PixelToes: For Your First Steps in Second Life

Starry Night

Without a doubt fashion designers are artists in their own right.  The inherent talent and drive to create are intangible traits, and teamed with these is the ability for an artistic soul to find inspiration from many sources:  abstract angles, insect wings, history, rocks,  fabric…the list can go on forever.  Ahhhhh…but when an artist is inspired by (or CHALLENGED by) the known work and style of a painter of long ago…..it is THEN that we can see, and touch, and admire  these characteristics made manifest.

Jamie Holmer is one of the many clothing designers participating in the recent Fashion Designer’s Challenge. Her inspiration to complete her fashion challenge was the work of well-known artist Vincent Van Gogh:  Starry Night and Sunflowers.

Jamie has thoroughly channeled Van Gogh in her brave use of brilliant color–a recognizable trademark of impressionist paintings. One quickly sees the bright sunflowers strategically placed along the bosom and that dangle at the end of the scarf.   Bright petals play peek-a-boo just above the hemline of the matching hose. The background for all of this is many variations of blue that one also finds in Starry Night as the moon shimmers and dances among the skylight twinkles.

Van Gogh’s style is uniquely recognizable….we can see that Jamie Holmer too has placed her own style stamp on  a combination of classics that create a wearable work of art.

Nyte Vargas' design for Lord Neptune (skin by Sofi Sullivan)

Lord Neptune steps out in STYLE!  Tired of swimming around in a blue-gill skin the God of the Sea takes it to terra firma with Nyte Vargas’ rendition of evening wear fit for Greek Gods.

Nyte is one of the many designers participating in the Fashion Designer’s Challenge (brainchild of Samsara Nishi) inside the virtual universe of Second Life.   How apropos to have this mythological man as a model when one considers the amount of water in Second Life that separates the many islands and surrounds the mainland.

Nyte created the underlying fabric texture for this evening look that easily captures the ripple of waves.  The EXTRAordinary tails of the evening jacket immediately and quite graphically pull to mind the image of tentacles; the dress shirt with it’s many French seam detailing definitely accents the overall colorscheme.

Neither has the gutsy designer left detail to the devil.  Nyte has included with her challenge submission a top hat, cane, and dress shoes.  Oh, and let’s not forget the seaweed boa (not shown here) which absolutely turns Neptune into one super MacDaddy of the Deep.

Neptune Evening Wear for Men

Midsummer Amusements in "Dreamy Blue" by Clio Cardiff

FINALLY! The design deadline for the Fashion Designer’s Challenge has been reached and designs from the many intrepid participants are unveiled.  Two of these designers, Clio Cardiff and Mouse Mimistrobell, have worked together as a team to complete their challenge:  Clio completing the clothing portion and Mouse successfully designing jewelry to perfectly complement the design.

The designs are most appropriately named Midsummer Amusements.  This reporter cannot recall when she has seen a more refreshing depiction of an outfit that shouts SUMMER is HERE!  The full skirt in flowing chiffon along with the frilly collar are certainly reminiscent of days-gone-by when garden parties or dinner at the club was inspiration to dress in something other than jeans and a halter.  Okay, I have to admit the term Stepford Wife also came to mind when I saw how both the dress and the jewelry came together to create a complete look.

What may not be evident in the photograph for Mouse’s jewelry design is the attention to detail given to each piece:  the bracelet, the necklace, the earrings, and even….the HAT!  Think Carmen Miranda in the 1940’s musical where she sang “Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat”.  Ok, so there’s no fruit, but the hat is FUN and certainly adds to the gaiety of the ensemble.

Midsummer Amusement jewelry by Mouse Mimistrobell

Midsummer Amusement in Juicy Orange

Both the jewelry and the dress are available in colors Dreamy Blue or Juicy Orange.  Either way, you will feel cool, feminine, and dressed for any summer amusement you find in your second life.

Summer and chiffon, dinner at the club,  juicy fruit gum, and a hot latin actress from the 1930’s………..so, what’s the connection?!!?   These are the thoughts and feelings inspired by the recent creations of  Clio Cardiff and Mouse Mimistrobell.  Clio and Mouse are just two of the 35 designers brought together to participate in the Fashion Designers Challenge inside Second Life.  This author wanted to strut around Second Life wearing Clio’s and Mouse’s challenge submissions, but that will have to wait until the conclusion of the contest and the unveiling to the Second Life community.

The Fashion Designer’s Challenge is the brainchild of Samsara Nishi who has helped organize and lead this exciting contest.  Each designer submitted their ideas to challenge another designer–often taking him/her out of his/her normal day-to-day design comfort zone.  Launch party and the display area for the designs are coming soon. Watch for more news and announcments inside Second Life!