I'll note that the story takes place just after the Meiji restoration in late 1870's Japan, which means the film is full of traditional Japanese clothing and architecture from that time. Talk about a rekindling of my love affair with Japanese design, I've fallen head over heels all over again! I was already working on this 1930's inspired red linen/rayon blend wrap dress and I knew I just had to shoot it in Denver Botanic's Japanese gardens. I paired the dress with a new-to-me vintage parasol and a Japan Airlines souvenir hand fan. I'm not sure what the fan says on the front, probably have a nice flight ;) I have always loved parasols but only ever owned one...which I have now remedied in my Japan fever as I've added three more to my collection! Opps. I love the transparency of the one I'm carrying here, and the shine of the finish. I think if I ever make it to Japan I'll go nuts buying all the touristy parasols and fans <3
You may notice that I've trimmed my bob again and dyed my hair back to it's more usual darker shade. I rarely wear my hair straight here on the blog, and it isn't really short enough to qualify as a true 30's bob for this ensemble, but it will do! I wear my hair like this to work during the week all the time as it is quicker to straighten it than curl it most mornings. I finished the outfit with more new Japanese goodies; my new Amita damascene brooch and earrings. I just love that the brooch is a maple leaf as my dad is a huge fan of Japanese maple trees and we have many in our back garden. The best part of his love for these trees is that the largest prettiest tree is just outside my sewing room window and I get to enjoy the way light plays on its leaves as they shimmer in the wind. Perfection indeed.
Have any of you ever seen Rurouni Kenshin? Anyone as crazy for Japanese design as I am right now? I am already doing mental gymnastics to figure out how I could possibly afford a trip to Japan next year...
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| Dress: Made by me Shoes: Urban Outfitters (very old, painted gold by me) Tights: Amazon Jewelry, Clutch, Parasol & Hand Fan: Vintage |
I loved Rurouni Kenshin, but preferred the manga and fanfiction to the actual anime. I thought the voices for Kenshin and Kaoru to be annoying. Also, Samurai X is always good, what with Battousai being an interesting character.
ReplyDeleteIf you like fan-works, my three faves are: The Spy and the Hitokiri (where Kaoru was a child spy in the Bakumatsu :D), Hajime and Tokio (which is about the Saitohs), and Kendo no Go (which is a parody of the novel "The Language of Love" but using the Kenshin universe. And by parody I in no way mean it's funny.) All three of them are long, and beautifully written.
Yay Rurouni Kenshin! And I like the wrap dress -- it's cute and looks comfy!
Tegan
I haven't read the manga yet, or any manga before actually...but it's sitting in my Amazon cart waiting for me to hit buy ;) This dress is comfy indeed!
DeleteSooo many things that I love about this post! I love Japanese gardens as you already know, I really hope that you can figure out the funds for a trip to Japan. I would love to see the blog photos that you would take with all of the gorgeous scenery there. I just know it would look amazing with your wardrobe! Just as everything you create, that dress turned out wonderful. I love the colour on you! Your bob looks perfect too, I think it's about time I bobbed mine again :D
ReplyDeleteThank you Harlow! I really hope so too, I've been doing a lot of preliminary maths to see if I can make it happen, who needs savings when there is a whole world out there to be explored right :P I'd take my brother with me and make him my blog photographer ;)
DeleteThese photos are wonderful!! But hey that dress is super super amazing! Love the new hair too!! Rurouni Kenshin is one of my childhood fave too - I used to really love Samurai X anime oh my gosh!! I love love Japanese gardens - I think I'm gonna have to find one to shoot in soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nora <3 I'm glad I'm not alone in my Rurouni Kenshin love! Japanese gardens really are so beautiful, I'm so lucky to have this one nearby.
DeleteDeeply beautiful outfit and images - I almost feel as though we really have woven our way back through the pages of time an are witnessing an elegantly attired woman in a c. 1930s Asian garden. Enchanting photos through and through!
ReplyDeletexoxo ♥ Jessica
Thank you Jessica! I was really happy with how these photos came out :)
DeleteYour dress is gorgeous and works brilliantly in those beautiful Japanese gardens. It's fun to see it's the time of year when tights start making an appearance too - although over here I keep mine going through most of the summer. Your hair seems to look perfect however you have it cut or coloured, and this look is no exception! Kx
ReplyDeleteThank you! It got very crisp and fall like weather wise last week here, but then warmer again this week! I can't wait for proper fall, I love tights weather :)
DeleteStunning outfit! What a lovely shade of red your dress is. I like your outfit styling and the gardens were the perfect location for your pictures. How handy that the best maple tree is outside your sewing room, bet it is gorgeous to look at.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kate! I feel quite lucky indeed to have such a nice garden view from my workroom :) I'd love to have a Japanese garden like this one one day too!
DeleteI have adored anything and all things (except the seafood - sorry, not sorry) Japanese from before I was even obsessed with vintage, so as you can imagine this ensemble just hits all the right notes for me! But your beautiful damasce jewellry is really the cherry on top. So lovely! ❤
ReplyDeletexox,
bonita of Lavender & Twill
Thank you Bonita! I am still in the middle of my re-discovery of just how much I love Japanese design...I even broke down and bought a kimono! It isn't here yet, I mostly want to see how it is sewn together and wear it at home. I agree with you about the sea food though, hopefully I can someday find some I like!
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