The styles being rocked speak for themselves once again but the next and final installment will feature a commentary track by our very own Dusty Bacon!  See you at Decom this weekend and remember: Reno’s Decom goes ALL NIGHT LONG

Now, let’s consider what it must be like to craft virtual fashions. Virtual and non-virtual crafting though seemingly different, share the same fundamental intention: to assist in the creation of an experience for you and those who interact with you.

While there are many similarities, let’s now consider some immediately obvious differences.  In the non-virtual world, materials conform to environmental constraints automatically.  A long black strap will naturally hang down a certain way for instance.  In the virtual world, these normally unconscious reactions must be accounted for and the incorporation of such a response then becomes part of the crafting process.  Taking this a little further, we quickly see how programming in the way a material folds, responds to different types of movement, lighting, and numerous other environmental factors paves the way for some intense crafting.

Acting upon brilliant inspiration remains the genesis, manifesting a detailed & beautiful extension of the character is still the goal, but much of what must occur in between is worlds apart.  An interview with Second Life fashion designers is in the works.  If this interests you, click the Subscribe links to the right and stay tuned.

Equally amazing are the fashions that are being designed for this virtual world.  2nd Life has an impressive fashion industry as well as SL specific fashion blogs.

The fact that burning man fashions have a growing and significant presence in this new virtual world is yet another verification of the paradigm shift occurring.  We entered the virtual playa (after doing a little shopping and putting together an outfit of course) to see some of these sweet fashions in action.

While there was a plethora of visually stunning art (including an utterly breathtaking temple) we didn’t find many people.  Most everyone we came across was at center camp and only a handful were decked out to any degree.  Still though, the potential is most certainly there and we are eagerly anticipating returning for the burning of the man this Saturday!

Stay tuned as the virtual man will burn on Oct 24th and we’ll be doing a follow up with pics of those who gathered to celebrate!  Subscribe by clicking on the links in the right column to ensure that you don’t miss out.

Yeah, we all know the deal.  But here’s an interesting notion that occurred to me during this year’s decom:  It’s one thing to trip on the fact that 50,000 or so brilliant souls from all over the world can create such beautiful playa fashions but another thing entirely to party exclusively and be blown away by the creativity of your own small community.

Reno/Tahoe/Sparks has a higher ratio of burners to civilians than any other community in the world.  And expecially during decom this really shows!  These are the people who make your community what it is, radically expressing themselves.  As usual, clothing is a tremendous aspect that expression.

One of the things that was great about this year’s decom was the daytime venue at the Celtic Forest.  There were some well dressed stilters and a portrait studio where non-burners could play dress up!

What this event signifies to me is the beauty of radically creative community.  The brilliance that occurs when we gather with the intention of passionately sharing in what makes us human.  It’s the same synergy that we are attempting to manifest with DustyCouture.  Join us in this endeavor by clicking on the Subscribe links to the right.