I had just finished dressing and was ready to shoot an outfit last night when I received a Group Notice from Iota Ultsch of Tres Jolie. This group is a bit different from other SL groups in that you are more likely to get an invitation to come dance the night away as a new product notice. She loves to have fun with her group – and so it was easy to forego shooting photos and pop over to Tres Jolie for a hello.

And generous as ever, Iota had made a special group gift that she warmly hand-delivered to group members. Don’t look in the group archives, this gift was given personally to  group members. If you love it, you will have to wait until its release in the near future, though I must warn you. The dress may be tres jolie, but it also will be tres cher. Wanting to keep her designs relatively exclusive, Iota’s strategy is the opposite of marking it down to sell more.

I know her clothes are expensive, but perhaps when selling less for more she has buyers who think about each purchase carefully – and her clients know and remember they bought each dress – because the price does discourage impulsive purchases that are soon forgotten.

I thought it was quite amazing seeing a roomful of geishas – all wearing their new free gown that she created with the inspiration of the Mikado. She also made the hair – witha lovely teapot – so her geishas would not have kneel to pour tea.

I shot some photos at Tempura Island’s ballroom. To see why I immediately thought of that venue, look at the kimono fabric and behind it the ceiling of the ballroom.   They were made to be married.

Here you can see the back and how the vagaries of flexi prims on the floor texture created an illusion of reflection.

I added Kraftika earrings and a necklace from Haute Couture Design.The skin is a lovely Geisha skin from SinSkins.  Inspired by the Mikado – I took several pictures and named them with lines of Yum-Yum’s sonss. You can see them on Flickr.

Photography by Cajsa Lilliehook MDR Photo Studio
****STYLE NOTES******

• Eyes: IC-Eyes Soulful Hazel
• Skin: Mature Gala Noir Sol SinSkins
• Lashes: SinSkins Portia lashes
• Hair: Tres Jolie Les jardins de japonais
• Dress: Tres Jolie Les jardins des Japonais
• Earrings: Kraftika #119
• Necklace: Dragonfly Necklace from Haute Couture Designs