Sew What?! Spot, the Pet Zebra!!

Call it too many viewings of The African Queen and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, but I can't seem to escape the unwitting inspiration of my latest sewing projects.  I have never seriously considered a trip to the African continent but after our "Rick-y Rack-y Safari" and "Serengeti Serenade" ensembles, all the subconscious arrows are pointing in that direction.  This most recent look is yet another indicator as to the location from which the next stamp in my passport might come - zebra territory!!!

Question: What did the blonde call her pet zebra?
Answer: SPOT!

A quick Google search of zebra-themed jokes devolves quickly from kindergarten domain to the terribly vile and profane.  Knowing that head-to-toe animal print is often relegated to the jokey end of the fashion spectrum, I thought I would attempt to instill my "pet zebra" with a serious touch of 1940s resort wear.

Among other things considered to be a joke is my pitiful lack of photography skills; if there is a way to get every angle wrong and treat lighting like a non-issue, I will find it.  Our photography woes were all but driven to extinction when Mary was recently shot by that talented man behind the golden camera, Alexander Thompson, for a music/fashion feature in "Ponyboy Magazine."  I knew that in his capable hands, these photographs would be no laughing matter!

"The Mary Simich Look"
(Photo courtesy of Alexander Thompson/Ponyboy Magazine)

So the question must be asked, is there such a thing as too much animal print?
If there is, we haven't found the cutoff; I almost forgot that I had made a matching handbag!
(Photo courtesy of Alexander Thompson/Ponyboy Magazine)

Mary has both a long torso AND long legs (I know, cry me a river) but at approximately
4.5' long, the whole of this six-gored, floor-length skirt couldn't be contained in the frame!
(Photo courtesy of Alexander Thompson/Ponyboy Magazine)

Were I to remake this outfit, there are definitely a few tweaks I would make.  I would try to cover the bare midriff just a touch by widening the bra top's bottom binding and possibly raising the waistband of the skirt.  I would also spend time redrafting the sleeve to minimize the fullness at the shoulder seam and add even more fullness at the cuff.  As is, it all can go so quickly from 1940s screen siren to...

Full-on Fly Girl realness!!!
Mary is too young to remember In Living Color,
but I couldn't help but think of it!

Do you walk on the wild side with extreme animal prints?  Do you think that there is a line one can cross into animal print overload or is too much never enough?

We extend a heartfelt "THANK YOU" to Alexander Thompson  and Ponyboy Magazine for this incredible feature on Mary.  You continue to prove that photography is definitely a fine art and you've given a whole lot of credibility to Mr. Tiny's humble workshop!


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny