Sunday, September 4, 2016

Art


Justin and I visited an art exhibition at the Tacoma Art Museum this weekend. It was dedicated to the Northwest, presenting both local and visiting artists, and this weekend was the last chance to see it at TAM. We loved it! I shared some of the paintings that moved me on my FB page, so if you are interested, just search for my name. Here, I am going to share the art that Justin and I created together at the museum that very same day.


Over the course of the almost exactly three years that I have been writing this blog, my understanding of what personal style is, as well as my blogging goals have changed. From a simple desire to find my way to dress well, through experimenting with style and learning about myself, to a desire to express my thoughts, ideas and feelings about life - not only via writing, but actually via dressing. I don't deny our wanting to look good in the clothes that we wear as one of the main, basic and natural motives for dressing up. I see nothing wrong with it, and I admit that I want to look good in my clothes as much as I want my clothes to be comfortable, practical, well made, warm or cool depending on the season, etc. But there is another level of dressing that I discover I have a craving for - the craving, or desire, for being an artist when it comes to dressing.


 This desire, as well as some revelations about my personality, which I've shared here on the blog numerous times, sneaked up on me. Before, I was able to appreciate artistic dressers, and some of them, such as Iris Apfel, have my deep admiration. But I did not know that I would want to do it myself. I just did not know that I had it in me! One thing is to express myself through words - it is something I've been doing for many years. And quite another, to express myself through colors, shapes, textures all while wearing them. Maybe it's Autumn. I always feel inspired by Autumn - even just anticipating the season change fires me up.


The dress is by Isabel Toledo for Lane Bryant, last year's collaboration. I surprised myself when I decided to go for it. I bought it at a fraction of its price (something like $20, and the original price was $188), so there was not a huge risk involved investing in this piece. The bold print and shape appealed to me, as well as the idea of owning a piece of clothing art designed by a very talented artist. I have a few Isabel Toledo's pieces (dresses, skirts, coat and more) and love them all. But even though I own this dress for over a year, this was its first outing. 


To my surprise, this bold and definitely out of the ordinary dress received a lot of compliments from both museum goers and pedestrians on the streets, which I'd never guess. I love you, Tacoma! You certainly have a quirky, art appreciating side. I wore a bold striped poncho cardigan over it later that evening (no photos, sorry, but you can see me wearing it over a jumpsuit HERE). And again - I'd think it's not the easiest outfit to please a crowd, but honestly I don't even remember when I got so many compliments. I'll come up with another variation of this outfit in the Fall, for sure, maybe the cardigan will take a part in it too.

Justin and I created this little video for you to enjoy. 
Tell me what you think.


I don't know why expressing myself artistically via clothing took me by surprise, but it did. I've been always an artistic person - I follow my nose and create something practically every day, that is just how I live, that is who I am since as early as I can remember. An old friend of mine who found me on FB not so long ago, looked at my blog, and even though she does not understand English much, she was able to feel the special artistic atmosphere of my blog (in many ways, thanks to Justin, as this blog is truly a labor of love for both of us). But I guess I did not think of my own dressing as a form of art before - a form of creativity, yes, but not art. I just did not realize that there is something I am eager to express with my outfits - that little and often invisible extra which stays unnoticed if you don't pay attention. Expressing not what you learned about colors and shapes and what looks good on what body type. But rather what you know about life, about love, about the world. You know, that kind of stuff.


What is a personal style to you? 
Is it the art of putting a well-thought outfit together in order to look good, 
or it is also the art of expressing your ideas and feelings through clothing?


Dress and bracelet - Isabel Toledo for Lane Bryant (last year)
Shoes, purse - old and well-loved
Necklace - gift from Elle

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22 comments:

  1. I love it how well your outfit goes with the background! Or rather, the setting complements the outfit.
    Yes, I suppose you can express your creativity and artistic style with clothing. For me, however, clothing us often secondary: the need to feel comfortable above all, practical and considering the weather. Yet, there is an elementexpressing my personality, or some part (s) of my personality, too. I do this with my choice of accessories: showing of a whimsical or sturdy jewellery (depending on my mood) or a luxuripus bag (yes, the little snob in me needs to have her moment, too).

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    1. You definitely express your personality with the way you style your outfits, Tiina!

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  2. This dress has wonderful pattern. I love black and white. Great bracelet and necklace. I like how you add rich red color to whole outfit. This dress really fit to museum.

    Anna xoxo
    www.glamadventure.com

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    1. Thanks, Anna! I think so too - some pieces just want to take you to a museum!

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  3. What s great place to wear and show that dress and necklace. It's like s set wed made to show case the ensemble

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    1. I was taken by surprise when I realized my color scheme matches the museum's color scheme. I haven't been there in a while and did not remember it! But it happens to me often. Maybe I remember subconsciously. :)

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  4. expressing your ideas and feelings through clothing - thats my idea of the art of personal style!
    because the looking good intention tries to please someone - the crowd, the boss, a man, the wearer herself....
    but art wants not to please :-)
    and you know what - everyone expresses the inner personality with clothing - but most people unintentionally - they would be very surprised about the outcome if someone analyses them only by the outfit........
    the ART factor comes in when we know what we do - so in the first step we have to know ourself! then we have to know our material - what means what and how´s the context. and its not a straight forward process - and the balance between artistic dressing and costume is fragile. i know this because i´v fallen off the path more then once in the past.....
    your dress is fabulous! you look very cool - the red shawl is like a exclamation mark! perfection with the art deco necklace and the domino bangle! and no wonder people admired you - because people have fine antennas if someone ist authentic!!
    i thought about an other handbag..... maybe a big straw bag for more artsy casual or something more graphical.....?????
    big hugs to you my beautiful friend!! xxxxxxx
    p.s.: love the video! greetings to justin!

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    1. I agree with you, Beate - of course we all express something about ourselves and our beliefs, and about where we are in life - via dressing, as much as via words we speak, activities we do etc. And most of it, subconsciously.

      I also agree about a different bag. I would definitely have picked a bold graphic bag and different shoes, if I had them. I just don't have anything that would suit this dress, so I played on shoes with this little bag - as well as on the fact that the dress has peasant-dress, folksy features.

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  5. I love black or black and white outfits and I LOVE your dress.. the shape, the cut, the pattern. Wonderful! And it´s comfy for sure! Amazing necklace! Very special! <3

    have a wonderful week
    Dana

    https://danalovesfashionandmusic.blogspot.de

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    1. I am very thrilled to know that you love this dress, Dana! It's such a unique piece!

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  6. I am a firm believer that dressing can be an art form and you my dear are a perfect example in this stylish black and white dress.As you have found it is a matter of pushing some boundaries and playing with different, colours, shapes and textures.
    I enjoyed your video and the gallery looks fascinating.

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    1. I am a huge fan of your art of dressing, Jill, and I learn a lot from you!

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  7. Wonderful photos. You and Justin did a super job. I'm with Beate, expressing yourself through your clothing is an art form in itself. I try not to think too much about what I'm going to wear (although that's a bit tricky when I spend the Summer living out of a tint bag) - I don't like things too thought out or co-ordinated, more a happy accident than by design. xxx

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    1. You are the most wonderful intuitive artistic dresser that I know of!

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  8. ohhh, so delightful and touching post!, love to read your words about discovering a new way to express yourself through fashion, it's amazing and it's something that happened to me too!, color, shape, texture, proportion, fun, creativity!! everything is amazing!
    Love your dress, and love your necklace and bag!, perfect accessorizing!. That geometric pattern is really beautiful!
    Love your little video too!

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    1. Thank you, Monica! I am so happy to hear that you were touched. You were the first lady whom I interviewed back in 2015, for a reason! You are a very expressive and talented stylist, and a truly authentic one!

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  9. Dear Natalia, sooo wonderfull pictures. You look amazing in this dress. The location is wonderfull for these pictures.
    Like art. ;)
    Since a few month I wear my clothes conscious of my emotions and the surroundings.
    Wish you a wonderfull day, kisses Tina

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  10. I think I understand what you mean. I think when one is an artist, this shows in more ways than one...and often artistic people dress in a way that is well...artistic!!!

    This dress is divine...and getting is for 20 dollars is really a bargain! That necklace is also very beautiful. You look picture perfect!

    P.S. The Art in this post is wonderful. I love visiting art museums.

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    1. Yep! When you are an artist, it really shows in all kinds of ways! :)

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  11. Great setup for the photo shoot. This dress was an awesome bargain and you look very good in it. The red shawl looks brilliant with this outfit and no wonder you got some compliments:)

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    1. ...oh, and I choose my clothes depending on my mood and I think they sort of express my personality. Basically, I just wear what I like and not what is fashionable.

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    2. You are definitely an artist! Your free creative spirit is written all over your outfits!

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