COORDINATE 239: LUMIÈRE, IN HER NAME
Dress: Lief (Selena School Series Belted JSK in black)
Hair clips: Hoshibako Works (Wrapping Ribbon Brooch Clip x2 in black)
Wig: Offbrand
Blouse: Metamorphose (Lace Up Sleeve Blouse, Plus Size in black)
Necklace: Hoshibako Works (Gloss Candle Necklace in antique bronze)
Corset: Atelier Pierrot (Adenophora Velour Corset in black)
Tights: Offbrand
Shoes: Queen Bee (One Strap Round Toe Pumps in black)
A coordinate dedicated to my first cat, Michi. She was all black with green eyes and she meowed with her whole voice. We adopted her in 2010 and she passed away last July after over 15 years together. It was my first time experiencing intense grief. When you lose a close friend you lived with and saw every day and loved for that long and were responsible for, it permanently changes you. The journey of that relationship in and of itself changed me, getting to know her and communicate with her better and better. I entered this into a virtual fashion walk with the theme of transformation. I am still sad she's gone but she lived a good long time and we gave each other our best. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have known her and to have cared for her, and I will always love her. Her love is a light in my heart and I will carry it with me the rest of my days. On one hand all of this sounds very goth but once you experience loss for yourself you learn that it really is true.
This coordinate was also inspired by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Lumière, the city where the story begins. The plot of the game explores the complexity of grief and loss, and playing the game soon after Michi passed away helped with processing my feelings in an unexpected way. The game is set in France during the Belle Époque and the visuals of the game were also an inspiration for the overall look of this coordinate. The candelabra necklace in particular is meant to tie everything together concept wise.