Fantasia is one of Disney’s most classic films, albeit a strange film, as it is comprised of several shorts in which animation is set to classical music, and lacks dialogue. However, it remains just as enchanting over 70 years later. Every short is a work of art, but of course I can’t help but have favorites. “Night on Bald Mountain” is among one of them, despite it terrifying me as a child. “Dance of the Hours” with its comedic ballet is forever entertaining as well. Another favorite, and one that inspired me recently is “Pastoral Symphony” which features a group of centaurs and centaurettes frolicking. I personally identify with the little sad blue centaurette and thought she and her partner would make for a cute parasol, and I put together a Disneybound (unfamiliar with the term? Click the About link for a quick defintion) of her for a recent visit to the park for lunch last week.

I am very pleased with out this parasol turned out, and Fantasia is certainly a wealth of inspiration for future parasols that I’ve added to my ever growing list!

While I would love to keep this post a fun, happy go-lucky one about Disneybounding, I don’t feel like “Pastoral Symphony” can be discussed without mentioning Sunflower. The “Pastoral Symphony” segment has received much attention and criticism over the years due to the character of Sunflower, a black centaurette, who was removed from the film when Fantasia was re-released in 1969, and has yet to be restored to the film. While Sunflower is depicted in what is considered a negative stereotype of blacks, and she waits on the other centaurettes. There is debate as if if the removal was a good idea or not. I personally think removing her was a poor choice. The removal of Sunflower both alters the film as a work of art, and in my opinion erases African-American history. While there are negative aspects to the history, especially of how blacks have been depicted in various forms of media, I believe it is important to preserve these images, as they are a part of history that needs to be understood and remembered. You can view Sunflower’s segments and how it looked once they removed her here.

Outfit
Top: Buffalo Exchange
Skirt: Courtesy of Dolly and Dotty
Belt: Nordstorm
Scarf: Dapper Day Expo
Earrings: Antique Alley (I think), Portland, Oregon
Shoes: Re-Mix
Parasol & Flower rings: Made by me