dress up box was opened and everyone wanted to play.

Parisian couture milliner Maison Michel created quite a stir in August when the Olsen twins wore a pair of their lace mouse and bunny ears respectively. Naysayers at New York Magazine speculated that the tween idols were experiencing a regression trying to regain their lost youth by playing dress up. What better way to forget about your recessionary troubles than pretend to be a fairy tale character from your youth. British style consultant and journalist Peter York sees them as “kitsch from beginning to end. They’re about escapism. The more escapism the better.”

A pair of bunny ears can be attributed to nesting behaviour brought on by the recession in the more mature shopper. The Daily Telegraph explains “(The recession) reflects the shift from rampant consumerism to a more austere but creative way of living”. Bunny ears can prove an economical way of revving up your sex life. Topshops ears will cost you £16, much more economical than a Basque and suspenders from La Perla. Nesting never sounded more enticing.

Who would have thought that topping off your couture with a pair of ears would be the look du jour? The tongue and cheek trend of rabbit ears can help channel your inner child or reveal your inner rampant rabbit. Either way these naughty accessories certainly offer a veritable two fingers (or ears) to the recession, and that is a trend we will be seeing for seasons to come.
 
Trend Update
Numerous pairs of bunny ears have been spotted at Vauxhall Fashion Scout-two pairs being worn by stylish gents.
French Connection Camden has male mannequins sporting the trend. Bunny ears are a go!