Interview: Shaping up with Mellow Poppy of /edit/

Your shape in SL is like a reflection of your digital DNA. In the real waking world this would be attributed to your genes. However, in SL your shape is one of the most basic controlled elements that mirrors one’s values and level of visual astuteness. On the newbjunk-strewn lawns of SL’s various Orientation Islands avatar physique (along with the meshy system hair) is one of the first visual problems every resident tackles (though, some just walk away, doomed to wear the default City Chic or Club shapes forever). Through this act one establishes their individuality and finds a comfort level and emotional attachment with a personal virtual identity. Whatever we do to our avatars is an expression of our deepest selves and ultimately influences how we initially fit into a given community.

For those who can swallow their pride and admit their skills in creating a properly proportioned avatar are seriously lacking there are options. For those who can’t, all I can say is keep hanging around the Ahern Welcome Area shouting, ‘Who want fuck?!’ without any return on your efforts (why stop now? – you’re so good at what you do). Style consultants and shape makers – some of whom suffer from Shape Apnea themselves – are a dime a dozen. Those with an eye for detail and an opinionated take on the industry are a much rarer fruit.

Commentary: Loving Armidi: Chronicle of an On-Again-Off-Again Relationship

Way back in early April when Liam Oliver, Lola Marquez and Nicole David of Elephant Outfitters notoriety unveiled three products from the (then) new Armidi brand at Hair Fair ‘07, attendees who braved the lag were wowed. The group literally came out of nowehere and slapped three premier quality hair styles on an unsuspecting audience and it created lots of buzz – making the Armidi sneak peek the highlight of the event for many. The Poynter, in my opinion, is easily one of the best (short) hair styles created thus far in Second Life™ – looking good on male and female avatars of varying shapes and skin tones. Few hair styles can accomplish that. Many men, in particular, were excited at the prospect of more hair options.Well, buzz has turned to blasé as Armidi’s opening has been pushed back on more than one occasion, leaving fans questioning whether the store will ever open.

• On the group’s Hair Fair display a “Coming Soon: May 2007″ message was advertised.

• In late May Second Style Fashionista posted an ‘Armidi – Update Group’ notice which stated the store would open on June 7th, exactly one year after EO had opened its doors ^[1].

• July comes along with another notice announcing a mid-July opening. The ‘Armidi – Update Group’ and ‘Armidi Men – Update Group’ were closed to open enrollment.

The third time is not the charm, it seems.

Overheard: Raggedy Relationship

Sighted on FNKY Cake Island.

[22:06] Oscar Page shouts: Raggedy Andy…I was gonna tell you to keep that bitch on a chain, but it’s good to know you’re already on top of that.
[22:06] Raggedy Andy* shouts: damn straight

In-world conversation courtesy of Oscar Page.
* Name withheld.

Fashion Review: “In the Red”: Clothing by Redgrave

Let me just state, I am not a fashion blogger. I wear moisturizer so that makes me a bit more metro-sexual than Sylar but not as much as Catero, who is the resident fashion boy. At the time of writing Manila could not be found. Besides, Cat doesn’t own as much Redgrave as I do and wanted to tackle other subjects since he has “been there done that”.

Now that I have that out of the way I can begin. There has been an ongoing debate in Second Life on whether photo sourcing makes use of the same creative juices that drawing requires. One side states that it does not take as much creativity to slap a picture on a template while the other side argues that even though they have ready made wrinkles, creases and folds, there is still some skill required in order to line up the seams and so on and so on.

Anyway, if you’re sitting there hoping for a Messiah to save us where this debate is concerned, look elsewhere – perhaps to the east (non-Christians can Google that reference). This debate will have to go on for a bit longer since I really don’t care who draws and who does not. What I do care about is looking good (which is not always as easy as it seems … trust me).

By now you’re dying to know what makes Brad look good and I will not disappoint. Unless you have been picking the lint from Phillip Linden’s belly button for the last couple months, you have probably heard of Redgrave, or as I like to call it Photo Source Mecca (I know my second paragraph is only now beginning to make sense to some of you).

I am not interested in boring you, or even worse boring myself with the technical aspects of virtual clothing design, but I can suggest that if you’re going for that “fell into new money and hired a stylist” look, then Redgrave is the place to visit.

Thurston Howell III meets P Diddy. The Retro jacket (450L) comes in three versions, jacket with white shirt, jacket with black shirt and a shirtless version, for those times when you feel the need to let out your inner Antonio Banbadass. The Dark Blue Jeans (450L) adds just a pinch of roughneck.

Press Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Catero Revolution
For Release: Wednesday, August 22, 2007

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In a community where women rule the roost, men are claiming back a little slice of the metaverse.

For humans, the microscopic Y chromosome initiates the development of male features, determining gender characteristics. Without this genetic element variety would not be the spice of life. Thus, at the most fundamental level, understanding the differences between the sexes can be reduced to understanding the “Y” and how it encodes maleness.

Y Me promises to bring a unique, refreshing and sometimes nonsensical viewpoint to culture blogging. It’s gonna be one long boy’s night out. Lock up your daughters (and sons) and hide the key to your liquor cabinet.

Contributors Sylar Boyd (international supermodel), Brad Goff (vainglorious heartbreaker), Manila Mills (flamboyant marketspeak guru) and Catero Revolution (sarcastic dumbass) will explore the “encoding” of the digital male in Second Life™ culture through issues relating to relationships, fashion, politics, personal opinion and other random tidbits of insanity.

The blog will be open to further contributors. Those interested in providing occassional or “guest” content – whether male, female, furry or other avatar – may use the contact information below to submit a 500-word writing sample covering an issue or opinion related to male culture. Submissions will be assessed on spelling, grammar, creativity and perspective.

Keep your eyes peeled to this space.

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If you would like more information about this topic or would like an interview please contact Catero Revolution in-world or via email at somethingicannothave[at]gmail[dot]com.

Waiting for Blog Inclusion

Almost a month ago I emailed the creator/administrator of the World of SL and Fashion World of SL blogs. I’ve sent him an in-world IM as well. No reply. Till then, I’m waiting to release Brad’s fashion review that’s been waiting in the wings. It deserves maximum exposure.

Brad has grown very restless. I’ve received several threatening messages from him since he completed the piece. As the resident diva I’m sure it’s a minor prima donna tantrum.

If I don’t hear from the blog syndicate guru in the next little while we’ll go live regardless and consider alternate ways to gain readership.

Thanks for your patience.

- Catero