Peacock Gazette/Issue 4
Title: Peacock Gazette: Issue 4
Author: Various
Headline: From Fractals to Florals with a Frisson of Flattery
Notable figures from Elven society eagerly gathered in the Pavonated Atelier recently to hear Lord Clessar Ryvvuel and Lady Penelia Caisandoral share their insights on the latest mid-winter fashion trends. The audience's enthusiasm was no doubt heightened in part by news on the Peacock Grapevine of an upcoming formal court session. After a nod towards his mentor, Lord Chalat Greyvael, the current First Couturier of the Argentate set out to inspire and excite his captivated audience with his unconventional approach to the art of fashion.
Between sips of tea, the discussion centered around the emergence of monochrome jewel tones in the Shining City with leanings towards cultural crest colors as a statement of unity and support; evidence that fashion can also be political! Visual references and inspiration came in the form of mannequins and a flurry of quills scratching on parchment quickly ensued as enthusiastic fashionistas made notes and sketches.
Silhouettes are contoured in popular fabrics such as pattern-burnt velvets, textured leathers, and varieties of fine wool with season-appropriate accents of silks, laces, and metallic mesh. Cross-wrapped furs and pelts seem to be all the rage judging by the nods of approval around the room and individuality encouraged with the addition of personal touches such as insignia or pins. Simply designed metal accessories complement the monochromatic scheme and word from the Rose Court in Ta'Nalfein is that there is a rise in popularity of velvet-crafted flora in hairstyles alongside the uniform metals with some nobility opting for more simplistic ribbons and hair-ties to highlight jewelry pieces. One wonders if southern tastes will be reflected by the more adventurous in the Argentate in the coming weeks.
Lady Caisandoral noted that while there was typically some overlap between the fashion in the City-States, the Loenthran Court eschewed the lavish colors of jewel tones for the crispness of winter with cool, muted tones, smoky greys, and stark whites. And, rather than the metals favoured by the Illistimi, the accents on display in the Painted City naturally leaned towards the prevalence of stained glass.
As for footwear: apparently anything goes! There is an opportunity for the more fashion-forward to set their own imaginative and creative agenda. The adornment of hands and wrists must, however, follow suit with complementary wrist-purses, cufflinks, or signets - a personal favourite of Lord Ryvvuel. Be sure to flourish those family crests at every opportunity. The final touch of decadence noted in court ensembles is the presence of cosmetics; muted and metallic are the key words here and used to good effect on the face of both the ladies and gentlemen of high standing.
The last word from Ta'Loenthra is that the fractal and geometric shapes of winter will likely be replaced in the spring by pastels and barely-there whites with lighter, more graceful silhouettes. The last word from this author, however, is that the casual flattery of one couturier to the other was clearly evident that afternoon. Perhaps another fashionable wedding could be on the cards later this year?
Headline: Fashion is the Hot Topic of the Season
Despite the cold weather, fashion is clearly hot news lately. Word on the Peacock Grapevine is also that the Seneschal, Lord Aeriadrn Ghaeriden, has been actively requesting a tailor and Lord Arastir - a rising star in the Illistim Court - seems quite in tune with fashion of the season. Rumours abound of an influx of seamstresses and tailors to accommodate this latest flurry of activity around Court.
Shopkeepers are, in turn, ensuring that their business premises and wares are being brought up-to-date with haste. Thankfully, the presence of scaffolding along some of the weys and vars is causing minimal disruption to the flow of traffic.
Headline: Clucking Cadre in the Keep
The Keep saw a flurry of activity on 28th Lormesta, with an impromptu gathering of the highest eschelons of Elven society - Lord Legionnaire Jaranzair, Princess Leisette, and Inquisitor Vaelynsa were spotted secreting themselves into the Seneschal's office by sharp-eyed watchers and overheard discussing the latest developments in the case of the missing young squire Gasen Nellereune. A scrap of silk recovered by one of Leisette's associates was positively identified by Seneschal Aeriadrn as belonging to the young lordling, confirming suspicions that the hapless form spotted being pressganged by pirates near Mistwatch was indeed Gasen.
After a short interlude during which the gathered were treated to the reassuring screech of a peahen automaton failing to find any untoward parties present, the Seneschal revealed the disappearance of another person, known variously as Alefaie or Ryossa, a maidservant in service to either the Nellereune or Greyvael family. It appears she may be a suspect in the kidnapping of the Lady Ardtin Greyvael, and she has been spotted somewhere in the DragonSpine by Dwarves. All present recommitted themselves to finding the Lady Greyvael as soon as possible and to stay in close communication with any findings, but as he was leaving, the exhausted-looking Seneschal let slip that no missive should reach the Mirror herself. A curious form of protection perhaps during this time of tension?
Headline: Court Circulars
Lady Sayilla Javilerre and the noble Illistim houses of Avelleur, Chesylrae, Greyvael, Nellereune, and Veythorne invite citizens of the Shining City and entrepreneurial visitors to join together at The Wisteria Markets on Restday, the 4th day of Fashanos from 12 Elven to 3 Elven. The Wisteria Markets will be hosted monthly within the Chanceries with an open invitation for anyone to set up their stalls and join in the community.