Ophelia's Gaze: Second Life Styles for the Michelle Obama Era of Fashion

Exclusive to NWN, Iris Ophelia's ongoing showcase of all things stylish in SL

As the world welcomes a new US President, they also welcome a new First Lady whose bold looks and regal elegance will surely influence what women wear for years to come. Will Michelle Obama also inspire the fashionistas of Second Life? Iris Ophelia found some styles which make me think so. Below, Iris presents three metaverse ensembles that Ms. Obama herself would be proud to wear-- and are likely to be all the rage in Second Life for four more years (and maybe more.) - Hamlet Au

Blazers and skirts are a bit of a First Lady staple, professional but still a touch domestic. The Shades of Gray suit by Miko Omegamu of Icing is probably one of the outfits in SL that is most faithful to Michelle Obama's style.It has fairly classic lines, but it's broken up with a little bit of variety in the trim around the collar, and the tidy puffed sleeves. The jacket also features a simple tied belt, slightly above the waist, which is both classy and slimming. Just as classy is the set of pearls, also from Icing, which are also a staple item in any first lady's wardrobe, and those timeless black pumps, which are by Fallingwater Cellardoor of Shiny Things. The skin shown is from Glamurena, and the hair is from Analog Dog.

Another pencil skirt? Mrs. Obama definitely favors the silhouette of pencil/sheath dresses, and with good reason. First of all, it's a shape that can slim and lengthen the silhouette, and although pencil skirts experienced a dramatic increase in popularity in the past couple years, they also never really went out of style in the first place. She's also known for really chic use of color and texture in her outfits, so of course the belted Connie blouse by Tuli Asturias of Tuli leapt to mind. I chose a green tank top from Maria Gherardi of MG Fashion to bring out the color a little more, along with the Verve pumps from Maitreya, and a very striking Indian-inspired necklace by Zaara Kohime of Zaara. The skin (one of my favorites) is from Dernier Cri, and the hair (albeit not very Michelle Obama-ish, but suited all the same) is from ETD.

The Midas Evening gown by Shai Delacroix of Casa Del Shai is probably more risqué than Michelle's normal attire (cleavage is a bit of a faux-pas when you're the First Lady), but the soft color and the flowing fabric make for something closer to what I wish she'd been wearing to the Inaugural ball. The original skirt shape is a bit wider, but I modified it by pulling the sides in a bit to create a more modest A-line. The hair shown is from Truth (who is having a MASSIVE sale right now, hint hint).

Of the three looks I put together, this skin, from BEBAE, probably looks the most made-up. Michelle definitely keeps her makeup fairly clean and neutral, and that is part of what makes her so iconic. She keeps her look simple, but individual-- modern, but not trendy. To quote Yves Saint Laurent, "Fashions fade, style is eternal."

Iris Ophelia has been featured in the New York Times and has spoken about SL-based design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan.

Comments

[Harper Ganesvoort]

Absolutely lovely. And, sorry to say, I think the Shai gown would have looked better on Michelle than the white thing she was wearing last night; less frou-frou or something, I still can't make up my mind what I didn't like about that dress. Normally, Michelle looks very good!

[Angie Mornington]

Very nice Iris, it will be fun to see what the First Lady wears, she's a beautiful woman.

[Sabina Takakura]

Looks great Iris! You made it out to Bebae!

[Nick]

For the first article of yours I've read.... Nice. =)