Style Diary: Vintage Glam by Donna Flora

Being a RL jewelry designer, the Donna Flora line has always caught my admittedly tres nitpicky eye for it's striking use of color, gemstones + exceptional details, even in single pendants.
Not many designers can move easily from one creative medium to another (trust me -- in any life!), so I was tres impressed to discover that creator Squinternet Larnia's clothing pieces emulate the same elegant feel as her Donna Flora jewelry line. There is a sophisticated vintage glam mood evoked by many of Squinternet's fashions that hearkens back to the uber-feminine styles shown in the old movies that she loves so much. (Squinternet says that she likes to picture what her grandmother would have worn when going out. Awwws).

Check out this first retro glam ensemble. The fashion, jewels and even the "Giulia" hair (which comes with this stunning black beaded veil) are all Squinternet's creations. Great Gatsby! does this headpiece look polished with Squinternet's high-waisted "Karen" pantsuit. The smoky pink of this ruffled shirt plays against these black-buttoned trousers so prettily for this killer chic ensemble. To me, this headpiece totally screams "flapper girl." Can't you so easily picture this veil with a black knee-length fringed dress too?
A quick word for my frugalistas: I can't seem to take off this free monthly gift "Leona" skin here by Oceane's Body Shop (currently the group is still $0L to join, so if you like this skin, I would recommend joining now). There's something about this skin that so woman of the world sophisticated. (Just check out this face: this is not a woman to be trifled with). Paired with the new free cerulean blue eyes gift by Poetic Colors, this look conveys a certain worldly intelligence + that ooh-la-la, je ne sais quoi.
In a clever move, many of Squinternet's fashions integrate jewelry into the garment itself. Check out the "Brocade" dress, featuring this spectacular "shoulder necklace" of bezel-set rubies (!) that cascades down into a cluster of more bezeled gems at the bodice.
There's something oh-so-regal about this bejeweled touch; plus I adore how the super-delicate blooms of this dress texture totally contrasts against its bold, stately shoulder piece. In a generous move, these superluxe "scrolling" chandelier earrings come included in this outfit too. It's like having jewelry 2 ways: both in the dress and as earrings (instead of these items being sold separately). So. Fab.
This next eye-popping gown features sequined arcs + curves in the fabric, which to me, emulate the same movement + shine of liquid metal (pardon my jewelry designer's eye). This "Celine" design uses tiny "swipes" of gold metallic sequins scattered thuout this dress. Paired with the thin straps + semi-naughty cleavage, this posh look totally channels a retro, sultry, Fred Astaire-era lounge vixen. In modern terms, it's The. Smex.
On the girlish tip, I fell in luhs with this next satin concoction, the ready-to-party "Dudu" dress (which comes in bronze, cream and silver). The lustrous shine on these rich, satiny folds really accentuates the dramatic draping of this dress.
I paired this look with the stately "Miss-G" jewels (the same as I wore with the "Celine" dress above). This triple-strand black pearl choker, with its large, offset diamond flower, adds the pitch-perfect elegant touch to this magnificent gown. Lemme tellya, wearing this thing totally puts you in a ballroom dancing kinda mood.

O, I'm just a lonely wallflower. Woe is moi. Where the eff is my prince already?
Hell's bells, if my prince ain't a-comin', might as well strike a kyoot pose.
Finally, my tardy prince! I shall make him do a li'l twirly-twirl with moi. Drrrramatic dancing pose, yeah!
*giggles* Actually, poor Gavin generously let me drag him to the dreamy, ridic pretty Tempura SIM, where he had to dress up a bit due to the dress code there (it's a good one, befitting of the spectacular setting: basically, they just request that you don't look like a total slouch). He dug it -- after I thoughtfully gave him the 411 that ballroom dancing is tres macho.

Back to fashion, check out this crazy floral waist detail, which is even more apparent in the bronze color. See the meticulously gilded edges? This triple-row jade "Medea" necklace is such a showstopper too, featuring large blooming roses in gold. When worn against this deep bronze color, this rich, green + gold choker looks simply sumptuous.
I also have to say that I really appreciate how Squinternet's jewels are deliberately not necessarily of the super tiny variety -- yet still remain utterly feminine + ladylike. This is actually not the easiest thing to accomplish (trust me on this). This striking "Renee" necklace is just one example: check out these rectangular aqua stones trailing prettily down the chest, prettily intermixed with round white pearls + "sideways" squares of sky-blue aqua. So so pretty.
I know all my frugalistas wanna see the gifties (and for all you Donna Flora newbies, there's oodles of gifts at the store just waiting to be scooped -- such as the modern silver squares choker + earrings set previously blogged here + the gold-tinged necklace and gold-beaded ankle boots previously blogged here). I paired with the "Renee" necklace with this $1L pretty sleeveless "Bea" dress find -- which is not in the retro glam style but a fun, summery look, featuring a sexy-cut bodice with mock turtleneck collar.

These soft colors reminded me of yummeh gelato, so I had to just have meself a li'l (triple) cone here (which you thoughtfully get for free when you click the gelato trays at Creamshop. They so get that sometimes you need a li'l fashion refreshment). 'Scuze my li'l 'nosh break. Hee.
Just to show you how versatile Squinternet's jewels are -- and because these happen to be 2 of my all-time personal SL jewelry faves (I spied these at the Donna Flora booth at last summer's Jewelry Fair + have adored them to death ever since) -- I wanted to show you just how easily these Donna Flora jewels span a broad range of styles + also work with just about anything. (It ain't no news flash that for us fashionistas, the whole fun of SL fashion is the mix + match).

Check out these modern, keyholed, super smexeh minidresses -- a totally different style the retro glam looks above (frugalistas: these minisdresses are part of the current $0L or $1L in-store hunt at my beloved Alegria Designs; see the Styling Credits below for more info). This next playful necklace might be my fave jewelry piece ever: Squinternet's exquisite "gem charms" necklace, the "Gabriela (colors)". It's tres rare to find a jewelry piece that manages to be both unquestionably elegant and yet so totally fun -- and for me, this piece really encapsulates both. It's delectable jewelry candy fo' sho'.
As a quick aside, isn't it funny how sometimes you can just forget about something that you once so totally once loved? This Damselfly "Fallyn" brown hair in these photos is one of those for me. When I slipped it on, it felt like saying hi to an old friend. (I wore this thing the eff out). This sexy mane seemed perfect for this clean, modern look. I'm so ready for my South Beach (i.e., glammiest-beach-sexiness-at-nite) closeup in this getup.
My next personal favie is a notch-edged, bezel-wrapped choker featuring square stones and gold, which comes with matching earrings that I also love. This "Andrea" set is so unquestionably elegant + the colorless, chunky quality plays off so well with any bold colors. I love wearing this with any brightly-colored or black dress. See how Squinternet's pieces really punch up any look, any style?
Another note to the frugalistas: my hair in the above "Andrea" necklace photo is a really cute free one by Junwave for group members (it's $0L to join) who also have the store as a profile pick. Aren't these soft waves that frame the face so pretty? The pink bow is the perfect pale peachy-pink too (you even get an option to wear it without the bow).

Squinternet is set to open a new Donna Flora store (it's still under construction as of the time of this post, so I don't have a LM I can share with you yet) but in the meantime, she's offering a lovely gift: anyone who purchases 2 outfits at the Donna Flora @ Hang Gu location will receive this lovely "Grace" outfit for free (the black fur shoulder stole comes included with it too -- such an awes piece for the retro mix + match).
Isn't this a sweet girlie look? I thought this pretty free bob style hair by Rezlpsa Loc totally capped off this ensemble. I'm also wearing another one of my fave skins here, a former Bishwear skin gift that gives me a tres serious expression. -- Hey, fashion is a serious biznatch, after all. Tee. Hee.

The new Donna Flora store will feature a brand-new collection that centers around distinctive looks, with each ensemble to be accompanied by its own signature hat. The style of the new collection remains completely under wraps (+ Squinternet is intent on keeping it that way until the grand opening) so we'll just have to be patient to see what crazy concoctions this talented lady has cooked up for us. Le grrrr.

*Mwuahs* to the tres talented Squinternet Larnia for trusting me to showcase her truly exquisite looks + also for all her super generous gifts to us all (Squinternet remains one of the. most. prolific gifters on the grid, so if you see her, please say a big fat thank you!) Anyone who has not yet plundered her freebies/$1L/discount table at the Donna Flora mainstore should do so immediately (be sure to check the subscribo's History + the group's Notices too).

Mainstore: Donna Flora @ Garman
Hang Gu location: Donna Flora @ Ardigraf Design, Hang Gu

This mix + match-er rarely does a style profile intently focused on any single brand, so you knows I gotta luhs this lady's stuff. Hope you glimpsed some pieces that you might enjoy too.

Vintage glam love + fashionista kisses to all!

xoxo
ღTeshan2222 Wycliffe
(who will forever have a Big. Thing. for vintage glam)
http://slexyfashionista.blogspot.com/

STYLING CREDITS:

1st necklace pictured: Donna Flora - Strawberry Deco Necklace

Pants + blouse: Donna Flora - Karen pants
Earrings: Donna Flora - Giulia
Hair: Donna Flora - Giulia hair brunette (beaded)
Shoes: Maitreya - ChiChi Pumps - Black Velvet
Skin: Oceane's Body Shop - Leona_Fudge_Minty Mystic_CLHW - Jan group gift ($0L to join) - free
Eyes: Poetic Colors - Aurora Freebie (m) - free
Lashes: Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Dress (including shoulder jewel) + earrings: Donna Flora - Brocade & Jewels
Shoes: Stiletto Moody - Bare Katharine (Gold Diamante)
Skin: Curio - :GP: Sundust [Dark][ Winter-Cashmere 2
Hair: Truth - Gillian - Mirage
Eyes: Negaposi - Lunar - Water (Large Iris) - $30L
Lashes: Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Dress: Donna Flora - Celine
Necklace + earrings: Donna Flora - Miss-G
Skin: Oceane's Body Shop - Leona_Fudge_Minty Mystic_CLHW - Jan group gift ($0L to join) - free
Hair: Truth - Amy Jane - Platinum
Shoes: Stiletto Moody - Bare Katharine (Gold Diamante)
Eyes: Negaposi - Lunar - Water (Large Iris) - $30L
Lashes: Cake - Bedroom Lashes

White and black gown (with gloves): Donna Flora - Dudu cream
Necklace + earrings: Donna Flora - Miss-G
Skin: Curio - :GP: Sundust Frex [Dark] Winter-Pure 4
Hair: Fri.day - fri. - Jasmine.2 - Sensitive Black - previous $75L sale
Eyes: Negaposi - Glass Eyes (Raven) - $30L
Shoes: Indyra's Originals - Urban Agenda - Olivia Noir

Bronze and black gown (with gloves): Donna Flora - Dudu bronze
Necklace + earrings: Donna Flora - Medea jade
Skin: Curio - :GP: Sundust Frex [Dark] Winter-Pure 4
Hair: 69 - Neguko - Dark Brown
Eyes: Negaposi - Glass Eyes (Raven) - $30L
Shoes: Indyra's Originals - Urban Agenda - Olivia Noir

Dress: Donna Flora - Bea - $1L
Necklace + earrings: Donna Flora - Renee aqua set
Shoes: Kalnins - Conqueror
Skin: Curio - :GP: Sundust Frex [Dark] Winter-Toasty2
Hair: Zeus - New Year Gift - Zeus y-04 resize 2010 New Year gift - free
Eyes: Negaposi - Lunar - Water (Large Iris) - $30L
Lashes: Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Chunky gems charms necklace: Donna Flora - Gabriella necklace colors
Hair: Damselfly - Fallyn - Brown Caramel Blend
Skin: Skin: Curio - :GP: Sundust Frex [Dark] Winter-Cashmere 1
Dress: Alegria Designs - Tara dress white (look in "Tara" dress section on right hand side wall; this color only is a gift, but more $0L or $1L gifts currently hidden thruout the store now) - free

Colorless bezel squares in chunky gold necklace + earrings: Donna Flora - Andrea set
Dress: Alegria Designs - Kayleigh dress Cyan (look in "Kayleigh" dress section on left side near the back; this color only is a gift, but more $0L or $1L gifts currently hidden thruout the store now) - free
Hair: Junwave - Haruka*Moca+bow - group profile picks rewards gift - free
Eyes: Negaposi - Glass Eyes (Lagoon) - $30L

White and black dress (with black fur): Donna Flora - Grace
Necklace + earrings: Donna Flora - Sunny black
Hair: Rezlpsa Loc - Martha - 10 pm - group gift - free
Skin: Bishwear - Kendall - previously free
Bowtie Patent Leather Stilettos: Minx - Sugar Baby - Black

All poses by: Long Awkward Pose

on Gavin McGinnis:

Shirt, jeans + vest: Wilson's - Just for the guys hunt gift - free
Shoes: Hoorenbeek @ LE.LOOK! - l'homme - Boots -previously free
Skin: BeReal - Exclusive Max Skin - previously free
Hair: Junwave - Natural Short (black) - previous $50L sale
Eyes: Negaposi - Glass Eyes (Lagoon) - $30L