About Style Imitating Art…
Style Imitating Art comes from Salazar, Terri, and Shelbee. You can think of it as fashion meets art museum! Style Imitating Art 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. Every other Monday one of the three selects an inspiration piece of art and posts the image on their blog. They then invite others to interpret that art work through their style. The following Monday, they share their outfits. The curator shares submissions the following Wednesday on her blog. Shelbee chose this week’s art work. If you’d like, you can read why she chose it here. You can see a few of my looks here, here, here, and here! These three have been using such diverse kinds of art lately! I’m loving it!
Inspiration art works…
About the artists…
Early famous Wagon Artists are Jim Berry, John Pockett, Tom Stevens, Tommy Gaskin, and John Pickett. Contemporary artists are Yorkie Greenwood and Lol Thompson (do you suppose he laughs a lot?) [source]. I don’t know if any of these men built the specific vardos shown as inspiration. If you want to build your own vardo, there are several sites available to help you. Here’s one that gives you a step by step guide!
About the art works…
Today, vardos are the wagons of the Romani people. But, the original mobile home was first employed by roving salesmen who didn’t want to have to pitch a tent. They needed something easily moved, had storage, and could be slept and cooked in. Thus was born the horse drawn trailer home. Some time in the mid 1800s, the Romani people, also known as the Romanichal, adopted this way of living. The wagons are smaller than a circus wagon and were able to be pulled by fewer horses.
A little more…
Over time, the vardos became so ornate, the Romanis began sleeping in tents or even under the wagons. Strangely enough, these gorgeous showcases sparked little sentimental feeling as the Romanis had no problems selling or exchanging them (also called “chopping”) if they were in need of money. When the owner died, though, the vardo was burned along with everything inside it as the belief was possessions should not be sold. Jewelry, china, and money was often left to the family.
Even more…
There are six main styles of vardos. You can read more about them here. The basic design of the wagon is large wheels set outside the body with the sides sloping outward. One thing you might find inside would be a small cast iron cooking stove with a chimney on the left side (as you look at it from the front). This was because the wagon travels on the left side of the road, and an overhanging tree might knock the chimney off if it were on the right side. Other interior features would be built-in seats, cabinets, wardrobes, bunks along the rear, a chest of drawers, and a glass front china cabinet. Windows would be on the left side and rear. The front door was almost always in the front of the wagon. The exteriors varied according to the style but usually included intricately carved pieces, painted in bright colors, and often gilded, sometimes with real gold leaf. You can see more here.
Just a skosh more…
A period of about 70 years, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was known as the “wagon time.” Economic factors, social upheaval, and World War I brought that period to an end. By 1940, only about 1% of the Romanichal people lived in vardos. Most live in what we would call a camper trailer or caravan. Today, many Romani travelers attend horse fairs. The most famous is the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria, England. Some travel by horse drawn vardo. If you’re John Lennon, you might opt to have your Rolls painted in the Romani fashion. You can read about that here. Roald Dahl had one in the 60s for his children at first. He later used it for a writing studio and wrote Danny, the Champion of the World there. A vardo may or may not have had a role in the book! You can google vardo and find several YouTube videos showing people living in modern versions.
My interpretation…
At first, I had no idea what I was going to do with this challenge. But, I loved looking at those wagons and their ornate carvings and paintings. Then, I remembered I’d just bought this skirt at J Jill and realized the scrollwork on it was a lot like that on the wagons. From there, I just kept going with embroidered/embellished clothing. The tank is an old, old one from Banana Republic and features an elaborately embroidered (?) overlay. The Johnny Was velvet jacket is also heavily embroidered on the back. Once I got going, I had an outfit in no time!
The Lewk!
I keep reaching for these sandals. I think it’s because most of my summer sandals are flats, and some looks just scream out for something higher. I guess I’ve got a hole in my closet, right? These are from Clarks and are very old. Once again, I went with minimal jewelry…a garnet chip necklace and these wooden bead earrings. You may have noticed the beaded belt in some of the photos. I wanted to add lots of beading and texture to my outfit, but I decided that belt was just a distraction from the look!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I have to say I loved learning about these Romani vardos! What gorgeous homes! I love to watch those shows about tiny houses and think, for an eensy teensy tiny moment, it would be fun to live in one. But, I’d need another one for just my clothes! Of course, Nigel would also need his own for his tools! So, can we talk? What do you think of these vardos or the tiny house movement? Would you like to live in one? Which is your favorite? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise I respond as soon as I can. Does anyone get notifications of my responses? Please let me know as I’m beginning to receive notifications from other blogs I read. TIA!
Affiliate links and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am now an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Thank you!
I want to thank you for supporting my blog through your comments, emails, and subscribing. It means so very much to me. I appreciate so many of you telling others about my blog as well. If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, and Style Splash. 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 with Michelle every Thursday. 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!
Like a real gypsy! This is a fun theme! The colours of the wagons are always very pretty and with lots of decorations.
Are they not the most amazing things, Nancy! Can you imagine living in one? I wouldn’t mind a mini vacation in one, but I could never live in anything that small!
Thanks, Nancy, for visiting!
Unbelievably I have had two holidays in gypsy caravans! One when I was really young (?20) and a nurse, four of us travelled around part of Ireland with a horse and caravan and then another holiday was with my young family in the heart of the English country side. Honestly both were amazing holidays as you were in charge of tacking up your horse and putting it between the shafts and then untacking and setting it free in a field which meant of course you had to catch it in the morning!!! And were we experienced horse people? No!!! But gosh after being taught how to do it we learnt very quickly! I look back and think wow, did we do that? Yes we did! The caravans were plainer btw, but just as tiny so it was a tight fit!
That is THE most lovely jacket ever.
Oh, Penny, those holidays sound like great fun…except for the catching the horse in the morning! You have led such an adventurous life! I think traveling around the English countryside in anything would be wonderful. I’m hoping to convince the husband we need to get to the UK at least one more time before he decides he’s done!
Thank you so much about the jacket. It was a splurge a few years ago, but I haven’t regretted it one second!
Oh wow; those gypsy wagons are so cool!! I could never live in a tiny house like that (I mean maybe for like a weekend or so but no longer than that and I’d have to have a “real” house with all my stuff still in it!). I love your outfit; that velvet jacket is stunning!!
They would be fun for a short stay, wouldn’t they? But, I’d need one with a fully functioning bathroom!
Thanks so much, Joanne!
Wowza is the word that comes to mind. I’m with you that I don’t think I could handle a tiny house, but it’s such a cool concept. But these wagons are incredible. Talk about ornate.
And I love what you did with the look. It’s perfect,
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! I think a teeny tiny vacation would be fun in one…but only a teeny tiny one! I’m always curious just how long people actually live in those tiny houses (not these wagons but those tiny houses you see all over tv now).
What a wonderful look to create around this work! I fell in love with it when I saw it on Insta. The velvet cardigan is so pretty and love the contrasts of the printed skirt with it. The wagons are so cool!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! The skirt is really pretty and went well with the velvet cardigan. I need to figure out what to wear with it when the weather warms up (something other than a denim jacket)!
Pingback:SIA Gallery of Style | Gypsy Vardos by Various Wagon Artists – Shelbee On the Edge
Those wagons are so beautiful. And the lifestyle is really interesting, too. Your skirt is perfect and I really see why you chose it. I love the velvet kimono you paired with it, too!
Thanks, Laura! I’m not sure the traveling life is for me, but a small vacation in one of these would be fun!
The mix of rich textures is just right for interpreting these wagons into an outfit! And the color scheme is gorgeous with your hair, too.
Thanks so much, Sally! I knew I wanted to use this skirt, but I wasn’t sure what I was going to use on top. I think I used this velvet kimono/cardigan/whatever on an earlier SIA.
What a fun and beautiful theme and so beautifully dressed. Love the vivid colors
I visited you via It’s All FIne … Whatever Tickles the Fancy STYLE NOTES: NEW FOR SPRING & LINK-UP
If you are not already part of SSPS, this is a personal invite to hop over and come and share your posts with us at Senior Salon Pit Stop, every Monday to Saturday.
See my entries: 57-58 and then navigate to the bottom of my page for the Senior Salon Pit Stop linkup, we hope to meet you there virtually.
Thank you so much! I will definitely link up!
Thank you so much for linking up with @esmesalon #SeniorSalonPitStop 258 I will tweet for now but do check this coming Monday to see if you’re in the top 15 or received a mention by one the the co-hosts.
Thanks, I will definitely do that!
The wagon art is so cool! Love the colors and mix of textures of your outfit!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! Can you imagine living in one of those…even if it is really cool? I definitely could not!
Perfect outfit! Such rich colors and fabrics. Well done!
Thanks, Michelle! It was a fun one!
I don’t think I could live in one of those tiny homes…even I had another for my clothes. I’m afraid I need MUCH more space lol! I love your outfit for this challenge, Marsha. That velvet top is divine! I’ve been so busy with Think Like Queenie lately that I’ve just had time to do any of the SIA challenges. Hopefully, I’ll get back into it soon because it was always so much fun!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
I need to get up to day with Queenie…I’ve been slacking. I don’t know how anyone can live in one of those tiny houses if there’s more than two people! I’d go bonkers because I need an away space!
Thanks, Suzy!!!
Hi, Marsha – I totally love your hair colors and the skirt bookends your look with you hair so well! Another beautiful and tasteful outfit interpretation – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you so much, Angie! I am really having fun with the fashion colors!
I like the colors you adopted for getting this stylish look. I am in love with your floral skirt that is looking so beautiful.
Thank you so much! It was a fun challenge!
Growing up in a village in France, we had gypsies who came through every year in their caravans and stayed at the “campground accross from our house. I think the campground was more of a park/wild area with a river, grass and beautiful oak trees. I love the top you chose to pair with your skirt.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Oh, that’s so cool, Mireille! Were their wagons like the ones shown? Thanks for stopping by!