Many of you have noticed a distinct lack of articles lately, well some of this was caused by events happening in my life, but mostly, I'm beginning to wonder if I've been working myself out of a job.



You see, I have only one letter in my mailbox, and it's very hard for me to make a full letter of love and support to but one person.



Side note, don't worry my little ninja friend, I will be writing you into this article soon.



I know a lot of my compatriots here working for this lovely publication have let you know that it is because of you that we are here. This is doubly so with me. Help me help you. Trust me, I know there are those of you who need help. I have eyes in Atlas Park; I've seen what you do there.



Shame on you.



Battle kilts and Santa hats do NOT an ensemble make.



Nevertheless, I am going to make yet another attempt at an open letter to you all. I want YOUR opinions on what I should be covering. I still patiently await the lovely Cabal inspired gowns that I saw in Fashion Week to make their way across the world. Trust me on this, worth every penny.



Needless to say, I am thinking of taking a more sensible approach to fashion this week. I will do my best to paraphrase what many leaders in style have to say, as frankly, I'm not one to cite sources of inspiration, nor do I know if my editors will allow direct quoting.



The first thing I want you to know is this: Your costume is an ensemble, like ANY garment you may have. The same rules apply to a nightgown as to a Night Stalker. So many feel that heroes, villains, shoe salesmen, what have you, play by a different rule when in your work garb. This simply is NOT the case.



Take it from a well-known fashionista, whom I have the utmost respect for, he taught at a prestigious school and hosts several shows on the topic, I'm sure you can even catch him on WSPDR from time to time.



Three words to live by from this man. "Silhouette, proportion, fit." But what DOES that mean? I know I have said it a few times in past letters, and there is reason for it. It's very important to know these simple rules.



SILHOUETTE (from wiki): "A silhouette is a view of an object or scene consisting of the outline and a featureless interior, with the silhouetted object usually being black. The term was initially applied in the 18th century to portraits or other pictorial representations cut from thin black card.



The term has been extended to describe the sight or image of a person, object, or scene that is backlit, and appears dark against a lighter background. Because a silhouette emphasizes the outline, the fields of fashion and fitness also use the word to describe the shape of a person's body or the shape created by wearing clothing of a particular style or period.



Silhouette images may be created in any artistic media, but the tradition of cutting portraits from black card has continued into the 21st century. Statesman wears vertical lines to hide a beer gut."



As you can see, it is important to know how the general LOOK of you will be. That armor may seem well to do, but from the distance, it can be bulky, ill equipped, or just not right. Sometimes knowing this can assist you in choosing the right way to go about your costume, even before the color matching problems begin to happen. Before you finalize your look, step one should be to SEE that silhouette... turn that thing pitch black and step back, look at it from various angles, and if it looks painful to the eyes, go back to the drawing board. Many people with wings never do this. They don't consider their wings in silhouette and as such look mismatched, even if the costume would be perfect on someone without them.



I have no idea where that last edit in the article came from, by the way, but it's TRUE.



Now then, let us move to PROPORTION, stage two.

Proportion (from dictionary.com): pro-por-tion -noun 1. comparative relation between things or magnitudes as to size, quantity, number, etc.; ratio. 2. proper relation between things or parts: to have tastes way out of proportion to one's financial means. 3. relative size or extent. 4. proportions, dimensions or size: a rock of gigantic proportions. 5. a portion or part in its relation to the whole: A large proportion of the debt remains. 6. symmetry, harmony, or balance: an architect with a sense of proportion. 7. the significance of a thing or event that an objective view reveals: You must try to see these mishaps in proportion. 8. Mathematics. a relation of four quantities such that the first divided by the second is equal to the third divided by the fourth; the equality of ratios. Compare rule of three. 9. Archaic. analogy; comparison.

Many of these I could use as the basis for what I'm going to say, but I want whatever caught your eye to be what you should meditate on. Large shoulders lead to an assumption of a slender waist, Bulky boots can make someone look shorter. Tar and feathering a supermodel is an easy way of faking having Swan at a show. Take into account your HONEST dimensions, and realize what looks good on one person, even if you alter the patterns, may not look good on you. Vice versa as well. Now as much as I will admit to loving a standardized uniform, much consideration must go into it to make it UNIVERSALLY appealing. Many things go through iterations, seasons. When I took over this post from my predecessor whom I had... well that's discussion for another day. The design work he had was shuddering to put it lightly. It's was *SO* 60's.



I had, at first, to wear a Raspberry beret. Yes, like the kind you find in a secondhand store. He apparently liked, and was inspired by, certain musical artists.



Finally, I am going to bring you to FIT



Do I really HAVE to explain this, poodles? Defining fit. No, I won't do it. Even you, my muddled masses, should know that if it looks like a pit-bull tried to make it a chew toy when you were still wearing it, it's NOT going to work. Simple answer, your clothes need to fit. I'm looking at YOU Luddites. Let's just hope movable type is archaic enough for them to deal with if they read this.



As I said before I am eagerly awaiting the opening of some silly little arcade Dr. Aeon has funded. Goodness knows the outfit he had me design for him cost him a small fortune. Still, the more I hear word on the street, when I'm forced to go down there... amongst the grubby little "people..." it's all the rage.



Speaking of that, due to an unfortunate accident, my private copter was in for repairs this week and I had the horrible experience of having to ride one of the Ferries to my office. I will not go into details other than I am ashamed, deeply ashamed of the quality, or lack thereof, of the people whom I find on those fetid little things. Side note....



DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO GET URINE STAINS OUT OF ITALIAN SHOES? You dirty little monkeys. From now on, I'll telecommute.





Oh by the way, if you are all VERY nice, and lucky, I may be making over THIS gentleman for you next week.



Only if I get lots of letters though! Help your Uncle Fabulous, you know you want to. If not for me, do it for those who are seen with you.




Love and Hugs,



Arbiter Fabulous



PS: I'm still waiting to hear back from you all what well-known heroes and villains of Paragon City and the Etoile Islands you would like to see made over!



PPS: seriously, 1 letter in my mailbox, poodles? I love you, but you're killing me, sweeties!



PPSS: Awesome button for a chest accessory, yes or no? Discuss!



*PLEASE, and I do politely and graciously implore all of you, my fellow players, to please send letters, for advice or not to Equation on the forums. Send good letters, hate mail, anything, I'll find a use for it!*