The Second Life of Victoire de Castellane

By Penny Martin, 16:35 Thu 01 Feb 2007

Dracula Spinella Devorus

Bague Carnivo Papidevorus

A snapshot we took whilst flying around Belladone Island

It's old news that fashion is finally cottoning on to the potential of the Internet, but it's rare to find one of the big houses putting their back into online projects. Hats off, then, to Dior Joaillerie, who are previewing foxy Victoire de Castellane's 17-piece new collection on Second Life. Based on a fictional island where Belladonna blooms (the poisonous Deadly Nightshade women during the used to drop into their eyes during the Renaissance, to dilate their pupils and simulate erotic excitement), Dior Joaillerie's 'Belladone Island' presence on the site is characterised by these animated, predatory flowers: for instance, the petals of this 'Dracula Spinella Devorus' open thanks to a minute watch mechanism. If you fancy a look before the real jewels reach the shops in late February -and once you've registered and downloaded the software- search under 'Belladone' and teleport yourself into the sensual world of Ms Castellane.