Pictures on location at Tropicana Salsa Ballroom
Model & Photographer – KymSara Rayna
Wearing -Kashia Gown – NEW from DESIR Haute Couture
Jewelry – Paprazzi II by Chop Zuey
Shoes – Grace Sandals by Gos
Hair – Zaara by D!va
Skin – Essentail Saga by LAQ
Poses by Di’s Opera
On Location Lighting by LumiPro
Quilt – Aurora Borealis by KymSara Rayna
On Location at the Mechanical Toy Factory maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forgotten%20City/223/71/333
Perhaps, like me, you’ve always loved wearing a special red dress. Since childhood, when the Red Riding Hood story was a fashion influence, right until today, I think there has always been at least one red dress . . . maybe more . . . in my wardrobe. The Euridice gown from DESIR Haute Couture has definitely moved into a special place for me. Elegant and sensuously soft, it is just the perfect “all grownup” gown for the L’il Red in all of us! And I thought an “Into the Woods” setting might be just right for a shoot today. No Big Bad Wolves at Oubilette but, keep an eye out for that scary troll.
All Photography by KymSara Rayna
When my friend Norma saw my photos of the Starline Gown; one of Vivien Emerald’s latest releases from Desir Haute Couture, she exclaimed, “O Kym, the stuff of my childhood dreams!” And, I would venture to guess that it may very well be the stuff of some “all-grown-up dreams” for many of us as well. Vivien continues to bring us the most exquisite designs. This gown really is worthy of some very close scrutiny. The complex swirls of the billowing silk are meticulously and symmetrically assembled to accentuate the pattern which is introduced as a theme on the corset top – a veritable visual symphony! You must experience the rhythmic flow of the gown to fully appreciate the complete design. While it is dramatically large, it moves with the gentle grace we have come to recognize as a characteristic of Desir gowns. I also found Belle Roussel’s recently released Tabula Rasa jewelry ensemble from Chop Zuey Couture Jewelry to be a delightful accent. I believe I would be wearing this gown for weeks . . . if I didn’t have a few more from Desir to unpack and shoot!
Wearing – Starline Gown NEW from Desir Haute Couture
Jewelry – Tabula Rasa Ensemble – NEW from Chop Zuey Jewelry
Hair – Miu by D!va
Skin – Essential Saga from LAQ
Poses – DieselWorks
On Location Lighting by LumiPro
Next on my fave list from DESIR is the January Group gift – a Winter Gown in glistening snow white satin embellished with cascading snowflakes on the cowl cape. It seemed just the ensemble for a formal winter affair at Takalo, a simply amazing sim, with more beautiful snow than I have found anywhere in SL. Yula Finesmith’s new Papiyon Ensemble, in platinum, added a matching touch of jewelry elegance. And, my little feathered escorts seemed pleased with my choices!
Wearing – Winter Gown NEW Group Gift from Desir Haute Couture
Jewelry – Papiyon Ensemble NEW from Finesmith Jewelry
Hair – Jodilynn by Damselfly
Skin – Alva from LAQ
Poses – DieselWorks
On Location Lighting by LumiPro
On Location in the snow at Takalo
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Takalo/44/38/178
In the midst of the chill of the bleak mid-winter I find myself anticipating the coming of spring and all the blooms that accompany the reawakening of my mountains. I think Vivien must have had similar thoughts as she created two dazzling new gowns with warm floral motifs from Desir Haute Couture. The Rehana Wisteria, is simply fabulous. From the billowing lace underskirts, to the richly embroidered theme blooms and the warm color accents this gown whispers the news of coming warm breezes and morning garden freshness. I love the natural blues Vivien selected for this gown and was delighted to find a perfectly matching jewelry ensemble among the vivid colors of NES – Finesmith Jewelry’s very latest release.
Wearing – Rehana Wisteria Gown NEW from Desir Haute Couture
Jewelry – NES Ensemble NEW from Finesmith Jewelry
Hair – Faye by Mirone – No Longer Available
Skin – Alva from LAQ
Poses – DieselWorks
On Location Lighting by LumiPro
On Location in the early morning fog at Renovation
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dernier%20Lamento/130/120/21
Desir’s other new floral theme gown – the Sayoka – captures Vivien’s enchantment with the delicate sakura flower blooms which she recently discovered. While the lines of this figure-focused gown are truly dramatic enough to warrant attention, the incredible embroidery on the sheer deep cut back panel will certainly draw that second and third admiring look. The lovely hair flower and a matching ring are part of the Sayoka offering. I’ve added tosy Xue’s Magical Circle Earrings from WTG Jewelry and the bold red Dawn bracelets from Finesmith Jewelry for my shoot under the stars at the magical Tempura sim.
Wearing – Sayoko Gown NEW from Desir Haute Couture
Jewelry – Magical Circle Earings from WTG Jewelry & Dawn Bracelets from Finesmith Jewelry
Hair – Gloria by Wasabi Pils
Skin – Alva from LAQ
Poses – DieselWorks
On Location Lighting by LumiPro
On Location under the stars at Tempura Island
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/tempura%20island/129/47/33
I am continually amazed at the creative elegance of Vivien Emerald’s spectacular couture designs. In these latest releases from DESIR Haute Couture, Vivien has captured the allure and mystery of the traditional lines of Chinese costume while exploiting the beauty and flow of the most incredible silk brocades to bring us two gowns of breathtaking beauty. The Chinese Golden Dragon Costume features a high collar bolero with very traditional capped shoulder elements, over a gown which dramatically emphasizes the form and movement of the wearer. The ensemble includes an incredible dragon headpiece, with an appropriate hair addition to complete the traditional costume look. I chose however, to style this one to show its flexibility as a more modern formal gown, adding tosy Xue’s fabulous Myth Jewelry set from WTG Jewelry (which seems almost magically matched to Vivien’s gown) and a typical western updo from Amacci. Regardless of your personal approach to this gown, you will be delighted with the look, fit and ease of wearing the myriad parts and attachments that are a part of this most amazing design.
Wearing – Chinese Gold Dragon Costume NEW from Desir Haute Couture
Jewelry – Myth Ensemble from WTG Jewelry
Hair – Rona by Amacci
Skin – Essential Saga NEW from LAQ
Shoes – Menisa from Enkythings
Poses – DieselWorks
On Location Lighting by LumiPro
On Location in Amatsu Shima – maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Amatsu%20Shima/28/110/22
It is difficult to choose a favorite between these two costumes from DESIR Haute Couture! In the Shena ensemble, Vivien once again finds inspiration in the line and fabric of the most traditional Chinese dress, moving forward from there with her typically stunning interpretation. The billowing soft silk she uses in this gown contrasts so effectively with the detailed fine lines of the primary gown pieces. As soon as I saw the floral and bamboo embellishments on this rich fabric I knew right away that the perfect jewelry match would again be one of my favorite sets from WTG Jewelry. This is one of tosy Xue’s earlier designs with a relatively unremarkable name of J:D-02, but an amazingly detailed floral cluster which echoes the embroidery of the gown’s collar. Vivien also includes her awesome dragon headpiece/hairpiece attachments with this ensemble to enable you to capture more fully the essence of the traditional costume.
I really enjoyed a visit to the China and Amatsu Shima sims to shoot this series in two of the most tranquil and dreamlike settings in SL. And, having the on-location lighting flexibility of my LumiPro, enabled me to capture the beauty of these designs in a most appropriate environment.
Wearing – Chinese Shena Costume NEW from Desir Haute Couture
Jewelry – J:D-02 from WTG Jewelry
Hair – Faye by Mirone (No longer available)
Skin – Nellie from LAQ
Shoes – Baba Yaga from Enkythings
Poses – DieselWorks
On Location Lighting by LumiPro
On Location in China – maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/China/146/213/1250
Notions of Style 