House of RFyre at Fashion for Life

Dear Readers:

As most of you may or may not know, I have worked for Raven Pennyfeather for over three years in SL. She is a personal friend as well as an employer. I rarely blog her work in my own blog because I am so familiar with it I feel I can’t speak about it coherently or “objectively.” I have seen the inside of this sausage factory, and I have to tell you, each piece is made with pure love and goodness and joy by Raven. There is no other way to say it. She puts her heart into her creations; they are her vision and her art and she wants so greatly to share this beauty and fun with others in SL.

She has been preoccupied with new vistas in RL so she has not been in SL as much. However we speak on the phone frequently, and she has been supportive and enthusiastic about Fashion for Life. She also didn’t want to see Nevar’s and Ame’s hard work be lost so she was glad when I took it on but she has not been thrilled with not having me available to her. She will be glad when I am back at RFyre (as will I).

I am very emotional about Raven; she has been as dear a friend to me, in RL as in SL, as anyone for the past 3+ years. I couldn’t possibly fit into the blog here or on the Fashion for Life website (where I really should not get mushy and personal), how I feel. So this blog is entirely poorly written, clumsy, and not nearly good enough for what she and her work deserve.

~ Harper

As Fashion for Life closes, we have to give thanks to one of our sim sponsors, for many things. Raven Pennyfeather has always supported the RFL Clothing Fair and Fashion for Life. She made friends with Nevar and Amethyst and has had them to dinner in her RL home several times, supporting their work because she knew it was important and they were her friends. However, two years ago, Raven’s father was diagnosed with breast cancer, rare but not unknown in men. While she ran her business, House of RFyre, she ran from her house to his weekly to assist him (100 miles away), logging on from his home after she had taken him to his chemo treatments, to check her business and design. Raven had always supported RFL, but once his diagnosis came, it became even more important to her. Her donation for being a sim sponsor was entirely selfless—she wanted to put RFyre’s name on this important cause as a personal endorsement, especially as she has seen her father go into remission.

Raven’s support of Fashion for Life has been long-standing, first with Nevar and Ame and now with the new coleads, Harper and Syngen. In fact, Raven sacrificed her assistant, Harper, to FFL and has suffered (supposedly) with Harper so preoccupied. Thank you, Raven, for giving me the time and room to do this.

It is a great honor to have Raven Pennyfeather be one of the sim sponsors at Fashion for Life. Her generous heart imbues all her work and her dark romantic nature translates to the vision for her work. Consider this couture offering from Raven with its leather jacket on top over a swirling translucent ethereal black skirt and topped with a smart top hat with lace veil. Raven never makes a minimal outfit—she truly wants to give her customers her best and all she can with each ensemble.

One of Raven’s newer offerings is the Hearts on Fyre series, including this evening gown. Inspired by the designs of Ed Harvy, Raven made her own clothing “tattoo” motifs and carried them to this gown and to more casual sets for men and women. Her colors are rich and luxe.

Raven has always aimed to fulfill her male customer’s needs as well. In this she has a very romantic vision as well. Her men are dressed in the finest materials—leather, satin, wool, lace. The handsome tux above from her Wintertide series can take a man from ballroom to personal Interview with the Vampire. The more formal Eduoard below with its shorter cut and tails and chained closure and romantic bow tie, can take a man to the most formal affair.

One last day for Fashion for Life. Today. Get here NOW to get some of these beautiful items and many many more before they disappear and this whole beautiful please is gone!

Photo 1:

• Hair: [e] Early – Black 04 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: -Glam Affair- Mary Light – E/D/A 05 by aida Ewing by aida Ewing for Glam Affair, FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Eyes: ***FFL Exclusive*** FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Silver&Blue  (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: ***FFL Donation*** ! RFyre For the Love Of… Tribute Ensemble by Raven Pennyfeather for House of RFyre, Sim Sponsor for the Stieglitz sim at Fashion for Life
• Boots: ***FFL Exclusive*** .:L&B:. “Orleans” B&W Lace Boot set by Paul Lapointe for Lapointe & Bastchild, Sim Sponsors for the Irving Penn sim at Fashion for Life

Photo 2:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * WINDBLOWN* /deepblack by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Skin: LaVie Enya Fancy Thrill normal (H) by Pompeja Rossini for LaVie, FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Deep Steel Blue (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: ! RFyre Hearts On Fyre Couture Gown for Women by Raven Pennyfeather for House of RFyre, Sim Sponsor for the Stieglitz sim at Fashion for Life
• Shoes: ***FFL Exclusive*** Osakki // FFL Osaka Red Heels  by Kaysha Piers for Osakki, FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim

Photo 3:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * MARC * /black with shaved head base MARC 1 by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Skin: Antoine Medium Normal Goatee3 – Bald by Ramses Meredith for Egoisme, FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Shape: Distinctive Shapes By Gil – Lance Shape by Gil Warwillow, TBA
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Deep Brown (L) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Outfit: !RFyre Mens Wintertide Tux Mens Black (P) by Raven Pennyfeather for House of RFyre, Sim Sponsor for the Stieglitz sim at Fashion for Life
• Shoes: .:L&B:. “Couture ” Croc Ankle Boot Set :Black by Paul Lapointe for Lapointe & Bastchild, Sim Sponsors for the Irving Penn sim at Fashion for Life

Photo 4:

• Hair: .::MADesigns Hair::. ~ AKAMI ~ SB I by Maddox Dupont for KMadd Enterprises, Sim Sponsor for the Helmut Newton sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: LaVie Savon Shaved Tan by Pompeja Rossini for LaVie, FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim
• Shape: Distinctive Shapes By Gil – Terry Shape by Gil Warwillow, TBA
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Dark Clover Green (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Outfit: RFyre Edouard Mens Tux Brocade Black by Raven Pennyfeather for House of RFyre, Sim Sponsor for the Stieglitz sim at Fashion for Life
• Shoes: .:L&B:. “Couture ” Croc Ankle Boot Set :Black by Paul Lapointe for Lapointe & Bastchild, Sim Sponsors for the Irving Penn sim at Fashion for Life

P.S. In a totally unrelated-to-the-dignity-of-Raven-Pennyfeather addendum, I have publicly stated that I will run through the sims of FFL naked AND blog as a chicken on this very blog IF FFL reaches 4.75 million. Thousands of people wishing for laughter at my expense will thank you if you help us get there!

Falln Angel Creations at Fashion for Life

Azriel Demain is not a stranger to Fashion for Life. For many years running, he has contributed generously of his time, content and donations. This year he graciously opted to sponsor a sim. He explained it to me in a chat:

My RL family has had quite a few struggles with cancer, and my close Aunt beat breast cancer just last year! I think she was the first in my family to actually win her battle with cancer, she lost her hair but she didn’t lose her life. And now her hair is growing back curly *chuckles* So, I am all for events like this :)

Azriel again has outdone himself with his creations. Offering a wide variety of pieces exclusive to Fashion for Life, Azriel gives his best talents to his creations when he donates them for Fashion for Life on behalf of the American Cancer Society. His rich textures, complex but perfect silhouettes, wonderful prim work all add up to fantastical combinations for a fantasy world.

Every single outfit you see here is an exclusive for Fashion for Life. That’s how good Azriel is and how important this is to him.

Azriel was kind enough to give me some information:

FallnAngel Creations was created in July of 2006, the same week that its owner and sole creator, Azriel Demain, came into world. An artist by profession, Azriel used his years of knowledge in photoshop and his self-admitted tendency to “never leave well enough alone” to create items that he could not find elsewhere in Second Life. He started off with a small parcel in Euiryeong and a handful of items, his store sharing the plot with his home. By December of 2006 he bought his first sim, Falln Sanctuary. Time flew as his productivity and skill level continued to increase, and soon he was able to move his main store from Sanctuary to its own sim; eventually acquiring two more store sims. He moved his skins, hair and other avatar appearance items to Falln Sanitarium, and his furniture, decor and full buildings found a home on Falln Amusements. FallnAngel Creations has become well known in Second Life for Azriel’s singular vision, productivity, and attention to detail. Whether you seek disturbing horror items, colourful kimono, inventive silks, or something to make your dream a reality in world, you are sure to find it at Falln. Azriel’s talent and sheer range of selections is sure to draw attention and compliments.

When you go shopping at Fashion for Life, you will find yourself so immersed in the beautiful sims and great shopping that you might forget why over 200 people volunteered considerable amounts of time and skill to be here. They have not forgotten, however. They know 100% of the funds from their donations go directly to the American Cancer Society though the avatar relayforlife AmericanCancer.

Join us at Fashion for Life, going on NOW through March 22.

Photo 1:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * GEISHA * by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Skin: -Glam Affair – Nina V-Day 01by aida Ewing for Glam Affair, FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Kimono: *FFL EXCLUSIVE* FallnKimonoFFLExclusive by Azriel Demain for FallnAngel Creations, Sim Sponsor of the Mapplethorpe sim at Fashion for Life

Photo 2:

• Hair: ::DBS::Strength-BlackRed by DBS Heart for Bishwear, FFL Store Sponsor on the Irving Penn sim
• Skin: : HS : Reverie : Eyes on Fire (c) by Amesha Jewell for Heartsick Skins, FFL Store Sponsor on the Mapplethorpe sim
• Dress: *FFL EXCLUSIVE* FallnAvaritiaGownFlameExclusive by Azriel Demain for FallnAngel Creations, Sim Sponsor of the Mapplethorpe sim at Fashion for Life

Photo 3:

• Hair:  .:EMO-tions:. * ZEUS * hair /black by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Skin: Leonard Normal Eyeliner Small Chin Black by Ramses Meredith for Egoisme, FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Outfit: *FFL EXCLUSIVE* FallnAvaritiaSuitFlameExclusive by Azriel Demain for FallnAngel Creations, Sim Sponsor of the Mapplethorpe sim at Fashion for Life
• Boots: ! RFYRE BLACK GUARD II MENS BOOTS  (P) by Raven Pennyfeather for House of RFyre, Sim Sponsor for the Stieglitz sim at Fashion for Life

Photo 4:

• Hair:  [e] Mood – Blonde 01 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: I ALEIDA I Inga SUNKISS – make up 3 by Aleida Rhode for Aleida, VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim
• Dress: *FFL EXCLUSIVE* FallnFyreDressBlueExclusive by Azriel Demain for FallnAngel Creations, Sim Sponsor of the Mapplethorpe sim at Fashion for Life
• Shoes: *GF* Ribbon Slingback Shoes -gold- by Cerberus Noel for *G Field*, VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life

Photo 5:

• Hair: !VA! China Temptation-noir with Vanity hair base Noir (darker) by Tabata Jewell for Vanity Hair on the Mapplethorpe sim
• Skin: Adam n Eve Skin – Mei Li 2 – Aki – Tone 1 by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve, FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim
• Dress: *FFL EXCLUSIVE* FallnLotusHanfuFFLExclusive by Azriel Demain for FallnAngel Creations, Sim Sponsor of the Mapplethorpe sim at Fashion for Life
• Shoes: ::Duh!:: Spring Flats Ink (black) by Renee Harvy for Duh!, FFL Store Sponsor on the Shulman sim

Morea Style at Fashion for Life

French fashion has always been the cornerstone of the industry. France is the home of couture, of elegance, of clothed sexuality. It’s also the home of Morea Decosta, the owner of Morea Style.

Morea Decosta represents her vision in translucent flowing prims, delicately decorated textures and seductively designed system pieces. Morea, like the finest French couturiers, understands a woman needs to feel sexy and needs to feel light, sensual fabrics against her skin. She also understands a woman wants to show off her best features.

She also recognizes that a woman needs different looks for different occasions, so she doesn’t only provide dramatic ball gowns. Cocktail dresses and pant suits also feature in her fashion, all carrying the same stamp of sensual elegance and beauty.

Morea Decosta has participated in Fashion for Life for several years. This year, Morea Decosta decided to donate for a store space at Fashion for Life but she generously added a personal donation to become a VIP Sponsor. She did this because she knew many would see her brand and because she knew contributing to the American Cancer Society through this program insures all donations go directly to the ACS without passing through anyone else’s hands.

Make sure you attend the Fashion for Life, March 12-22, SL’s biggest fashion fair on 9 sims hosted by the American Cancer Society and SL’s Relay for Life!

 

Photo 1:

• Hair: .::MADesigns HAIR::. ~ ANESSA ~ ST I by Maddox DuPont for .::MADesigns HAIR::., Sim Sponsor for the Helmut Newton sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: -Glam Affair- Castalia- MedTan – 07 by aida Ewing for Glam Affair, FFL Store Sponsor
• Eyes: TBA FFL Store Sponsor
• Dress: Collection MOREA STYLE EVENING * INSOLENCE black gold* by morea Decosta for *MOREA STYLE*, P Sponsor and Store Sponsor for Fashion for Life
• Shoes: *GF* Ribbon Slingback Shoes -gold- by Cerberus Noel for *G Field*, VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life

 

Photo 2:

• Hair: [e] Rumor – Blonde 07 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: Style by Kira – Elora Skin 01F by Kira Paderborn for Style by Kira, FFL Store Sponsor
• Dress: Collection MOREA STYLE EVENING* EVANGELINE Rose* by morea Decosta for *MOREA STYLE*, VIP Sponsor and Store Sponsor for Fashion for Life
• Earrings: * Donna Flora * ARTE earrings by Squinternet Larnia for Donna Flora, FFL Store Sponsor
• Shoes: ! RFyre Iced Rose Stiletto Boots (P) by Raven Pennyfeather for RFyre, Sim Sponsor for the Stieglitz sim for Fashion for Life

 

Photo 3:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * ISABELLE * /red by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Skin: (AMD) Ava – Tan – Lustrous *Leaf* by Apple May for Apple May Designs, FFL Store Sponsor
• Dress: Collection MOREA STYLE Cocktail* JULIA mutlicolor* by morea Decosta for *MOREA STYLE*, VIP Sponsor and Store Sponsor for Fashion for Life
• Earrings: Ear Candy ~ Triple Tear Drop  Earrings by Maeve Mortlock for Ear Candy, FFL Store Sponsor
• Shoes: *GF* Ribbon Slingback Shoes -dark green- by Cerberus Noel for *G Field*, VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life

 

Photo 4:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * ANGIE * /black by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Skin: Adam n Eve Skin – Portia – Tone 3 Dark Hair – Rouge by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve, FFL Store Sponsor
• Outfit: Collection MOREA STYLE CASUAL* NOLWEEN BLACK* by morea Decosta for *MOREA STYLE*, VIP Sponsor and Store Sponsor for Fashion for Life
• Shoes: Baiastice_Bow-back Ankle Boots-crotalus by Sissy Pessoa for Baiastice, FFL Store Sponsor

Muscle

Is it wrong for a woman to confess that once in a while she likes a man with a little muscle?

I walked around in this guy at the Shoe Fair and goodness, there are a few ladies who like muscle (you know who I am talking about, Delora, Solange, and Phoenix). Well it didn’t hurt that I had this tank from Dick Wiesel and leather pants from Avrele Guisse. Crocodile boots from swaffette Firefly made the look complete.

 

Part of the sexiness and a lot of the muscle comes from this outstanding skin from Emilia Redgrave. Not sure how she shows the veins in the arms so well or got the sheen on his skin so well, but goodness, he’s hot. And it’s all supported by a fine shape from Sophia Rossen (which I modified in the face to make it a little more structurally right).

Finally, the hair.. goodness, the hair. This hair is made by Mirja Mills, the queen of wild fantasy hair. I realize this is panther hair, but dang it looks so fine on this man with the feathers and the beads. Then he gets the sunglasses from Guu Nishi, set on opaque, the toothpick from Aletta Milena and the obligatory gold chain, this one from my pal, SC Tracy.

“Men should be like coffee, hot sweet and strong” ~ Dutch Proverb quotes

Hair: SCHATTENREITER hair by Mirja Mills for Emo-tions *

Skin: 04   Dark-Tan Skin -Tyson-/goatee+base+chesthair  *REDGRAVE* by Emilia Redgrave for Redgrave

Shape: Sophistishapes – LLOYD bodyshape by Sophia Rossen for Sophistishapes (modified from original)

Top: :. WoE .: Dragon Tank (Grey) by Dick Wiesel for :. WoE .: *

Pants: Avrele Reble Mens Low Waist Leather Pants 121809 by Avrele Guisse for Avrele*

Sunglasses: HOC – Aviator style glasses #003 Male by Guu Nishi for HOC Industries

Tattoo: Dragon Wing by Ctarr Huszar for Beyond Tattoo

Chain: !Rfyre Roman Eagle Amulet Necklace by SC Tracy for RFyre *

Earring: Made by me :)

Toothpick: toothpick by Aletta Milena for Somethin’ in Your Mouth

Boots: sf design crocodile boots black – mens by swaffette Firefly for SF Design

Motorcycle Mama

This year my village’s school association is holding their annual community ball. It’s an excuse to raise money for the schools and have a fun time. Usually it’s a full blown ball with ladies in fancy dresses and the gentlemen dressed to the nines. This year, however, they are holding it at the Harley Davidson Museum south of downtown, calling it “Rumble on Canal Street,” and we are to dress accordingly, forgoing the usual ball gowns and suits for leathers. It’s kind of funny, thinking of all these middle class suburbanites coming dressed up in leathers and metal. It’s kind of like… Second Life!

Rifling through my in-world wardrobe, I found the perfect outfit to make all the other mamas cringe. This leather jacket, top and pants made by Raven Pennyfeather is the perfect antidote to suburban stodginess. With its many buckles and leather that is so thick and strong it squeaks, this leather jacket is form fitting around the waist but still hearty enough for a spin around on a Fat Boy.

The belt, made by SC Tracy, is the perfect stylish touch with its embossed texture, chain link and ankh charm. And incidentally, SC is the man who makes me look good in so many of the RFyre ads.

The fun thing about SL is that I can have any hair I want, and today I chose a style that will take me from the bake sale to riding behind Big Dan on a Fat Bob with no problem. This asymmetrical cut by Kin Keiko will do the trick every time. And Tuli Asturias’ shimmering neutral skin is pretty enough to wear with leather (there is no need to be too bold here).

Finally, the boots. I rely on an old standard in SL which would be an absolutely stunning RL addition: Bax Coen’s Prestige Boots. Imagine me, strolling in among the ladies who lunch and their accountant husbands (all wearing stiff new leather jackets like it was some sort of “naughty” secret),  heels confidently clicking and the smell of well worn leather and motorcycle exhaust trailing behind me. Ah, what a fantasy….

Motorcycle Mama
Won’t you lay your big spike down
I always get in trouble
when you bring that round
~ Neil Young

Hair: Kin-Nova-[black] by Kin Keiko for Kin Keiko

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Eva (tone 4/bl) 02a by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Outfit: !RFyre Damali Womens Black Leather Jacket by Raven Pennyfeather for RFyre *

Belt: !RFYRE The Hunger Belt, Womens, Main by SC Tracy for RFyre *

Earrings: Self Made

Boots: BAX Prestige Boots Black Leather by Bax Coen for Bax Boots *

The Woman with the Accent

Ever meet a woman of indeterminate origin? You know who I mean.. one who has an accent that you can’t quite place, a look and manner that is so eclectic you can’t say, oh, she’s from Boston or Buenos Aires or Berlin or Bangkok. All you know is she is not from your own small town.

She’s really nice, friendly, interesting when you meet her at your cousin’s boss’ wife’s cocktail party. She will tell you a story about where she got her lace top, this one being from Sissy Pessoa. “I found it in this very interesting boutique in Milan,” she’ll tell you. “And the woman there—what an artist! She sewed each button herself!” You’ll hear the perfect way she says “Milan” and inspect the top, which is indeed made of the finest black Italian lace, and conclude she has to be Italian.

She catches you checking out her skirt and leggings, and she explains she got them in Japan from this great designer, cocoro Lemon. “There is something so marvelous about feathers,” she laughs as she pushes around the food on her plate with her chopsticks, picking up the sushi appetizer with such skill, you would swear she was Japanese.

She seems to be eating but none of ever it goes in her mouth or so it seems because her bold red lipstick is never smudged. Then you will compliment her makeup and she’ll tell you all about this great American artist, Lorac Farella, who has created a most unique makeup line that combines a gothic and pale look for the average woman, so she has a darker and more elegant look. And then you think, hm, she has to be from New York.

She fluffs her flexi ostrich feathered skirt and your eyes travel down to her boots as she sets down her plate still full of food (she *looked* like she was eating but nothing went down). The boots, leather with zippers all over, are also from Japan—the same cocoru Lemon, she explains. “Ah Tokyo!” she smiles. She sets down her empty champagne glass (the second one—she DOES seem to be swallowing that down), scans the crowd looking for the next person to speak to, and gives you a sweet little smile. “Nice meeting you,” she says. “Toodle-loo!”

“As a woman I have no country. As a woman my country is the whole world.” ~ Virginia Woolf

Hair: *eha~Jean Black by Salut Erin for *eha

Skin: Mystere Skin-Tone 3 /No.12 by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins/RFyre *

Blouse: * Baiastice_Charlotte shirt by Sissy Pessoa for Baiastice

Skirt with leggings: *COCO*_FeatherSkirt by cocoro Lemon for *COCO* *

Scarf: Sonatta Morales*8* Night Scarf by Sonatta Morales for Sonatta Morales

Earrings: p.c.; Black Pearl Drops Earrings by Cora Lu for Paper Couture

Boots: *COCO*_ZipperBootie by cocoro Lemon for *COCO* *

The Fashionable Gentleman

SC put together a look this week that I insisted he blog. Based on what is walking down today’s real life runways, the look is composed of elements found on SL—all adding up to one great-looking man. ~ Harper

As Harper knows,  I’m interested in RL fashion that translates to SL. The RL menswear Spring/Summer 2010 shows are history, and next summer mens accessories seem to be reaching their golden age. There were more than a few interesting belts trucking down the menswear runways à Milano. And more interesting ways to wear them. I pinged on how Raf Simones is styling with belts cinching or snaking around classic suits, blazers and, well, everything else.

Running to my inventory, I threw my Rfyre* black double belt over SF Design’s new Westminster Suit. The shape and layers are great to style up with different accessories. Opting out of a tie, I added the scripted Afghan stole from :sey, creating a layer of tamed-down John Galliano. The shoes are an elegant, classic, Hermes Men’s Formal Shoes in black leather from Styles of Edo. I love anything with the name Hermes in it.

A wardrobe should be curated a mix of a lot of elements that work together. I got good advice from a RL fashionista friend from a major brand–“…anyone who wears head-to-toe anything looks like a Sales Associate at the store.”

“Hot” off the runway:

Hair: “Petrelli” Hair by Krius Misfit for Sinistyle

Skin: Noah Stubble Tan by KaoZ Koba for Damiani

Suit: SF Westminster Suit and Coat by Swaffette Firefly for SF Design

Scarf: :sey, Afghan Stole, Paisley by Risey Araifor for :sey:

Belt: Rfyre, Men’s Double-Wrap Belt, Black by SC Tracy for RFyre

Shoes: Hermes Men’s Formal Shoes Black Leather by Edo Tone for Styles of Edo

Queen of the Ice

So many of my friends were caught on the East Coast in a snowstorm, I am not sure I should be featuring this outfit, but it’s a wonderful outfit to give as a gift for the holidays as it’s transferable. I am again breaking blog rules, but I just felt like it.

What prompted showing this dress in particular was a question from a friend—where can I get the most extravagant, elegant dresses as Christmas presents. A short list was given to him and this ended up on it. Raven Pennyfeather’s dress is a wonder of airiness and beauty, especially this version, which includes an incredible silver bodice.

I am showing a hair piece from Eshi Otawara, no longer available but I liked it for this look. The skin was done by Lorac for a winter look. It is one of my very favorites with its frosty lips and pale skin, the subtle yellow around the eyes to offset the coolness of the rest of the skin, the pretty stars around the eyes. It’s fantastic and ideal. (This photo WAS postprocessed, which is not usually my way. I am breaking all sorts of rules today. Don’t tell Santa!)

Brrrr…

Hair: Large bun(white) by Eshi Otawara (no longer available) *

Skin: Raven/Pulse Skin – Frost by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins *

Dress: SPECIAL EDITION – RFyre Snow Queen, Womens, Ice Silver by Raven Pennyfeather for House of RFyre *

Vintage Grace

I am breaking another rule of my many (unwritten) blogging rules. I have always been reluctant to blog Raven Pennyfeather’s work because I work for her and she’s a dear friend of mine. I felt there was some sort of conflict in doing so, but I have been convinced otherwise as long as I give the following disclaimer: Raven is one of my best friends and I love her dearly. She is the reason I am still here in SL, plugging away, pursuing fashion, dressing up every day. If I walk away from SL, she will still be with me. Our friendship is the proof that SL is more RL than many people like to acknowledge.

That being said, I am blogging this beautiful new dress from Raven because she truly has outdone herself. The system top is absolutely exquisite, with the feathered décolletage, the tweed pattern running through it, and the three-quarter length sleeves punctuated by satin cuffs. A tortured prim collar surrounds the neck like a piece of constructed fluffery with a well-chosen sculpty belt around the waist. A dramatic (but not overdone) feather hat tops the ensemble. The system skirt is tight and sexy with a brilliant pleated flexi attached, and Raven’s characteristic textured stockings complete the outfit. This truly is high fashion—unique, artistic, designed well. It shows how Raven continues to push herself artistically and technically.

I was originally (brilliantly) photographed in this outfit for the ad by SC Tracy, using styling from Raven. I have restyled it in a different vintage fashion for these photos using this amazing hair from Betty Doyle. (I remember coming into SL and wanting to pursue the vintage look—Marleen Vaughn was doing some brilliant stuff but she was the only one until Betty Doyle came along. Betty IS vintage in SL.) A skin from Lorac Farella with decadently lined eyes and a full ripe red glossy lip and beauty mark complete the look.

With elegance and grace:

Hair: Ingenue ~ Lamour ~ Cinnamon by Betty Doyle for Ingenue

Skin: Pulse Skin – Honey/Oh My!-Radiance blk  brows by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins *

Dress: ! RP Couture Fury Womens Black by Raven Pennyfeather for RP Couture *

Shoes: Maitreya Verve Pumps – Black by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

The Living Tableau

Today’s blog is not about an outfit but about an idea about showing fashion in SL. On Saturday, RFyre staged a fashion show of different style, one that didn’t rely on models walking down a catwalk but relied on models being interactive characters in what we called a “living tableau.” We wanted to show Raven Pennyfeather’s fashions to their best advantage, and as a team, we were able to execute a very successful show.

Photo and Invitation by SC Tracy

Our living tableau was based on a story I cooked up about a vampire named Aleksandr and his family, gathered from around the globe from many time periods for a serious meeting of the minds and fangs. The premise is they were gathered and our visitors were invited to have an audience with Aleksandr with the Family looking on. It was based on my devouring the Twilight book series and watching too much True Blood.

Photo by SC Tracy. Viscount Menatep as Aleksandr.

Viscount Menatep built the set based on a photo he had found, with feedback from SC Tracy and me. Viscount built most of it in two nights with tweaks later. Let met tell you, Viscount is not just a gorgeous, sexy model; he is one heck of a builder. (You can see more of his work at Avant Garde. He IS for hire.)

The tableau sans models, built by Viscount Menatep.

SC Tracy did the portraits based on my idea about having portraits arrayed around the room as sales panels. He assembled the portraits in Photoshop after he had photographed each one of the models. He and his partner, fairie palen, framed the pieces after fairie made the beautiful frames in Maya. He was meticulous about each portrait, matching it to the character description I had written for each character with Lum Lumley’s help (which you may have seen on the feeds—we sent them out for several days in preparation for the show). SC is a RL graphic artist who works in fashion, so his input was invaluable. He definitely contributed to the whole vision as he does to many things for RFyre now.

Photo by SC Tracy. SC Tracy as Stefan.

The concept of a “static show” started with Shenlei Flesheart, who has been doing such shows at the Fashion Research Institute in which I have modeled. She has staged shows with static models for a time now. In fact, even her runway shows include a poseball one rides down the runway so the model doesn’t have to worry about lag. Shen’s perspective, and she’s right, is that allowing people to come and go to view the items rather than having to sit through an entire show, is much more convenient. I agree.

Photo by SC Tracy. Magz Maddox as Isabel and Vasha Martinek as Maribel.

We decided to up the ante by having the show be interactive. RFyre has a huge following in the RP community, so it would stand to reason that a lot of our customers would like to come “play.” Our models, as well, enjoyed playing quite a bit. We flung bon mots back and forth. And we engaged our visitors. They came and had a full interactive experience—not just sitting and complaining in IM about the clothes and the model falling off the runway and the lag. (Well perhaps they did IM about the clothes and the lag, though I saw little lag, but I think we kept them pretty busy.)

Photo by SC Tracy. Dex Minotaur as Theo.

Because we did this ourselves, we did not have to rely on a modeling agency to assemble experienced models for this show because we didn’t have to put the models through the rigors of fighting lag (which is really, very important for catwalk models—the best are very experienced in this). We were able to start on time because even if one model was missing, the whole show wasn’t held up (and in fact, when our models crashed, they simply logged back in and took their stand again). We also didn’t have to rely on an agency to find a sim, assemble a catwalk, write scripts, etc. Our models were styled as we and they pleased.

Additionally for the show, instead of fiddling around with poses and AOs, the models simply posed on pose stands that were loaded with several static poses, and they each had a HUD they could use to control the stands, switching from pose to pose as they pleased. I loaded the stands with poses I owned—they had to bring nothing.

Photo by SC Tracy. Sabein Streeter as Celeste.

This all took considerable organizing and discussion, of course. Raven assured we had a working timetable in a spreadsheet we shared among each other and kept us all to task, checking in with us frequently. Izabellea Catteneo, our assistant at RFyre, released notices to many RP groups and kept tabs on the sim.

Photo by SC Tracy. Avrele Guisse as Adeline.

We were privileged to have some pretty gorgeous folks there—Viscount Menatep, one of the sexiest male models in SL; Dex Minotaur, my favorite cowboy and a great model himself; SC Tracy, Director of Advertising for RFyre and hunk; the ever helpful Ruin Quan and his mate, raethe Rhiadra; Valeries Muircastle, my beautiful friend from Germany; Sky Everett, who needs no introduction; the deadly sexy Nigel Riel, who carried the RP portion of the show; Sabein Streeter, fashionista extraordinaire; Vasha Martinek, the ingenious organizer of the Twisted Hunt and a great DJ; magz Maddox, one of our treasured Luminaries; Breezy Carver, owner of Piermont Landing at New Babbage; Avrele Guisse, designer for the Avrele line; and oh yeah, Raven and me.

Photo by SC Tracy. Valeries Muircastle as Carmen.

The tableau is still up for a few days. You can go to Isle RFyre and duck in the door next to the tp entrance point. And the portraits are still set for selling the outfits ;)