Alexander McQueen transformed fashion with his iconoclastic designs that overthrew fashion convention. He altered the gestalt of the fashion world before his tragic surrender to despair and suicide. But his influence continues, not only in Sarah Burton’s designs for his design house, but in the more theatrical fashion shows, the extreme silhouettes with fantasy hair and makeup and more diverse and interesting models that continue to bring excitement and vision to the runways. The rebirth of tailoring and the renaissance of rich textured brocades, prints and other fabrics all are part of his influence continuing. And here in Second Life we can see his influence with some of the work of designer Rollyn of Vangaurd. Vanguard is new to me. I saw the store at The Ashraya Project and fell in love with the fabrics and silhouettes. It has certainly been around since last December, but I only came across it this month. This rich, detailed dress with the amazing epaulettes is one of my favorites from her collection.
Tag Archives: paper couture
Looking Good while Doing Good Has Never Been so Easy
Looking good while doing good has never been so easy. There are two huge multi-week events raising funds for great charities. I have talked a lot about Culture Shock and the work of Médecins Sans Frontières MSF (Doctors Without Borders) and wanted to pass on the news that the script gate has been removed now that the first flush of heavy traffic has subsided.
Today, however, I want to mention the other event – The Ashraya Project to raise funds for Ashraya, an Indian charity that works with women and children, providing shelter and support to women and children who are poor, abandoned or survivors of abuse. In addition to fabulous clothing from 80 generous designers, there are concerts, and art expo, auctions and more. Be sure to check out their website so you don’t miss out on anything.
One thing you really do not want to miss out on is the fabulous gold Liree gown from MiaMai. It has such sleek shiny fabric of glittery goodness.
One Bad Pixel Don’t Spoil the Whole Bunch
In case you slept through yesterday, a new collaboration has launched featuring high quality mesh clothing from two established designers who are working together to develop a line of mesh clothing that is naughty and nice. One Bad Pixel is naughtily sexy, with figure-hugging styles that lay so beautifully against the skin and it’s nicely done, made with attention to detail, flawless texturing and fabulous colors. This is the Pearl dress in Aubergine – just one in a double rainbow of colors.
Give Me Prints, Lots of Prints
The new Anne dress, recently released by Kunglers has a fabulously ornate print that makes me think of a Rorschach test for Mother Nature. Like most of Kunglers work, there is organic inspiration that has been stylized and elevated into art. This print is luscious and come in other colors as well.
Lost in the Labyrinth
I had a lot of fun in Second Life yesterday. I went to the Kamera Klub event at The Velvet where a bunch of folks dressed up as The Cramps and The Beatles for a two hour pose-off (Gidge did the poses as Status was an event sponsor) and musical duel and where I got a couple lovely compliments on this dress and jacket combo from Baiastice. Then I rushed off to the Labyrinth of Absurdity where I shot these blog photos. It’s an amazing spot and I will return to shoot there again as there are several installations, this one with my friend on the swing here being only one.
Butterflies Are Free
There’s a quote from Charles Dickens’ Bleak House that came to mind when I put this dress on. “I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free. Mankind will surely not deny to Harold Skimpole what it concedes to the butterflies!” This Crazy Butterflies for Life dress from Orage Creations got me thinking about freedom – and what it means. FDR talked about the Four Freedoms; freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear. He wasn’t thinking of cancer when he talking about those freedoms, but wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing to finally come to a time when the word cancer does not evoke fear, but instead a confidence that it can be treated and overcome? To that end and working for that day, the designers for Fashion For Life, such as Orage Creations Elettra Gausman, are supporting the American Cancer Society’s efforts to combat cancer and create a future where cancer is no longer causes fear.
The Softer Side of MiaMai
When most people think of MiaMai, they think of Monica Outlander’s high fashion avant garde creations that flirt with androgyny. Produced with grand spectacle and presented with artistry and poetic insight, they are her hallmark. However, a truer hallmark, I think, is her great flixibility and range in design. She is not content to issue endless iterations of the same shapes and ideas, and truly does go back to the drawing board for new inspiration. Take this ultra-feminine and soft-edged flowing dress that she recently released at Fashion For Life. It is the antithesis of the sharply defined, hard-edged androgynous designs and yet, there are distinct MiaMai details such as the lush peacock feather collar that make it a cohesive element in her body of work.
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
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Barely There
This new gown from Azul for the Miss Virtual World contestant from Greece is stunning. Mami Jewell produced it in eight luscious colors, including one with an amazing opalescent fabric, but I could not resist the naughty nearly nude color of this one. The system pieces provide slip-free coverage while hinting at all sorts of possibilities.
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Gypsies & KittyCatS
Modern Gypsy has released a new collection called Forever Gypsy full of bold new looks, with rich colors, bold prints and that fabulous flair we associate with Micah Kanto. I am addicted to plaid so this dress Muerra Look 5 immediately captured my heart. It came with a red belt, but I was feeling a bit more sedate and in a vintage mood so I grabbed this old wide belt from closet. It’s from Cachet, the former brand of Lelutka designer Thora Charron. It’s also a white belt, that I tinted to match the stones bedazzling the bodice.