Nocturne Fashion Feed

Illusions

For the past few weeks, I have poured more time and effort than ever before into an event mask. I had a rough idea what I was in for, but even planning ahead and allowing extra time ended with me finishing them a mere four hours before the masquerade began. For the past week I literally woke up, worked on this, (grabbed a snack), and fell asleep.

I had a vision of not only a skull mask, but an entire skull.. and not just a skull but the neck as well. I wanted its beautifully asymmetrical and jagged vertebrae raw and exposed for all to see. This did mean tackling invisiprims, which are a kludgey, glitchy, and sometimes hideous thing to deal with. People tolerate them on their shoes, but would they tolerate them in a more visible spot, like the face? I’d have to make it worth their time.

I’ve been learning both new sculpting techniques but most especially texturing, which has allowed me to delicately paint and utilize sources in new ways, which allows me a whole new level of realism. I didn’t want a perfectly photosourced look (I don’t think it works too well in SL), but I adore the detail it brings to my already smooth and stylized textures.
The differences between the male and female masks might not be immediately evident, it’s mostly in the collar, the jaw, and the shape of the invisiprims. I wouldn’t suggest trading genders in the case of these; the shapes are quite specifically formed to the respective meshes.

Amusingly, you can wear hair with these, which can sometimes work out wonderfully and sometimes disastrously. I suggest you experiment with different styles, if at all, because obviously it works well on its own.

Another option you can try it with is just with the neck piece, which I’ve been quite enjoying. Sometimes you want a touch of the macabre, but don’t want to hide that gorgeous face you spent so long tweaking and finding the perfect skin for.

If these go well I might consider doing other skeletal pieces like hands or an arm. The issue here is where are people willing to tolerate invisiprims? They’re not the best solution, but they’re currently the only ones.

I’m also so exhausted from this month I think I’m going to go crawl in a hole for a little while.

Illusions

Last night was the Masque of the Dead, and Carnivale welcomed back some of the most notorious ghosts and departed wraiths this side of the Cornfield. We danced the night away, making sure to not step on each other’s feet even though some might have been strewn across the floor.

The costumes were amazing as always, I’m consistently impressed with how well people are able to work around the limits and get creative with concept and execution.

Looking at my own pictures, honestly Carthalis Rossini and Arilynn Karu both out did me, those crafty cadavers.

Arilynn’s slideshow
Carthalis’ Album on Snapzilla

Some of Carthalis’ pictures of the spirits that haunted us last night

Mabb Dilwig

Mabb was so well received as a once beheaded and long dead French aristocrat, that she was crowned Queen of the Dead. Carthalis joined her as the King.

The deathly duo of Mourna Biziou and Achariya, the twin dolls were also awarded a pair of Queen of the Dead masks, in honor of them coming in at a very close tie/second. The horns were awarded with the masks, however they won’t be available with the actual for-sale version; I needed something to make my own costume grander so I dug in for my personal horns.

Me and Selos before the Masque

Thank you to everyone who came. No matter how long you stayed or how much you spoke, you were most welcome and I hope you enjoyed seeing the dearly departed back in the mortal realm. Even if they smelled a bit funny.

Achariya.net

Thank you to everyone for a lovely October, especially to the twenty people who took part in my Halloween Series. I loved every one o’ your costumes! The best part of Halloween for me is the spirit of transformation that it holds, the promise of stepping outside of the bounds of our self-constructed personalities to be so that we can try on something and someone different. Sometimes, I feel as if toying with another identity can reveal different parts of my own… Hrm. Sounds a bit like Second Life in general, eh?

I took down the pumpkins from my skybox (*snuffle*) and put away the orange outfits. Something to look forward to for next October!

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold,
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

– Robert Frost

Les Girls!

merveilleuse

….a special merveilleuse report.

Siyu Suen has the most insanely fabulous parties.  not only does she dj divinely but she also has hit on a very brilliant method to keep lag down–when you attend one of her parties (masked and in formal clothes) you must keep your prim count at 200 prims or less.  it sounds mad, but i do believe it causes unbelievable creativity in the ensembles that are worn.  and trust me, the people who go (myself not included) are fierce slfashion titans!

i tried to get a few little films in of the remarkable scene–every single person looked unique and distinctive.  truly there were too many to count. but at the end of the fray, the ball had its king in carthalis rossini, who did a splendid interpretation of baron samedi in a nomine sugar skull skin, and also the three queens, who were mabb dilwegg, who looked amazing carrying her decapitated head as a zombie marie antoinette, and the incredible twin duo of mourna biziou and achariya maktoum, who were twin creepy broken dolls.

i think the brilliance of the company speaks for itself, i only hope i was able to catch a bit of the amazing scene that unfolded last night…..

i only wish to add here at the end, what i wore.  i found a somewhat expensive but really innovative store, called violator.  i suspect people already know about it, but when i saw this dress i knew i must have it.  and so i must show it to you, because i love it…..

juana’s masquerade gown:
(abridged) @192 prims:
death of the black swan dress by violator
aztec gold bracelets by otaku designs
skull mask
hair rose by gfield
mary jane shoes by violent seduction
burnt bones skin by nomine
skull ear spikes by mad about
visions of death eyes by rotten toe
hair by deviant kitties

(unabridged version, which what is pictured above):
death of the black swan dress by violator
aztec gold bracelets by otaku designs
hair rose by gfield
bonus cruelty skin by cutea benelli
mayan dream tats by garden of kuu (tinted red)
skull ear spikes by mad about
visions of death eyes by rotten toe
bax boots
hair by deviant kitties

Love/Hate

There are two great events you’ve got to hit before the night is over!

Left – Twosome – Longshirt – Black -FREE
Center:
Jacket – *Fishy Strawberry* Decadence Mongolian Fur – Coal – L
Pants – *Fishy Strawberry* Benatar Leather Pants – Gun – L
Right – *Fishy Strawberry* Cuddle Maxipull – Black – L

First up, Fishy Strawberry has marked down everything that’s black in the shop to just L! So much great stuff to get. Even the new stuff is available at the sale price! Woot!

Jeans – *Fishy Strawberry* Equinox Jeans – Charcoal – L
1 – ::SUGARCUBE – Sugar. puff sleeve tunic [ Orange ] – FREE (Hodgepodge Gift)
2 – Top – [Miseria] Pacific Survivor Cami – FREE
Necklace – [ glow ] studio – necklace – Black Rose – FREE
3 – ::SUGARCUBE – Hearts tank – FREE (Black Market Gift)
4 – (Madsy) Tiered camisole – pumpkin – FREE

The Black Market is holding a Halloween Trivia Hunt. Search all around the shops for pumpkins. Give them a click and you’ll be asked a multiple choice trivia question. Answer correctly and get the prize. Tons of great stuff to get!

While you’re running around snatching up all the last minute Halloween gifties tonight, be sure to swing over to the Hodgepodge Sim. That’s where I found that first top from Sugarcube. A bunch of stores there have gifts as well. So much generosity from such fabulous creators! Have a Happy Halloween, kids!

Dango Jewell

■Skin : Skin Baily_Honey – VIP Gift [ATOMIC]
■Hair : Voluminous Scarf Hair#2 – Browns Pack [Maitreya]New!
■Scarf : Voluminous Scarf * Black [Maitreya]New!
■Dress : Anna minidress – black [Madsy]
■Belt : High Waisted Belt *Patent Black* [M * A * ii * K * I]
■Glasses : WOLFE SUNGLASSES black 2 [SHADE THRONE]
■Gloves : Black Gloves [Fleur]

Inventory Episode

:: UB :: Updates

Its getting colder and colder in germany and hell I HATE IT!

I just cant get bothered to make sweaters, long pants, hoodies cuz i just don’t want the winter to come ;_;

Thats why i made some cute tiny tops !

They’re available at the new Urbanity sim —-> click here http://slurl.com/secondlife/Urbanity/93/134/41

See you there

<3 Trixi

House Of RFyre

“The only real elegance is in the mind; if you’ve got that, the rest really comes from it.”
~Diana Vreeland

Available at House of RFyre or on XStreetSL.

“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

I received an IM the other night. “Hello, Harper.” I almost felt icy breath tickle my ear. It was Deirdre, the vampire who had been to our sim a few weeks ago to purchase the white Darra.

“Harper, I loved the Darra dress Raven made for me…” (funny, Raven didn’t make it for Deirdre, but let her believe that) “… however, I find the white is now passe.” How come the way Deirdre spoke just turned me cold? It wasn’t her breath alone–it was her way. “I would like this in black now. Please have her take care of that?”

I hesitated before I typed back. I knew for a fact Raven had just remade the dress in black. In fact, I was wearing it at that moment while SC took my photograph.  I adjusted the light airy ruffles of the collar and the ones encircling my waist, fluffing the full skirt over the lace underskirt. I smoothed my hands over the tailored sleeveless bodice before I typed back, “I will forward that message to her.”

“Thank you, dear,” she said tersely.

So uh, Dierdre, this one’s for you… enjoy.

Come share in Dierdre’s good fortune. Get the Darra in black, elegance unfurled.

“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
Ensemble includes:

! RP Couture Womens Darra Black: Bodice
! RP Couture Womens Darra Black:  Glitch Pant
! RP Couture Womens Darra Black: Glitch Skirt
! RP Couture Womens Darra Black: Gloves
! RP Couture Womens Darra Black: Glove Cuff Rt & Left
! RP Couture Womens Darra Black: Skirt w/Ruffle
! RP Couture Womens Darra Black: Under Skirt Lower Left
! RP Couture Womens Darra Black: Under Skirt Lower Right
! RP Couture Womens Darra Black: Collar Chest Ruffle

“”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

Styling notes:
Modeled by Harper Beresford
Photographed by SC Tracy

Hair:
*SS* Vanya Auburn
Sparkle Skye Designs

Skin:
Pulse Skin-Valeries T: Victoriana/Twist
Pulse Skins at House of RFyre

Earrings:
“Ripening of Diamond” elegant earrings
Inca Temple

Schadenfreude Enterprises

Jerry’s Flight is finally out, a shiny vinyl collar with a vinyl winged Jerry hanging down, and a simple silver buckle in back.

(~silentsparrow~ Putrid Selador from Deader Than You; Schadenfreude Langwidere Amythest skin, Thom hair, Jerry Skull earrings; retired Miriel eyes)

The wings from the Batwing Lucents are on their own now- with a few extra textures, in soft non shiny colours. The shoe fatpack has the new textures too, and both also have mini wings included as well now.

(Draconic Kiss Demona hair; ~silentsparrow~ belladonna:lepidoptera tattoos; Schadenfreude Langwidere Amythest skin, Strix corset; retired Miriel eyes)

And another free seasonal giftie, a charm bracelet with some spooky thingies on it.

That may do me for Halloween this year! (Which, you know, is good, since it’s here already.) Good thing I’m spooky so I can do some of the rest of the stuff another time.

All, of course, smashed into the overcrowded elephant.

~silentsparrow~

Les Girls!

Achariya.net

I will end October with this melancholy quotation:

“To absent friends, lost loves, old gods, and the season of mists; and may each and every one of us always give the devil his due.”

– Neil Gaiman

Thank you to Siyu Suen for a lovely Masque last night (and the mask that I’m wearing). Mourna and I will write about our outfits in a few days! I failed to not blog and I failed to write much of my dissertation, but I did get a second job — which I’m going to right now, all day long. Farewell, October, and Happy Halloween everyone.

***Skin: Frick Baroque Pumpkin Peach
***Eyes: Shine Lustrous Achariya Orange
***Shoes: Schadenfreude Batwing Lucent Heels
***Frock: *katat0nik* (orange) Wish Dress — 50L friday item
***Mask: Illusions Stitched Mask – Masque of the Dead souvenir
***Hat: Curious Kitties Revun Pumpkn Hat
***Hair: Clawtooth The Black Widow – Softest Black
***Necklace: Schadenfreude Jerry’s Flight Collar

Love/Hate

Hair By Vignette – 0L

*chronokit*

Hi everyone! I’ve released new glasses in my main shop.

– *chronokit* glasses –
- 9 frame texture customizable
- 9 lens texture customizable
- 9 side stone texture customizable
- resizeable

Pictures and SLURL below this post!

go to *chronokit* main shop

Kami-no-aisuru

Japanese urban legend has it that if you’re walking alone at night you might be approached by a woman wearing a surgical mask. She will ask you if she is beautiful, and then reveal her face with her mouth cut all the way open on both sides. Some say she will follow you back to your home and kill you! Well, like all good urban legends, this one has a few variations, and a supposed basis of fact, about a jealous Samurai and his unfaithful wife.

I chose to try to create this look for a Halloween party, as something different than the usual ghosts and zombies of traditional Western horror.

My version makes her more representative of death itself, with her bone-accented hairdo and bone fan.

This is what I wore to the annual Illusions Halloween ball, the Masque of the Dead. It was a wonderful evening, one of the highlights of the Autumn season, as far as I’m concerned.

Skin: LF Chai, Buki, old (Launa Fauna)
Hair: Philotic Energy, Ishiko, jet black* (Aemelia Case)
Eyes: Beloved, platinum eyes large (me)
Kimono: Discord, En-Sou Unryu (Orange Meili)
Shoes: [Gauze] Ouka Saki*  (Yukio Ida)
Blindfold: Illusions blindfold* (Siyu Suen)
Stitches: Defiant Designs, stitched shut lips* (brittainy Beeper)
Fan: Falln, Skeleton hand, Raw* (Azriel Demain)
* modded for this ensemble only

In Cold Blood

Shiki Hoodies and Jeans

Shinichi Mathy was one of the first to bring colour, light and air to the menswear scene in SL when Shiki first debuted around 18 months ago. He mixes his Tokyo aesthetic with occidental style, and presents it to us in an array of hand drawn yumminess. I bought one of his first items when it was released, the Bouquet shirt. I had to, it was bright pink. I’ve returned regularly ever since and watched the quality of the work improve, and so I made sure that I snuck into a front row seat at the Shiki Fall/Winter 2009 collection show by KMADD on the weekend. I was really pleased to note that although Shiki’s styles have matured as a design house, they still retain the irreverent glee of those first few mustard coloured safari suits.

Shiki Down Collared Jackets

Second Life Fetish Fashion Guide

So just what is dressage? Many of you would be at least a little familiar with this, one dictionary describes dressage as: n. The guiding of a horse through a series of complex maneuvers by slight movements of the rider’s hands, legs, and weight.

Another put it as the art or method of training a horse in obedience and in precision of movement. And in SL ponyplay these are both true, with some small differences.

Essentially, this is a test of just how precisely a pony can follow instructions, how well-trained he or she is, and how well they understand their owner or trainer.

In addition, it also gives the pony a chance to show of how graceful they can be.

The pony and trainer will line up, side by side, at the front of the dressage field, usually marked with a block with the letter “A” printed on it.

At this point, the pony’s handler would have been given a card listing the required exercises on. Not all parts of the field are used for a single dressage event run.

For a competition dressage event, the trainer then gives the pony a prearranged signal, practised of course before the event, at which they both take 2 steps onto the field.

During the event, there should only ever be the pony and it’s trainer on the field, and no one else should walk onto it.

Once the 2 steps are taken, trainer and pony bow, facing the slalom poles at the opposite end. Ideally the steps and bow would be timed to be synchronized.

For a competitive event, once the bow is done, the trainer will then indicate to the pony which exercise she is to complete with a vocal command, or more commonly, a signal.

The pony “reads” the signal and takes their position on the appropriate marker.

For example, if exercise “B” was the first routine on the trainer’s card, the trainer would stand inside the circle marked on the right with the letter “J”, level with the marker in the center of the “B” and “J”, but facing the letter “B”.

The pony reads this as the trainer level with and facing the marker for “B”, and should then take its place on the starter marker for this routine.

This exercise requires the pony to walk on the white lines, in a figure of 8 three times, walking from the start marker, around circle “B”, crossing into circle “J” and around it, back to the start marker, and repeating another 2 times.

The pony is judged by how closely it follows and keeps to the lines on the ground.

Confused? I was at first, but once it had been explained and shown to me, I was appalled with myself at just how simple the concept really is.

Feel free to ask in a pony group for someone to help you to learn this, or ask me in world. If I can help, I will gladly try.

More next week on dressage, just to make sure I don’t scare you all away – honestly, after a few runs, you will be amazed at just how easy it is to figure out.

Perfect lines however, is not so easy.

Subtle Submission©

Sangre Noir 13 is a gothic silk outfit with full kimono sleeves. Lots of versatility with 2 skirt options: hip baring full skirt or rooster tail. Mid-knee socks complete the look. Available in 4 colors with a special pumpkin color available for free down in the basement. TP here for the Main Store or XStreet. If you would like an upscale shopping experience with lots of choice creators be sure to explore Crush Row. If you can’t find anything there, you aren’t shopping.