A Vintage Hoari for Ray Morimura’s Lotus Pond

Welcome to my interpretation for this round of Style Imitating Art.

A Little Background

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 Weeks Curator

Salazar picked this round’s work.

Lotus Pond by Ray Morimura

Ray Morimura was born in Tokyo in 1948. He graduated from Tokyo Gakugei University. Ray Morimura began his career as a painter using abstract, geometric forms. Later he turned to woodblock printmaking. The use of geometric forms can still be found in the artist’s print designs. Ray Morimura worked as an art teacher at Tokyo Zokei University and Nihon Kogakuin school.

My Take

After a look into my closet, I decided that one of my vintage Hoaris worked the best for this challenge. Soon after I retired, I collected three Hoaris in pretty quick succession from eBay. I could get them for a total of $25 shipped from Tokoyo. This one with the Maple leaves, was the last that I added.

There wasn’t any pink but I thought the colors blue-green, green and brick red matched. Even though, my pattern is Maple leaves, I feel that like the Lotus, they are a popular vintage Japanese motif, with their own meaning. The Maple symbolizes a promise of; balance, love, longevity and abundance. It also speaks of success, generosity, offering and practicality. It is connected with the power of love, longevity and money.

On the other hand, the lotus flower’s meaning can be for purity, rebirth, and strength. Because lotuses rise from the mud without stains, they are often viewed as a symbol of purity.

All the other Stuff

I finished the look off with neutrals. The knitted Bandolino shell was thrifted from the days when I regularly visited thrift stores. I made the pants a couple of years ago from raw silk also known as Silk Noil from Dharma Trading Company. You can read about that sewing experience HERE, if you are interested.

I look forward to warmer weather because I can then use some of my vintage straw Rodo bags from Italy. Today is no exception. I was drawn to this particular one because of the directional pattern of the weaving. I can wear it as a clutch but it also has a chain to turn it into a shoulder bag.

My fingernail polish probably doesn’t go but I felt like wearing lime green this week. It is Leonardo Lime by Finger Paints. Those of you who live in the USA probably have heard of Sally’s Beauty. Finger Paints is their in-house brand and I picked this one up when I was regularly blogging about nail polish. Yes, right after I retired I got very enamored with all things nails. My blog is still out THERE in cyberspace to attest to my insanity.

The Jaguar

It just seemed that this guy went with today’s outfit but I can’t remember when and where I got him, which is unusual for me. I don’t know if I’ve ever worn him anywhere, but do like him.

An extra note; I added the gathers to the top band of the knitted top. I didn’t like the way it was lying, so I decided to change its look and it worked!

I’m not even going to talk about my sandals. They are disintegrated and should not be and are probably going to be trashed.

That wraps it up for me so now it’s your turn.

I hope this art inspires you to create a look and that you will join us. Send a photo of your SIA-inspired outfit along with a small blurb on how you were inspired to Salazar whose email is 14shadesofgreyblog@gmail.com by tomorrow. She will share the submissions on her blog this Wednesday.

Anyone can participate and you certainly do not have to have a blog.

If you do share your inspirations on Instagram use the hashtag #StyleImitatingArt so we know you are there. You can also tag us in the images. Our Instagram names are @terrigardner_meadowtree, @14shadesofgrey, and @shelbeeontheedge.

Salazar will be putting together her review to be published Wednesday. If you have an entry, please send it to her at 14shadesofgreyblog@gmail.com by tomorrow. Hope to see you there!

Take care and style on!