When I saw this dress from Nylon Outfitters for Collabor88, I decided to wear it for my Mardi Gras set when I DJ’ed at The Velvet. It has that flamboyant exuberance with which the last day before Lent is celebrated in many parts of the world. For someone raised in a religious tradition stripped of anything approaching exuberance, it is a fascinating spectacle. There is an element of the opera bouffe in the decadent and wildly flamboyant celebration of music, life and the sensory pleasures for that last Fat Tuesday before the penitent and solemn Ash Wednesday and the month of sacrifice for Lent. As an outsider to the faith, the rituals are like a play, a passionate, loud and beautiful play of extremes – melodrama in its highest form.
Tag Archives: Insufferable Dastard
Art and Fashion
On Project Runway this week, Zac Posen explained the need for fashion to succeed commercially, adding that Fashion is not a Fine Art because it must be commercial. Then, I saw this dress from Shiki working in collaboration with the artist Vinn Wong and I have to ask, how is this not Fine Art?
Continue reading
Shadow Dancing
As you know from my blog, I love playing with projectors and casting shadows. I could not resist including this shot I caught last night while shooting. I had my windlight set to complete darkness and then used two projectors casting white light.
I am wearing the gorgeous draped cocktail dress from Maitreya called Mignon. It reminds me of Project Runway’s Rami Kashoú and how he could drape a gown faster than Scarlett O’Hara could pull down curtains. One of the constant conundrums facing the poor, sleep-deprived contestants on that show is how to balance the conflicting demands of the judges who ding them for showing similar styles time and again while also lambasting them when they aren’t true to themselves. I often wonder why there are not more Santino’s calling them on their contradictory demands. With the 11th season in progress now, I think they should ignore the “you’re repeating yourself” complaints because those that head off into uncharted territory nearly always get auf’ed.
I Am Not Throwing this Hat Over the Wall
There is a old saying that goes “if you want to climb a wall, throw your hat over it.” In essence, make a commitment that puts some skin in the game so failure will cost you. That is good advice, Sometimes we need consequences to motivate us. However, I am not throwing this hat over the wall. I am sure I must have some ball cap somewhere that will do. This hat, one of several from Glam Affair for Collabor88, got me digging in my closet to add some zing to the zip of this cute little dress from Hucci, also from Collabor88.
An Ode to Collabor88
Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
So do fashionistas hasten to spend
Their lindens at the fabled store,
Where prices with an 8 must end.
Fashions released into the light,
Inspirations are monthly crowned.
So colors and styles do not fight
But work together in a colorful round.
Fashion’s flourish is on the eight.
And hordes descend to browse and buy
The sim is full if you are late.
But worthy shoppers, in delight do cry
“I made it in! I can browse to my heart’s content
Or, at least until all my lindens are spent.”
Yeah, I know. Don’t quit the day job.
Let’s be honest, we all look forward to the 8th. It’s not just that there is a monthly collection of fashion derring-do, but there’s a fascination in discovering how the different designers take the same inspiration and colors and produce so many very different results. This month, Collabor88 doyenne and Sea Hole designer, Drinkenstein Sorbet, was inspired by the warmer climes of India, producing the Pan Bahatt collection. The collection features a sexy, skimpy top and skirt in bold Indian prints and colors. However, coming from a cooler state, I decided to just wear the skirt. It’s strange, I know, but I feel a bit chilly when my avatar is not dressed for the weather. The skirt, though, is a delight and can be mixed with so many other things.
Feelin’ Groovy
I loved the new off-the-shoulder top from Peqe so much that it overcame my usual resistance to bare-midriff clothing. Normally I would have paired it with high-waisted pants or a skirt, but there was something so whimsical about it that I pulled on this shorts from Pink Outfitters with an adorable belted bow.
Glitter
Like a magpie, I was immediately drawn to the glittery goodness of this dress from Liv-Glam. I love the many details that make this extraordinary from the sheer to opaque dress to the dark bronze to brilliant gold of the embellishment scattered down the front. It’s a gorgeous design. I think some of the shadows drawn onto the texture is the tiniest bit overdone, particularly under the arms, but that is more than compensated for by the lovely, stylish and flattering design. A great dress for the club, dancing or a night out with friends.
Lace and Shadows
I love rich textures, colors and contrasts so this new Roxanne gown and bolero from VoguE is right up my alley. It’s a beautiful strapless gown with a gorgeous matching lace bolero that has long sleeves whose colors being with the rich tones of the gown and fade to cream.
Sunshine in the Asylum
Nyunyu Magic of NYU has released an adorable long blouse (or short dress) in several colors with white or beige contrasting stripes. I decided to wear the black and white because I just purchased some new jewelry that I thought would work well with the dress. Black and white also suits the mod aesthetic of its straight-line shape, while in red and white or blue and white, it has a more nautical air.
In keeping with the mod aesthetic, I decided to wear the great thigh-high suede boots from Baiastice. While boots in the Sixties and Seventies were usually knee-high, I was going for a retro vibe, not a retro costume.
Still Looking
Stopping off in another place to look for letters for the Room 326 hunt as it draws to a close before MadPea Productions opens a new hunt, I saw this fabulous old merry-go-round and had to go for a ride. I was dressed in some of the items from the last two Baiastice releases including this gorgeous handbag released a couple of weeks ago. With a rich alligator hide and classic styling, it’s a wonderful handbag to hold all those letters I am finding (or not finding).