Crimson Shadow
by Arabeth Laval
Posted on February 7, 2008
Filed Under Outfits, Lace, Prim Skirts, Stores, Costumes
Crimson Shadow is a store that’s been on the grid for several months now, and I am quite ashamed to say that I’ve only just found it. Slap on the wrists for me: now to make up for lost time.
There are several designers contributing here, all with their own ideas and specialisations, so you will almost certainly find something that shouts out to you when you visit. Latex always works for me, and this seriously sexy costume piece was the first thing I honed in on in store.
To neglect to blog this would have been criminal indeed, but knowing quite where to start poses a small problem. Objectively, my eyes are drawn to the blood red bodice that peeps through, although clearly it’s the overcoat that steals the show. A tight fitting jacket sucks around the torso, trimmed with a thick fur collar and wrinkled back and front to the body’s bend. Puffed sleeves emphasise the second skin effect around the waist, with full length gloves to complete the effect.
To the back the coat seems all concealing, sheets of latex primed and pulled to create a two-tiered skirt effect. A buffed belt encircles the small of the back for some extra depth and detail. At the front, everything lies open with a bunched band concealing the midriff, simple black panties prominently on display. Tightly webbed thigh highs trimmed with jagged lace elastic decorate the legs with high heeled boots to complete the look.
If that wasn’t enough for you, a cast iron sceptre with glowing set stone is provided for your accessorising pleasure. My personal favourite though is this stylish topper: as with any hat, you’ll probably have to rework your ‘do slightly to get it to fit but golly gosh it is worth it. It’s not boxy at all, in fact the sides carry a subtle outward slope to ensure a perfect shape, with layered hat band and a tilted rim: it’s not fussy but a very simple design, definitely ripe for pairing with some of your other outfits.
I also fell head over heels for this little number, which comes with the option of the dinky mini (as shown) or the long ball skirt. The longer skirt doesn’t allow me to flaunt my hose-endowed legs for you, so I’ve only pictured the shorter one here.
The dress features a deeply plunging neckline edged with scalloped lace that is very delicate, providing a soft line for the eye to follow. The bodice is laced centrally with black cord, drawing tight the lightly meshed fabric. The capped sleeves are trimmed with light leaves in a fine mesh, a stylistic feature that also completes the collar and lengthy cuffs. It gives this outfit a fairytale appeal, elegant in the extreme, especially when paired with the gown skirt.
For my skins, I’m adoring the wide-pleated mini. It might be the way the twisted belt sits just above it, or the pretty ribbon bows that are tacked to either side. I think though that it’s the considered web overlay, sewn to points on the outer edges, with the frazzled lace of the petticoat buoying up beneath. It bounces like a tutu, and when I’m wearing it I really do feel like skipping rather than walking. It’s girlie goodness with a darker slant, and I’m lapping that up.
The stockings don’t leave any space for leg flesh, which is actually just what the doctor ordered here. The diagonal mesh is broken down with smaller net panels, interspersed with sewn boxes at intervals – very nicely done, although there is the foreseeable seamage. Shoes are also provided with the set, strappy stilettos with pointy toes. They’re not sculptie but I really don’t think you’d be ashamed to wear them out.
My final choice was a pants set which comes with everything you see here. While I liked the criss cross belt, banded boots and skin tight trousers, the attention is quite rightly on the brilliant batty corset. A wide neck exposes plenty of skin, with fine arches threaded on either side of the shoulders. The bat wing neckline is drawn in painstaking detail, but you may need to focus a little harder on the chest to realise that it’s not just the wings that have been incorporated into this piece. The screeching beastie is pinned by his head beneath the twined cord, strung through double set eyelets to the centre of the chest and flanked with silk ribbon panels. The material pulls tight around the waist, similar details picked to the back and bottoms.
There is so much on offer at Crimson Shadow, you really need to port over there and check it out for yourself.
Black Latex n Top Hat Set: $1000L ; Lace and Web Dress: $1000L ; Womens Bat Corset Set $700L
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