Taos Style: Artful Eccentricity

January 15, 2005

Taos Style is arty & eccentric, like the artists who hang out at the Taos Inn (encouraged by kind waitresses who provide ashtrays filled with water to dip brushes in) painting lightening-stroke portraits of musicians in motion. Artists can make a fashion statement out of paint spatter! The rest of us need to clean up and have a plan.

Inger Jirby, a well-known Taos artist, is easily recognizable by her unique, eclectic style. Inger, of Swedish origin, opened her delightful gallery, sculpture garden, and guest casitas complex at 207 Ledoux St. in the 90s. Her fashion style, like her exuberant art, expresses the bold designs, sense of whimsy, and uniqueness endemic to our area. Recently, I spoke with Inger about Taos Style.

“There isn’t any Taos Style … except what some of us make up,” Inger said. “Southwest elements have always been a part of our dress sense. I loved the 30s and 40s, when Agnes Martin and other individualists peppered their look with Native-American jewelry and Western fringe jackets. This look was elevated to international style in 1982, when Ralph Lauren incorporated ‘Santa Fe style’ into his label.” Inger found her own mixture of cultural elements in a Mexican woven wool, 30s style box-jacket, with a design inspired by 1920s Navajo blankets (see photo).

Like Taos, Inger has a way of blending cultures with inimitable style. She mixes Mexican or Indian jewels with exotic trinkets and textiles from her world travels. Inger advocates buying locally, throwing into the mix some Taos designers’ creations, like a Zandi Venus Vest, made from opulently embroidered, vintage Indian fabrics. Inger combines the above with broomstick skirts or simple black slacks, achieving an exotic, totally unique look. “I’m drawn to things that strike my eyes! Life is a fantasy … that goes with [the magic of] this area. But people have stopped dressing up. The romanticism is gone. It’s no fun now.

“TV and magazines promote sameness, not individual style. Some of the designs look like they are created by men who don’t like women,” Inger lamented, “who want us to look like young boys with no flesh/shape. Now the magazines are full of these tall, skinny models who look like baby giraffes.” From here, our conversation segued to a disquieting aspect of fashion: the skinny “ideal” woman that our culture cultivates in TV, magazines, and advertising.

Inger feels this sends a message to our youth that they have to be skinny. (Note to parents from Zandi: Please don’t tease/insult your kids with phrases like “pudgy” or “you’re fat as a pig.”) Inger feels the media brainwashing leads to “the insanity of being unacceptable,” which can manifest in overeating or more serious problems, like the Princess Disease (bulimia) and the Secret Disease (anorexia). Inger mentioned that Texas schools have instigated aftercare programs for children who eat too little or binge, the warning signs of anorexia and bulimia. Their treatment includes anything that makes people feel good about themselves: affirmations, nurturing positive self-images, nutrition, education.

I concur with Inger that this is the dark, secret side of fashion. Please don’t let yourself or your child fall for this B.S. Rejoice in your uniqueness & variety. Emulate the big guy in my favorite TV show this year, “He’s a Lady.” He won, despite all odds. In his poignant acceptance speech, he acknowledged that he’d experienced the torturous pressure to be pretty and thin! His victory affirmed that real beauty has more to do with what’s in your head and heart than just physical attributes.

In my Zandi Designs shows, I make a conscious effort to include models of all shapes, sizes, and ages to counter this toxic conspiracy. Taos has many wonderful designers who can help you make the most of what you’ve got in garments flattering to a variety of shapes! 2004 ended with fashion shows by Patricia Michaels and me. Both were thoroughly enjoyed by those in attendance. Watch this column for upcoming local designer shows and events, like my Half Price Sale, Saturday, Jan. 29, from 1-5 p.m. at the Taos Inn (Library Room).

For more on Taos designers, to let us know about upcoming fashion event, or general comments, call Zandi Designs: 751-1882.