Into the Wilderness: Among the Second Life Fashionistas (Part II)

The difference between style and fashion is quality.

 Giorgio Armani

(To my faithful readers who are still following my blog during my hiatus from Second Life (SL), thank you for staying with me while I have my technical difficulties!  A quick update, a replacement machine is on order and is expected any day now.  So, I hope to be back inworld shortly.  As I blogged last week, I’ll be among the SL community out in the Metaverse and keep posting until I’m back to normal – please, don’t go there!  Thanks again for everyone’s understanding and support, and I look forward to being back inworld with my friends very soon!)

When I first started out in SL, I very quickly became aware of the role of fashion inworld.  Most SL retail establishments offer clothes, shoes, accessories, and hair.  In addition, given the nature of this virtual world, skins, eyes, and just about everything else can be “fashioned”. 

Some of my earlier readers may recall my first forays into SL where I worked on my appearance.  That’s when I attempted to create my “look” by acquiring eyes, hair, skin, tattoos, and clothes for nothing.  (Some of my friends have commented that it shows, I rather like to think that it merely confirms my struggling writer status.) 

The world of SL fashion is not just limited to the grid.  There is an entire community of “fashionistas” out there on the Internet In fact one blog is called The SL Fashionista and is dedicated to the best of “freebies and cheapies” in SL.  (Where were these guys when I was starting out?)  This is another interesting aspect of SL, so much is for free and it’s good stuff.  Add a blog dedicated to this type of material and one has to wonder how anyone can make a buck in SL. 

            Iris Ophelia blogs on Wagner James Au’s New World Notes blog about SL fashion.   She covers technical subjects in addition to clothes and current issues like content theft. 

Another blog dedicated to SL fashion is Avenue covering style trends and the latest tools like mesh.  Pictures and advertisements supplement the posts. 

Finally, in my whirlwind tour of SL fashion blogs, I’d like to call out the blog at Second Nights dedicated to fashion and lifestyle in SL.  Links to other SL fashion resources are here. 

As I reviewed these blogs, I was struck by the broad variety of fashion and opinions offered, not to mention, the many different designers. Besides the artistic aspects of fashion, the technical aspects are well covered.  These blogs are current, at least as of this writing, and reflect only a small portion of what’s available about SL fashion on the Internet. 

Besides the many blogs available on SL fashion, there are also magazines devoted to this subject.  These are o high quality both in terms of content and production values and rival those dedicated to Real Life (RL) subjects. 

The first magazine I’ll mention is The Best of Second Life  (BOSL) which has just published its February 2012 issue.  BOSL is dedicated to covering the best of what is in SL.  The articles, pictures, and even the advertisements give a very good perspective of fashion and lifestyle in SL. 

Another online magazine which covers SL fashion off the grid is Retropolitan.  (I wrote about it in a recent blog.)  This publication’s focus is everything retro. 

The last magazine I’ll mention in this blog is Glance giving yet another perspective on inworld fashion. 

All these magazines are current as of this writing.  Sadly, while researching this story, I came across others, such as Second Style, which no longer publish and many blogs that haven’t been updated for years.  (As I’ve written elsewhere, the onset of the Great Recession of 2008 seems to have been the watershed event here.) 

I’ve attempted here to give a brief overview of some of the activities undertaken away from the grid by SL residents involved in the fashion scene.  What I’ve found is a thriving community who have taken advantage of tools like Blogger, Flickr, and Facebook to do in the Internet what they cannot do in SL.  I wonder if Linden Lab (LL) sees this too?

I have a request of those reading this blog, if they run into any of my other readers inworld if they would please tell them about my current technical problems and inform them that I can be reached either at my blog or at webseplunker@gmail.com.  I’d love to hear from them! 

Finally, I want to apologize to those whom I may have appeared to have simply fallen off the grid.  I hope I haven’t caused any inconvenience and I look forward to seeing everyone again very soon!  As always, I’m open to any and all ideas for places to visit and people to meet. 

As always, I’m grateful to all for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives. 

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

     If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

Into the Wilderness: Among the Second Life Diaspora (Part I)

Sometimes we feel we straddle two cultures; at other times, that we fall between two stools.

 Salman Rushdie

Recently, I encountered some difficulties with the laptop I use when visiting Second Life (SL).  (Someday, Linden Lab (LL) has to do something about that awkward viewer.)  A polite way of saying my hard drive died.  They certainly don’t make ‘em like they used to. 

Last week I managed to post to a blog despite my machine’s vagaries.  This week I wasn’t so lucky.  I have been unable to go inworld for almost a week now.  I’m not going through withdrawal, DT’s, or anything like that. But, I do miss my friends on the grid. 

This little technical problem is also playing havoc with my planned writing schedule.  (I was so pleased with myself with having three months of stories laid out.  I guess it’s true what they say about if you ever want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.)  With the help of inworld friends, I’ve reached out to those with whom I was a no show on our appointments.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have Real Life (RL) email addresses for all my SL friends so I’m playing catch up right about now. 

My plan right now is to acquire a new machine.  (BTW, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, don’t bother with Geek Squad.  Check out my rant on their Facebook page, which was replied to nine hours later, for the gory details.)  This will take a little more time but I should be back inworld in February. 

In the interim, I plan to visit with the SL community across the Metaverse until I can go back inworld.  I want to see what they’re going and how they’re using the tools available, especially the social media ones. 

I’ve learned during my travels across SL over the last eight months that SL residents are doing a lot across the Metaverse. 

There are ezines, Inner World , The Best of Second Life , and Retropolitan  focusing on various aspects of life in SL.  Then there are blogs like New World Notes , Janey Bracken’s Janey’s place in Second Life, and Chey Palisades’ Chey’s Second Life Blog where their owners write about their experiences in SL and related worlds.  Other places on the Web where SL residents congregate are the SL Forums, Flickr, Facebook, and Google+. 

What all of these locations have in common besides SL is they don’t require a SL viewer.  (I have access to another laptop, I’m just not permitted to load additional software onto it.)  So, I can stay in contact with the SL community.  (Assuming they want to stay in contact with me!) 

So, for the time being, I’ll still be out there with the SL community.  I just won’t be inworld for a bit. 

I have a request of those reading this blog, if they run into any of my other readers inworld if they would please tell them about my current technical problems and inform them that I can be reached either at my blog or at webseplunker@gmail.com.  I’d love to hear from them! 

Finally, I want to apologize to those whom I may have appeared to have simply fallen off the grid.  I hope I haven’t caused any inconvenience and I look forward to seeing everyone again very soon!  As always, I’m open to any and all ideas for places to visit and people to meet. 

I would like to thank Perryn Peterson and Janey Bracken for helping me reach out to other SL friends.    As always, I’m grateful to all for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

     If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

Retropolitan

A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament.

Oscar Wilde

            While researching my story on STEAM: The Hunt  earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet Phideaux Mayo , the owner, editor-in-chief, and publisher of Retropolitan which is a magazine dedicated to all things retro in the world of Second Life (SL). 

            Naturally, being the curious writer that I am, I arrange to meet with Phideaux (“Phi”) at a later date to talk about her magazine. 

            When I do meet Phi, I rezz to her beach front house in Insulae Esoterica, the residential sim.    True to her retro roots, she has a home in a classic shore cottage style reminiscent of Key West in Real Life (RL) when Hemingway was there.  (No, I wasn’t there but it sure seems that way despite all the snow on the ground outside.  This is one of the nice features of SL, weather and geography can be matched to one’s preferences.)  The sound of waves washing upon the shore adds to the feel of the place.  Islands are visible on the horizon when one looks out to sea from the front porch. 

            I quickly learn something of Phi’s practical joker side when I pet a bird on the railing at her suggestion and the bird blows up and leaves blood AND flying feathers.  I can still hear her laughing. 

            We go inside to Phi’s drawing room and sit down on a sofa and chairs of a certain style that I typically don’t see as I wander about inworld.  The remainder of the house, from where I am sitting is in a classic décor which is not overdone.  The Christmas tree is one of the loveliest ones that I’ve seen in SL.

            I start our interview by asking Phi about Retropolitan and how she got started.  She says the idea came to her back in 2008 shortly after she arrived in SL to develop a clearing house for all things retro in SL.  Phi explains that residents were running around asking one another where a certain hairstyle, shoes, or cottage came from and no one seemed to really have all the answers.  There was no place for them to go and Phi saw an opportunity for a niche. 

            From this, with the help of friends, came the idea for Retropolitan.  Phi explains that Retropolitan is a concept.  It’s way for people to live in SL.  The readers are called “Retropolitans”.

            I ask if Retropolitan is a brand or a lifestyle like steampunk.   Phi replies that it’s more of a clearing house for all sorts of retro and vintage styles and lifestyles including steampunk. 

            Phi does not have exact numbers for Retropolitan’s readership.  But, she does estimate that 8 – 10,000 people may be exposed to each issue.  Each issue contains advertising and since many of them are recurring, I suspect that they are satisfied with the results. 

            Retropolitan is a monthly magazine.  Phi works with Retropolitan co-owner, Echo Underwood, who is responsible for art direction and layout, and Nivelm Bing  who is responsible for technical issues including the website.  In addition, there are writers who prepare the stories.

            Putting out a monthly magazine, even an electronic one, is a challenging business.  Phi describes how she has to have the dresses from the designers lined up, choosing subjects for stories and assigning writers, and keeping all the advertisers accommodated and happy.  She talks about the constant process of production, how no sooner than one issue put to bed then the next is looming. 

            Besides Retropolitan, Phi and Echo also own and manage the Esoterica sims which are dedicated to the retro lifestyle.  They had started it up (after Echo had built a beautiful home in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright), as Phi puts it, on a wing and a prayer and a 4096 sim.  The rest is history. 

            Today, Esoterica contains many thriving businesses dedicated to the retro lifestyle.  Within Esoterica proper, there are Flashmans, a long time popular pub; shops; the Esotericum; the Galleries along with The Follow's Music Hub and DMA.  Additional businesses include Old Time Prims, a four story store filled with retro clothes and furniture, Timeless Hats, and 1-800-Bettie’s.

            Flashmans sits on a slight rise and looks out over Escoterica proper where the other businesses are located.  Phi is especially proud of Flashmans which she and Echo took over from its fabulous creator, Martin Ren, when he decided to retire from running the establishment.  Flashmans will have been open for five years in 2012.  She says it is still a great place to drop in, dance, and bring friends.  Phi claims the music is famously offbeat as are the clientele.  (Sounds like my kind of place.) 

            Phi came to SL four years ago on the tail of her brother. He is a Furry, and while he lives in Insulae Esoterica, he is a private person and isn’t involved in his sister’s business activities.  Although, they do manage to get together on occasion and have some fun times. 

            Linden Lab (LL) policies about pricing and service are a concern for Phi because, for her, maintaining two sims is a challenge.  She proudly tells me that they are one of the few successful such operations inworld despite being in the middle of nowhere.  Revenues come from advertisers, tips, and donations.

            As for the future?  Phi looks forward to a very successful 2012.  The recent Vintage Fair brought an influx of new contacts so she expects to have a lot of new talent to feature next year.  Specials are planned from Retropolitan and its advertisers.  Phi expects more residents subscribing from her inworld kiosk and joining her group to obtain these. 

            I take my leave of Phi and return home inworld.  I’m impressed by yet another community that has formed in SL and is thriving.  The tools and opportunity of SL have permitted another group of strangers to come together and do something that would either be very difficult or impossible to do in RL. 

            I recommend reading Retropolitan (or, “Ret” as Phi puts it) and visiting Esoterica to see what’s in the shops and participate in the social life.  I promise that you won’t be disappointed. 

I would like to thank Phideaux Mayo for taking the time to meet with me and talk about Retropolitan.  As always, I’m grateful to all for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

     If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

Photo No. 1: Phideaux Mayo

Photo No. 2: Retropolitan’s Offices, Esoterica

Photo No. 3: Phideaux’s Exploding Bird – Don’t Touch!

Photo No. 4: Vintage Cars, Esoterica

Photo No. 5: Flashmans – Interior View

Photo No. 6: Flashmans – Exterior View

Photo No. 7: Downtown Esoterica

Photo No. 8: Old Time Prims – Exterior View

Photo No. 9: Old Time Prims – Ground Floor

Photo No. 10: Old Time Prims – Store Directory