The first of the “12 Art Works of Christmas!” wardrobes – not the only time I’m going to look at this painting, though. I think I’ll revisit this one every 3 months or so to expand the wardrobe to all seasons…Frankly, any paintings by this artist would be amazing sources of inspiration for a wardrobe – if you see anything that strikes your fancy, let me know!
Creative Austerity
She’s always believed that the truly creative people were the ones who could do something original within strict guidelines…
This inspires her:
Blue by Kinuko Imai Hoffman
The possibilities are vast, just with these 2 shades, and a bit of texture… Maybe the occasional pattern… Anybody can wear orange tights, a green skirt and a purple sweater and stand on the street corner and shout about how “creative” they are; she’s not that type…
They often send her into classrooms that are struggling – disruptive, under-performing, or churning through instructors… She does nothing but sit. Watch. Listen. Sense…
She only stays a day or 2, and she tries to be as unobtrusive as possible. Not invisible, but not attracting any more attention than is normal for a classroom visitor.
earrings – Jantana; scarf – Closed; tee – Eileen Fisher; jacket – Bernardo; watch – Gomesky; weekender bag – Deux Lux; pants – Eileen Fisher; crossbody bag – MYS Collection; boots – Italeau
She doesn’t get to stay in the poshest of places – some of the towns that she visits don’t have posh! And that wouldn’t be respectful of school budgets, either. So she keeps things simple in every way she can, just to remind herself of why she’s there, and what’s really important:
earrings – Shinola; bracelet – Rebecca Minkoff; scarf – Kate Spade New York; white crewneck sweater – L.L.Bean; tassel necklace – Lucky Brand; turtleneck tunic – Eileen Fisher; tweed skirt – Boden; bag – Kara; dotted shirt – Lands’ End; boots – Nine West
After trying to see everything possible during the school day, she’s delighted to get back to her room and find tranquility and order…
Although she doesn’t have a lot of clothing with her, she’s well-prepared if she has to stay an extra day because of weather or an academic issue that needs to be addressed:
Her recommendations have to be something that can be implemented with the limitations of what can be done within a particular school – you can’t replace all of the teachers, nor can you expel half of the student body!
Happily, she likes working within limitations – real-life genius is to be able to see possibilities that others don’t see…
love,
Janice
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Lovely idea, re-visiting the same artworks over the course of the year. Will be interesting to see how the wardrobes grow, and more in keeping with the way we all live, ie, not starting from scratch! Looking forward to this. Linda M
An inspirational story, to go with her lovely wardrobe. Gorgeous, and looking forward to more!
Beautiful and inspiring (both from the wardrobe point of view, and the story).
Janine
Smitten. This is lovely. And love the little bit of quirky that you added with the boots, the texture of the jacket and skirt. Well done, Janice!! I can hardly wait for more!! Chris from Indy
NIce. I'm happily awaiting more on this. After all the bright colors of the season, this feels serene – a relief. The original white part of the painting reminds me of a white silk blouse with a 'pussy bow' or maybe it could be layers of pearls on silk or a ruffle down the front. That would work well as a dressy option with this wardrobe. I guess I'd like to see what kind of sheen or sparkle you might add.
I taught in one of those schools, and I know that the students VERY carefully look at the accessories to judge the person; they respond most to creative, unusual pieces, not gaudy.They also, strangely enough given their often chaotic home life, like classic, understated clothing on teachers or visitors.This is a marvelous wardrobe for the story.
I once was on a fashion blog where a the personal stylist was tasked with finding a wardrobe for a sign language translator, who was usually next to the person that was speaking, and needed clothing that was demure and blended in, but allowed her hands and motions to stand out so people in the audience could read her gestures. This wardrobe and the story reminds me of that. I could see this idea – simple colors, interesting textures, important but in the background – being easily translatable, so to speak. Thank you!
Yes, as a commenter noted above, the word here is serene!!! I love it. I would love to see her with a couple of crisp white shirts.
Of all of the wardrobes you have done I think this is going to be my favourite.
Yes, I join my thoughts with those above. Lovely and it is so nice not to have any black. Love laced boots and the pouchy cross body bag. I love interesting shapes in accessories.
Beautiful, chic, and restful!
I like "Solace!"
https://www.kinuart.com/works-on-paper?lightbox=image_19pv
I'm another fan! Excellent scenario for this capsule, and what lovely choices. I'm smitten too. I'm pleased to have inspiration for stepping down from the busy patterns that I love. They can have a place elsewhere in my life, I don't have to wear them. Or at least, not two or three at once! And looking forward to future visits back to this exquisite work.
Robyn in Tasmania
I LOVE the simplicity and variety. It makes me sigh and get very calm and satisfied inside. Great story too. Thank you. And a very Happy New Year to you and all your readers.
This is just perfect!! And I love the star theme that you have woven into the wardrobe. – nancyo
It just seemed to be handy – I'm always a sucker for a good star!
hugs,
Janice
btw, the link for the Italeau boots seems to be broken. thanks! – nancyo
Also, I would love to see a wardrobe for the painting "Affinity" – gray, denim blue, and charcoal. thanks! – nancyo
Thank you so much! This is excellent!
May I ask for a casual wardrobe based on the Kokoro painting?
Happy 2018!
Francesca
I love this idea of two colors and texture. You've put together a beautiful combo of clothes that I'd wear. I just found your blog in the fall of 2017 and love your concept of 4 x 4. I've used it to put together a navy, grey, and pink capsule with things I already had and some new things I bought. I've got a ways to go, but I love this idea! Thanks!
"Tomo" works on paper makes me feel warm on this blustery night. I'd love to see a wardrobe based on it. Love the unexpected Mix of Neutrals.
Bravo! I totally agree that the simplicity of this collection makes it speak to me. I am planning warm weather clothing as we speak (Since I am a Sewist, I am on a Ready to Wear Fast and making everything.) and my neutral dark is blue (many shades) and white. You have jump started my thought process for this project!
Has to be one of my favourite posts ever, I adore this wardrobe. It is a whole other thing to dress this way, restrained yet with interest, versus the strenuous "pops of colour" (oh please kill this term!) one sees somewhere like InStyle. It's just exactly the way I want to dress, and easy to make more casual by swapping jeans or knit trousers for the skirt. Mmmmwah!
Maybe this is not how I want to compose my next capsule, but it is definitly how I want to look! E.g. I can have more colors in my closet but not wear them all at the same time. So refreshing. So elegant.
Sania from Zagreb
This a amazing, love this very much