Style Notes 02|Turq + Lime
Plus sun hats + denim on denim with Kate Lowman
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Thank you for your patience as I sort out the rhythm of this series! You’re witnessing some creative testing in real time. I’ve enjoyed working with Kate so much I thought this topic might deserve it’s own section, so I’ve done just that: Wearing the Palette. If you know someone who might be a good fit to contribute in the future (maybe you!) drop their name in a comment.
The studies featured today were inspired by our summer living in Frankfort, Michigan last year. You’d be hard pressed to find a more idyllic place to spend months June through August than this small town. The inviting Main Street faces Betsie Bay - always speckled with sails and seagulls - and leads you to the sandy shores of Lake Michigan that, on a good year, will open up for beach walks miles long.
Something I’ve been thinking about is how to distill the atmosphere of a moment to it’s sensory core - color, light, and shape - while preserving it’s spirit. These studies are my exploration of this idea and perhaps the beginning of a slightly new direction in my work I’m stretching myself towards.
I’ve found Kate’s interpretation of the paintings another avenue to further abstract this concept, modernize it, and bring it to life with a whole new twist. This collaboration has been a great reminder that in any creative field, it’s best to seek inspiration from adjacent art forms rather than pull from the same pool. When getting dressed has us uninspired/the algorithm has everyone looking the same, seeking art for style inspiration can offer such a fresh take!
Without further ado, please enjoy today’s edition of Wearing the Palette:
Kate’s Notes|Study 1
Turq + Lime and Katherine’s Donni influence
This study was the impetus for the entire project. I saw this painting and decided then and there I needed more turquoise and chartreuse green in my life… immediately. Shortly after my sourcing for the project started, Donni released their spring drop. Katherine has been telling me I must try Donni for almost a year so I set my alarm and scooped up the (now viral) linen track pant in lime.
To play up the boyish tone of the track pant, I paired them with an oversized blue button down and ribbed tank. The pop of blue and burgundy are inspired by the painting and bring so much depth to the look.
As everything was coming together, I kept feeling I wanted to capture the presence of brown in the painting without the outfit bordering chaotic. Finding the golden hued Guest in Residence sweater was cosmic - it was a fall color and massively marked down but works perfectly with my summer inspired look. And everyone who spends time in northern Michigan knows you can’t leave in the mornings or evenings without a sweater in hand.
Kate’s Notes|Study 2
Denim on Denim and the Felix Bucket Hat
This painting inspired by Lori (Katherine’s amazing mom) sitting at the shoreline is so similar to my own likeness I have a hard time remembering it’s NOT me in the painting. But the sense of self was something I leaned into for this second study’s look.
This outfit is something you’ll see me wearing all summer long at Lake Michigan. The Big Lake, as we call it, inspires my style palette endlessly. I used all the colors from the lakeshore and in Katherine’s painting to feel like I was in Leland again.
To keep the vibe fresh and current, I paired denim on denim - one way of non-verbally communicating you’re *aware* of fashion. I like to pair similar tones of denim so the overall look feels monochromatic and elevated. This COS denim button down is literally the best denim shirt I’ve ever had as it has so much drape.
The hat Lori is wearing in the painting is so dominant and I recognized it immediately. Both Katherine and I favor the brand Janessa Leone and the Felix Bucket Hat is one we both own. I’m not even embarrassed to admit I own it in all the colors it comes in and I’m never going to bother with another sun hat again. It’s SO flattering, SO comfortable, and SO versatile. Trust me on this. You need the Janessa Leone Felix Bucket Hat.
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Thanks Kate! This may be overly ambitious of me with my due date quickly approaching, but I’m hoping to have an open studio show later this summer to share these studies + more new work! In the meantime, stay tuned for edition 03 dropping next week!
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So proud of our collab together 🥹