When Fashion and Nature Collide – July Issue

Live your summer the right way –make sure that your fashion is as hot as the weather! Summer is the season to have fun and getting dressed should be an adventure, not a chore. Playful patterns, bright colors and taking chances are the norm now, so use this time wisely. And even if it rains, keep singing and dancing. The entire shoot for this Issue was inspired by Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, the later famously did just that in the 1952 musical comedy film Singing’ in the Rain.

Hats, Stairs and Two Special Projects is the theme of our new edition of When Fashion and Nature Collide. Our feature issue includes beautiful summer hats – from Sunday cloche hats to floppy sun hats that top off your look in no time just the way you like. The amazing architecture and flowing staircases of Montreal served as another inspiration for this edition. Playfulness, beauty, flow –this is what we give you this month.

Note: In case you’ve not seen these capsules before the When Fashion and Nature Collide project is a monthly collaboration with three of my WP friends: Roda from Growing Self, Lisa from Lismore Paper, and Darren from The Arty Plantsman.

The third wednesday of each month you can see outfits styled by me, and art from Lisa, that were inspired by Roda’s critter pictures and Darren’s flower pictures. With the spirit of protecting nature I pull together my outfits with clothing already available in my wardrobe. If purchases are to be made, these come from vintage shops and thrift stores or from socio-eco-friendly brands.

Without any further ado, let’s take a look at these inspiring flower and critter pictures that have been hitting the spot for me this month.

The Kissable Frog

Roda’s photo collage – Photography of 3C Style by Marie-Claude Viola – Stylist: Dominique Nancy – Makeup: Emmanuelle Rochefort – Nature Photography by Growing Self 

The Mont Royal (pronounced mawn-row-yal in French) is the gem of Montreal. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, also known for his work on Central Park in New York city. During your vacation, get ready for an unforgettable experience around Beaver Lake and the Kondiaronk Belvedere (a.k.a. the Chalet). If you make your way to the summit, you’ll have a wonderful scenic view of the city. Well worth the hike up!

I’m still obsessed with my straw bag but this Tilley straw hat has got me crushing hard. It is a good alternative to your basic Panama hat.

Dress – Love Sam / Hat – Tilley / Earrings – Les Boucles d’Alice / Flats – Schutz

The Beautiful Orchids

Roda’s photo collage – Photography of 3C Style by Marie-Claude Viola – Stylist: Dominique Nancy – Makeup: Emmanuelle Rochefort – Flower photography by The Arty Plantsman – Artwork by Lismore paper

You are not going to hear me complain about the water that got on my clothes from the sprinkler… It was so HOT that day! –Inject modernity and feminine sensuality into your summer outfit with paper bag pants and Chinese embroidery. Complete the look with a floppy hat and a straw bag for effortless elegance.

Paper bag trousers – Mango / Top – Vintage / Straw Bag – Roberta Di Camerino (Vintage) / Earrings – Les Boucles d’Alice / Necklace – Kiel James Patrick / Kitty Heels – Prada / Hat – Adrienne Vittadini

Roda’s photo collage – Photography of 3C Style by Marie-Claude Viola – Stylist: Dominique Nancy – Makeup: Geneviève Lacelle MUA – Flower photography by The Arty PlantsmanVintage coat – Era Vintage Wear / Top – Massimo Dutti / Bracelet – Private collection of Elena B. / Trousers – Conrad C. / Shoes – Guess / Earrings – Jennifer Behr at M’ODA ‘OPERANDI

A tailored suit in a bright pink will ensure you look cool despite the heat. Pair it with these Jennifer Behr’s earrings and you’ll be as adorable as this Orchid called “sleeping Beauty”.

The Lovely Hyacinthoides aristidis

Roda’s photo collage – Photography of 3C Style (by my hubby) – Stylist: Dominique Nancy – Makeup: Emmanuelle Rochefort – Flower photography by The Arty Plantsman

There’s a wearable way to wear the Summer 2018’s transparency trend. Here are a few tips if you want to make this work. Layered with matching lingerie that assure maximum coverage. This way you leave some to the imagination. Wear a less revealing item under or over the sheer piece. For this casual look, I am wearing white coton shorts under the dress so that only my legs are actually revealed. Opting for a classic cut also makes the trend more approachable and most importantly, more refined.

The facades of the triplexes built in the 1920s, 1930s or 1940s are adorned with exterior staircases of all shapes. This architecture is one of the peculiarities of Montreal.

Vintage Dress – Era Vintage Wear / Bag – Matt & Nat / Denim Jacket & Coton shorts – H&M (old) / Hat – (thrift)

The Stunning Moraea Villosa

Roda’s photo collage – Photography of 3C Style by Marie-Claude Viola – Stylist: Dominique Nancy – Makeup: Emmanuelle Rochefort – Flower photography and Artwork by The Arty PlantsmanVintage silk skirt & Corset – Era Vintage Wear / Bag – Tory Burch / Earrings – Mango / Sandals – Aldo

283. That’s the amount of stairs you’ll have to climb to get to the Montreal’s Oratoire Saint-Joseph, the largest church in Canada. Some visitors even do it on their knees. But even a non-believer is left humbled by the meandering garden paths, the divine architecture and the views the Montreal Oratory offers.

St. Joseph’s Oratory photography by Tripsavvy

The Gorgeous Moraea Gigandra & Damselfly

Roda’s photo collage – Photography of 3C Style by Marie-Claude Viola – Stylist: Dominique Nancy – Makeup: Emmanuelle Rochefort – Damselfly Photography by Growing Self & Flower photography by The Arty Plantsman – Book artwork by Lismore Paper

Some stairways, such as the Université de Montreal staircase, offer more than just their practical function. They are now recreational spots for exercise. Me? I just love stairs. I don’t mind sweating a little as I hear music every time I see a few steps, especially if they are outdoors. I just imagine them as piano keys.

Denim Dress – Moschino / Bag – Giannini / Earrings – H&M / Rings – Room Service Loft Boutique / Shoes – Kenneth Cole / Ladurée Book with artwork from Lismore Paper

A frill denim dress looks summery cool paired with striped flats and a pastel color pouch. For a Bohemian inspired touch wrap a scarf around your head.

Two special projects…

The Dragonfly T-shirt

Roda’s photo collage – Photography of 3C Style by Marie-Claude Viola – Stylist: Dominique Nancy – Makeup: Emmanuelle Rochefort –– Nature Photography by Growing Self – T-Shirt art copyright Lisa Lawrence, Lismore Paper & design copyright Dominique Nancy – 3C Style, 2018. 

You’ll want to accessorize your new T-shirt with bold accents including pendant earrings and perhaps even have this Dragonfly design on your tote, diary and coffee mug. It might be the Year of the Dog, but you still can be a Dragon girl! Stay tuned for an update on how you can purchase this T-shirt and other great products.

Lisa and I came up with this Dragonfly T-shirt, which was made with our WP friend Linda in mind. The Queen of dragons is an amazing creature full of spirit, kindness and humour, a real dragon lady. We love you Linda! See Lisa’s blogpost to learn more about her lovely dragonfly artwork.

The Floral Butterfly Scarves

Artwork by The Arty Plantsman

And I conclude my contribution for this edition with another beautiful project. I should say “two” as Darren and I are working on two special scarves. They both take their inspiration directly from the beauty of Darren’s drawing and flowing nature of butterflies in a summer garden. From the colors to their silky texture, these scarves will remind you of the days when butterflies used to land on your fingers.

All the flowers that you see in Darren’s drawing were styled into outfits by me either in previous issues or in this current edition. See the yellow Moraea and the violet Moraea villosa, respectively in the May and June issues of When Fashion and Nature Collide. Stay tuned I will soon style these scarves with summer outfits.

Roda’s photo collage – Flower photography and Artwork by The Arty Plantsman 

From these pictures Lisa over at Lismore Paper has created once again beautiful artworks. Please, go visit her site as well as Roda and Darren‘s blogs to get an overall view of When Fashion and Nature Collide.

Note: I am leaving soon to Mexico with my family for a week of diving. Yay! Consequently, I might not be able to reply right away to your comments but you will hear from me as soon as I get back. And I will tell you all about my vacation. Much love to you all!

Artwork by Lismore Paper

The team: Roda Shope, Dominique Nancy, Darren Sleep and Lisa Lawrence.

Next edition of When Fashion and Nature Collide: August 15th.