♛ MISS VIRTUAL WORLD 2020 Presents DIVERSITY in Second Life. ♛

"Chic Afrique " by Becky Kenaan - MV♛ France 2020 

Fashion has long served as an important medium for negotiating differences 

across cultural divides. Clothing encourages a means by which we engage 

distant cultures into our familiar environs. It also highlights cultural differences 

to reinforce cultural identity through contrast with others.

Fashion is always evolving. It is characterized by self-conscious change which 

also has played an important role in the description of cultures and subcultures - 

providing a key means of making affiliations. 

This runway challenge was a unique opportunity for me to trace the flows, 

intersections, and contrasts in the cultural aesthetics of African clothing. That 

said, my presentation is a premise on how African culture
has influenced today’s French couture fashion.

For this challenge on the runway, I was first inspired by the Stone's Works 

TRIBAL MOON Copper earrings. Their African design influences caught 

my attention as I shopped at the 2019 Rock your Rack event.

Continuing my research on African fashion, I fell in love with 

LUXE Paris Fashion's Rumba dress with its sophisticated textures, 

attention to detail and haute couture elegance.

The turban that I wear is a common feminine head wrap worn 

in many parts of Southern and Western Africa. Indeed, African 

women wear the turban as a queen wears her crown.

Finally, to add my French touch, I also adorned a little plush jacket 

by Villena, one of the hottest trends in Paris fashion this fall.

A Quote from the Past...

"It seems to us that [these African fabrics] can provide, each and every one, 

useful sources of inspiration. In every era, designers have turned to the Orient to revitalize 

their enthusiasm. Didn't Rabelais write (after Pliny): There is always something new 

out of Africa'?" - Henri Clouzot, Tissus Negres (Paris: A. Calavas, 1931)

Style Notes: 

Dress |  LUXE Paris - RUMBA Beach Dress

Jacket |  villena - Rose Bud Fur Jacket - Ash

Pants   |  Blueberry - Poppy Pants

Scarf  |  little bones - Seattle Scarf - Grey (with purple added tint)

Head-Wrap | B.D.R. - Deka Turban 

Shoes  |  KC - YSEE Heels

Earrings |  Stone's Works - TRIBAL MOON Copper Earrings Set 

Handbag | V/W - Baguettes' Bag

Body |   Maitreya - Lara with Bento hands & feet

Ears  |  L'Etre - Basic mesh ears

Head |   Catwa - Jessica Catya (Bento)

Freckles |  DeeTaleZ - Mesh Freckles Layer

Skin |  Glam Affair - Amelie Natural 

Nails  | Nailed It - French Manicure Dark Set - Purple

Lipstick |  WILD Makeup Studio - Lovey Dovey Lips

Eyeshadow |  P O E M A Clean Eyes - Melissa Eyeshadow