There is a vanguard in any human endeavor, there is a vanguard that leads the way forward. They are the ones who develop new ideas. The find the new technologies and adopt new ways of communicating in music, literature and art. They are the forward shock troops in combat and in culture. It’s appropriate, then, that the store Vanguard in Second Life produces clothing that is completely á la page and then one step beyond.
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.
I was going to blog this lovely gown I picked up at Culture Shock, but I ran out of time. Culture Shock closed yesterday and I am eager to hear how much was raised in total. Anyway, although this was a donation gown at Culture Shock, it will be available after the event at Vanguard, a store that features wonderfully bold and provocative clothing.