In this spring/non spring atmosphere I am trying my best to keep myself inspired and one thing that always helps are sunny thoughts. But how to make this rainy Wednesday feel warm and sunny? With some travel inspiration ? Or let’s combine travel and fashion and make an inspiration post? I say yes, yes, yes!
Africa and it’s beauty is a major source of inspiration with the savanna and desert in the most fascinating, yet simple earthy tones. We can’t forget to mention flora and fauna starting with one of the most fascinating mammals out there – Panthera Leo, a royal of the savanna.
Safari style is quite classic and it consists of panama hats, leather boots, khaki jacket with set-in pockets, matching long skirt with a masculine belt and often a white linen shirt. This is portraying the style of the hunters in Africa, wealthy Europeans who owned luxury retreats in late 19th century in boundless African landscapes.
Therefore, it is not a surprise that Africa was the inspiration for Hollywood film classics such as The African Queen starring Katharine Hepburn, Born Free, Morocco and later Casablanca with exotic-colonial vibe to it. As well, Out of Africa is a memoir by the Danish author Karen Blixen who moved to Africa in 1913, to marry her second cousin, the Swedish Baron. Eventually in 1985 memoir came to life in a famous movie featuring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.
Out of Africa featured colonists in Kenya and their wardrobe. The protagonists were perfect embodiments of this style. Robert Redford wore vest and hunter pants, Meryl Streep opted for long skirt, matching jacket and white shirt and boots.
Exotic, colonial fashion influenced urban fashion nowadays not only through movies, famous designers leading with Ralph Lauren, Emmanuelle Khanh, Chloé, Angelo Tarlazzi and Fournier are the ones to “blame” as well.
Edita Vilkeviciute is styled by Diane Boulenger in safari-inspired elegance, lensed by Johnny Kangasniemi for Elle France, March 2018.
Sources: Pinterest, Vogue Italia, Elle France.