Time to spruce up the Nexus - with Fashion!

[lecouturier]

It feels as if a bazaar is going up in the Plaza today, what with the way a sharply dressed man is toting about tables, bins, and bags stuffed with fabrics, trims, buttons, and other necessities for his trade. It's a one-man-bazaar, but the man doesn't seem at all concerned with what any passersby think of him. There's too many fabrics to put on display and barely enough time to think of the trims!

He 'hmm's and 'no no no's often as he arranges all of his things across the tables he's brought, his head tilting to and fro as he debates the best way to show off his supplies. Once he's satisfied with the table situation, he pulls out a few dress forms from a bin and sets them up with a few examples of his work. These properly arranged and his vanity appeased by the general feel of the entire display, Alex smiles proudly at the setup before turning around and gesturing to the Plaza with arms held high and wide.

"Nexus visitors and residents! Winter's been a dreary time for all of us. Too much gray, cold, and hardship. What do you say to a little something to brighten your outlook? Spring is a time of colors and casting out the old for the new." His smile melts seamlessly into a bright, giddy grin. "How about a new look to ease the transition? I promise my best work to help you along."

The Tailor, dear Nexus, is ready and waiting for your patronage.

Comments

[lecouturier]

Norn brings up a good point on the stills. Alex forgets that not everyone can walk around in whatever they feel like at any given moment. "That would be very helpful, if you don't mind. I don't want to get you in trouble by dressing you in something that doesn't match the time you come from." Not everyone tells their world that they get to visit the Nexus after all! Alex just gets excited enough to forget that detail sometimes.

"No warm fabrics, got it." An easy enough request to fulfill! The tailor smiles as he sets aside the wool blend in his hand and instead picks up a cotton bolt in a similar color. "Cotton is a very breathable fabric that wears very well and isn't so prone to wrinkles as to cause issues if you don't have an iron handy at all times. How's the color? Good? Too light?" He has so many more if necessary...

[betashiftblues]

For as much as the lieutenant enjoys spending his off hours in the Nexus, having clothing that only works while he's here would be a bit difficult to explain away. The Andorian pulls out his glass tablet looking device before pulling up several advertisements for clothing his people favor as well as current galactic fashions overall. Some things don't seem to have changed much, while others may seem downright alien unfathomable for Alex's time and world origins.

"...It's strange not to see synthesized fabrics but the feel is very nice." Norn's not sure what exactly he's supposed to say but he does make an attempt to have an opinion. All of this feels a bit overwhelming to him.

"No it's...it's a handsome color." Reminds him of his dress uniform's steel grey, in fact.

[lecouturier]

What a unique fashion style! Alex has seen similar about the Nexus from time to time, but never seen it up close enough to make any real judgements of it. He nods a few times as he hurriedly finds a sketchbook and begins a few outlines on the next blank page. Yes, he can definitely recreate something ...mostly similar. It won't be an exact replica, but who really wants that anyway? Besides, he wouldn't be the fashion designer he is without adding at least one personal touch to an outfit.

"All of my fabrics are natural," he tells Norn in a distracted tone. "Well, except when they're not supposed to be. Sequins certainly aren't natural in any way, shape, or form but that's kind of the point of using them."

Is this going over the Andorian's head? The tailor is a bit distracted so he won't immediately notice if it is. Once he's gotten a few basic sketches down, though, he looks up with a bright grin.

"I think I could very easily pull one or two things together for you. The designs you showed me are very straight forward and with a few modifications, I think we could make something very flattering for you." Hopefully Norn won't mind things being a bit more properly fitted to his figure. Alex is certain even small changes like that could go a long way to help cut a cleaner look for Norn.

"What's your name, friend? Mine is Alex Needleworthy and it's a pleasure to meet you." He offers his hand with a smile. This is going to be such a fun project for him!

[betashiftblues]

"Animal husbandry on a galactic scale's demands is not very practical so most fabric is synthesized in my world. Traditional clothing is still available but less common."

More expensive too, which is why Norn's never really bothered before. Still, the fabric underneath his fingers is soft and light. He's quietly pleased touching it and listening to the faint sound his fingers make against the bolt. Enough that while he doesn't quite startle at Alex's reply he does look up a bit sharply.

"Oh, well thank you." Norn holds in a grimace at the offered hand and forces a shaky smile instead as he takes it for a quick handshake before he pulls away again. "Kav Norn. Just Norn is fine though. Do...you need my PINpoint contact information for the order?"

[lecouturier]

"Synthetic's not so bad when it's well made, but I always prefer natural. Certain things can't be natural, like sequins or latex, but those are specialty fabrics meant for very select projects anyway." He pauses his thoughts for a moment before giving Norn a slightly worried look. "It's not going to be a problem if I put you in something natural, is it? If it is, I can easily find a replacement fabric from one of my vendors." Causing trouble for one of his clients is the very last thing Alex wants to do, especially if it's trouble with higher authorities or in social circles.

The fast retreat from the handshake is noted, but not commented on. Norn's hardly the first person the tailor has met who isn't a fan of physical contact. "Well, just Norn," he says with a chuckle, "if you'll allow me the chance to take your measurements and to create a quick mock up, we can exchange contact information so you can be on your way and I can let you know when the finished product is ready for you to try on. I always insist on a test run with new clients to make sure I fit things properly, but I assure you that you won't have to take off anything here in the Plaza." There's hardly a need for that. So long as the basics are good, Alex can make adjustments based on measurements very easily.

[betashiftblues]

"...It shouldn't be. I have no allergies." His uniform is what he's in most of the time anyway. It shouldn't be anyone else's concern what he wears outside of that. So long as its comfortable and gets the job done there's no reason for there to be a squabble over it. And if the craftsmanship is as good as this man implies Norn knows a much more looks-conscious friend he can refer to Alex.

Dressing a human won't pose near the same kind of palette limitations as with him for one thing. Though Felix may be pickier. Norn's only taken him shopping once so far. He nods slowly at the request for his measurements. That seems like a reasonable thing a tailor would need. Especially when he's reassured he won't have to remove his garments in public.

"Of course. Just tell me what you need."

[lecouturier]

Whew. Alex is visibly relieved to hear the fabric won't be a problem. It makes all of this that much easier - and faster - when he's able to find something good on the first or second pass. A lengthy decision making process is unavoidable at times, but for a popup on the Plaza? Best to keep things as simple as possible.

"Hold still for now, and I'll let you know when to move or raise your arms, alright? I promise to be as light in touch as I can be." The tailor flashes Norn a bright smile and then sets about taking measurements with as much speed as he can manage. Practice has made this a very easy process for him, though there are some definite differences Alex has to keep in mind and adjust to as he gets further into the process. It's not unusual for him to take non-human clients, but he's always surprised (and honestly a bit intrigued) by the differences between people like himself and anyone who's not like him in some way.

Still, measuring only takes a few minutes, at which point Alex steps back and smiles at Norn. "There, nice and easy." Or so he hopes. It's always easy on his end, but clients can feel very differently about it. "Now, if you've a few minutes to spare, I can throw together a mock up for you to try on. If not, let's exchange information so I can get a hold of you when I have it ready."

[betashiftblues]

Alex keeps things professional and his touching to a minimum, both of which Norn genuinely is grateful for. It's not the man's fault Norn finds him uncomfortable to be around but honestly he's gotten quite used to humans as a whole overall. He's no longer quite as sheltered as he was when he first enlisted into the Academy.

But he still likes his personal space. It helps that Alex seems to be in good health. Nothing unnerves the Andorian quite so much as the common cold. He didn't know anything could leak that much fluid from their body and live afterward.

His comfort is stretched thin enough already though so when Alex offers Norn is quick to duck his head.

"I'd better be off for now. My..ah. Er. Apologies." Too much social interaction.

[lecouturier]

"No apologies necessary," he assures Norn with a smile. It's easy to see he's a little overwhelmed, and Alex is the last person to push on someone when they seem so nervous.

He holds up a finger before the Andorian can wander off, digging around in the breast pocket of his shirt with his other hand until he finds a business card. The card is made of thin metal and decorated over in delicate gold and silver designs on one side that combine in the center to spell out his name. On the other side are PINpoint coordinates to the street outside of his shop and a contact number at which to reach him. It's gaudy but it'll do.

"Here. This has all of my contact information on it, including PINpoint coordinates to my shop." He offers the card to Norn, being careful to leave plenty of space between his fingers and where the Andorian can grab it. "Let me know when you have time to come back, and I'll make myself ready for you. Until then, it's been a pleasure, Norn."