These days, when it seems like everyone in SL fashion is taking themselves way too seriously, it is delightful to be reminded of just why I play virtual paper dolls. Recently, while scouting for a costume for a party, I discovered something I’ve been looking for since I was thirteen years old.
It’s quite possible you may not recognize this dress. You are not necessarily a child of the 80s with a crush on all things fantasy. But ever since I first saw this sequence from the movie Legend which features Mia Sara dancing with (and being seduced by) a gothtastic gown, my id has been muttering a low, guttural Gollum-like cry of “mine.” And now, thanks to the SL dress-up goddesses and Natalia Zelmanov of Sirena, it is now my precious!
Like many costumes, it’s not a 100% success. Those nummy gossamer arm drapes are not represented, and there are some elements that could use a little tweaking. I should mention: I could care less. The wicked-witch delish high collar, the cleavage that dips all the way down to Paris, the black and gold decadence of the original intent is well represented in goth girly scrumptiousness. The skirting is also a triumph. It doesn’t suffer from the wretched pangs of transparency bug ruination (is LL ever going to address that crap?) because it is actually two different attachments - effectively layering the skirt and creating smooth movement without the woes of most formal-length offerings today. The texturing might be that “lather, rise, repeat” style that is unfortunate in SL dressmaking, but in this instance, where we’re dealing with folds and ripples of black satin, it just works.
Also at Sirena, you’ll find some fabulously innovative scripted hairstyles. The one I paired with my Dark Lily is called Seduction and it has been my favorite fashion toy over the last several days. When you purchase Seduction, or a similar style, you’re effectively getting two styles in one shot. The base wig comes in colorpacks of four shades, with each shade presented in three different sizes. Each size has corresponding hair sticks (sister styles might come with barrettes, etc). When the hair sticks are worn, the style changes to an updo. To revert to original long hair, simply remove the sticks. You can set it so that only you (the owner) can remove the hair sticks or allow anyone to do so - making your hair a target for friends and mischievous strangers to play with. The hair shows as no-mod in your inventory due to the scripting, but I was able to resize and re-texture it with no problem. It must be said, it was really a treat to get the wigs in three different “start off” sizes.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the faboo skin I’m wearing is from Fleur and the necklace that compliments the ensemble so delightfully is a previously reviewed gem from Miriel.
Now if anyone can tell me where I can find the ball gown from Labyrinth…
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You know that your shopping experience at Datenshi Creations is going to be a little bit different the second you arrive. It takes a moment to rez, as you find yourself in a playful little open field beside flowers and a wishing well. Slowly, as your surroundings take shape, you realize you have to choose a shopping direction - one of the two more traditional little storefronts, the giant teapot, or the slightly spooky Victorian house further back nestled amid the trees.
Well, kids, it doesn’t matter which one you pick first because there are goodies behind every door.
Door #1: MUWU. This outfit is appropriately titled “Painting Madness” and I’ve been enjoying the hell out of it. It’s such a simple concept, and yet the look feels much more creative amid the glam dress up craziness most of us swirl in. The prim rolled-up cuffs add charm and detail to a the casual pairing of top and pants and the tattoo layer gloves of paint stains are another little wink.
Door #2: Kuroi Hane: If gothtastic lotita stuff is your thing, this is your place. I know this first outfit “Ichigo” looks like the uniform of a Strawberry Shortcake ice show skater, but it’s got incredible detail and it’s just so damn sweet. It comes with parasols for each hand and has oodles of prim details from the puffy bell sleeves to the belt and stocking ties.
The black “Hinata” is far more mainstream goth lolita. Both dresses have incredibly good prim skirts with great movement. The textures are top-drawer here. You can always tell how skilled a designer is by checking out the black textured items where shading and detail becomes far more challenging.
More after the cut!
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This year for my birthday, Gracie girl got me some toucans for the Freudian Slip to go along with the herons, pelicans, squids, and music monkeys that hold watch over the decks while no one’s dancing.
These toucans, like everything from Duggy Bing’s Cartoonimals, are drop-dead adorable. Their style is more exaggerated than realistic, which is an aesthetic I find I’m drawn to more and more within our virtual habitat.
The flying toucan model allows you to set a number of locations after rez so that you can program in a flight path for those who might want to give chase in hopes of fruit loops. The seated version remains perkily in place, opening its beak from time to time and giving a slight tilt of head.
There is a happy zoo at the Cartoonimals store, from door-scratching kitties to big ear-flapping elephants to small skittering turtles and even flying aliens in mini spaceships. I can’t speak for the entire inventory, but the selections I brought home were well adjusted to havok4 living and operated from low-lag scripts. This was a delightful change over some of the more lag-heavy wildlife I’d encountered in the past.
Unable to be contented by just toucans, I hurried over and begged another friend for some flamingos and treated myself to a hug-tastic monkey for the Slip. Then I discovered a few wearables lingering amid the funky critters, and it was all over but the shopping.
Yes, that’s right. Jammies. Could you die? These pjs come in kitty cat, skunk, elephant and monkey style sets that all include boy and girl friendly pjs in different color options. The tops and bottoms are nice, but pretty basic and uninspired. They’ll do the job for any pajama party you’ve got to crash, however, and no one’s really going to care once they catch sight of your slippers - which are just about the most squee-tastic novelty slippers in all SL. I am ALL about these tail-wagging, sweet-faced kitty slippers. The bottom prim is white and tintable so you have a little bit of leeway when it comes to matching ‘em up and THE EYES BLINK. Seriously. Can you live without a pair? No, I didn’t think so.
The next “oh my god, I have to have that!” is the Carmen Miranda hat. Over 350 prims in 2 pieces, this work of art is prim decadence. The minute you put it on, you get this flamboyant need for bright red tango dresses and feel the irresistible urge to wiggle a la Copacabana with Groucho Marx. I cannot defend how often you’ll have use for it or why it’s so damn necessary. It’s just…so damn necessary. From the pineapple crown to the dangling grapes and peeking monkey, I cannot imagine anything that has tickled my little-girl dress-up monster more than this hat. He gives you three sizes to choose from for the base and they all flawlessly work with the upper attachment.
I may have to beg for matching fruit themed jewelry, but I haven’t stopped squeeing yet.
Last, but so far from least, are these little pet carrier backpacks, complete with baby animals you can wear and adore. When I first got to tinkering with these, I was disappointed because the backpacks only came in a really large size that took me the better part of half an hour to fit - and even then, it wasn’t a good fit. After I explained to Duggy that most of us girls weren’t amazon women from the moon, however, he quickly obliged and made small and medium carrier straps that provide a much nicer fit with a lot less tinkering.
You know you gotta have one, and let’s face it - don’t we all sometimes crave a reason to shout “keep your damn hands off my monkey!”
Run over to Cartoonimals and you’re bound to find something that is your cuppa. If I’m wrong - I’ll eat my hat. *grin*
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Hi! My name is Vivienne Graves, and I’m a new addition to the Linden Lifestyles staff. I have a pretty wide-ranging sense of style, and I enjoy SL photography; I’m going to be combining the two for something a bit different from what you’re used to seeing here–a regular feature showcasing whatever I feel like blogging photographed in an evocative setting. You can expect to see more of me, but don’t worry…I promise not to make you read too much.
For my first post, I’m going to spotlight the designs of Chiko Duell, a very talented Japanese designer whose eclectic creations range from uber-cute gothic Lolita to edgy urban to sexy cosplay gear.
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