Black and White for Cindy Sherman’s Black and White Photos

Welcome to my interpretation for this round of 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 inspirational image and we each post the image on our blogs. The following Monday we share our art-inspired outfits. The next Wednesday, the curator shares all her blog submissions.

This Round’s Curator

Shelbee is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art

This Week’s Inspirational Image (or images)

Cindy Sherman cast herself into seventy different personalities for her Untitled Film Stills (1977–80) . My

Just five of the seventy photos in Cindy Sherman’s “Film Stills” series.

My Take

A big smile came across my face when I saw this week’s inspiration. It meant I could go with all black and white. Yea! Again, I combined Style Imitating Art with going to an actual event. This round, I styled for going to the Kansas City Symphony’s October 9th Saturday evening performance. One of the nice things about the Mid-West is that even on a Saturday night, one sees endless levels of dressing up and dressing down. You can pretty much do what you want. This time I decided to go in trousers. So let’s start with the big three: trousers, blazer, and top because it is definitely quite a mix.

The Trousers-My trousers are by Nicole Miller in 100% silk. When I saw the white stitched detail, I wanted them. They were on her site in the clearance section in the summer of 2019. Because of a fashion game that I play (Covet), I got an extra discount plus a batch of game diamonds which if you have ever played Covet you know come in handy.

Unfortunately, they were too long for me and I had to alter the hems, which means you can’t see the white stitching that was also on the legs. But, it is what it is. I also like that they come with their own self-belt but I could always switch it out for a different belt if I wanted. It is surprising how much I haven’t worn these pants. It could be because I bought them right before Covid and that greatly cut down the places where I would have worn them. They really are a pair of pretty cool-looking pants.

The Blazer-My blazer is Simplicity 8434, which was a pattern published in 1987 and I probably got around to making it in 1990. It is a fully lined jacket and skirt set. It is doubtful that I could fit into the skirt without some alterations. But the jacket is another thing entirely. I think it looks good with anything even thirty years after making it. I still love the minimalist 90 styles.

As I usually do, I still have the pattern (although I have lost some along the way). And, of course, it can still be found in all its size ranges around the internet, like HERE.

I made this set so long ago, I can’t remember the fiber content but I haven’t changed too much when it comes to loving tweeds. I loved them then and I love them now. There is hand stitching around the front of the jacket because I have always found a way to include some type of handwork in my self-made clothes. I’ve always considered it a keeper (and it may have been the last thing I did bound buttonholes on).

The Top-The white top is one of the things from Goodwill over six years ago. Quite a few things have found their way back to the thrift shop, but not this one. I keep pulling it out and love all those tucks.

The Accessories

The accessories are always important.

First is the Camelia Flower faux leather magnetic pin. Once upon a time, there was a Kansas City designer who made magnetic shoe ornaments and this is one of hers. I just got one because I was always going to use it as a pin for dresses and jackets. I found a genuine leather Camillia from Schmaleberg of New York.

One of my favorite new pieces of jewelry is the Minimalist Vertical Bar necklace from Silpada. After making my Zero-Waste Xanthea top, I wanted a very simple necklace to wear with it. I googled “minimal silver necklace” and this one came up. It was exactly what I wanted and it was on sale at the time. I wear it a lot.

My clutch is a black leather Leo by Rebecca Minkoff, which is also much worn. It’s another simple modern style that I appreciate. This one has a star motif printed on the flap which can’t be found anymore (it is pretty old). There are new editions of Leo around, including a gold version with a chain strap.

I have lost count of how many times these black suede Jones of New York Christie heels have been on here. There are actually two pairs in my closet. My first pair was sourced years ago at TJ Maxx. Seeing how much I was wearing these shoes, I started looking on Poshmark and found a second pair four years ago. They are my go-to pump for most occasions. There are numerous pairs on Poshmark, using “Christie” in the search is the trick. They even come in different colors.

And finally, one of the important points about the Cindy Sherman series, is that she is the subject of all of them. Using costumes and wigs, all types of female stereotypical personalities are portrayed. This occasion needed a special wig and I pulled out my Jon Reneau “Heat” in the color of Silver Sun (color 60). which is pure white. It’s rather dramatic and I reserve it for special events. I noticed on the Jon Reneau site that they style “Heat” completely differently than I do. I need to experiment with and try how they do it once in a while.

I think that finishes me for this one. If you have not done so already, please send your ideas to Shelbee at shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com by tomorrow. This one was really a fun one for me and I was happy that I could combine my SIA with an actual event.

That’s it for me and I will see you next time!