[i] Things had never been easy on the farm. Raising crops was honest work, but hard, and it was all he had known his whole life. But since the drought had begun things had been ever harder. The soft greening wheat had turned brown and brittle; the dark brown earth had grown hard and grey. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Yes | Friends list: Yes
Notes: On Ryan: “Justin” skin by sachi Vixen (Adam n Eve). “Adam” hair by Bryce Tully (Bryce Designs). Homespun Eyes in Chambray by Posy Trudeau (Homespun). Headphones and stick bundle by AM Radio.
Post Category: Accessories, Casual, Eyes, Hats, Homespun, Jeans, New Items, Pants, Period, Shirts, Shoes, Sweaters, [Destinations]
February 5th, 2010 at 10:06amRyan Darragh
You never see men wearing smoking jackets any more. (Okay, Hugh Hefner, but he’s the last bastion.) That seems a shame to me—there’s something very classy and Old Hollywood about the image of a gentleman properly attired for lounging about the manse. Is that you, Clark Gable? (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: No | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: “Cole” skin by Commandah Keen (Dernier Cri). “Alexander” hair by Wicked Loudon (Noueau Miranda). Pajama pants by Shai Delacroix (Casa Del Shai). Kippers slippers by Eponymous Trenchmouth (JCS). Cigarettes by LupineFox Paz (Foxy’s Smoke Shop).
Post Category: Casual, Figleaves, Hats, Jackets, New Items, Period, Robes
February 1st, 2010 at 11:21pmRyan Darragh
I get a fair bit of crap for how I largely ignore t-shirts and jeans. It’s true—I don’t often give a lot of love to jeans and tees. I honestly don’t mean to be elitist. Most of the time—the vast majority, in fact—I think I’m completely justified in not paying particular attention to these particular staple wardrobe items. For starters, you can find them pretty much anywhere and everywhere. I don’t think I’ll run into much disagreement there. Also, most guys are pretty good at picking out and picking up tees and jeans that suit their personality and budget. I’m not sure they really need any help from me. So, in general, I think my rule is a pretty good one. That’s my story, and I’m sticking with it. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Yes | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: “Gael – Este” skin by Rack Brautigan (Imagen). Lustrous Eyes (Jade) by Brandy Rasmuson (Shine).
Post Category: Boots, Casual, Eyewear, Gospel Voom, Hair, Jeans, Pants, SHAG, Shirts, no.07
January 26th, 2010 at 12:41amRyan Darragh
Wowsers, we’ve had rain in Los Angeles! You may or may not know, but it’s true. Tons of rain. Literal tons, most likely. Inches of rain, all within a week, and things are very wet. Fortunately our house is wet on the outside but dry on the inside, the way it’s supposed to be. (That has not always been true, ugh.) But why am I telling you this? Well, one consequence of living in an older neighborhood (70+ years) is that it has older infrastructure, and stuff just doesn’t always hold up as well. We always get a little static in the phone line when it rains (a land line?–how quaint!), and unfortunately it was apparently bad enough this time to slow the internets way down, too. There were several days where I couldn’t log in to SL, so…I didn’t. Anyway, I’m more or less back on the air now. So stay tuned! And stay dry. 
Post Category: Announcements
January 25th, 2010 at 07:06pmRyan Darragh
In spite of my recent holiday foray into latex, this isn’t really an area I’ve explored in any depth. As admirable as a lot of the design work is, it just doesn’t speak to me personally, and as a result I haven’t featured it here. There’s no denying that there’s some quality work being done in the genre, though, and Nothing Quan kind of nudged (teased?) me to cover more…or rather, less. I nudged right back and suggested that he bring his more extensive experience and expertise to bear on the topic. The result is the sampling of specialty gear from Elixir you see before you today. Open your mind, limber up your expectations, and feast your eyes! I’ll let Nothing take it from here. – Ryan (more…)
Post Category: Elixir, Fantasy, Gloves, Latex, Neko, Outfits, Pants, Roleplay, Shirts, [Guest Style Consultant]
January 18th, 2010 at 10:14pmRyan Darragh
It isn’t too unusual that I find myself impressed by a single clothing item or accessory. In fact, the creativity and ingenuity of SL designers never ceases to amaze me—they constantly find ways around inherent limitations in the virtual world, and they manage to amaze and delight in spite of the technical ties that bind them. Even so, it’s not often that I’m surprised and taken aback by something as seemingly basic and utilitarian as a polo shirt. After all, aren’t they everywhere? A dime a dozen, basically? Well, yes…and no.
It’s nice to be surprised now and then. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Yes | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: “Antonio” skin by Funk Schnook (FNKY!). “Noah” hair by Truth Hawks (TRUTH). Corduroy Pants by Dan Senyurt (Dan Senyurt Menswear). Offshore Pro watch by Beyondthematrix Boa (GBTM).
Post Category: Casual, New Items, Shirts, Stash
January 14th, 2010 at 07:43pmRyan Darragh
Well, I had some more formalwear items lined up to share with you over the holiday season. Unfortunately, timing didn’t work out in our favor there, the holiday season now being over and all. If we’re lucky, I may well get back to some of those designs in the near future.
In the meantime, though, I feel like doing something a little bit different. I’ve had some winter gear piling up in my inventory over the last few weeks, and now seems like as good a time as any to break it out, even though for the last few days it’s been 75-80 degrees F where I live in RL. Hey, it’s technically winter, after all; I’ll just pretend that it actually feels like it outside. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Some | Friends list: Some
Notes: On Ryan: “Antonio” skin by Funk Schnook (FNKY!). “Noah” hair by Truth Hawks (TRUTH). V-neck Sweater and Formal Pants by Yelmer Peffer (Alphamale). Couru shoes by Pique Flan (2g).
Post Category: Accessories, Casual, Coats, Hats, New Items, SHIKI Designs, Sway's Creations
January 7th, 2010 at 07:12pmRyan Darragh
I love New Year’s Eve. In some ways, it reminds me of my senior prom. It’s an opportunity to get all glammed up, go out to a fabulous party, and play for an evening at being grown-up, or maybe at being rich. Or both.
And a great beauty of SL is that you don’t have to be rich to play at being rich. For the equivalent of the cost of a mocha latte or two, you can outfit your SL self in stunning style, with attire and accessories that would be the envy of even the hottest flavor-of-the-moment supermodel. Not that supermodels care all that much, anyway; wearing beautiful clothing is just a job to them.
It’s become something of an annual tradition for me to feature formalwear from Styles of edo. I guess that shouldn’t be too surprising—edo Tone’s formals are among the best I’ve seen, and they’re always some of my favorites. I’ve chosen a few designs from his 2009 collection that I think are especially noteworthy. Hopefully you’ll think so, too. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Some | Friends list: Some
Notes: On Ryan: "Narcissus" skin by Theodore DuCasse (Zanzo). Arabesque Cross Ring by Yukirei Greene (Skill Normal). Braced Wooden Cane by Vincente Shepherd (Gaslights Emporium).
Post Category: Accessories, Coats, Dressy, Formal, Hair, Hats, Jackets, Jewelry, Pants, Rozoregalia, Shirts, Shoes, Styles of edo, Suits, Ties, Vests
December 31st, 2009 at 06:23pmRyan Darragh
I guess I’m getting a little ahead of myself here. I have some beautiful formalwear to show you—possibilities for a highly dramatic New Year’s Eve party—but I thought that first I’d go directly to the after-party. Do not pass Go, do not collect L$200. Now, it’s understandable if you feel that the main event deserves most of your sartorial time, attention and budget. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that what you wear to the after-party somehow matters less. In its own way, it’s just as important. You’re still making an impression, after all! You can’t just throw on khakis and a polo and let it go at that. (Jeans and a t-shirt can work, though…if they’re the right jeans and the right t-shirt.) No, you still need to put some time, effort and attention into your after-party attire. Don’t worry, though. I’m here to help. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Some | Friends list: Some
Notes: On Ryan: "Kamal" skin by Shiloh Jun (Shiloh Jun). "Dynamite" hair by Booperkit Moseley (BooPerFunK!).
Post Category: Casual, Dressy, Eolande Elvehjem, Havana, JCS (Jeepers Creepers Shoes), New Items, Outfits, Pants, Shirts, Updated Items, Yukirei Greene
December 28th, 2009 at 07:47pmRyan Darragh
He’s making a list, checking it twice
Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town!
You’ve almost certainly heard the Christmas song “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” If you’re of a certain age, you probably remember well from the childhood the old Rankin-Bass holiday TV special of the same name. What’s important here is Santa’s role as judge, jury and (metaphorical) executioner, at least as far as Christmas gifts are concerned. Who wants a lump of coal in his stocking?
You do remember that key section of the lyrics, don’t you? It actually sounds kind of scary, when you think about it. I mean, what, Santa knows everything? All the stuff I’ve done this year? Even that one thing? I only did that once, I swear. Okay, two or three times. But still, what happened to my right to privacy? I still deserve presents, don’t I? I’m a good boy, I am! (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: No | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: "MSkin Natural Light" by Crushed Clarity (Atomic). "Free hair to wear with hats" by swaffette Firefly (SF Design).
Post Category: A:S:S, Boots, Costumes, Freebies, Hats, Holiday, Latex, New Items, Novelty, Outfits, Pants, Shirts
December 21st, 2009 at 11:00pmRyan Darragh
Wow, where does the time go? More importantly, where does it come from? By which I mean, where can I get more?
As you can see, I haven’t been around all that much lately. Believe me, it’s not for lack of wanting. RL (work in particular, as I may have mentioned) has been kinda crazy, and of course it’s the holiday season, and there’s only so much time to go around…never quite enough, it seems. I do have some good stuff I want to share with you, though–some coats and scarves, festive party attire, stuff like that–and I’m hoping to get in at least a small handful of posts between now and the end of the year. They may be short and sweet, but hopefully you’ll still find something worth shopping for. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Yes | Friends list: Yes
Notes: On Ryan: “Dave Gears” skin by Khai Sinister (The Abyss). “Andy” hair by Maddox DuPont (MADesigns).
Post Category: Casual, Coats, Hats, JCS (Jeepers Creepers Shoes), New Items, Outfits, Pants, SF Design, Sweaters
December 17th, 2009 at 10:51pmRyan Darragh
I’m pretty sure I’ve said before, probably more than once, that I could dress myself every day only and entirely in clothing by risey Arai and be happy. I suppose boredom could be an issue, eventually, in a really long time, but actually that’s difficult for me to imagine. risey’s designs are so consistently interesting, not to mention impeccably executed, that it’s hard not to get lost in admiring details of fabric texture and prim construction. Sometimes I forget that I’m getting dressed for a reason, and friends wonder where I’ve been. Admiring myself in the virtual mirror, that’s where. It’s not my fault, though! Blame risey. I do. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Yes | Friends list: Yes
Notes: On Ryan: "Jiro" skin by Denchu Dench (Den-Dou). "Hakuei" hair by Toshiya Okawa (eXceSs). Sheer Tank – Star by Photos Nikolaidis (A:S:S). Soot jeans by Zabitan Assia (FORM).
Post Category: Boots, Casual, Jackets, New Items, sey
December 12th, 2009 at 05:27pmRyan Darragh
I’m fortunate to live within easy driving distance (although, alas, not stumbling distance) of Tiki-Ti, one of the best of the handful of remaining classic Tiki bars in the U.S. (Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge in Alameda, CA is by all accounts a great place, and the newly opened Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco looks like it’ll be well worth a visit.) I’ve tried working my way through the menu at Tiki-Ti—not all in one night!—but I keep forgetting where I left off and having to start over. Dark and Stormy! Space Pilot! Ray’s Mistake! Ooga Booga!
No matter how you look at it, there’s a lot of rum going on. A boatload, even. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Some | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Narcissus" skin by Theodore DuCasse (Zanzo). "Stewart" hair by Din Raymaker (Uncleweb Studio). Dan Jeans, Max Jeans, Quin Khakis by Floatie Hock (Hell Bop). Chucks shoes by Armin Rickenna (Maschienenwerk). Tiki bar and accessories by Antonia Marat (Artilleri). Cocktails by Maximillian Milosz (Maximum Minimum).
Post Category: Casual, Hell Bop, Period, Shirts
December 6th, 2009 at 07:27pmRyan Darragh
Wow, um, sorry about that post title. Apparently I’m pathologically unable to resist a pun, even a fairly obvious one. I’m also such a sucker for sweet fabric textures, I can’t even tell you. Maybe this is why I find Wicked Loudon’s new menswear designs so appealing. After all, one could argue that, on the surface, they’re not necessarily breaking much new ground from a design perspective. Sweater vest with shirt? T-shirt? Jeans? Ho-hum, I hear you saying…some of you, anyway, and you know who you are. But surely there’s room enough in the world for designers to put their own spin on familiar items, and hopefully, just maybe, bring something to them that’s fresh? I like to think so. Because here’s the thing: a good designer can take a familiar design and bring freshness to it, even if it’s “only” the designer’s own unique stylistic tweaks. I don’t know about you, but in RL I have more than one pair of jeans. Let’s not even talk about shoes. And am I a whore for a beautiful sweater? You bet your ass I am. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Some | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Narcissus" skin by Theodore DuCasse (Zanzo). "Hinder" hair by Bryce Tully (Bryce Designs).
Post Category: Boots, Casual, Designer Reviews, Eyewear, Jeans, New Items, Nouveau Miranda, Sandals, Shirts, Shoes, Sweaters
December 1st, 2009 at 10:04pmRyan Darragh
Boy, have I ever been. Lazy, I mean. Although, not really. I mean, first I was away on vacation. There went two weeks. Then there were houseguests, which was great and fun and all, although it did put a serious crimp in my SL time. Then, oh joy of joys, there was plumbing tragedy and carpet cleaning and associated headaches. And now I’m kinda swamped with RL work, go figure. Please be assured, I am not dead–I’m still here, still shopping, and still working on putting some posts together to share with you. So, check back once in a while! I’ll be here as much as I can be. 
Post Category: Announcements
November 30th, 2009 at 08:40pmRyan Darragh
I don’t do a lot of one-off posts these days, partly because the more ambitious/complex posts, time-consuming as they are, are not just fun but rewarding for me. I keep telling myself, though, that I shouldn’t resist featuring the occasional particularly nice solo item. In theory (ahem) a post like this should be quicker and easier to put together, you still get to do some shopping (assuming you like what you see), and I still get to accessorize! I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a win-win to me. You be the judge. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: No | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Narcissus" skin by Theodore DuCasse (Zanzo). "Casket (Belt)" hair by rika Oyen (ARGRACE). Kazuho corduroy pants by Posy Trudeau (Miau Haus). Nouveau Casuals shoes by Wicked Loudon (Nouveau Miranda). GT Sunglasses and X Metal watch by Aveline Stein (Steinwerk).
Post Category: Astaroth, Casual, Hoodies, New Items, Sweaters
November 22nd, 2009 at 04:16pmRyan Darragh
Shiryu Musashi has been designing for the SL fashion scene for coming up on five years now—his store, Musashi-Do, officially opened on November 27, 2004. I don’t know about you, but this is significantly earlier than my own rez date. He has a well-earned reputation for painstaking perfectionism, and his hand-painted fabric textures are beyond reproach. Shiryu has recently released some new suits for men—something that’s always nice to see!—and these are accompanied by his own innovation in dress neckwear: the InfiniTIE. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Yes | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Narcissus" skin by Theodore DuCasse (Zanzo). "Leo" hair by Kavar Cleanslate (Exile; this "Kerosene" color was a group gift). Oxford Shoes by Tesla Miles (TESLA).
Post Category: Business, Casual, Dressy, Freebies, Jackets, Musashi-Do, New Items, Pants, Shirts, Suits, Ties
November 18th, 2009 at 08:59pmRyan Darragh
I don’t know about you, but I’m on the never-ending quest for the perfect skin. Really, isn’t everybody? Surely I’m not the only guy who at some point has said, “I really love This Skin, but if only it had the abs from That Skin, or the face from The Other Skin…then it would be perfect!” Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought it might.
Now, don’t get too excited. I’m not here today to tell you that I’ve found The Perfect Skin, or even The Perfect Skin For Me. Either of those would be a hell of a thing. However, as momentous as such a discovery would be, I might just have to hang it up after that. I mean, what would be left? Even yet still more sculptie high-tops? Not that there’s anything wrong with that. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Yes | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Clem" hair by Bryce Tully (Bryce Designs). Lustrous Eyes by Brandy Rasmuson (Shine). K.D. Vest by risey Arai (:sey). 010b jeans by Zabitan Assia (FORM).
Post Category: Bryce Designs, Casual, Hair, New Items, Skins, Vests, Zanzo, sey
November 13th, 2009 at 10:38amRyan Darragh
Welcome back! Oh, wait–that’s what you’re supposed to say to me. Anyway, here we are, together again. Sean and I had a fantastic vacation, probably with really too much crammed into it if you get right down to it–but isn’t that the best kind? Sometimes it felt rather like “If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium.” Yet still it was great. And here’s to turning SL friends into RL friends! Heya Loopy, Angie and Skid, that’s right, I’m talking about you!
Post Category: Announcements
November 12th, 2009 at 09:33amRyan Darragh
It had been an age since he had seen New Babbage. He couldn’t say for certain how long it had been since he had left, but after what had happened, it was to no one’s surprise that he had made himself more or less permanently scarce. (He understood that the incident had come to be known as “The Coppercog Debacle,” but the less said about that, the better.) Only an occasion of dire import could have induced him to return. He supposed that the reading of one’s father’s last will and testament would qualify, no matter how estranged that father might have been. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copies: No | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: "MSkin Natural Light" skin by Crushed Clarity (Atomic). "Ville" hair by Arcana Ceawlin (Astaroth). Lustrous Eyes by Brandy Rasmuson (Shine). Old Shoes by Fallingwater Cellardoor (Shiny Things).
Post Category: Accessories, Bags, Casual, Coats, Eyewear, Fantasy, Hatpins, Hats, Kitheres, Mechanical Toy Factory, P. Irate & Co., Pants, Period, Roleplay, Steampunk, Victorian
November 10th, 2009 at 10:20pmRyan Darragh
Plague never rests for long.
The plague doctor moves through dark cities, his heavy cloak rustling with each step, his leather shoes a whisper on the damp streets. The world groans with sickness, and where there are labored breaths, aching shivers under blankets, and disease-dizzied minds, the doctor will go. (more…)
Post Category: Costumes, Fantasy, Gothic, Hasendow, Period, Roleplay, Suits, [Guest Style Consultant]
October 22nd, 2009 at 09:52amRyan Darragh
More like the rest of the month, actually. As I mentioned earlier in passing, I’m taking some serious vacation time–starting today!–and will be not just away from home but out of the country (U.S.) for a couple of weeks. Things will be kind of quiet around here, although I do have one Guest Style Consultant post that I hope to have ready so I can schedule it to appear later this week. I’ll be back later in the first week of November, so look around for me then…but not before! 
Post Category: Announcements
October 20th, 2009 at 11:19amRyan Darragh
In SL, I try to get out of my RL box, from time to time at least. Isn’t that a big part of what SL is for, really? My recent Prince of the Underworld is miles removed from anything I’d wear in RL, probably even for Halloween, if only for practical reasons. Stuff like that is a lot of fun, and it’s good to stretch. I do have my comfort zone, though, and every once in a while I run into some new designs that seem quite literally tailor-made for me and my own tastes. AlexanderHunter Rembrandt’s just-opened {AHC} (the initials stand for “AlexanderHunter’s Couture”) houses just such a collection. AlexanderHunter says that his goal with {AHC} is “class and excellence with just a hint of sexiness for both men and women…haute couture and accessories inspired by real life’s top designers. The collections are seasonal and therefore available only for a few months, making every design a limited edition.” The names of the various specialty shops at {AHC} reflect these inspirations: Dulce & Ghanel women’s wear; Valenciaga men’s wear; Prava men and women’s footwear; Vuittior men and women’s jewelry, handbags, and additional accessories; and San Lauren men and women’s skins and hairstyles. They also convey a slyness and sense of fun suggesting that AlexanderHunter isn’t taking himself too seriously. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copies: Yes | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Narcissus" skin by Theodore DuCasse (Zanzo). Gold Flakes – Olivine eyes by Lano Ling (Poetic Colors). Soubresaut shoes by Pique Flan (2g). Murphys shoes by Fallingwater Cellardoor (Shiny Things). Brown Leather Bag by Jesseaitui Petion (Aitui).
Post Category: AHC, Casual, Designer Reviews, Dressy, Freebies, Hair, Jackets, Jeans, Jewelry, New Items, Pants, Shirts, Suits, Sweaters
October 19th, 2009 at 09:23amRyan Darragh
He did not know his own name. It was an interesting conundrum, but neither entirely uncomfortable nor, it seemed, wholly unfamiliar. He felt that he floated somehow in a peculiar limbo of personality. He knew some things—what languages he spoke, what foods he enjoyed, that he had never known his parents—but little about his own self.
He did not know his own name, but he knew that he could fight. His mind might be all but blank, but his sense memory was strong, and his body could do things he did not remember learning or training to do. He felt his muscles tense and thrum as he moved, wanting to defend, yearning to engage, aching to attack. He pitied the ill-advised fool who attempted to draw him into conflict; his day would not end well. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copies: Some | Friends list: No
Notes: On Ryan: Vivant Pale Ardent skin by CJ Carnot (Fleur). Black Ring Boots by Mai Runo (Zero Number). “Adria” glasses by Nibb Tardis (primOptic). Arabesque Ring and Stylish Leather Bracelet by Yukirei Greene (not currently available).
Post Category: Casual, Demise, Fantasy, Gothic, Hair, Hoodies, Outfits, Pants, Roleplay, Shirts
October 16th, 2009 at 08:32pmRyan Darragh
Mortis was bored. He hadn’t gone anywhere in ages. Well, unless you counted going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and down upon it. Which he, himself, did not count. He couldn’t believe he had ever let Lucifer talk him into that one. When you came right down to it, it was hardly an enjoyable pastime—in fact, it was worse than jogging—and it wasn’t like he needed the cardio. No, he wanted to go out and have some fun. He wanted to go dancing. Goth black boots or no, his feet were nimble and he knew how to trip the light fantastic. If you asked Mortis, dancing hadn’t been the same since the end of disco. That Travolta was one mortal who knew how to move. Well, he had some moves of his own, if he did say so himself. God, but the Seventies had been great. On earth, anyway—everywhere else they had kind of sucked. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: Steampunk Gothic Black Boots by Thomus Keen (Steam Powered Nuts).
Post Category: Avatars, Dressy, Fantasy, Gothic, Kitheres, New Items, Period, RFyre, Roleplay, Suits
October 13th, 2009 at 10:09pmRyan Darragh
So, overall it’s been a pretty good week. As I shared earlier, Dragontat Zagato has stepped back into the SL fashion world with his new collection at Deserted. And, oh by the way, he mentioned that he’s also reopening Brief Encounter this weekend, with new underwear designs and a Halloween collection! So there’s that as well. As if all this weren’t enough, at the Deserted opening shindig I got the chance to chat with Zabitan Assia—it had been way too long—and learned that he too has some new designs burning a creative hole in his inventory. Like DT’s, Zab’s tees have long been among my favorites. I love their dark, rich color palettes and the subtle intricacy of their design work, which is at least occasionally inspired by anime and manga.
Zab’s new tees have much in common with his earlier designs (a.k.a. The Classics), and that means there’s much to love. Slinky fit, check. Black is the new black, check. Neat edging on collar and sleeves, ch—wait. What the f—? Hey, these shirts are jacked! Seriously, look at ‘em, the edges are all torn up. Is that just shoddy workmanship, lazy-ass stitching maybe, or did somebody use too much bleach? No, no. And no. These shirts are not jacked. They are tattered, though, intentionally and ever so stylishly, to add just a bit more low-end grunge to your high-end vibe. See, there is a method to the madness. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: Yes
Notes: On Ryan: “Steve Law” skin by Khai Sinister (The Abyss). “Kein” hair by Shylah Honey (Damselfly). Desolate Jeans by Dragontat Zagato (Deserted). Low-top sneakers by Armin Rickena (Machienenwerk). Micanga (friendship bracelet) by noni Troncon (nonino).
Post Category: Casual, FORM, Grunge, New Items, Shirts
October 9th, 2009 at 09:26amRyan Darragh
It’s good to know that some things don’t change. Or maybe Alphonse Karr had it right, and the truth is more along the lines of his famous saying, “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” (usually translated as “The more things change, the more they stay the same”). I could get all philosophical, and bore you to death, but fortunately for you that’s not why we’re here today.
No, we’re here to talk about clothing. Men’s clothing. Casual men’s clothing, in fact. I don’t have to imagine your shock and surprise—I can feel it from here! Now, it’s true, I admit it—I don’t always give a lot of love to jeans and tees. It’s true that pretty much anyone and everyone who sells clothing in SL has taken a stab at jeans and tees, commodity items that they are. But it’s also true that, in spite of their commodity status, it’s possible to do them well, even exceptionally so. Some of my favorite jeans and tees have consistently come from the creative minds and artistic talents of Donovan Brennen, Dragontat Zagato and Zabitan Assia. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: Yes
Notes: On Ryan: "Steve Law" skin by Khai Sinister (The Abyss). "Jonas" hair by Maddox DuPont (MADesigns). "It was freedom" tattoo by Jesseaitui Petion (Aitui group gift). Low-top sneakers by Armin Rickena (Machienenwerk). "Porsh" and "Monza" glasses by Nibb Tardis (primOptic).
Post Category: Accessories, Casual, Deserted, Designer Reviews, Jackets, Jeans, New Items, Shirts
October 6th, 2009 at 09:19pmRyan Darragh
As they pulled you out of the oxygen tent
You asked for the latest party…
Tod Browning’s freak you was
Some time back, blog reader Miron Jarman emailed to me some pictures of himself in truly fabulous glam-rock drag—it was oh so very “Velvet Goldmine.” He suggested that this look might be worth exploring for presentation here, and in true Lazy Ryan fashion I tried to recruit him for the mission. In all honesty, he had done such a good job with his own look that I felt he ought to present and take credit for it. Unfortunately, although I tried my best, he simply wasn’t able to make that commitment at the time, and left the suggestion with me. I felt like I couldn’t simply copy his look for myself, partly because it didn’t feel fair, partly because it wouldn’t be “me.” I needed to do glam my own way. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Some | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: FORM skin by Zabitan Assia (FORM).
Post Category: A:S:S, Boots, Hair, Hats, Jackets, Jewelry, Novelty, Outfits, Pants, Roleplay, SHAG, Shine
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:17amRyan Darragh
He stood on the dock at sunrise and waited for her, his lovely Lorelei, Lorelei who had left him behind lo these many months before, sailing away in a Chinese junk—to China, naturally—on adventures mysterious and as yet unknown. Every day for him began like this. Not knowing for certain the day and date of her return, he came every morning to the place where he had last seen her, the place to which he knew she must eventually return.
It was a small price to pay for Love. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: Lustrous Eyes by Brandy Rasmuson (Shine). Suede Half Coat by mirai Jun (Cubic Effect). Soot Jeans by Zabitan Assia (FORM). Firenze shoes by Eponymous Trenchmouth (JCS).
Post Category: Exile, Hair, Skins, a.C
September 27th, 2009 at 09:14amRyan Darragh
Hey! I just want to let everyone know that I’ll be away for the next few days—nothing to worry about, just a big work project taking me out of town. I’ve got fodder for a couple of posts to take with me and work on, in the event of any significant downtime (hey, it could happen). I’ll be back middle of next week, ready to get back to my regular routine.
Post Category: Announcements
September 25th, 2009 at 08:10amRyan Darragh
Getting dressed is as easy as throwing on a pair of jeans and a shirt. But style is in the details, and that often means accessories – an area of fashion often difficult for men. Should the belt match the shoes? Should the shoes match the coat? Should the coat match the watch? Can’t I just say to hell with it and put on my bathrobe and stay home?
In any outfit, finding the right balance of accessories is key. Too few is bland; many and you end up looking like Mr. T (and that is only a good look on Mr. T). Further, your accessories should complement each other. While they don’t have to match exactly, they should appear to have the same purpose. Dress shoes look good with a suit, or parts of one; less so with Bermuda shorts. (more…)
Post Category: 2g, Accessories, Casual, Dressy, Eyes, Eyewear, Flesh Peddlers, Freebies, GBTM, Hair, Hayate's Hair Lab, Jeans, Kari, Laqroki, LeLutka, Maschienenwerk, Shirts, Shoes, Skins, The Abyss, Ties, [Guest Style Consultant]
September 23rd, 2009 at 09:46amRyan Darragh
I don’t wear a lot of jewelry in real life. Oh, I have a few items I love and wear regularly. Pretty much every day I wear the Celtic knot ring in silver that I bought from a street vendor in Dublin, as well as a simple but unusual fleur-de-lis pendant I found in New Orleans. I also have my grandfather’s gold high school class ring (Class of 1932), which gets pride of place on my right hand (the middle finger—he was a big man) on special occasions. From time to time, I wear a watch, although mostly these days I rely on my mobile phone to tell me the time—strictly functional, not especially classy.
But SL is different. And I don’t mean just because in SL I can afford all kinds of extravagant jewelry that I could never even dream of touching in RL. I mean, that’s true of course—I can do that if I want to, and I certainly have. But that’s not the only difference. Equally real is the possibility of exploring different aspects of one’s personality by venturing into different genres, styles and themes that in RL might not take first priority or even be accessible. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: Yes
Notes: On Ryan: "Cole" skin by Commandah Keen (Dernier Cri). "Jin" hair by Maddox DuPont (MADesigns). Lustrous Eyes by Brandy Rasmuson (Shine). A0001 Jeans by Nicole David (Armidi).
Post Category: Casual, Designer Reviews, Dressy, Jewelry, LOAQ, New Items
September 21st, 2009 at 10:09pmRyan Darragh
I must confess: I took Elric’s recent feature as something of a personal challenge. Not that he oh so gracefully threw down an elegantly embroidered velvet gauntlet, or anything like that. Oh, no—it was far more subtle than that. You had to read between the lines, quite literally. I’ve been fascinated by the furry culture in SL—who hasn’t?—but I never felt any personal interest in taking that particular plunge. I suppose the closest I’ve come to date has been my neko alter-ego. But Elric presented a furry of refinement and sophistication, and that seemed infinitely more accessible to me.
Elric’s gentleman fox was, however, most decidedly not a creation to be casually copied or imitated. In any case, I still didn’t feel any special pull or calling to be a fox myself, however gentlemanly a fox I might manage. I decided to ponder on what might appeal and even speak to me, and to be on the lookout for something intriguing as I shopped and explored around, as is my occasional wont. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Some | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Gael" and "Ander" skins by Rack Brautigan (Imagen). "Justin" and "Mark" hairstyles by Maddox DuPont (MADesigns). Random eyes by Garbage Prototype (Random). Lustrous Eyes by Brandy Rasmuson (Shine).
Post Category: Accessories, Avatars, Crimson Sun, Hoof & Horn, Jewelry, Kilts/sarongs/wraps, Roleplay, Shine, Titania's Court
September 16th, 2009 at 09:24amRyan Darragh
I was just going to add this as a postscript to my previous Deadwool post, but at the last minute I decided that the design work here deserves its own notice, albeit a quick one. It hasn’t been all that long, so you’ll no doubt remember that I was quite impressed by Masa Plympton’s Old West-inspired suits at Deadwool. It turns out that Masa has been busier than I realized–the medieval clothing designs I mentioned just briefly are in fact now available inworld. And they are no less impressive. The Crusader Armour ensemble I’m wearing here is available in your choice of white, red and black, and due to the flexibility of its construction it can be worn in a variety of ways that actually approximates the wear of real clothing. Each set includes tunic, leggings and gloves, plus a vast array of sculpted add-ons, including boots, belt, cape, greaves, chain mail armor, hood and helmet. No weapons are provided, but you do get a beautifully textured shield. It appears to be actually useful for personal defense, and in fact has already taken a couple of arrows. The set also includes an imposing Crusader shape, which I am wearing here, in part because I was lazy and it made everything just fit. You’ll also find a similarly equipped but differently detailed set of Medieval Armour. L$999 each.
Available at the Medieval Church at Deadwool (Isola Gavia 8, 141, 1714). Beware the crumbling old structure doesn’t collapse on you!
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No
Post Category: Deadwool, Medieval, Outfits, Period, Roleplay
September 14th, 2009 at 08:47pmRyan Darragh
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