Last Chance @ Last Call, Moderno

January 12th, 2008 at 12:21pm Ryan Darragh

It’s very much with mixed feelings that I share the following sale announcement.

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. SL Time on Friday, 11 January 2008, all items created by Ginny Talamasca, Katterina Dagostino and Devyn Carmichael went on final sale for L$100 each.  Permissions for all items are now Modify / No Copy / Transfer.  All items will be permanently retired at the conclusion of the sale, which will run for approximately one month, possibly longer if demand permits.  (Details are according to entries on the Last Call website.)

Chances are you have heard about the sudden and unexpected passing in late 2007 of one of the two partners who together were Ginny Talamasca.  (The formal announcement can be found here.)  I don’t think it’s too great an exaggeration to use the phrase “end of an era” in attempting to describe what this means to the SL fashion world.  Ginny’s designs for women (those gowns!) were beautiful and distinctive.  The clothing lines for men were fascinating, striking and sometimes controversial.  It seems difficult to overstate the the importance of Ginny’s contributions.

I claim no special relationship with Ginny, in fact I met him only once, when I chatted with Devyn for about an hour for an interview.  What I remember most about our conversation was how passionate he was about the work, how invested in the creative process, and how much fun he was having, even in the midst of the craziness that was the Last Call grand opening.  It seems appropriate here to remember, appreciate and celebrate Ginny’s amazing clothing designs.  Whether or not you loved or wore all or any, you had to admire not only the items themselves but the care and passion that went into their creation.

Left to right: Damascus Jacket; Thierry; Philanderer.

Left to right: Poison; Fastidious.

These are all Last Call designs (first release, no longer available) that I photographed but didn’t include in my review at the time (follow the interview link above), mainly because of the way Cat and I divvied up the many items in that massive initial release.

One of my favorite outfits from the still-available Last Call collection for men is the “Ladro” ensemble pictured here.  The set includes Pinstriped Pants with sculpted prim cuffs and Tailored Shirts in four colors: the deep purplish blue shown here, plus Olive, Plum and Seavine.  The cuffs give the pants an elegant silhouette, and the luxurious fabric of the shirt contrasts with its casually (or carefully) undone buttons.

The Moderno collection’s “Dolce” includes Wrinkled Distressed Chinos with sculpted prim cuffs and breezy print shirts in five different summery colors.  As always, Ginny’s fabric texture is impressive, the artwork rich and eye-catching.  This outfit is perfect for wandering Ibiza or other vacation ports of call, yachting on the weekend, or just playing hookey from work one day and enjoying a day at the zoo.

A photo-and-essay appreciation of Ginny’s designs appeared in Issue 14 of Second Style Magazine.

Ben Vanguard published this lovely tribute on SL Men.

For the duration of this final sale, you can buy Ginny’s menswear at Moderno (Dazzle 130, 12, 27).

Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Some | Friends List: No

Notes: On Ryan: "Dante" skin and "Untamed" hair by Lost Thereian (Naughty). Striped Oxfords and Old Shoes by Fallingwater Cellardoor (Shiny Things). Also: "David" Entice for Men skin by Sezmra Svarog (Nora BodySkins). "Deviance" hair by Lost Thereian (Naughty). Brown Leather Bag by Jesseaitui Petion (Aitui). Also: "Young Gotti" skin and Ramp hair by Rockwell Maltz (Made Men). Carl Perkins shoes by Eponymous Trenchmouth (JCS Shoes). Leather Plate Necklace by Yukirei Greene (Yukirei Accessories Shop).

Entry Filed under: Casual, Dressy, Jackets, Jewelry, Last Call, Moderno, Outfits, Pants, Sales, Shirts