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. Salazar was this week’s curator with this fascinating helmet! 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. Salazar 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 Salazar by Tuesday, August 12th, 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…
Well, this is a first for me. I couldn’t find the artist of this piece. Kawari Kabuto is also known as “exotic helmets.” They were made by Japanese metalsmiths. Some of those mentioned are Myochin Nobuie and Unkai Mitsuhisa. I couldn’t find anything on them, either. I dug deep, but I’m betting Shelbee dug deeper and found something. Check out her post to be sure.
The artwork…
Constructed from iron, lacquer, wood, leather, gilt, pigments, silk, and papier-mâché, this helmet is from the 17th century. It is from Japan and is currently on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It measures approximately 28 x 24 x 13 3/4 in. (71.12 x 60.96 x 34.93 cm).
A little more…
Our helmet is from the 17th century. But, during the two prior centuries, Japan’s feudal families, trying to be the best, accumulated huge armies. These armies were used not only to protect their particular places but also to conquer those neighboring lands that couldn’t stand up to them. The high-ranking lords in the armies began to “embellish their helmets with sculptural forms so that they could be visually located on the battlefield. Exotic helmets (kawari kabuto) also allowed leaders to choose symbolic motifs for their helmets that reflected some aspect of their personality or that of their collective battalions (source).” Our helmet was acquired by the James Ford Bell Foundation Endowment for Art Acquisition and the gift of funds from Siri and Bob Marshall.
Still more…
You may have noticed the dragonfly shape. In Japan, dragonflies are symbolic of “focused endeavor and vigilance.” Have you ever watched a dragonfly? They move up, down, and sideways all the time facing forward. If you’re in the army, this would be an advantageous ability. Japan was also often referred to as Akitsushima (Land of the Dragonflies). Dragonflies were also thought to be the spirits of rice because you can usually find them hovering above flooded rice fields.
My interpretation…
At first, I had absolutely no idea what to do with this piece of “art.” Then, I decided to look at it in another way…to look at it as true inspiration. And, what it inspired in me was the idea of a warrior princess. I had recently bought the Summer Dahlia Duster dress from Kantha Bae, and I thought it could be my foundation. Remember, Kantha Bae items are all unique. When I linked this, there was only one left so if you click on the link, there may be nothing there. It is sleeveless, but because it’s free size (which means it fits up to a size 22-24), the shoulders did hang over a bit. It also needed something to add a little zhuzh so I added the Full Lace Long Sleeve Half Tee (remember to use my code, MARSHA2098, to get 20% off). I think it added that extra little something that gave the outfit the warrior vibe I was after. I belted the dress with my black leather obi and adjust the dress so the gathers were in the front and back. There’s your tip…never leave the gathers at your sides or hips! All in all, I really like this and will definitely wear it over and over. I think it will look super cool this winter with black boots, don’t you?
The Lewk!
Now, if it hadn’t been over 90 degrees (32C), I might have worn a pair of my boots as I do have a few…hahaha!! But, I just couldn’t bear the thought. So, I went with these black Shay sandals from Miz Mooz. I think the straps give off a warrior vibe, don’t you? Then, I added just a couple pieces of jewelry that also feel like armor to me. The necklace is a very old piece of Stella & Dot. I like how if feels almost like the breast piece a warrior princess might wear. I added these heavy earrings from Banana Republic. Again, I wish they would start carrying more interesting jewelry. It’s so architectural right now and kinda boring! Back to the earrings…honestly, the only time I can stand to wear them is on the blog! I may wear them for a museum tour, though!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
This was a challenge, but that’s what is so good about Style Imitating Art. I thought, for a little minute, about going out and looking for a dragonfly necklace, pin, or something. But, then, I remembered I had decided, a while ago, I was going to avoid buying things specifically for these challenges. So, can we talk? Are there lots of dragonflies where you live? Do you ever channel your inner warrior princess? How do you feel about items like this as art? 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 Salazar your photo by 10:00 pm EST, Tuesday, August 12th. Photos of everyone participating will appear on her blog on Wednesday, August 13th! 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!
Meeting an army wearing those hats must have been impressive. I think you did very well with your interpretation Marsha.
Thank you, Rosie! You are probably quite right! But, I think the really big and intricate hats were reserved for the higher ups.
A great interpretation Marsha and an interesting read about the helmet.
Thanks for the tip re taking the gathers of a wrap dress at the back.
Thanks, Linda! It was really interesting discovering more about those helmets. I found it fascinating that they were made two centuries before ours. Many, many years ago, I was shopping for a dress for a Christmas party. It was a little meh, and the lady who owned the shop brought me a belt. She was the one who told me to always adjust the gathers at the waist. That was probably more than 40 years ago, and I still remember it.
Wow – that’s a great statement dress and you’ve interpreted the artist brilliantly. LOVE the accessories especially the necklace -I’d wear that!
Thanks, Penny! I really liked the way the look came out. And, that necklace is probably 15 years old. You could probably find one on a resale site. It’s a shame we don’t live closer because I have a lot I’d gift you!
You did a great job with this challenge. It would have stumped me for sure!
Thanks, Joanne! I was stumped clear up until Saturday morning! Then, I decided to go with what I sometimes do…how did the work inspire me. From there, it was relatively simple.
Great job with this one Marsha, your creativity is so impressive! I love seeing what you come up with for these challenges.
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you for that huge compliment, Kellyann! I really enjoy these challenges because they do force me to think outside the box.
That dress is beautiful! I love the lace you added underneath and that belt!
Thanks, Laura! I thought the lace added just the right touch!
It’s so cool how you took inspiration from the helmet’s history and the dragonfly symbolism! The warrior princess vibe you created with the duster dress and obi belt is a perfect modern interpretation. It just goes to show how much art can inspire our everyday style.
That’s a very neat combo! I really like the addition of the lace and leather.
The story of the helmets is so cool, I also need to share that with my sister, she’ll love it!
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Cat! I didn’t realize it was leather AND lace! Perfect for a warrior princess, right? Oh, tell her to google those helmets because there is more out there. I find that time period in Japan fascinating.
Fabulous vibe with this look….the lace halftee really gives it a Gothic mood.
And the belt is perfect too.
Absolutely fabulous
Xoxo
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! That was what I was going for, but I didn’t want to really say that. I like to think I would have been a Goth girl if it had been around when I was a teenager. The belt was definitely what the look needed.
What a fabulous duster! The colors are stunning and I adore how you belted it to make it a dress.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! It definitely needed the belt to give it definition and the extra pizzazz.
OMG, this duster is AMAZING! I love that you created a warrior princess outfit for this prompt! It was a difficult one so we really needed to be extra creative for this round. I haven’t purchased any new Kantha Bae stuff lately because I like to try things on before buying and there are no local stores that carry KB. If I find one though, I will probably add more Kantha things to my closet…things I, of course, do not need! Well done as always, my friend!
Shelbee
Thanks, Shelbee! I knew I didn’t have anything in the right colors nor did I have anything with a dragon fly. So, I just went with the way the helmet made me feel. It would be dangerous for me to live near a Kantha Bae store though i really don’t like the kantha cloth clothing. It’s just too stiff for me. There’s a Kantha Bae BST group on Facebook, but the prices are generally as high, if not higher, as retail.
This outfit is fabulous! I love your duster and belt! And so interesting about the helmets!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! The duster was OK, but the belt added that extra element making it work for the challenge. I had never heard of these helmets so I found it fascinating.
Pingback:SIA: Dragonfly Helmet | 14 Shades Of Grey
What a gorgeous dress, Marsha! It looks great on you and is a beautiful representation of the artwork.
Thanks so much, Christie! I was stuck until I decided to go with what inspired me about this art. I really do like the outfit!
That dress is stunning!!!
Thanks, Lisa! I loved the long sleeve version so I thought I’d take a chance on the sleeveless one! I just love the flowiness and the ruffles!
Hello Warrior Princess Marsha…OMG I freaking ADORE this outfit!!!!!!!!! Everything about it is utter perfection, even down to those sandals that do have a warrior thing going on. You absolutely nailed it, and the obi belt is like the cherry on top! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
As for dragonflies, I’ve always found them so beautiful and precious so imagine how awful it was on our recent motorbike trip that a huge one hit Michael and exploded all in his helmet and mouth…ewwwwwww. It was so gross, he had to quickly pull off the road and get cleaned up. I was so sorry for that poor creature but glad it happened quickly so it didn’t suffer!!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Thanks, Suzy! I probably would never have come up with this outfit if not for this challenge! I really love it and can’t wait to style it for fall and winter!
Oh, poor Michael (and dragonfly)! I don’t recall Mike ever “eating” an insect on any of his rides. I surely do miss having a motorcycle…not as much as he does, though. Every time we see a Harley, I see him gazing at them with his heart in his eyes. I do wish we’d just upcycled our old Harley into a tricycle (even though I hate the look of them) rather than selling it and getting that dumb Ural. That thing was so uncomfortable and noisy. He said he knew he’d made a mistake the minute we drove away from the dealer. I know he misses riding so badly.
Oh that makes me so sad, Marsha. Poor Mike. I can’t imagine Michael not riding again…but if he had to give it up, I know he’d have the same look in his eyes whenever a bike goes by.
These biker blokes of ours, eh, what are they like?! lol
xx
It really is sad because Mike loved his Harley. Here is the link for a photo he posted to some forum. (https://bikez.com/rating/harley-davidson_ultra_classic_electra_glide_1998.php) It’s at end of our driveway at our house up north. If there was a piece of chrome to be one it, it was there! We bought it from a teacher whose husband had upgraded. When we got it, it had less than 5,000 miles on it. When he sold it 11 or 12 years later, it had almost 60,000 miles! I spent lots of days on the back and loved it (except when it was cold). We had a Kawasaki 1000 when we first got married, but he sold that because we had Josh. He was not the most responsible rider then. I truly should have let him convert it to a tricycle instead of selling it. I think the love of motorcycles just gets in their blood and never comes out.
WOW what a bike! I can totally relate to not liking it so much when it’s cold lol! We just bought some cold weather gear and the new bike has heated seats!! I’m actually looking forward to some chilly days to try them out. We also bought some warm weather gear too but it’s too hot at the moment. It’s a shame you didn’t convert the bike into a tricycle, why not get a tricycle now? Or, a bike with a sidecar!!! 😉
Suzy xx
We actually did have a Ural for a couple of years. Mike sold it in 2022 because he didn’t like it. It was noisy and uncomfortable. I think the only reason he got it was because it was so unusual!
My white and my black lace Halftee are my favorites! They give that perfect little edginess to an outfit and I love that you chose your black one for this outfit!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I have an off white one that I really like. I buy them a size larger as I don’t want them tight on my arms.
I love your dress and how you’ve styled it with the obi belt and top underneath. The helmet is very impressive! Thanks for linking!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thank you, Emma! I needed something to give the dress some shape, and the lace was perfect for extra coverage. Isn’t that helmet amazing?