Fashion in Second Life, for me, is a double edged contradiction. On one hand, I want to walk up to all the “barbie and ken” avatars wearing whore couture – most just shy of what we, in the real world, would call a prostitute; others far over the line – and tell them so. On the other, I know Second Life gives people an opportunity to express themselves in ways they might not be able to in real life and that’s one of the things I love about it (which is why I would never actually walk up to someone and say anything like that). I say go crazy, have fun, try new things! We can be anything our imaginations can muster. So the “fashionable” people say we look funny or weird… quite honestly, I think couture designs look incredibly silly so it’s all circular. No one will every be able to truly define “fashion” so why do people let others dictate it for them? Be whatever you want and let everyone else choose their own path!
My own personal path takes me to a lot of stores, forever looking for unique and creative products. In my adventures, I have found that only a few stores explore beyond the scope of what is fashionable and into the realm of what is fashion and what is art. Listed below, in no real order, are a small few of the stores where -if I had any money- I would spend it all hehe
Boudoir – Precious Restless truly has an eye for both art and fashion. Hers is a shop were you can find glassy, elegant gowns right next to artsy and edgy fashions. She is someone who definitely feel comfortable in both worlds and it shows.
Alpha Tribe – If you’re looking for truly art inspired avatars then you go here. Not only is it a wonderful build, both above and below the water, but Grapho Fullstop also offers many group gifts and freebies. His designs never cease to amaze me.
Meta Body and Meta Body II – This was a project where people from all over got together and created some truly amazing avatars. They are definitely not your standard avatar though and it’s wonderful that each one is absolutely free. I encourage everyone to stop in and just visit, even if you’re not interested in the avatars; the builds themselves are equally as wonderful!
PixyStix – Pixy Snook is a woman who is not afraid to experiment and just have fun. She mixes silly with sexy, plays with colors, and genuinely just does her own thing. “I pretty much dress like I want to. If I feel like being Rainbow Bright one day cause I need to be cheered up, then I do,” she told me. Definitely someone who gets what Second Life is all about!
Ni.Ju – When I asked Vitani Jun about her style she pretty much summed up everything I was going to say, “my reasons for what I make are actually a mixture of various things, and some of it may depend on the type of item. I love to be innovative or experiment and to try out new things. I don’t like following trends; I like to be seen as someone that’s unique or different. For the most part, I do what I do because it makes me happy, it gives me something to do, and I enjoy contributing to other people’s happiness.” Well Vitani, you are certainly a contributor to my happiness!
F*cking Ninjas – Meka Aeon, co-owner, had this to say (paraphrased), “my style is all over the board. A lot of it is dependent on things that have inspired me, but as for every day wear and tear I tend to go for what’s comfortable and worn. And as for why I create the things that I do, it’s mostly if I can’t find it in sl already, or perhaps someone hasn’t made exactly what I want.” Now that is definitely an innovative spirit! Doll Galthie, co-owner, summed everything up so well in what she said that I will end with her full comment:
“We started F*cking Ninjas back in 2009 to meet the diverse needs of roleplaying, because our needs weren’t being met by the creators of Second Life. We all come to Second Life to be, and look, and tell the stories of our fictional selves. You’re not a vampire, a werewolf, or a drug dealer. Your name isn’t something that means ‘ultimate darkness’ in Japanese. You’re not rich, you ain’t no damn MMA champion, and half the shit you type out wouldn’t come out your damn mouth for real, yo. BUT! If you did know karate, could pick your own name, and you could tell your boss to go fuck himself/herself, you totally would do at least half the shit you’ve done in Second Life. You’d run around as an epic badass til the cows came home. Right on. Your avatar is the asshole / slut / invincible harbinger of death you wish you could be. You don’t want to just show off how hot your avatar is in a picture, you want to show yourself wielding fire, or as a Gorean Jarl enjoying a swill of mead off your slaves, or you’re a woman bounty hunter slamming your caught criminal into a wall, an angel ascending into heaven asking God for forgiveness, or a mermaid dragging a sailor off the boat into the murky depths. We serve and are inspired by the underbelly of Second Life, and we want to help tell their stories.”
Thank you to all Second Life creators for helping to create a world where we truly can be anything and everything we want to be! Keep up the great work!
My week 11 “Crucible’s Pom” entry for the Twisted Color Challenge. And a close up!
Wearing:
Shape: Nova by -*delogikal*- – 100L
Skin: **JOMO** Girl Lucky skin 015 – Lucky board prize
Eyes: [ROCKBERRY] Eyes/Grey/Small – 20L
Hair: Pompadour Hair Black – 200L
Makeup: ~PixyStix~ ::Black Raven:: – 25L, Fatpack of makeups
Teeth: ~PixyStix~ ::Teeth Layer:: – Comes with any Skin purchase
Tongue: [ni.Ju] Tongue Tip Piercing w/cross::Lt::red gems – Lucky board prize but other versions are available for 90L each
Alpha: – DAMNED – Lashes ALPHA – 50L, Part of set
Lashes: =Libertine= Lashe for Ashe – Part of old gift
Claws: [ni.Ju] Claws – 120L, comes in several other styles as well
Tank: jane.intrinsic.tank.bk charcoal [full] – Freebie, comes in tons of other colors
Shorts: #Before Sleep# INN Hunt [Hers] Pants – Part of old hunt gift
Leggings: ::MS::to hot hotpants grey pantie – Group gift for Violet Mafia (free to join), part of outfit, comes in many other colors
Stockings: PARADISIS The pumpkin Jelly : socks – Part of old hunt gift
Spinning Orbs: alpha.tribe::: “listen…” for Eupalinos – Group gift (free to join), part of full avie
Pose: *FN* Pinned Pose – Masochism (Pin Included) – 50L, comes with large pin that goes between the hands
Location: Decades Rock Club and Maria Lynn Villa
Post Title: Prozzak – Be As (video)