Hello Velvet for Sakia van Uylenburgh

Hello, and welcome to Style Imitating Art’s “Reveal Monday”. Today is the day that the hosts, unveil our interpretations of the chosen artwork.

We have a new co-host on board! I would like to congratulate Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge as our new partner. Over this past year, Shelbee has been a force to be reckoned with, as far as her SIA creativity and we are happy to have her join Style Imitating Art.

Welcome, Shelbee!

What Is Style Imitating Art?

Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, and me. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday one of us selects an inspiration image and we each post the image on our blogs. The following Monday we share our art-inspired outfits. The following Wednesday, the curator shares all of the submissions on her blog.

This Week’s Presenter

That would be me. Last Monday, I first presented one of Rembrandt’s portraits of his wife Saskia.

This Week‘s Inspirational Work

Portrait of Sakia van Uylenburgh

My Take

There was so much to take from this painting. Last week, I said that, as far as fashion, it was a feast for the eyes. So what part of this feast did I latch on to? First of all, I have two styles for this one. It was a hard painting for me to have just one!

The first style is what I had planned out for this portrait. It is rather dressy and I’m not sure I would wear all these particular elements together in real life. But it was a hoot to put together and fun because I pulled out some of my favorite things for the look. Some of these items, I just don’t get a chance to wear anymore.

The second style is everyday winter wear for me. In fact, we were going up to the city when I wore this exact outfit. As I was leaving, I looked in the mirror and it hit me, “this works for my SIA too.” It includes some socks and matching mitts that just came off my knitting needles.

Look #1

Everything in this style is worked around my thrifted velvet jacket. In Saskia’s portrait, the burgundy/brown gown is just a standout! I think the patchwork surface of this jacket also stands out. Or at least it did a few years ago when I was a Savers (a for-profit thrift shop) and was calling to me to take it home.

I also knew that I was going to wear hats. Since I started stepping out in my “Ladies” (aka wigs), my hat-wearing has taken a dive. But when the temps dip, the girls get a vacation and the wool hats start going into rotation. I’m especially fond of my Amina Marie Millinery original. I have known Amina for about five years now and fell in love with her work immediately. Back in the early days, I featured her on my blog (HERE). She had just opened her studio (she’s back working out of her home now) and I was so excited to attend her opening.

This particular hat reminds me of the historical Toques, ( not the Canadian version of a knitted beanie), which were popular from the 13th to the 16th century in Europe, especially France. The mode was revived in the 1930s for women’s wear.

The extra jewelry component that this hat has makes it even more special. Amina even threw an extra dangly and someday I will try the other one but I love the gold fringe tassel and have never taken it off.

A memory from Spring 2018 of me wearing my hat

I thought it best, with all the extra accessories to use a black column for the two basic pieces. I’m wearing a pair of knit pants that I made from a Vogue pattern and a very old black silk shell (as in a good twenty years old).

There is quite a bit of jewelry in the portrait and I gave this attention also. First up is my vintage Judith Lieber belt that I found on The RealReal. My clam-shaped vintage gold leather Rodo bag has a jeweled egg latch. I have actually collected two of these bags, this one here and another one in a lighter gold.

Since I chose to button my jacket up, I went minimal on the necklace and just used a small black and gold piece that I thrifted somewhere.

Finally, I drew on the fur piece and put some faux fur magnetic poms-poms from Heartware (now out of business) on my shoes. I am acquainted with Marlo and while he was in business, I picked up a few fun shoe accessories. However, I won the poms poms on an Instagram giveaway a few years ago.

A close-up of the Accessories-My Judith Lieber Belt Is Navy, but Since it Was Under My Jacket, I Thought It Would Work

Look #2-Everyday Wear

As I said early on, this is what I wore when we went up to the city one day last week.

I have on my burgundy wool Pendleton turtleneck, a burgundy beret along with my burgundy leather bag (which was designed and made in Kansas City, a few years ago).

I will admit, that on that day, I didn’t have my velvet scarf on. This is something that I sewed up about three years ago out of some stretch velvet from my stash. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember why I even bought it, so a scarf it became! It’s lined with some black polyester lining (also was from my stash). Adding it took care of that velvet component!

It was going to “be on my feet a lot” day so I wore my leather Demi TRX KEDS. I love these things! I am a BIG KEDS fan. I always wore them as a kid. When the girls were both at home, I made sure we all three had white leather KEDS to match.

Now, they have so many styles and collaborations (Riffle paper and Kate Spade, just to name two). KEDS have become a terrible weakness for me, I don’t even want to count the pairs I have. It would be embarrassing!

Adding My Latest Handknitting

I have been wearing the two latest things off my knitting needles quite a bit. These would be a new pair of socks and mitts. They will probably get their own post sometime next week, so I am not even going to go into what yarn and patterns I used. The rich jewel tone yarn just went with this whole thing.

A Close-up of the Pattern Used For the Mitts

Finally, I’m wearing my heavier leather jacket, but that’s because it’s cold here in Missouri. A black leather jacket has always been my go-to for everyday style.

Well, that’s enough of me.

It’s now your turn.

I hope you find something in this work that inspired you and didn’t mind the small journey into the knitting universe. Send me what you come up with at meadowtreestyle@gmail.com along with a small blurb on how the work influenced your choices by tomorrow.

I will do a roundup this Wednesday featuring all your designs. I hope Saskia has inspired you to put together something.

Take care everyone and stay creative!