Leather Sleeve Pullover from House of Fox – Color.Me.H.O.F at Collabor88

It makes sense that Industrial Chic has come back into fashion in this age of economic insecurity with the middle class fading into the working class. The fashions are a form of solidarity with labor – the use of metals, the hard and soft fabrics, the utilitarian forms and simple silhouettes all avoid blinged out conspicuous consumption in favor of working class colors and practicality. But it’s chic, so there are details that elevate it from banality, details like the inset leather sleeves in this top from House of Fox.

Leather Pants from Color.Me.H.O.F. House. Volta shoes from Ingenue. Both at Collabor88

As you can see, the forms are simple, the colors muted shades of industry and production, the details tend to suggest fabrication and steampunk aesthetics. This all suggests solidarity with the working class – whose numbers are growing as the middle class shrinks.

Beck hair by Tableau Vivant at Collabor88. Krosis Earrings from Plastik.  Slink hands with FLAIR manicure.

Even the hair has an industrial aesthetic, the barrettes are steel instead of silver, their form utilitarian, but then the repetition of three elevates them again to something sophisticated and special while maintaining their industrial materials and shape.

Krysten Collar from Pure Poison

Accessories such as this collar and the earrings also suggest industry with the metal studs and chains. This is the fashion for a shifting and insecure economy – which goes to show that no matter what is happening in the world, fashion has something to say.

Zahida skin from Jalwa.

Store info at Blogging Second Life
****SHOPPING LIST******
Poses: Ma Vie
Skin: Jalwa – Zahida – Salt – Red Eyebrow
Eyes: [UMEBOSHI] Eon eyes Duo Green (med)
Lashes: Lelutka
Mani/Pedi: SLink Mesh Hands & Feet with FLAIR mani applier
Hair: [LeLutka]-HAIRBASE Rita
~Tableau Vivant~Beck Hair – HS2 – FatPack
Clothing: Color.Me.H.O.F Mesh [Leather Pants[Taupe]_M
Color.Me.H.O.F Mesh [Leather Sleeve Pullover[Golden]_M
Shoes: Ingenue :: Volta Booties (Slink Foot) :: Sand
Jewelry: Plastik :[P]:- Krosis Earring://Concrete
Pure Poison PP – Krysten Collar – Gold