A first time for everything

March 13th, 2010 at 03:23pm Ryan Darragh

You may have thought you’d seen it all.  Or, at least, everything I’d ever actually wear in public.  After my initial foray into latex (with a Christmas theme, no less!), you may well have been wondering, “What next?”  I wondered myself.  What would be my next adventure, my final frontier, my undiscovered country?  It occurred to me, and not for the first time, that I had not yet explored the adventurous territory of silks.  Now, I’ve seen a lot of silks, more than you might expect in fact, and tried on perhaps more than my share.  But, while I make no claim to have made an exhaustive survey of the genre, I had never come across any that spoke to me on any level.  Silks are by their very nature simple in design, and while I’ve certainly seen many examples that were well done, often they simply weren’t very interesting.

Never, that is, until now.  It all started when I found myself fascinated by the announced description of Thorn Witrial’s new Zodiac Silks for men:  “…a thin gold chain with golden charm symbols of each sign of the zodiac…  The silks are dark blue velvet with golden stars and animated sparks falling to the earth like shooting stars.”  Hmm, that sounded at least a bit more interesting than most of the other silks I’d looked at.  I think I sat on the notecard for a couple of days before getting around to visiting Thorn’s shop, The Golden Thorn.  Hey, you know how it goes—places to go, people to see, things to do.  When I arrived, Thorn happened to be working in the nearby garden area, and he took a few moments for a friendly chat.  That’s always a nice start to a shopping visit.

Once inside, I was surprised by how much I found myself liking what I saw.

In overall construction, Thorn’s silks follow along more or less traditional lines:  sash, belt or chain at the waist (to keep them from falling off, one presumes, at least until you’re ready for that to happen), front “modesty pouch”, and lengths of flexi fabric front and back.  The pouch isn’t just a vaguely ovoid prim blob—it’s carefully shaped and sculpted, suggesting subtly but clearly that there’s actually something, you know, realistic inside.

Thorn’s Zodiac Silks are dramatic indeed, with animated fabric textures that don’t just make the flowing lengths of silk look “more realistic”.  The textures push the look and feel of the fabric to a heightened, surreal beauty that, in its own small way, illustrates one of the things I like most about SL.  Why walk when you can fly or teleport?  Why be human all the time when you can also be a cat, fox, faun or centaur?  Why strive (settle) for strict realism when you can have something more?

The primwork is impressively detailed—the tiny links of the waist chain make a natural shape that’s easy to fit, and I had no trouble sizing the silks to fit, even though my regular “Ryan” shape is fairly small.  All twelve star signs glimmer and shine, and although I usually take a dim view of bling the small starburst designs make good use of it, to eye-catching effect.  Stars drift across the night-dark fabric, falling slowly earthward.  The overall effect is luxurious, even decadent, and really quite beautiful.  L$500.

The necklace I’m wearing here is Di Yifu’s almost insanely elaborate “Deus Ex Machina” Vintage Steampunk Necklace.  Even at first, casual glance, the piece is gracefully shaped, handsomely finished, undeniably beautiful.  Look more closely, though, and you may well be (as I was) astonished at the sheer audacity suggested by the level of detail work evident in the complex construction.  Gaze, inspect and behold—spinning gears, cogwheels and watch-style springs mingle with tiny golden leaves and brilliant diamonds.  Perhaps a bit dichotomous in this setting, but who cares?

L$500 at Inca Temple (Beggars Bowl 167, 58, 21).

“Narcissus – Olympia” skin by Theodore DuCasse (Zanzo).  “Luke” shape by Vasean Talamasca (Flesh Peddlers).  Lustrous Eyes by Brandi Rasmussen (Shine).

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Although it was the release announcement for the Zodiac Silks that first caught my attention and got me into the shop, I have to confess it was the Sakura Silks that I first took home.  I’m not really sure why—the delicate gold chain isn’t unique to this particular design, and the pink-and-white tropical flowers, although lovely, don’t really go with my usual pale-redhead coloring.  I think I was imagining the very tropical look and interesting visual contrast I’d get by wearing these with a tan skin, possibly my old friend “Antonio”.  In the end, I went in a completely different direction, but I think the look still works.  The floral decorations on these silks suggested a beach or island setting, and I found this location in the romantic gardens not far from Thorn’s shop.  L$300.

Yukirei Greene’s Lot of Silver Pierce ear ornament is one of the very few of her pieces still available inworld, at least as far as I can tell.  As is usual with Yukirei’s intricate designs, the more closely you inspect, the more detailed prim detailing you see.  L$150; includes both silver and bronze earrings.  Get it while you still can at Skill Normal (MoonCat Izumo 119, 56, 26).

“Tergum2 – Easterner” skin by Ororon Kamachi (Animus).  “Loki” shape by Vasean Talamasca (Flesh Peddlers).  Lustrous Eyes by Brandi Rasmussen (Shine).

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Thorn’s Oak Leaf Chain Silks are perfect for the nature boy in me.  The leaves and nuts (no puns, please) that adorn these silks are sign and symbol of connectedness to the natural world that surrounds us, and the flowing green fabric echoes the great canopy of the forest.  Hey, there’s a little nature boy in us all.  L$300.  The matching Oak Lord Ring, also Thorn’s design, is not currently available, but it will be Thorn’s freebie in the Celebrating Gaia hunt that starts next month.

“Gael – Este” skin by Rack Brautigan (Imagen).  The shape is my own.  Lustrous Eyes by Brandi Rasmussen (Shine).

Even if you aren’t into the Gorean roleplay culture that’s often but by no means exclusively associated with silks, maybe you’ve been looking for a special something to spice things up with your significant other, or just to go dancing in.  If these more decorative designs aren’t to your personal taste, Thorn also has several simpler styles available in a wide range of colors.

Thorn Witrial’s silks can be found at The Golden Thorn (Rosewood Fusion Bay 200, 69, 21).

Disclosure: Seen in world: Yes | Review copy: Some | Friends list: No

Notes: On Ryan: "Akio" hair by Kavar Cleanslate (Exile).

Entry Filed under: Designer Reviews,Fantasy,Golden Thorn,New Items,Roleplay,Silks