Illustrative Inspiration ~ Beatrix Potter

One of my all-time favorite authors and illustrators is Beatrix Potter.  I truly identify with her love for animals, writing, illustrating, and nature.  From the little I know about her, I tend to view her as my British counterpart (more so than Jane Austen, whose works I love, but whose wit and sarcasm I doubt I could ever live up to).  Her illustrations in particular resonate with me.  Their warmth and light comfort me, and the stories they convey more often than not make me smile.  While not in league with the famous artists about whom we learn in school, I think her artwork is just as valid, even if in a different way.  After all, one of the primary purposes of art is to elicit reactions and emotions from the viewer, yes?  Beatrix Potter's work certainly accomplishes that in my case, and I don't doubt that she will continue to do so in others' for some time to come.

Are you familiar with the works of Beatrix Potter?
Do you have a favorite illustration?  

Style Inspiration ~ Miss Potter

Happy Independence Day, all!  It seems that my style inspirations thus far have originated in characters from movies and T.V. shows; upon reflection, this source of inspiration does not surprise me.  I find that there aren't many well-known style icons in reality who set the proper example for femininity.  While this remains the unfortunate case, I have the ability to control my exposure to those whose dress degrades--rather than uplifts--female beauty.  As a film lover, I watch many movies; thankfully, there are many movies that contain lasting examples of truly good moral conduct and simultaneously modest and feminine dress.  One such movie--and one of my favorites--is Miss Potter (2006).  Renee Zellweger makes a slight departure from her previous roles in portraying the romantic life and career progression of Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943), and does so beautifully.  Ewan McGregor and Emily Watson also star in this movie that, though often characterized as sweet and sentimental on the surface, also contains simple and deep lessons in life and love.  Zellweger herself emphasizes these merits in particular in her interview with Rocco Passafuime:

“I don’t think it’s a chick flick at all. I think that underestimates it in a terrible way,” Zellweger insists. “I think it’s far more complex than that. It’s not meant to be female entertainment. It’s an important story and it’s a beautiful story. And I don’t think I’ve met a guy yet who's seen it that didn’t connect to it. It’s just real. It’s a human story.”

Not only is the movie's music score beautifully whimsical and precisely executed, the costumes--accurately inspired by the Victorian/Edwardian period--are quite lovely.  I recently found out that Zellweger's involvement in the film slowly increased and extended beyond acting, including the costuming.

Lovely hat, collar detail, and coat

 "I talked with [costume designer] Anthony [Powell]," Zellweger notes. “We decided that when she was going to be under her mother’s influence, she was going to be more uptight, more rigid, more formal. And as she starts to find her own legs, well, we’re going to show that her clothes get a little bit less tailored and she’s going to grow a bit. She’s going to spread out with the landscape. She’s going to take up a little bit more space, and she’s going to find her voice, and her clothes should be the same to reflect it.” 

Lace top could easily be modernized

An excellent source for replicating the styles displayed in this movie in a modernized way is Kellie Falconer's Inspired by Film Fashion Event of 2013 as featured on her blog, Accordion to Kellie.  The photos taken for this post are just beautiful, and Kellie's ensemble is both accurate and lovely. Do take a look!

Have you seen Miss Potter?
If so, which is your favorite outfit?