Animal Quote by Will Self
“...catching a glimpse of his rather hippyish form in a mirror, he wonders at this atavism of apparel, is it an inversion of foetal ontogeny, in which the phenotype passes through previous fashion stages? Soon there will be gaiters and gloves...I will probably die, he thinks, clad in animal skins.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Book of Dave, Will Self, 2006
The speaker reflects on fashion as a regression to primitive states, questioning whether modern clothing mirrors early developmental stages and foreseeing a return to animal skins.
In simple terms: Fashion seen as a regression to primitive attire.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how trends may echo deeper cultural instincts.
Themes
fashion
identity
culture
regression
anthropology
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- design critique
- future fashion predictions
Key Concepts
symbolism
ontogeny
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal anxieties shape our view of fashion trends?
- What does “animal skins” symbolize for you?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may over‑simplify complex social influences on clothing.
![“Phylogeny and ontogeny are, therefore, the two coordinated branches of morphology. Phylogeny is the developmental history [Entwickelungsgeschichte] of the abstract, genealogical individual; ontogeny, on the other hand, is the developmental history of the concrete, morphological individual.” quote by Ernst Haeckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bfa/ernst-haeckel-20972_abstract_phylogeny-and-ontogeny-are-therefore-the_1640087.jpg)
