Guys, we have a problem. The problem is that there are too many awesome new releases about to hit the grid, and it’s simply not right! In all seriousness we’ve gotten so used to regular weekend sales and lackluster events that it’s easy to become a little bit ‘meh’ about true SL fashion, but I’m here to tell you that actually there are some events that should ALWAYS be on your radar, and Kustom 9 is one of them.

Kustom 9 have actually themselves just launched their own weekend event, which is fine, but for me nothing quite replaces the fun and excitement that the actual sale itself brings. It opens every month on the 15th and frankly it is a money pit; there is always something that you just have to buy from an assortment of some of the very best designers in-world. The other thing to note is they don’t shut the area off during set up, so if you have zero patience (me, obviously) then you can just turn up and see who’s put out early. Which sounds wrong, but I’m sure you get the point!

ANYWAY I MUST tell you about some fantastic things that are already available to buy should you feel like dropping in before the event officially opens. Which is ever so naughty but WHO GIVES A FUCK?! I WANT THE NEW THINGS!!! (Incidentally I’m not an official Kustom 9 Blogger, and this is all completely unofficial and I paid for all my lovely things with cold, hard cash that I earned in real life.) In fact, shout out to Kustom9 for having a very easy to navigate shopping experience sound tracked with the finest KPOP South Korea has to offer; it’s a wonderfully straightforward event to navigate and that means it rezzes in relatively quickly and you can jump in, shop and bugger off in a timely fashion to make way for someone else. Which is nice.

First off, MOON hair. I find MOON to be a tad hit or miss style wise, but I always enjoy the quality of the hair textures and the colour palette. This was a split-second decision to try the demo, I wasn’t looking for new hair (especially as I’m aware MAGIKA are dropping newness at ACCESS) but I tried this and well, had to have it. It’s called ‘Fairy’ and comes with an accessory in the shape of a beaded crown, and you can change the bead colours to various combos using the HUD but honestly? I’m not fussed; I’ve seen better hairbands in Second Life and the style works absolutely beautifully without it. The style HUD allows for changes to the shapes of the tendrils framing the face, and I love the hint of wispy hair at the crown. I found the size 1 hair fits my bonce perfectly but contrary to popular belief I haven’t got that much of a big head. Incidentally I treated myself to the ‘Pastel’ pack, as I’m getting into pastels and lighter, more colourful shades and I haven’t actually bothered to change the tone yet. I’m living for this lavender hue and love the fit. Single colour packs are L$349 and a fatpack is L$1599..I don’t feel the need to indulge in the fatpack for this style as I think I’ll get most enjoyment from the single pack I’ve purchased. I try to avoid them unless they’re offering something I simply must have such as exclusive patterns and shades, or unless they’re a style I know I’ll never get sick off and live in for the next six months. (This is lies of course, I change my hair with the same frequency that I change my underwear. That’s EVERY DAY you dirty heathens!)

Next up we have an astonishingly pretty frock and cardigan combo from ZENITH. I don’t shop ZENITH much, and that’s not for any particular reason other than I just don’t, but perhaps I need to rethink that. The clothes the brand produce are always excellent and well textured and pretty darn lovely, but they don’t often zoom across my radar igniting ‘I MUST HAVE THIS’ enthusiasm. But, they did today.

To be fair to ZENITH they haven’t even fully set up the booth yet but I just KNEW I had to have this and I am so glad that I did. It’s a cardigan and dress combined into one item, and upon zooming in the dress appears to be made from some sort of broderie anglaise style fabric . It hugs the curves and finishes mid-thigh with a lace edge. The body features lacing to the front and you can see that the bust is framed by lace as well, although the cardigan covers up most of the top half. It’s a short, loose style and I like the way that it’s been crafted to fit and the way that the sleeves finish on the wrists. The creasing in the fabric looks nice and authentic, too. You can purchase a selection of single colour combos for this one but honestly you’d be better served getting the fatpack; there’s so much that you can change the colour scheme on here: dress, cardigan, lace, ribbon up the front along with barely seen buttons and eyelets that mean you’re getting exceptional value for money from this purchase with lots of options for wear. The fatpack costs L$1199 (there are 11 colours included) with individual selections (of which there are six, so you’re getting exclusives in the fatpack) available for L$299.

Last but not least, I needed some poses to use for the pictures and fortunately OMY have released some crackers, and they’re conveniently already set up just across the way from the MOON hair stand. They’re called ‘Kennedy’ and are animated and breathing poses, and the eyes focus too which makes them great for taking quick pictures and more complicated staged snaps. I’m particularly keen on pose 1, which looks great: the gentle breathing, finger and eye movement all really look the part for a casual stance pose that hints at something more. The poses cost L$100 each, or L$300 for a fatpack.