As the new art exhibition Frida & Diego: Passion, Politics, and Painting opens at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta on Valentine’s Day February 14, I’m inspired by Frida Kahlo’s unique style and fondness for national costumes of her country Mexico.
I realized that I already had some clothing items and accessories that would work quite well to achieve Frida Kahlo’s native look including a Mexican embroidered blouse bought in Tijuana when I lived in Southern California and a bohemian burgundy velvet top with scooped neckline.
In addition, to top these two blouses, I have a bright floral wool blend Russian scarf that can be worn as a tasseled shawl.
To create different looks with skirts, possibilities include a deep red damask jacquard skirt, a Liz Claiborne tiered floral skirt and a mid-calf length black embroidered skirt. But a very flounced black velvet skirt would also look great!
To accessorize, I used chunky necklaces such as a multi-strand turquoise chip choker, a red coral bead strand paired with a cinnabar pendant and one that has cinnabar, bone, turquoise, coral and silver-tone beads.
Brooches can also be worn on the blouses. Frida’s fondness for flowers in her hair inspired me to make two floral brooches. One has two clusters of heart-shaped pearls and the other has multicolored peace flower buttons with a 1970’s vibe.
To go with the pearl cluster brooch, I’ve layered on a handmade pearl necklace which has pink, grey and white pearls, heart shaped pearls, as well as a long baroque pink pearl as pendant.
Frida also wore a hand in one of her ears as an earring in one of her paintings. For something funky, I also have a rubber hand keychain which I bought eons ago that I have now transformed into a pendant on a black cord – inspired by Frida!
For footwear, a pair of thrifted white leather huaraches will go at least with the white blouse but any strappy natural or brown leather sandals would do.
Wind some silk flowers around a slim wire headband to create a floral Frida style headpiece so there’s no doubt that you’re trying to channel the famous Mexican artist. If anything, the look will be perfect as a Halloween costume…
But one does wonder if there will be some die-hard Frida fans who will show up at the Frida & Diego exhibition dressed up as either artist…
Enjoy the slideshow for Frida Kahlo style inspiration!
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