Cool Steam

I had this idea for a steampunk inspired photo and started thinking of what I like about the style.  I was also thinking of writing a tribute to the models that came before me.  I didn't think the two were something that could be linked.  And then it occurred to me what they have in common and the catalyst was Second Life shopping events.

No matter how many you go to there is always going to be something new next month that will replace some of the things in your inventory, making the old things obsolete.  The same thing can't be said about Steampunk.   It exists in a class by itself and never goes out of style or fashion.  It just is.

With the closing of PurpleMoon I began looking through old photos at the beautiful clothing and over time my focus went from the clothing to the models wearing them.  They are familiar names to anyone who follows Second Life fashion as much as I do.  While the outfits may not have been new, anyone new to the brand could see the names of the models wearing the gown or outfit.  I am sure I am not the only one that seen those lovely images and thought "Wow.. that would be amazing."

They served to inspire new models and every year new models put their hat into the ring in pageants all across Second Life.  Those "old" models serve as the inspiration.  But on a more thoughtful note... I wonder if they know that? I wonder if they know how inspiring they were and still are even if their title is years old and they may not be as involved as they once were.  I had the thought last night that "once a Virtual Miss, always a Virtual Miss".  The pageants may be over but their legacy will last for as long as Second Life does.

The Miss Virtual World pageant for 2020 has gotten underway recently.  There are a few names I recognize and there are more that I didn't recognize at all running in it for the title.    All of them by entering are becoming part of a legacy - whether or not they win.   They, like Steampunk style, will exist in a class by themselves that will never go out of style or fashion.  Competing is both a challenge and an honor and will allow them to make their mark on SL in a unique way.

Credits

The Engine Room (Shopping Event on until October 20)

Hat - Insomnia Angel - Steampunk Top Hat - Noir
Mechanical Arms - Wicca's Originals - Eagleden Arm - Maitreya

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/HILTED/18/47/1202


Salem (Shopping Event on until October 31)

Dress and Thong  - Belle Epoque - Rohana - Black

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Prism%20Events/128/113/21


Head - Catwa - Catya
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/CATWA%20Store/163/221/22


Skin - Glam Affair - Catwa - Asia
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Pea/91/61/22


Eyes - Ikon - Denim
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/IKON/143/128/501


Ears - L'etre - Basic Mesh Ears
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Secrets/195/158/1361

Hair - Truth - Surrender
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Truth/116/128/24

Lipstick - Izzies - Catwa - Applier Aiko Lipstick Hud
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Izzies/115/125/32


Eyeshadow - Tone 2 - Autumn Spice Eye Shadow Collection Omega B
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ever%20Ever%20Land/135/63/3524


Body - Maitreya
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Maitreya%20Isle/128/130/24

Pose - PosESioN - Lady 9
(no longer available)

Background Image - Metal Shirts Heaven - Steampunk serie a-6
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Steampunk-serie-a-6/2686462

Ghee at the 2019 Vintage Fair

Ghee goes 60’s themed retro with their newest releases at this years Vintage Fair.  You can find them all here from June 7 – 16, 2019.  The Ghee store is located on the South sim.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Selvage%20Island/128/238/26

CLOTHING –

*VINTAGE FAIR* Dress – Ghee – Dusty Mini – Maitreya Lara - Apple

ACCESSORIES –

*VINTAGE FAIR* Sunglasses – Ghee Sixties Shades

Jewelry – Ghee – Original Enamelled Rondo Earring – Silver

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Qeestein/141/91/1501

*VINTAGE FAIR* Tights – Ghee – 60’s Tights

*VINTAGE FAIR* Shoes – Ghee Originals – Alice T-bar Shoes

OTHER –

Hair – Adoness – Doris – Grayscale

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Morabulus/68/188/1799

Makeup – Izzie’s – Spring Colors Lip Gloss – Catwa

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Izzies/65/115/32

Nails – Alaskametro – Color Trend – Lilac Maitreya – Gacha

*Discontinued Gacha prize*

Taken on Location at:

Cruisin 50’s Diner & StarDust Lounge, Nashville Music Row

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nashville%20Music%20Row/145/147/26 

Photography and Editing – Yhishara Cerise

Humboldt

Many years ago I lost my brother in a car accident.  It devastated me and robbed me of hope as he was estranged from me and the rest of my family and with him died the potential for so many things.  I think that is what strikes me so much about the crash in Humboldt, Saskatchewan.  I have so many memories in my life – some good, some bad, and they all came from my LIVING as long as I have.  If God was to take me home, as a Christian, I’m ready to go.  But these were young men – and so much potential was there that will now never be. 

I grew up in a country where hockey – even if you aren’t a fan - touches you.  We are bound together by that sport.  You should see us when a Canadian team is in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup – we all cheer and wave flags even if they are for a rival team we don’t normally cheer for.  A piece of us rejoices with that team. But the reverse is also true when a tragedy like this happens.  So many lost their lives and we have yet again pulled together to support the families that lost a loved one or had a loved one injured in this accident as if they were our own.  In a way they are. 

They represent the young men on the hockey team in my hometown, the players I went to school with, the ones from rival communities, the professionals in the NHL, the support organizations and the fans who have invested time and energy to promote this sport and not just in Canada.   This could have happened in any community in Canada or anywhere else in the world.  We can relate to these people that are central to this story.  They are our neighbors and they are our friends and therefore we will mourn with them.

Here are two links I would like to share:

They have far exceeded their goal but donations are still coming in:

https://ca.gofundme.com/funds-for-humboldt-broncos

This one is for the main vigil held and aired on Sportsnet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuT2q3ZHZfc

A Learning Experience

The other day while at The Trunk Show shopping event, someone complimented me on my avatar.  Not knowing what to say I said "Thank you, I went to school for it" and told them about my time with Miss Virtual World and how they helped me put my avatar together.  They then asked me if I modeled in Second Life and I said yes and that I modeled for Ghee and PurpleMoon Creations. Their response to that was along the lines of "Wow, it's like I'm talking to a celebrity!"  At which point I laughed and said "I'm not".

I have worked for and with people that I consider to be SL celebrities.  I even still get a "yay!" moment when I see who I will be working for and with.  Anyone in SL that has made any sort of name for themselves has worked hard to be where they are and that is worthy of anyone's respect.

But I think it is important, right at the beginning, to make the decision that you won't let any accolades go to your head.  I may joke about being a diva but I know that at any given moment there are at least 15 professional models in Second Life that can do what I do, with more skill, are far more well known, and have been at it far longer.  So what sets people apart in this industry where everyone is replaceable?

Like one of my instructors at MVW Modeling Academy taught me:  it all comes down to attitude.  My favourite Second Life "celebrities" are the ones that have taken the time to speak to me as a person.  They have spoken to me with respect and as an equal.  They have not been arrogant or rude, acted like I as an annoyance or that I was in some way beneath their notice.  For someone relatively new to the SL modeling scene it was (and still is) encouraging to me that most of the models I have met have treated me kindly and that the ones that haven't have been rare.

For me it isn't just about attitude.  It's about being a good person.  It's about being the type of person that is an encouragement because this industry has a tendency to crush people. It's about being helpful to others because other people helped us along the way to get where we are.  It's about choosing to be nice when you can just as easily be nasty (little secret: both take the same amount of effort). It's about not being out for yourself and what this industry can give you but what you can contribute to others.

The success of anything in SL or even in the real world so often depends on the support of the people outside your industry as well as in it. The success of any endeavour in SL comes down to the people buying your product, subscribing to your magazine or blog, viewing your pictures, attending your event, etc. Which leads  me to my last point - it's about being just as friendly to people you don't know as it is to people you DO know because those people could be your biggest fans behind the scenes and making you the success you are.  

On the Left:
Mesh Body - Maitreya
Mesh Hands - Vista Pro Hands
Nails - DP - Koffin Nails - Maitreya - Shades of Pink v2

Knotted Top - Petite Mort - Fchsia - knotted tank S
Leather Skirt - Petite Mort - Black Hand-painted leather skirt (Maitreya v1)
Shoes/Socks - PurpleMoon - Gretel Pumps w/socks - Maitreya


Necklace - Kunglers - Lakshmi necklace - Black
Bracelets - EarthStones - Dragonfly Cuff Bracelets


Hair - Wasabi Pills - Berry
Lipstick - La Boheme - LB Kissable Cream Lips Set 5 Boysenberry
Eyeshadow - R.icielli - Hot Colors Makeup - Smokey Eyes


On the Right:
Mesh Body - Maitreya
Nail Color - DP - Koffin Nails - Maitreya - Shades of Pink v2

Blouse - Coco - Off Shoulder Shirt (White) Maitreya
Wrap - !Go! - Gretel Knit  Wrap - L
Jeans - Essential Bootcut Jeans (Flats) - Maitreya
Mules - GField - Ashley - Scalloped Mule - Texture change hud

Pose - XXY - School Day 2

Eyeshadow - Elymode makeup - e's mix: pink and blurple w/liner
Lipstick - Amacci - Shiny Lips - Tatoo - Pink 7


Hair - Amacci - Candy Rose

Ripples on a Pond

It is funny how inspiration works.  One person gets inspired and acts on that inspiration, which in turn inspires someone else and, like a ripple on a pond, the idea expands until many people are touched by that initial idea.

There is a Chinese designer named Guo Pei - who creates gowns of exceptional beauty that inspired designers at Ghee to create the beautiful gown above.  I seen that design and wanted to style an outfit and get a professional photographer to take the picture of it. To that end, I contacted my friend WrenNoir Cerise to take the picture for me, which in turn inspired her to create the image above.

This single image above is the result of an idea being cast in the water by a real life fashion designer inspiring fashion designers in a virtual world but real life people are going to see the images and it is going to spread out even further until the whole pond is rippling.  Think about that for a minute.

One of the most beautiful things in nature is sunlight sparkling on all the miniature waves created on water.  It shines and shimmers in a way that still waters don't.  It is almost overwhelming to think about.  What would happen if we all added something of beauty to this world - whether by word or action?  How beautiful could this world become?

How about we find out?



Styling Card

Gown and Headpiece – Ghee – Jali – Scarlet
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/New/191/1/21

Choker – Gizza -  Lisa
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/GizzA%20Creations/132/113/72

Hair – Tukinowaguma – Otero
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chimera%20Island/206/194/1005

Lipstick – Aii - Geisha’s Kiss Red
Marketplace Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Geishas-Kiss-Lip-Pack-aii/6729286

Skin – Glam Affair – Katra (Asia 06 G)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Beauty%20Avatar%20couture/100/88/24

Eyeliner – WoW Skins
Not available

Nails – La Boheme – Ivria Gold – Slink version
Marketplace Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/LB-Ivria-Gold-OMNI-Set-Slink-Omega-Maitreya/9194555

Modern Doll

Every little girl, with few exceptions, has played with fashion dolls.  When I was a child, I remember having this one that came with a pink plastic camera connected to a stand that you clipped the doll into.  When you clicked the shutter on the camera the doll would change poses.  It was, I think, my very first experience with taking pictures.  Like most little girls, it also gave me my first glimpse into the world of fashion and clothing.

My sister teases me that I didn't play with dolls often enough when I was a child and that's why I love playing around with clothes in Second Life.  Perhaps she is right and if she is, then it is a fun past time shared with many others in that virtual space - both designers and shoppers alike.  It was a conversation with one such person that made me so excited to do the image above.  We both loved playing with dolls when we were children and she made me start thinking along the terms of what the fashion dolls would have now. The pink house with pool and car is a given - only this time the automobile is a smart car.  The bubble gum pink dress with feminine lace and sequins is a given and so is the long hair - though this time it's black instead of blonde.

I enjoyed my time revisiting the fashion doll world in taking this picture.  I think it is important to recapture part of one's youth every once in a while.  It keeps us young at heart and gives us a break from the very serious issues we face in today's world - like the reason for smart cars and the many issues facing today's women.   Those things are anything but child's play.  So is growing up and enjoying the fun side of fashion, which I am thankful I get a chance to do every week :)




Style Card

Dress - Ghee Latina Dress
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Qeestein/136/113/1501

Shoes - Ghee - Pinky Peeptoes - Rose
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Qeestein/136/113/1501

Necklace - Ghee Gumball Pearl Necklace (Rare Gacha Prize with Texture Change HUD)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Qeestein/136/113/1501

Eyeshadow - Elymode - Bold Coal & Blue
(not available)

Lipstick - WoW Skins - Aurora - BabyPink Lips
(not available)

Nails - Ghee - Neon Nails - Texture change HUD for Slink Hands
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Qeestein/136/113/1501

Hair -Tameless - Angel - Midnight
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreyfus/192/217/1512

Garage - Kianta Silverfall - part of the Pinkie Dream House V.2.0 set
Available on marketplace:
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Sweet-Bunny-Pinkie-Dream-House-V20-PROMO/2249650

Driveway - Roost - Palm View Driveway & Path Kit
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Roost/158/130/28

Smart Car - Transatlantic Motors Dealership (AKA Horizon Motors Dealership)
Smart Seats 2 Car (P) Ver.1.03
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Stepanovych/74/127/38

The Light in the Darkness

It is very scary to step out into unknown territory.  The first few steps are hesitant, uncertain and the thought will come often to turn back - to question if the road you are going on is the right one.  When I first began virtual modeling I would often see other peoples style and think "They have so much talent and ability, what possible place could I have here when I am so different?"  It caused me to doubt myself and my own abilities sometimes to the point where I would think I want to give it all up.

The funny thing is though every single time that has happened someone would come along and do something so unexpected and encouraging that I breathed easier and was able to take another step - sometimes even run forward refreshed and excited about the path I was on. Sometimes that encouragement came from a friend outside the SL modeling world, from someone outside of SL itself or a fellow model, mentor,  a photographer and even a designer or two.  These people didn't have any idea how encouraging they were and how their kindness kept me going.  I think those people are put in our path to do exactly what the quote in my picture above says: to help us find solid footing or give us wings in order to fly exultantly into what lies ahead.

**Dress – Ghee – Chained Leather Mini Dress – Noir (Texture Change for metal parts)**

Shoes – Ghee – Curve Appeal Heels – With Metal Texture Change Hud

Both for Maitreya fit

**(To be released at The Darkness Event April 5, 2017)**

Upper Arm Bands – Aisling – Efezah Gacha – Texture Change

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Agar/63/82/1112

Mesh Ears – Swallow

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cobra/82/66/2501

Full Makeup – Carrie’s Lingerie - Lust – Silver

Not available

Also worn: Eyeshadow – Izzie’s – Harlow – Silver

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Izzies/115/125/31

Hairbase – No Match

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VALHAL/119/132/21

Hair – Emo-tions – Tommy (female)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hells%20End/134/145/25

Mesh Body – Maitreya

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Maitreya%20Isle/62/53/24

Background Image by LadyBunny’s Fantasy

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/How-About-ThatTextureHalloween-Night-Background-Texture/3617015

Quote taken from http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/darkness?page=3

Model, Editor, Photography – Yhishara Cerise