About this collaboration
Every other Monday, Daenel (Living Outside the Stacks), Salazar (14 Shades of Grey) and Terri (Meadowtree Style) host Style Imitating Art. For this collaboration, each of the three contributors takes turns selecting an inspiration image. They then invite others to interpret that artwork through their style. You can read more about the process on each blog.
Inspiration Art Work
Faith Ringgold, Jazz Stories: Mama Can Sing and Papa Can Blow #1 & Somebody Stole My Broken Heart (detail), 2004
Faith Ringgold is an American artist (read even more here) who creates in various media including quilts as well as children’s literature. She was also a teacher and professor at the University of California in San Diego.
My Interpretation
When I saw this art work, the first thing I saw were the colors…the vivid reds, blues, and yellows. And, I realized I had just the skirt for this particular fashion challenge. I purchased this last summer but never had a chance to wear it (year that wasn’t, remember). Here is one on Poshmark. This skirt is from Talbots and is made from Ratti fabric. “Known the world over for its luxe fabrics and intricate one-of-a-kind prints, the Italian mill was founded in 1945 by Antonio Ratti. The idyllic setting of Como continues to inspire their designs to this day, each one meticulously hand-printed by Ratti artisans.” – Talbots
This particular skirt has no zipper! It’s elasticized in the back with a smooth waistband in front. It has a fabric belt which I tied and pushed to the side. The skirt is completely lined (the lining is tacked down, too) and has pockets hidden in the side seams.
My heels kept sinking into the grass! Nigel was getting irritated because I was laughing so much! 
I settled down a bit for this one!
At first, I was going to pair this skirt with a plum/orange/yellow Chanel type cardigan I’d purchased at J Jill a couple of years ago. That was a total failure! When I ordered this skirt, I also ordered this green striped tank for some print mixing. It may not be totally noticeable in these pictures, but the greens are perfect matches. After looking at the inspiration art work, I decided I needed something that would pick up the idea of musical instruments (the border is said to represent piano keys). I don’t have many jackets (with the exception of denim jackets), but I did have this one. It has just that bit of edge to it with the bronze colored embellishments and the pointed front. Zipping it up part way gave me a bit of an hourglass figure (yay, curves!). The sleeves are also ruched. This jacket is from INC and is close to a decade old.
Note to self: Don’t put a peppermint in your mouth just before snapping photos! 
The Lewk
I have exactly one pair of orange shoes, but they’re flats. They definitely did not look right with this skirt. Instead, I opted for a pair of Sofft heeled sandals. I pulled out a pair of bronze colored earrings as well as a bronze bracelet. This bracelet is over 25 years old! On our very first vacation away from the kids, we went to San Francisco. Nigel bought this for me from one of the street vendors near the bay. As I looked at the art work, I also noticed the necklace on the singer. I pulled out this turquoise necklace purchased years ago from J Jill. The turquoise bracelet was another gift from Nigel. He found it on a business trip to Fort Huacucha in Sierra Vista, Arizona. One of the rings is Effy. The other is Pandora.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
Slowly, but surely, I’m figuring more and more things out for my blog! You may have noticed there are now menus on the right side of the screen. There may even be some across the top (this seems to be a PC thing). You can also access my Instagram from the page! Technology! Yay, me! I’ve also learned how to do links without just posting the URLs! Learning something new was one of my goals for this blog. I’ve definitely been learning!
This was the first time I’ve tried the Style Imitating Art challenge. I’ve “watched” from afar and never felt quite confident enough to participate. But, this time, I knew exactly what would work for me. I had fun pulling the whole look together. I will definitely wear this (once we start actually going somewhere). What strikes you most about this art work? Would you have maybe gone for more of a jazz theme? I considered that. But, that skirt…it just kept calling to me! Please make sure you check into the SIA blogs to see how they imitated Faith Ringgold! Thank you, again, for visiting with me. If you’re new here, please consider subscribing.
Love this skirt Marsha! Well styled and so many possibilities. What a fun happy outfit.
It is a pretty glorious skirt! I really do need to pull it out and wear it more often. And, I did feel happy and fun in this outfit…that may also have to do with my heels getting stuck in the yard!
Thanks, Lesley, for coming by!
That’s pretty colourful! Great interpretation!
Thanks, Nancy, I was a little unsure to be honest! But, I liked the way the jacket showcased my curves!
Thanks for coming by!
This is my absolute favorite look you’ve shared so far! I love the colors and the way you’ve styled it. I love the bold colors in the artwork and think you captured it in your outfit perfectly!
Seriously? Not a Lilly Pulitzer look? You have to admit this is pretty far away from my comfort zone, right? That artwork is pretty amazing, isn’t it?
OMG…that skirt is fabulous Marsha. And the print mixing is spot on. Very impressive with the SIA inspiration.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
It really is a gorgeous skirt! I need to comb through my closet and see what else I can put with it. The small green stripe almost doesn’t count for print mixing, but I’m not sure a bolder print would work as the skirt is so extra! And, honestly, it needs to be the center of attention…after me, of course!
Thanks, Jodie…if you’re impressed, I’m doing something right!
I’m so happy you decided to join us. You did a great job with your interpretation. That skirt is fabulous – and pockets too – it’s perfect! I’m a huge fan of pattern mixing, so that was a nice touch.
Learning the ins and outs of blogging is both fun and frustrating. I’m still learning new things {yay, lifelong learning}.
Thanks, Daenel! It was really a lot of fun once I realized the original cardigan was a no-go. Pattern mixing is a lot of fun. I’m sure I get the side eye a lot, but who cares! I’m having so much more fun with clothes now than I did when I was younger. Another case of “if I knew then what I know now”!
I am feeling more and more comfortable with blogging. Yours is the blog I always show my husband. It’s just so utterly stunning to me (could be the model). And, boy can I tell you’re in education…lifelong learning!!! I chuckled when I saw that. Honestly, though, I do believe in the power of keeping the brain active. And, as a retired teacher who still misses it with every ounce of her being, learning is just a part of who I am.
Thanks so much for hosting this! I hope to join in frequently!
This outfit is fabulous!! I always hesitate to mix prints. I see it can be pulled off beautifully. Your inspiration was amazing.
You know, sometimes, I wonder what other people think of what I’m wearing…and then, I think…well, you know what I think and you know the words I would use!!! Start small…use stripes and then add a print! I know you have prints…but I wonder about stripes!
You have made progress on your blog so much faster than I did. Nice job! Love the print mixing and the skirt is really pretty. I think I have only participated in the challenge once… Just never seem to put it on my calendar.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Oh, Mireille! I don’t have kiddos to take here, there, and everywhere! I just have a cranky old guy and a spoiled dog! I have time to spend (usually around midnight) to poke around trying to figure out what goes where! I have had to chat with the tech people because I’ve messed things up!
I really had fun with this challenge. I hope I can remember to do it again!
Marsha, I am so excited that you joined the Style Imitating Art challenge this week! You did a great job with this interpretation, too. What a fabulous skirt. The colors are perfect and the print just makes me happy. I really like the subtle pattern mix with your striped tee, too. I hope you find more inspiration with these challenges! They are so fun! And your blog looks great, by the way!
Shelbee
I have to admit I was a little intimidated because I’ve read Daenel’s blog posts for a long time. I never thought I’d have a blog much less actually participate in the SIA! But, I had so much fun doing it. Now, if I can just remember to look for the next prompt! I do love this skirt…need to lose a few el bees to get it to fit perfectly!
One of my reasons for starting a blog was to learn something new…oh, boy! I am learning almost daily!
Thanks, Shelbee, for stopping by!
Hello Marsha and welcome to Style Imitating Art! I am so glad you decided to join in- it’s such a fun challenge and it’s even more fun when there are lots of us joining in- it’s a privilege to gain an insight into everyone’s ideas of what it suggests to them AND their wardrobes! I love your outfit- the skirt is SO, SO pretty and just perfect with all the colours and the busyness! The black jacket is so smart as well!
I giggled when I saw your comment about the peppermint in the mouth because my husband did something similar on our wedding day! When we got our wedding photos back, we’d had some couple photos in the beautiful ornamental gardens of the mansion and we were standing amongst the lavender. They were the photos I was most excited about. But to our horror, when we saw them, my husband was doing something really bizarre with his lips in all of them and then he realised he’d eaten a fruitsalad sweet just before the photo (I don’t even know where he got it from!?!?!?!!) . We were so annoyed with him! Haha, I can laugh about it now!!
Oh, no! I certainly hope there were at least a couple of photos that were good! I had lots of fun with this inspiration. I knew this skirt was perfect, but I wasn’t totally sure about the top. Once I pulled out the jacket, something just kinda clicked for me! I hope I remember to check it out on a regular basis!
Thanks, Kezzie, for coming by!
Nailed it!! I thought this art was so pretty. Love Faith Ringgold and her books. I am sure you are familiar with them, too. Your outfit reflects the energy and vibe of the art as well as the bold color palette. And think the print even mimics the sound of music (not the musical but the actual sounds of the instruments) and the be-bopping of the notes. The movement of the music, maybe. A+.
Oh, an A+! Thank you so much! I had such fun with this once I got over the intimidation! When I saw that inspiration piece, I knew exactly what I would have to wear! Love her books, too! They are so dynamic!
Thanks, Leslie!
OMG i am in love with your skirt. The most beautiful colors, all of which i love. It definitly spoke to me ” I know you want me”
Hahaha! Do you remember cutting fabric? I watch these young things (and some old things) cutting with their fancy line already engraved in the tables and think, “You don’t know what cutting fabric is!” But, I do love this skirt. I have made a couple of fuller skirts like this, but they just aren’t the same as a store bought one, right?
The skirt is perfect idea for this piece of art! I adore the jacket you paired with it.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Isn’t this skirt glorious! I didn’t know what I was going to do when my first plan failed completely! And, the skirt needs a jacket not just a cardigan. I was happy when I looked up and saw this one hanging there crying out for some attention!
Thanks, Katherine, for coming by!
Marsha I cringe when I have fabric cut, they do it all wrong. I want to yank those scissors out of their hands and say “step aside I’ll show you how to do this honey ” lol clench fists and teeth and say thank you
Right? And, they have that snappy little thing to help them! I have no idea how I still end up with those wicked crooked edges!
You totally captured the essence of the artwork with that gorgeous skirt. Beautiful outfit, Marsha!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thanks, Michelle! It was truly the perfect skirt for the artwork! This week’s is making me work a little! I have the perfect little something, but it’s out of season right now…should that be a problem? I don’t know!
Thanks for coming by, Michelle!
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