The Trimaris Fashion Report
"The clothing of humanity is full of profound significance, for the human spirit not only builds its own body, but also fashions its own dress, even though for the most part it leaves the actual construction to other hands. Men and women dress themselves in accordance with the dictates of that great unknown, the spirit of time." (From Carl Kohler's "A History of Costume" — one of the few good things to come out of that book!)
Beautiful Fighters in Oldenfeld!
I don't know if I just didn't notice before, or if Their Majesties Mittion von Weald and Brigit Caileen of the Moors have really made a difference. Of course, I'm talking about their request to have the lyst fields of Trimaris look a little bit more fashionable! While I was up in Oldenfeld attending their fabulous Yule Event (hey, for those of you that have never attended this event, there is so much happening in one day you will never get bored!), they held a lyst. So what's so special about that? Well, more than half the field was decked out in beautiful armor and tabards. Surf's up! Honorable Lord Osric of Aragon was movin' some water and swinging away with his fab looking heraldic wave-action blue and white tabard. Countess Judith looked spiff garbed in black and red, as did Count Gaston in black and yellow. Honorable Lady Genevieve de Mullet Trois sported an aventail and skirt of chainmail sans tabard - very nice! And how could you miss Ser Severin Visconti in his purple tabard embellished with grapes? Lionel MacLaren of Oldenfeld had a lovely black and white embattled tabard with counterchanged lions. Lord Celwin Barenjager was wearing that cool Carolingian surcoat again. I guess he only gets to wear it on special occasions — being it was his birthday that weekend and all. One surcoat that wasn't all that fashionable, but in good repair, belonged to Honorable Lord Cedric of Dorchester. Simply adorned with the Lion of Oldenfeld, he has been wearing the same tabard for five years now. Speaking of Cedric and cool things happening - did you hear he started a tournament company? It's called The Company of St. Jude, and practically the entire Shire of Oldenfeld has contributed to it in some way! They made tents, matching surcoats, tabards, tunics and hoods - all in the shire's colors of yellow and green. It was most impressive to behold. FLASH! AN EXCLUSIVE FASHION STATEMENT ORIGINAL: Ser Severin has taken to wearing the tokens he gets from the Ladies in the gallery at the pas d'armes he participates in on his knight's chain. Well, up in Oldenfeld, several fighters were seen doing the same thing! Kudos to Sev for starting something - and it wasn't an argument this time!
The first ever Winter Arts and Sciences Exhibition
So the Minister of the Arts & Sciences decided to change the format of our A&S Faires - and wow, was it ever a success! There were loads of displays in the hall of all varieties! I walked around the hall myself to check out all the cool stuff there. There were only two outstanding fashion happenings in the displays. The first was Mistress Genevieve's very interesting (and entertaining and fun to read and look at everything there was) display on her life in the SCA complete with the first "Elizabethan" gown she ever made, and some chainmail with bunny fur attached to it. The second belonged to Lady Cassandra de la Sol and her beautiful blackwork embroidery. Very nice. Since The Company of the Swan held a pas d'armes during the day, there were an awful lot of cotehardies walking around. Lady Amanda was in a blue cotehardie with white tippets and a yellow underdress. Lady Isabeau de Mont St. Michele made a rather LOUD statement in and orange and blue cotehardie with counterchanged fleurs. Lady Madeline de Sommerville looked as lovely as ever in blue and black. Sir Elizabeth wore yellow with red fleurs and red trim and matching fleur-de-lis veil. And Lady Isabeau looked exquisite (as is her usual!) in red wool with a black velvet hood. Lady Iseult wore green damask. One last note to Lady Sophia Buonarotti — keep wearing those exquisite Italian Renaissance gowns! Nothing complements you as well as they do!