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Published 6 April 309 AC
Mistress of Conduces, Novellia Reinard av Fristadvlom
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The Mistress of Conduces has decided to introduce a new system to encourage the Peerage to be more aware and sharp in terms of appearance. While there are many who meet the standard and those who do not, the system is to be implemented to encourage a certain standard, but also rewarding and encouraging for nobles to exceed the standard.
Before the official release of the actual Spring Fashion Guideline, the rules and features of this system will be outlined. While all of the Peerage are encouraged to maintain a copy of this to ensure adherence of rules in participation, they should note that this is subject to change over time, based on the state of Regalia and other important factors to ensure further efficiency.
Prior to starting, clarifications must be established:
Imperial Premises Dress Code and Seasonal Fashion Guidelines are different.
The Imperial Premises Dress Code only applies to the Imperial Palace and Imperial Progress and not the city and noble estates. Unless of course, the nobles themselves make it a part of their event dress codes at their homes or any event area within the city. This is strict. Names will be noted for future reference and for possible consequences.
The Seasonal Fashion Guidelines applies everywhere, but is always weaker than the Imperial Premises Dress Code when in the Imperial Palace and Imperial Progress. It is never strict for most persons, unless they decide to violate items within the Negative Point Set to become the least fashionable nobles.
This means the Imperial Premises Dress Code overrides the Seasonal Fashion Guideline when within Imperial Premises. The option is to either make an outfit that adheres to the skin limitations of the former and the theming and options of the latter or make separate situational outfits.
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Debriefing of the Seasonal Fashion Rankings and Guidelines
The Seasonal Fashion Rankings is a seasonal-based fashion competition. The Mistress of Conduces releases what is called a Seasonal Fashion Guideline, which determines the favored articles, accessories, and motifs for that season. Each item is within either of the following sets:
♔ Lesser Point Set | This includes items such as jewelry, pins, buttons, and any other that tends to be small and easy to apply. These are seen as sufficient accenting and should only be utilized in a balanced manner.
♔ Greater Point Set | This set includes large details such as if the fabric is stiff or flowing, if the style contains certain elements like ruffles or multiple layering. Larger accessory types like capes, furs, shawls, and veils tend to also classify in this set.
♔ Contested Point Set | This set is full of categories that are to be fought over throughout the season. This will always include theme adherence and creativity. A large amount of points can be gained from these categories, but at the same time, taken away if one's rival or peer is able to take a step ahead.
♔ Bonus Point Set | This set is for categories that are easier to gain and much encouraged for all to take. This includes the categories: Cultural Adherence and Cultural Innovation, along with ones such as Theme Bonus points for those who do have a theme attempt, but are not within the top three.
♔ Negative Point Set | This set is outlined with categories that result in penalties and negative modifiers. Examples include showing an egregious amount of skin or clashing elements.
Rationale for Formatting
A possible question that could be asked right now is 'Why is the code not culture-based or etiquette code-based?' The reason for that is that either style of code is too rigid and does not allow for the balance of creativity and function. It is clear that some cultural styles can be stricter or looser. It also is an expectation that each house knows their code and their limitations on their own.
Cultural-based guidelines do not benefit those who are Velheim and others similar to them in the sense of fashion not necessarily having completely defined traits. While there is a 'cultural adherence' category, this only gives a limited amount of points, one that can easily be surpassed with the rest of the categories.
Etiquette code-based guidelines separates the three groups and to some degree, such division is unnecessary. A Core noble should not be stopped from wearing a furs, because they are not of the code that the fashion item is within. A Souvereine noble should not be stopped from wearing something such as a veil, because they are not within a certain code that said item is in. Besides, all nobles should have a knowledge by heart of what they are bound by etiquette not to wear.
The main emphasis is that this should be an opportunity for nobles of different codes and cultures to share and compete with one another. Thus, this is why the system is based on less division by the traits of the participants and more so a loose and free code of picking and choosing that seeks to challenge the autonomous and creative abilities of the peerage.
There also is most likely a question on how item point values are decided and these are based on criteria such as: thought, effort, and balance.
Thought, as in how a person establishes and decides how to mix and match their ensemble, how they use their own internal genius to distinguish themselves from others.
Effort, as in how much work and time they must dedicate. For example, braided hair takes significantly longer to style than say, just allowing one's hair down. Persons who make the complete
Balance, as in how the outfit composition is overall. Both having too little or too much of an element in one's fashion can either detract or cover-up the true beauty of the wearer. A true master of fashion knows how to moderate and utilize fashion to complement the appearance.
Extra Features
♔ List of Exceptions
This is an ever expanding part of the fashion guidelines that simply note down what cultural fashions are exempt from the negative point penalties or any other penalties. The reasons can range from having a role in a coming of age practice to religious rituals to a show of one's reverence or past and other similar reasons.
To have a cultural/religious form of dress added to the list, persons are to preferably hold a meeting with the Mistress of Conduces, outlining to her why cultural/religious articles should be excluded. A letter with a full and rational argument may be sent, but these are less so powerful if not formatted correctly and have less strength in comparison to an in-person meeting.
♔ Special Peer Fashion
For more involvement of the Peerage, this category within the Greater Point Set asks for nobles to suggest possible details they may want to see in fashion. These items can range from something simple such as a woven bracelet to something such as an incredibly eccentric headdress.
Usual amount of accepted entries is 3. Though, this value is subject to fluctuating based on available entries or creativity of the suggestions sent in.
Both of these extra features are open in the present for suggestions! The best way is to have a meeting and if not such, send in letters.
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How to Participate
The rankings are all based on decided point values shown in the Seasonal Fashion Guideline for each season. For the most part, these point values will remain unchanged, unless there are sufficient claims to prompt it.
Now, one might ask: How do I register my points?
And the answer is simple: Show-off in front of the Mistress of Conduces.
Greet her or be in her vicinity, she will notice the outfit and automatically register said ensemble, unless told otherwise. It should be mentioned that as Mistress of Conduces, attire may not be the only part of a person judged.
Another way is to meet her when she is around. As per duty, the Mistress of Conduces will be around and announce her active presence. She can be in the Imperial Progress, the Imperial Palace, the city, the Carouonne Estate, or elsewhere. It will be stated for each announcement.
For those with difficult schedules, they can send in a letter for a meeting to have it registered.
In the most extreme cases, the Mistress of Conduces may open up submissions by designer sketch. This is not to be the norm, but in the issue that there be emergencies that pull the Conduces from being able to assess a person— in person— this option will be opened. However, as of the current, this is an unacceptable submission form until it is announced to be valid.
OOC: When Novellia is in emote distance, you can be in her line of sight and either:
***For Productive RP, it is recommended to have your outfit presented to Novellia, by greeting her and speaking to her rather than having her observe your character from afar.
Note: You can emote small things such as rings and pins and smaller details that wouldn't be able to be seen on the skin. However, details such as shawls, cloaks, sleeves, neckline, etc. need to be made visible on the skin.
- Emote the full outfit with the start having [Spring Fashion Entry] or [Spring Fashion] at the beginning of it, so I can set my attention on you.
- Please emote in a bright color, such as cyan.
- If the event or place is crowded, you can instead first, notify me in Massive PMs to make sure I am aware and then, you are allowed to send a message on discord to give me an outfit emote. It is necessary that I have this information, so I can see the presence of certain outfit details.
- The submissions by designer sketch basically means giving me a picture of the front and back of the character's skin.
***For Productive RP, it is recommended to have your outfit presented to Novellia, by greeting her and speaking to her rather than having her observe your character from afar.
Note: You can emote small things such as rings and pins and smaller details that wouldn't be able to be seen on the skin. However, details such as shawls, cloaks, sleeves, neckline, etc. need to be made visible on the skin.
The next possible question is: How will I know how well I am doing? How about my rivals?
And for that, there will be 2-3 Seasonal Ranking Updates. It utilizes this format, which was first featured in the initial Introductory Address. There may be more than the number set, dependent on necessity or interesting developments throughout the competition.
The Top 10 Fashionable Nobles will be visible. It should be noted that even if one's name is on this visible list that there is a considerable disadvantage: Everyone will know what those 10 people are doing right and what those 10 people may be doing wrong.
Of course, this does not mean that every other participant's recorded points are not available. In fact, there will be a maintained record for all. And these also include a commentary section, which lists down strengths and weaknesses, except private in comparison to the Top 10.
Now, the Record Low is present for those who have gained negative points and/or have been caught wearing a scandalous ensemble. These kinds of persons have a whole critique of their fashion written in the comment section. Surely, this may concern some, but rarely should the Mistress of Conduces need to make a public call out of this degree, unless someone truly does voluntarily and consciously make the foolish decision themselves.
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General Rules and Policies
♔ General Conduct | The expectation for participants is to be not only pleasant in appearance, but in manner.
♔ Outfit Entry Limit | Only three outfits maximum may be registered. This is to ensure that nobles do not fall into the belief that purchasing or creating multiple outfits and registering them all for points is possible. As such, be careful to state intent to have an outfit registered, unregistered, or switched before the deadlines established.
♔ Tardy Entries | Late Registration or switches are not accepted and are instead, pulled over either to the next review period or season.
♔ Stolen Works | Stolen designs* are abhorred and subject to sufficient penalty and if done so again, disqualification from the season. However, if an excess of complaints reaches the desk of the Mistress of Conduces, the person will be banned from participating in any events relating to the fashion ranking and its benefits.
*Stolen designs are defined as outfits worn without permission or formal purchase from the designer. Also, if the person themselves claims to have made the outfit themselves, but it is actually that of a designer, a point penalty will be accrued along with disqualification of the outfit itself for point registration. Designers are part of the great minds of our Empire. They deserve respect and dignity.
♔ Participant to Participant Critique | Fashion critique between participants is allowed. Though, all should note that they should never cross the line into physical violence.
♔ Cheating | Unfair and underhanded action of any manner for the competition is grounds for immediate disqualification after discovery and investigation. Cheating can be anything from voluntarily ruining the clothing of a fellow participant, stealing an outfit made or purchased by a fellow participant, or any such examples. If one cannot stand on their own legs to win in this competition, then, they do not even deserve the right to participate in the first place.
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Conclusion and End Message
By the end of the season, the final results will be released for public knowledge. The top 3 are most likely to gain the most boons. Prizes in the present may include prestige and favor, a design sketch, and other items, depending on the enjoyment and success of this program.
The priority is not to just earn these incentives, but for all participants to be able to show their excellence and enjoy themselves. There is no expectation for participants to befriend one another in this competition. Healthy rivalry is more than encouraged as a way in which to drive those wishing to vie for Imperial recognition and even recognition in one's own homeland and that of others.
The Spring Fashion Guideline is to be released days after this one. In the meantime, all are asked to begin making preparations. Find trusted tailors, seamstresses, and designers. Think not only how your fashion will stand out in court, but how it will affect one's peers and the lands of the Empire. Have you already created an established name for yourself in fashion? Or have you yet to show what you truly have?
And think… What will make you bloom in a way that catches the eyes of all this Spring and shine in seasons to come?
As always, I look forward to what you have to show for this and if all goes well, it is a wish to be able to have a grand fashion exhibition that highlights the talented and creative minds within the honorable Peerage of the Regalian Empire. When that day comes, it will be thanks to those who put their hearts into this project.
To all waiting, I wish you the most luck and to have the sharpest minds and eyes.
May the best of you win and the rest of you strive to do so.
Waiting and Anticipating for Your Best,
Imperial Court Mistress of Conduces
Duchess of Baarlowe
Grand Duchess of Rennais and Worthing
Priestess of the Dragon Temple
