Style Imitating Art: Gypsy Vardos by Various Wagon Artists

About Style Imitating Art

Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, Terri of Meadow Tree Style, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as presenter, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the presenter by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the presenter will share all of the submissions on her blog.

You don’t have to be a blogger to join either! In fact, you don’t even have to join but you can still use the art to inspire an outfit just for the sake of trying something different. If you want to share your inspired outfit, we invite you do so on Instagram or any other social media platform that you prefer. Just be sure to tag Salazar, Terri, and Shelbee or use #TeamLOTSStyle and #StyleImitatingArt so the hosts know you have joined. Go have some fun in your closets and join the SIA challenge next week!

This Week’s Presenter

The inspiration artwork was curated by me and inspired by my recent living room makeover. You can read why I chose this work here.

The Artwork

Gypsy Vardos by Various Wagon Artists

For this small set of photos with the yellow background, I once again took advantage of the empty bedrooms to take some pictures. But I didn’t remember to take these indoor photos until after I already removed the outfit and the piles of jewelry. Once I remembered, I quickly put the clothing back on but chose a simpler set of jewelry because I was too lazy for all the piles of accessories. But I love the way this outfit photographed against the vibrant yellow and orange wall.

About the Artists: Wagon Artists

Vardos are the traditional horse drawn wagons of the Romani people. These wagons were not just a means of transportation, they were also the homes of these travelers. And like any home, we all want our space to be a reflection of our personalities, so vardos were decorated to showcase the personality of the family within.

These wagons were elaborately hand carved and ornately painted incorporating traditional Romani symbols into the designs. The early development of vardo art is credited to Wagon Artists such as Jim Berry, John Pockett, Tom Stevens, Tommy Gaskin, and John Pickett. Because vardos have found a revival with the micro-home generation, modern wagon decorators such as Yorkie Greenwood and Lol Thompson have kept this vibrant tradition alive in the 21st century.

I have scoured the internet for more information about the individual Wagon Artists, but there is very little to be found. It is a fascinating art form which combines woodworking skills with painting talent as well as an eye for interior design. So Wagon Artists would be like the triathletes of the sports world! Impressive creators, for sure.

About the Art: Gypsy Vardos

In 1810, French circus troupes were the first people to use wagons as living accommodations. Around 1840, Romani people in Britain adopted this idea and began using vardos as their living accommodations as well. These enclosed wagons were much more favorable to traveling on foot or the previous tilted carts which had no living or sleeping quarters.

The Romani people adapted the wagon designs to their lifestyle needs which eventuality evolved into some of the most advanced forms of traveling wagons. Romani vardos are prized for their practicality as well as their beautiful aesthetic and elaborate designs. Much of the wealth of the wagon was displayed through the ornate woodworking, the decorative designs and detailed scrollwork, and the gold leaf accents. Some of the most expensive wagons could use up to 15 books of gold leaf applied as decoration.

Vardos were created in different styles including Burton, Brush, Reading, Ledge, Bow top, and Open lot designs which you can read about on Wikipedia. The green wagon that I chose as my inspiration is an antique Ledge-style vardo that is currently located in Worcestershire, England. Ledge-style wagons, also called cottage shaped wagons, are more full-bodied than other designs with a living area that extends over the larger rear wheels. The solid arched roof is usually around 12 feet high which covers the entire length of the wagon to form porches at both ends. Ornate scrollwork and carvings generally spread across the full length of the wagon as well. I was drawn to this particular wagon because of its gorgeous green hue, my forever favorite color, and the ornate design in bold red, bright orange, and vivid yellow. I love it and I want to live in it. Since I can’t live in it, I will wear it instead. Ha.

Resources/References:

• The Gypsy Vardo
• Vardo: The Opulent Caravans of The Gypsies
• Caravans of Color: The Intricate Vardo Wagons of Britain’s Romani People
• Gordon Boswell Romany Museum
• “Gypsy” caravans make a comeback as micro-homes
• Wikipedia: Vardo (Romani wagon)
• Katie B’s Blog: Painting a Gypsy Wagon-Part 1
• John Pickett Obituary
• Irish Travelers and Their Tiny Houses

About My Outfit

I have been so excited to share my new Kantha Bae coat with y’all. I bought it in La De Da, the cutest little boutique in Roanoke, Virginia, during my annual winter road trip in February. If you are ever in Roanoke, definitely check it out! They carry some really fabulous brands like Kantha Bae and Johnny Was and the store manager was so friendly and super helpful. I have been wearing my Kantha coat constantly but hadn’t photographed it until I chose this Gypsy Vardo inspiration which is the perfect challenge to help me show it off! I have to be honest with you though. I might have cheated just a little bit on this challenge.

Although the art was inspired by my Gypsy living room, it was also inspired by my new coat. Because I was so excited to share my new coat, I chose the art with the coat already in mind. But I didn’t have any idea what I was going to wear with the coat until I went into my closet room and waited for the wardrobe magic to happen.

As it turns out, the magic started working before I even opened the door.

I had just worn this paisley poncho the day before and it was hanging on a rack in my bedroom. When I opened a photo of the green vardo, I realized the poncho was even more perfect than my Kantha Bae coat. Then I went into my magic closet and my eyes immediately found this bohemian skirt that I wore for a previous SIA challenge. I also wore the same floral scarf that is on my belt bag as a top with that outfit. I liked the two prints together so much that I wanted to combine both pieces again but in a different way.

I suppose I don’t need to describe the rest in too much detail as you can see it for yourself. Basically, I went full on bohemian gypsy mode with layered necklaces and piles of bracelets, all making the prettiest tinkly chiming sounds when I walked. A belt bag, a sun hat, rope sandals, and a vintage beaded bag completed my outfit. It was perfect for this prompt and perfect for the gorgeous weekend we just had. And it is making me perfectly ready for festival season, too!

How did I do? Do you see the wagon inspiration in the details of my outfit? Now it’s your turn! Did you style an outfit inspired by these stunning wagons?

Be sure to check out Salazar’s interpretation of the artform as well as Terri’s take on it. If you want to join us and be featured in my gallery post on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, please send me your photos by Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 10:00 p.m. EST and then check back for the group gallery of art inspired looks.

Happy styling! 

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

Outfit Details: Coat-Kantha Bae / Poncho-Shelbee’s Shoppe / Skirt, Hat, and Peacock Necklace-Burlington Coat Factory / Coin Necklace and Scarf-Charlotte Russe / Belt Bag-Torrid / Rope Sandals-Nomadic State of Mind / Beaded Bag, Earrings, Long Silver Necklace, and Bracelets-Old / From the yellow background photos: Fabric Bead Necklace-April Cornell / Short Flower Necklace-Rainbow Zen / Earrings-Big Earrings