"A Matter of Fashion"
by Rayth, Lord Blackmoore and Nynis, Lady Goldkeeper
portraits by Brett

Greetings, gentle readers!

This second edition of "A Matter of Fashion" marks the beginning of a long discussion about local fashions across the known provinces. Lady Nynis and I have been doing extra research and footwork on the subject, so that we can explain the different trends of cities and races to our readers.

Our first discussion concerns the Crossing. We will begin with a summary of the general Crossing Mode, then move into comments by Fashion Consultant Francke Brentley, whom we had the great pleasure of interviewing earlier. This summary was written by myself, but look for the upcoming subject of Shard and Leth Deriel as viewed by the Lady Nynis Goldkeeper in our next articles. ~R

The Crossing is the home of the most modern introductions to the fashion world. Here you will find waistcoats, top hats, high-waisted gowns paired with long gloves, and also some Highlander variants on the same theme.

The emphasis is on tailoring and fabric with almost no embellishments of any kind. The cut and material is usually sufficient on its own, and in fact would be quickly lost under fur trimmings or heavy embroidery. Elegant simplicity summarizes the fashion of the Crossing.

The colors tend to be strong and unadulterated; red, blue, white, black, and gold are typical of this city. You will not see many muted or mixed tones. Stockings and socks of various types are also fashionable here, although strangely there are no plaids for the kilts or stockings. Perhaps this is due to the mania of Crossingites to keep material undecorated.

The less fashionable folk in and around this town tend to wear variants on the typical tunic-and-leggings combination. The Crossing's fashion is very accessible to most, however, with many shops and nice ready-to-wear coats, trousers, and gowns. The location of the Crossing as the center of trade allows the city's shopowners to keep costs of material and jewelry to a minimum.

Now, without further ado, we bring you words of wisdom from Fashion Consultant Francke Brentley.

[Rayth: Francke is, in my opinion, the perfect example of Crossing style done well.]

[Nynis: I certainly agree. He has a very simple, refined approach to fashion that I find refreshing, not to mention his rather outspoken nature.]

[R: The tweed trousers and jacket that he wore to the interview, although casual, were perfectly pressed and gave a very dapper appearance. An excellent way to appear both simple and refined, as you mentioned. But I don't think I could carry off argyle socks with that kind of flair.]

[N: Very few could. Actually, I found his choice of a crocodile skin belt remarkable. Perhaps a new trend in the offing?]

[R: It contrasted well with the rough texture of tweed.]

[N: Yes, and I found his patent leather shoes very tasteful and much more urbane than boots.]

[R: Perhaps we will see more of those in fashionable circles, at the very least around the Crossing where such fashion has its roots.]

[N: I wager that we will. Francke shows great promise as one of the new leaders of fashion.]

On Shard:

Francke: Shard has some very stylish architecture. And that dear Ferdahl..

Nynis: I have not yet had the honor of meeting her.

F: Well, when you *do* you may see a slight touch of my hand there.

N: Oh? Have you worked your magic on her as well?

F: Sometimes my consults are considered... confidential in nature.

On Sirolarn:

Some will walk that dark path of a doomed fashion sense.

On Fashion in General:

I really felt... alone... in this work. I will be glad to offer any words that could be of some solace to those in need out there.

On Fashion Consultations:

There is a peculiar habit of people here in the southern regions to imagine themselves designers. Without any clear knowledge of how such things work, they proceed, throwing patterns together, devising concepts that would cause the bravest soul to shudder. And yet... somehow amidst this chaos, I can find that gem of value. That. That is my gift.

On His Past:

I remember arranging my mother's gowns at the age of 4 or 5. I remember telling her what worked with her hair and complexion at an even earlier age. My father was a little taken aback. I believe he was hoping I'd follow him in the family business, trading in cattle and wood. But my mother knew and understood. So she would teach me how to stitch and embroider, among other skills, and my father's stablehands would teach me the art of working with armor.

On the State of Fashion:

There is a state of fashion?

[R: Francke laughed quite heartily at this.]

On How He Would Change It:

The biggest influence I would introduce is this: Let's get away from this busy, busy, busy! Why does everything have to scream "ME!"? My gods, you are out there defending the populace, not making some overt statement about how grandiose you want to be. And can you tell me without a doubt that those men who flaunt such elaborately noisy armor are as strong underneath as their armor attempts to be?

[N: Personally, whenever I see a man in gaudy armor, I have to wonder if he's a fighter or a fop.]

On His First Consultation:

It makes me shudder to recall it. I was adamant that this lady should NOT be wearing green with her mousy colored hair. It made her skin look almost yellow. And I told her this. Well, I was promptly thrown off of her grounds. Of course, she DID wear green to the ball, and I heard that an empath was trying to heal her of a jaundiced state.

Advice to the Fashionably Bereft:

This is my best advice to the fashionably bereft...

Stop.

Think.

Look at yourself.

Ask yourself this: "Do I really want to wear this, or am I following a mere folly of whim?"

On Fashion Disasters:

When I behold your appearances, a lifetime of impressions creeps forward. If I see a cacophony of dull, black leather with a soft, silken robe... or if I encounter the blinding scream of a well-worn pack, about to sag at the seams, with a sparkling new helm... I can do little else but sob inwardly. I am not seeing a well-polished person, I am seeing a disaster!

On Further Changes:

I truly hope to see a shift from wearing what we wear out in the field all of the time, to a shift while in the city or at home. We need to create a greater sensibility in our surroundings. I would like to see us move away from the dull, black leather I see. Since when is it acceptable to dress as though you are a pauper?

It would not hurt to consider adding some of the newer "blacks", also. Brown, deep mahogany, dark grey... black is very overdone. I have no problem with a little black, or some black... I wish that people would stop wearing countless containers on their person. After a while you begin to look more like a general store and less like a person.

[R: I can understand that black is overdone, but it will always have an honored place in my wardrobe. It's classic if it is done with taste.]

[N: And a disaster without it. I know we will never persuade you to abandon your blacks, Lord Rayth, but on the behalf of all the ladies who might be tired of men dressed in black from head to toe, let me ask that fashionable men put on just a bit of some other color. A red waistcoat would be perhaps more lively, or a white shirt.]

[R: True, head to toe rarely works in any color unless you are just wearing a single robe.]

Must-Have Fashion Item:

Shoes. We must move from this obsession with boots.

[R: Shoes go well with all forms of Crossing fashion, especially when made with very fine leather.]

[N: Yes, and boots of any leather are more suited to fighting, traveling, and manual labor. Shoes should be worn about the city and at home if one wants an air of sophistication.]

[R: Boots can be sophisticated, but they must not appear to have been tramping along the roads for years. They also must be matched with appropriate clothin,g or they look as if you are going out to work in the stable,s no matter how fine they are.]

Current Work:

I am working on a collection [of women's clothing]. I intend to send a messenger through the Realms with word of my next visit to wrap up older appointments. But my hope is that in a season or two I shall be ready for more appointments. I will be traveling through Leth Deriel every season, I hope.

Advice on Attending a Francke Consultation: Come prepared with questions. And remain openminded. Perhaps you can tell your readers of my great love for my work and that I remain ready to advise those I encounter.

His Preferred Look: I suppose... classy and timeless. I want to create items that will be considered heirlooms, and I am not wholly unaware of the challenges that everyday people face. Not all have the means to change with the seasons or whims of a fickle fashion world.

Advice on Starting Out:

I would stress the need to purchase a few well-matching items, and to always consult either myself or someone else who understands fashion.