Style Imitating Art…
Welcome to Style Imitating Art which comes from Salazar, Shelbee, and me. You can think of this series as fashion meets art museum! SIA challenges people to find inspiration in different art works, create looks based upon that art work, and share them with the curator for that piece. Shelbee is this week’s curator with two gorgeous pieces of textiles! I hope you enjoy this post, the information, and my interpretation.
How it works…
Every other Monday one of us selects an inspiration piece of art and posts the image on their blog. We then invite others to interpret that art work through their style. The following Monday, we share our outfits. The curator shares submissions the following Wednesday on her blog. Shelbee chose this week’s art work for this round of Style Imitating Art. If you’d like, you can read why she chose it here. Please send your photo to Shelbee by Tuesday, June 17th, 2025 by 10 pm EST. Style Imitating Art is an interesting way to inspire your outfits. You can see a few of my looks here, here, here, and here.
The artist…
Vanessa Barragão was born in 1992 in Albufeira in southern Portugal. She grew up close to the ocean as well as the countryside. Barragão is a textile artist who is passionate about her art as well as sustainability and the planet. When she was a child, Barragão began creating. She began with sandcastles on the beach and making dolls’ clothing. By the time she was six, she began drawing and discovered, at six years old, how handmade crafts were important to her. Her first forms of expression were crocheting and drawing.
A little more…
At 18, Barragão moved to Lisbon to complete her undergraduate and master’s degrees. She studied fashion design for six years. During this time, she became more aware of consumption, sustainability, and being more eco-friendly in her own life. After her academic life, Barragão decided to explore textiles and handmade ancestral crafts. In doing this, she turned her back on the fashion world. In 2016, Barragão moved to Porto which is the home of the Portuguese textile industry. She remained there for almost four years. She worked as both a textile designer in an artisanal rug factory and on her own textile projects. During the last year of living in Porto, Barragão left the rug factory and concentrated on her own projects. She also opened her first studio and worked full time there.
Still more…
In 2020, Barragão moved back to Albufeira. Her studio is now located there. She says, “I now feel that I can not only be more connected with myself but also be closer to the environment that inspires me and to the people I love, my family (source).”
“Art is a very important vehicle to convey my message of not only raising awareness of climate change issues but also to bring a sign of hope (source).”
Even more…
Barragão only works with textile waste from factories. Using these materials, she then crochets, felts, and uses a latch hook to create her art. She believes this emphasizes quality and longevity over mass production. Barragão has developed close relationships with several factories, supplying her with leftovers and dead stock which would, ordinarily, go to waste. Instead of being unwanted bits and pieces, Barragão creates beautiful textiles and tapestries (source).
Finally…
Her largest installation is the Botanical Tapestry at Heathrow Airport. It took her six months to complete. It contains more than 17.5 pounds of jute and cotton and 92.6 pounds of recycled wool. For more information, you can read more here and see several photos. It’s amazing!
The art…
The two textiles are made from recycled materials. If you go here on Instagram, you can see Wave II in detail. It measures 14’10” x 6’7″ (450 x 200 cm). The second photo in that carousel shows you how big it is! I couldn’t find anymore information on either piece as far as the exact textiles. My guess is Shelbee will, though! If you’re on TikTok, you can find more about her work there. I just couldn’t get it to link.
The outfit…
I was stumped for quite a bit with this challenge. Then, I remembered this gilet (seen here). It’s definitely a winter weight item, but I knew it was perfect for this SIA. So, I decided to put together a look around it. There is fringe and different textures in it. Now, to pull in the blues. I have been wanting to experiment with the double denim trend. Once upon a time, I would never have even considered that. But, that’s because I thought the denims had to be the same color. Then, I started seeing examples with different shades of blue or even different colors of denim paired together. I really like the way this came together, but I could not wait to get out of this! It was so warm, and our weather is very humid right now.
The Lewk!
I have been looking for a pair of espadrilles and found these Gentle Soul Caplin espadrilles. Using shoe math, they aren’t really that high. I’ve taken them out for a couple of spins, and I’m glad to report they are comfortable. In order to pick up on the details in the textiles, I added lots and lots of pearls and beads in varying colors. One necklace and the bracelets are from Stella & Dot. The short wooden bead necklace and the earrings are from Target a long, long time ago! The pearl necklace was a Christmas gift from Talbots…you read that right…from Talbots! One year, they gave them to I don’t know how many customers. The funny thing was my little sister got one, too. I didn’t have any braided things, but I thought the straps of the sandals did a good job of that.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I do love a challenge, and this go round was definitely that! I was glad I had this gilet to pull in the fringe and texture. As far as sustainability…I probably get a D+ because the shoes are new, and the the gilet is from this past January. Other than that, the jeans, denim shirt, and jewelry are all old. I do, however, work hard at trying to live as sustainably as possible in all the other areas of my life. So, can we talk? Have you tried the double denim trend? Do you try to live a sustainable life? What do you think of the tapestry at Heathrow? Have you seen it in person? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Don’t forget…
If you want to be included in the Style Imitating Art round up, send Shelbee your photo by 10:00 pm EST, Tuesday, June 17th. Photos of everyone participating will appear on her blog on Wednesday, June 18th! If you’re interested in joining us, consider all of your options…the colors, the textures, the feelings they evoke! Come on, give it a try! I think you’ll love it!
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
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Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
I think this is rather a unusual style for you, but you do look very good in it! Double denim is cool isn’t it!
Thanks, Nancy! Don’t give away my secret, but you’re more likely to see me in jeans than anything! But, this is the first time for double denim! I really do like it now!
It’s super and I love the colours, very calming indeed Marsha. Have a lovely week. Jacqui xx
Thanks, Jacqui! I was very happy with the double denim and the gilet for this challenge. I hope your week is fabulous!
What an interesting artist and I think you nailed the outfit perfectly!
Thank you, Rosie! Isn’t she intriguing? I admire her passion for upcycling and being sustainable. I was very happy with the outfit, too!
You did a great job with this challenge! I KNEW you’d come up with something.
Thanks, Joanne! You had more confidence in me than I did. But, once I went with the gilet, everything else fell into place.
Love the gilet – it is such a cool piece and looks great with the double denim. I’d wear that gilet with a white tee and jeans too and a cool boot – so many options with that piece. You did a great job with this SIA challenge!
And kudos to Nigel with the photos!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! I’ll tell him. Oh, when the weather cools off in a few months, I will try that. I really like that idea.
How fun! Your gilet was the perfect piece for this styling challenge. And I love the double denim with it. It’s such an elevated, chic look!
Thanks, Laura! I was glad I thought of this gilet because it really did work well. I was very happy with the double denim because I’ve always tried to match the denims. It took me a while to understand the denims don’t have to (and probably shouldn’t) match!
You nailed it with this one, Marsha! The textile art is fabulous and so is your outfit. I think this is one my favorite outfits you’ve put together — love the texture, color and the interesting and fun way you layered your necklaces. I never would have thought to put them all together, but it works so well! As the expression goes, nicely done!
Thank you so much, Beth! Some of the necklaces were hanging beside each other, and I thought they looked good. The others I added because of color and texture. This was a fun challenge once I decided to go with this gilet (or vest as I would call it). I know it’s a winter look, but it worked for the challenge! Thanks again, Beth!
Marsha, that sweater is wonderful! All the fringy bits are perfect for this artwork. I love how you used your accessories to add more texture with piles of necklaces and beads. And the double denim looks super cute on you! I know the weight of the gilet is for cooler weather but with the short sleeves, I bet it would look really cute over a sundress to keep warm on a cool summer night. Well done, as always, my friend!
Shelbee
Thank you, Shelbee! I honestly had nothing else that would have worked. I just thought it was dumb not to use a winter look just because it was summer. I had fun piling on the accessories, too. I was surprised at how much I liked the double denim. I think I need to figure out how to get my collar to stay up a little better…probably starch if they even sell that anymore. I think this might be a bit too warm for me here in Central Indiana even on a cool summer night. It’s really heavier than it looks.
What a clever interpretation! I knew you’d come up with something good.
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Cat! Honestly…don’t tell anyone…this was just about the only way I could have gone! I love the art, but I had absolutely nothing else that would have worked!
The texture is perfect. I love how you thought differently and used a “winter” item.
And yay for double denim
Xoox
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I was stumped and then thought, “Well, why not do a winter look even though it’s summer?” I had been wanting to try double denim, and now I really am a fan!
I love the texture of the duster! It’s the perfect representation of the art. Your accessories really make this look special!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! I thought the accessories were necessary to pick up on the different buttons and bits in the art. It was fun combining them.
The artist and your interpretation are intriguing, creative, and unique. This reminds me of a clothes designer I read about (whose name I don’t remember) who only uses recycled materials. Gilet is a new term to me. I enjoy airport art; it certainly can make travelling more interesting and enjoyable.
Thank you, Aletha! I know there are many small retailers who upcycle old saris and pay the people a fair wage. But, they aren’t quite as artsy as this art is. Gilet is a really new term to me, too. I would have called it a long vest, but J Jill called it a gilet. I haven’t traveled that much (le sigh) so I’m not familiar with very much airport art. It’s a neat way for artists to get noticed, though.
What a beautiful piece of art – you’re right, it’s much bigger than I imagined. Your gilet is perfect for interpreting the art! I love this look on you!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I was really please with the way it turned out. I was really surprised when I looked at her Insta account! Those pieces are massive. I’d love to see the one at Heathrow!
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Hi, Marsha – You look so cute in this outfit! And your jewelry mix is perfect for this. Actually double denim is best in different shades unless it was made in a matching set. I knew it had to be Shelbee who chose this artist since she makes rag art to decorate her home. Thanks for all the background on the artist and her work – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you, Angie! I don’t know where I got the idea the denims had to match. I mean, that’s darn near impossible unless bought that way. But, I’ll be trying it more often now that I finally know better! Shelbee is so creative. Both she and Salazar find the most unique art! I struggle to stay up with them!
Your richly textured gilet is perfect for this! I love the textile art, there was a similar installation at Tate Modern recently. Thanks for linking at #TuesdayTwirl.
Thank you, Gail! It was very warm to wear and take photos, but I knew it was the only way to meet the challenge. I hadn’t realized how big this piece of art was. I would love to see a textile installation at our museum someday. Thanks for the link up!
HOMERUN, baby, HOMERUN!! Actually, better than that…a grand slam!! LOVE this look. And love that I can replicate it. Probably not nearly as well as your version but I have similar pieces. Might be what I wear to church tomorrow.
I didn”t realize what form this art was in…thought the pieces might be brooches until I read more. Love the texture and the movement in each one. And you perfectly reflect that with the fringe on your duster. It has the same organic, floaty feel. And the blue on blue denim together. Great pairing. Great interpretation. I have a very, very lightweight chambray that is equally very, very old and I need to show it some love. Going to try this look. Thank you for always inspiring me in fashion and in life.
Wow!!! Thanks, Leslie! I really did like the way it came out even though it was hot as blazes when we took the photos. I’m glad to inspire you. I thought these were like brooches, too. I was so surprised when I looked on Instagram and discovered just how big they are! They really are beautiful, aren’t they?
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