I am coming up on two years in SL in a couple of weeks, and while both Ran and I stopped counting on-line birthdays some years ago (I think it was after my 10th MUSHing anniversary in 2005…), it is nevertheless interesting to consider what has changed in that time frame. The availability of historical and fantastical clothing, for example. When I started out, I was able to find one dress that I was happy with. No so, any longer. I have plenty of favourite creators now, many of them regularly producing more wonderful costumes, and there are still more out there for me to discover. Today’s post features one such new discovery, Mer-Elf Creations.
Skin: Ava Deep Honey Look 4 by Blowpop
Hair: Aisha II White by Maitreya
Clothes: Maelynn Cranberry by Mer-Elf Creations
Accessories: Monarchy by Genesis
This is the Maelynn gown in Cranberry, and Morgaine Price of Mer-Elf Creations informed me that it is a remake of another gown in darker, earthier colours. There’s certainly something quite lush and earthy about the cranberry, and it works very nicely both with and without the darker lace overlay. Each of the three skirts - a long empire skirt, a short empire skirt and a wide skirt—come both with and without said lace overlay, and the same is true for the three available sleeve lengths. The dress also includes bodice ribbons, a beribboned sash and a wreath.
The picture shows the long empire skirt with the medium length sleeves without lace and the wide skirt with the long sleeves with lace. I found the fit of the pieces pretty good, though I did need to fiddle with the bodice ribbons and the sash a bit to get it quite right. I like the way the stripes are carried through in all parts of the dress, it almost makes it appear as if the fabric is pleated, and the variety of sleeves in particular allow for rather different looks. The edge of the bodice could have been a little crisper, but there’s something about the texturing that looks very fabric-like to me and rather than being strongly shaded it gives the feel of a looser fit, which seems to suit the material.
My skin today is the always striking Ava from Blowpop, the hair is from Maitreya and the necklace in the second image from Genesis.
I am not sure if the Maelynn gown is actually out in the store yet, but if not it should be up fairly soon I should think. Its definitely worth swinging by the store to take a look, however, because I believe there is still a sale going on the megapacks of many of the available gowns.
