A IC AR
RO
RA O ST MAGAZINE
ECLIPSE
November 2015
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Contents
18.
The Designer Showcase
70.
The Forge & The Crucible...
106.
And Nothing Stays The Same
158.
The Proust Spotlight
This issue we feature the exquisite, finely crafted skins of October’s 4Seasons, created by the talented designer, October Bouvier
Cajsa Lilliehook takes it to the streets and investigates how the relationship between the blogger and the creator has evolved.
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This issue we invite our readers into the creative mind of Deccan Arida, the talented designer behind The Forge and EZ Weaponry.
ECLIPSE Magazine shines their light with a new monthly segment on a resident of Second Life. This month we feature blogger and photographer, Kaylith Zeurra!
Often times in the fashion industry, it is easy to become short-sighted and forget that fashion is not limited to that small community. Fashion is the art of expression, which is an integral part of our shared virtual world and the Second Life community as an aggregate; thus, our goal at ECLIPSE Magazine is to not only offer an aesthetically pleasing publication with a heavy fashion influence and rich in content but be accessible to all of SL.. because EVERYONE wants to look good.
58. ECLIPSE Men
Never one to back away from a styling challenge, the men of ECLIPSE show us their interpretation of this seasons colors!
88.
ECLIPSE Women
122.
Ways to Wear
148.
Voices From the Grid
34.
Cover Story Arica Storaro Cover Photographer Lessthen Zero Writer: Aradia Aridian
This issue we challenged the ladies of the ECLIPSE trend squad to create outfits inspired by the concept of, “Haute Nerd.�
Our monthly fashion segment continues to highlight the unique styling ability of the individual and empowers our readers to vote for their favorites!
Residents speak their mind, and tells us how their Second Life has affected their real life.
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Introducing the grid’s most exciting, most i
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It’s h
360
innovative and newest shopping experience.
here.
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Letter From the Publisher Last issue I told myself that I would write my Publisher’s Note a week in advance... After all, writing a few words hardly qualifies as a daunting task. Yet, I find myself again sitting in front of my computer at a complete loss as to what I should write, knowing that the only thing preventing me from publishing is this. This time of the year [American Thanksgiving and onward], as cliche as it may sound, I find myself grateful. Grateful for the life I live and the people who enrich it. Whether they are the people I work with, the people I play with or the people who are simply content to just be, everything is that much better because of how their life happened to collide with mine. Now, the one’s who are simply content to just be... well, those are my friends [Yes, Zzoie is much much more], and I am privileged because of them. While I may joke on occasion about “hunting” for more friends, I wish others could experience even a fraction of the love and joy they bring me because the world would be so much more beautiful. And not everyone’s world is filled with such beauty. Whether it is why in 2015 race is still a determining factor in the level of regard given in the American criminal justice system, to why even in the 21st century countries must take arms for their sovereignty and people must fight to realize their liberty, or to why innocent Page 10 | ECLIPSE November 2015
men, women and children are murdered because of groups so immersed with hate and propaganda... The world could use more love, compassion and understanding. A few issues ago, ECLIPSE had the opportunity to interview Skippy Beresford. When asked if there was one message he could convey to our readers, it was simply, “Be kind.” I challenged our readers that issue to be kind, and I challenge you again. Compassion over cruelty. Understanding over indifference. Love over hate. Be kind.
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Contributors Writers Amity Sorbet Aradia Aridian Casja Lilliehook Taylor Wassep Zzoie Zee
Taylor Wassep
Zzoie Zee
Creative Director
Creative Director
Miele Tarantal
Cajsa Lilliehook
Fashion Editor
Copy Editor
Catalina Staheli Marketing Director
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Photographers Anderian Sugarplum Daffodil Crimson Darkyn Dover Jasmine Hera Lessthen Zero Sylphia Constantine Taylor Wassep Tempest Rosca Zzoie Zee Models Adonis Hansome Apollo Call Alex Avion Caesar Langer Caoimhe Lionheart Carley Benazzi Ivyana Szondi Leezah Kaddour Linda Reddevil Lua Vendetta Luka Benton Saian Samuel Shena Neox Silly Avro Skintrader Greyskin Steele Sirnah Tadeu Gartner Tyra Eiren Wicca Merlin
Now Hiring ECLIPSE Magazine is looking to expand their team. We are seeking selfmotivated, dedicated and outgoing individuals who want to work with a team that values integrity, honesty and handwork. We are hiring: Photographers Writers We ask that interested individuals email their resumes to trouble@penumbrasl.com
Want to advertise with ECLIPSE Magazine? Want to be featured in ECLIPSE Magazine? Do you have any suggestions for ECLIPSE Magazine? Contact Trouble Dethly in-world!
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Designer Showcase Page 18 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Photography by Darkyn Dover ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 19
Caesar Langer October’s 4Seasons - Anton Warm Brick Page 20 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Caesar Langer October’s 4Seasons - Anton Mocha Page 22 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Ivyana Szondi October’s 4Seasons - Angelina Page 24 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Ivyana Szondi October’s 4Seasons - Zulay Page 26 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Leezah Kaddour October’s 4Seasons - Rehana Mocha Page 28 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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For the Love of Roleplay Page 34 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Written by Aradia Aridian Photography by Lessthen Zero ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 35
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Second Life® is all about roleplay from a certain point of view. For a long time, the account creation process required the selection of a last name from a predefined list of names; a clear indication that the avatar should be distinct from any real world presence or person. Second Life also encourages many fantastical behaviors not possible in the real world, such as flying, teleporting, and spontaneously producing items out of thin air. The avatar acts as a conduit between the player and the virtual world, facilitating the flow of emotions and experiences. Culturally, name and identity are intertwined. From the idea of having power over a demon by discovering its true name to the formal process required for a person to legally change their name; the inference is that name is a strong measure of identity. William Shakespeare is something of a dissenting voice to this opinion, as he famously asks: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Roleplay is also a dissenting voice to this opinion. The majority of avatars in Second Life operate according to the personality of the human behind them. Kind, generous, thoughtful people in the real world will be so in Second Life. Naturally angry, reactionary people will be that way too. People who are mild-mannered in real life will sometimes become the opposite on the internet, but that is often a manifestation of their deeper personality more than a conscious decision to be deliberately different. To participate in roleplay in a deep way is to wholly assume the personality of a fictitious other, with his own backstory, motivations, emotions, and knowledge. The ultimate goal of most roleplay is to become that other while in character; to so completely portray the imagined traits of the manufactured identity that anyone interacting with that ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 39
avatar would assume the person controlling it is as the avatar is. Roleplay, at its best, is both writing and acting; then a continuous act of creation - a gymnastic construction of a sweet, beautiful lie. Roleplay in a vacuum is only rewarding to a degree because the difficulty of maintaining a congruent illusion grows proportionally to the time spent in the company of the same people. Constructing a character against the backdrop of a particular theme, and sharing that construction with like-minded people is often richer and more entertaining than creating the same character in the abstract. Interacting with other people participating in the same shared reality is, for many, the pinnacle of the roleplaying experience. The popularity of Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games in general and specialist Roleplay (RP) sims in Second Life specifically are a testament to this fact. If finding an RP community and establishing a character are the most important beginnings to a great roleplay experience, then being able to fit into the chosen community and express that character visually must be the next most important. It’s hard to be a convincing elf in jeans and a t-shirt and somewhat distracting to be a killer cyborg from the future in a leopard print leotard; and yet, for all the stores and shopping in Second Life, it can be difficult to find quality items that fit within specific roleplay contexts. An avatar by the name of Arica Storaro ran into this problem early in her Second Life journey and on the road to resolving the problem built an RP design showcase and shopping faire that today spans an entire, dedicated sim. But before all of that, her journey into Second Life began, oddly enough, at a part time job she held at a television station in 2006. As the resident office geek, she was tasked with investigating Second Life’s media and Page 40 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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community potential, but didn’t really get hooked until accidentally discovering the search function. Keying in a search for “Star Wars” unexpectedly turned up several sims, where it became apparent that being a Sith or Jedi was possible, and a lifelong connection to roleplaying was born. In those early days, finding good quality outfits and items that kept up with the latest Second Life technologies and were on theme for a roleplay was a challenge. Storaro and her close-knit community of roleplaying friends would search high and low for the perfect pieces, working hard to discover those diamonds in the under-promoted rough of largely mainstream-focused stores. Her desire to share these finds, along with outfits that she would create through mixing and matching specific roleplay pieces with mainstream fashion led to the creation of her blog, “The Blogging Elf.” Once the blog was in place, the next logical step presented itself: to create an event similar in theme to established mainstream events, but with a focus on roleplay. By leveraging designer connections made through blogging and leaning on her network of friends, Storaro began sculpting the ideas that became the “WE <3 RP” in-world event. She explains: “The original goal of WE <3 RP was to show the customers what awesome stores and items are out there, because we all felt that many stores failed at promoting themselves and that many customers had no idea where to look for items for their RP characters. Instead, they often fell for ripped content from games and we tried to answer that by providing good content for a fair price in an easily accessible area.” The inaugural event was generously hosted by Trippy Fall of Silk Worms, featured 34 designers, and was a huge success by all accounts. From those beginnings, the event has grown to fill its own dedicated sim. It currently begins anew on the 4th of every month, except in July when it begins on the 5th, and lasts for the remainder of the month. Shopping at the event eschews mainstream fashion in favor of roleplay themes including: medieval and fantasy, post apocalyptic, science fiction, and other Page 42 | ECLIPSE November 2015
popular “worlds” like Gor. To keep interest and quality high, all merchandise is discounted to between 2550% of the original price and to creators are required to ensure that at least one item offered has to be completely new. Teleporting into the sim is to arrive in the town square of a fantasy village. The “Sim Map” information stand lists all eighty-four numbered stalls along with the eight lettered gypsy tents and two showcase houses. The sim itself is adorned in a gorgeous fantasy theme: ancient stone arches, quaint wood and stone stalls, gnarled trees decorated with lights, and flagstone pathways that invite exploration. Out past the vendor stalls and beyond the wrought iron gates are additional areas of beauty and calm places to visit. The stalls themselves sell all kinds of fantastic roleplay items. The month of November providing goodies such as RP staff/customer help systems;centaur legs and hooves; elven ears; period-appropriate jewelry; and cookware, armor and weapons of various types and eras; skins in non-human colors and designs; period outfits, and countless other items. Building and maintaining a group, sim, and event that consistently features almost one-hundred designers; as well as advertising it, blogging it, evangelizing it, and participating in it takes an entire team of people. Storaro shared some details about the team that makes all of this possible: “Of the original five (Ost, Tera, Tricky, Kaitlyn and I), three still remain. Tera left SL for the most part and so did Kaitlyn; both had too much RL going on at one point. Later during 2013, I met Adara and instantly liked her and soon she ended up on our team. It was the same with Alyriia in 2014 and Voshie in 2015. Jikiro joined us in early 2014 - we literally were looking for a man to give us some male perspective.” In addition to that core team, WE <3 RP always has between thirty to thirty-five active bloggers writing about RP and helping to promote the event. They have an active Flickr™ group where contributors post photos from the event and showcase the products, as well as an active Facebook™ group that keeps up with each event release. The future of WE <3 RP looks bright with an emphasis ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 43
on improvement in efficiency, reliability and overall quality. Taking over an entire sim seems like enough space for now, as Storaro shared that they are not planning to make the event itself any larger. They are, however, planning a special seasonal hunt for December 2015. Behind all of the success of WE <3 RP is the basic premise that roleplay is a big part of Second Life. If the audience for RP wasn’t Page 44 | ECLIPSE November 2015
there, then an event like this wouldn’t succeed. Yet RP is often seen as an “outsider” subset by the larger Second Life community; something for the ultra geeky to partake of. Perhaps it’s because RP requires such a specific set of skills: a good imagination, an affinity for strong storytelling, and a trusted group of people. Finding a good group of people can be difficult, as it’s often hard to just step into an established roleplaying circle. In the same way that stepping into a movie in the middle
is disorientating, so too is attempting to start out in a situation where others have been RPing together for months or even years.
of Character (OOC) and In Character (IC). In RP terms, being OOC means not participating in the roleplay experience, or in other words being part of the normal, everyday world. Being IC means being part of the story defined by the roleplay world and speaking through the voice, experience, and knowledge of the RP character.
Storaro defined roleplayers as a tightly knit group of â&#x20AC;&#x153;geeky people,â&#x20AC;? who often seem elitist and unwelcoming, but can be the best of friends once impressed by a newcomer. She offered that the best way to succeed is to separate real life from the chosen RP character, Great roleplayers ensure that OOC does not and to remember the difference between Out bleed into IC, for example, participating in an
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OOC meeting to plan future story events means that the knowledge of those events cannot be brought into the IC world. For everyone present in that meeting, it must be as though it didn’t happen when IC because the characters themselves would have no knowledge of those events until they happen naturally in the RP world. This can be the toughest part of roleplay to get the hang of: separating OOC and IC. Another difficult aspect is understanding that all characters - like all people - have flaws. The greatest heroes have mundane weaknesses, the smartest Kings make poor decisions, the most cunning schemes unravel over the simplest details, and no one person is perfect or above reproach. RP characters must be constructed with flaws to seem real, and must sometimes be played to lose in order to have a rational story. Outside of all the rules and careful planning, roleplay can be a wonderfully freeing and relaxing pastime. Storaro summarized this beautifully: “My favorite part is forgetting about everything around me and getting immersed completely. Hours can go by that way and I won’t even realize it. Most people in the RP Community are highly creative and imaginative people and I think that is what drives most of us. Weaving stories together is relaxing and immensely rewarding for me!” When she’s not working on the WE <3 RP sim, event planning, or blogging, Storaro can be found taking pictures and exploring the many gorgeous Second Life sims. She mentions a love of LEA and the Ippos Collective, as well as RP sims that are beautifully designed; including the Isle of Valesk, Mysts of Eyr, Convergence, and King’s Landing. She also has favorite events of her own such as the Fantasy Faire, Enchantment, and The Secret Affair. Storaro frequently shops at the Uber event and is a fan of Shiny Shabby, C88, The Arcade, and Tag! Gacha. In her final comments, Storaro suggests: “Always be yourself on SL. Be true to yourself, don’t betray your own values just to appeal to others and to become more popular. Speak your mind, but always keep in mind that behind every avatar, there is a person just like you. Don’t intentionally harm others just because ‘it is the internet’. Be confident and don’t let other people’s problems drag you down! Enjoy SL’s opportunities for as long as it’s there, it will not last forever.” Page 46 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Click here for The Blogging Elf Click here for Flickr Click here for SLurl to We <3 RP Click here for Flickr for We <3 RP
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Men’s Trend: Season’s Colors Page 52 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Photography by Tempest Rosca ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 53
Adonis Hansome Coat: Scars-Chester Trousers: bastard - Pinstripe Casual Baggys Shoes: Gabriel- Wingtip low cut Hat: To Be Unique - [DY-02] Hat with Hair Page 54 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Adonis Hansome Jacket: Gabriel- Double Leather Trousers: Blankline-Tweed Boots: United Colors-Classy Hair: Dura- Boy 63
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Apollo Call Jacket: ::GB::Offshoulder White fur Pants & Boots: ::GB::Warrior boots in pants Stole: ::GB::Fur stole Necklace: ::GB::Lion Necklace Pierce: ::GB::SORA Achilleus pierce Belly Pierce: ::GB::SORA Achilleus Belly pierce Hair: ::Exile::Give away your Secrets Page 58 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Apollo Call Jacket : ::GB::Double Fur coat Pants: ::GB:: Chain denim pants Hair: *Dura-B&G*61 Shoes: ::GB:: Lace up boots Glasses ::GB:: Zoe sunglasses Earrings: ::GB::SORA Achilleus pierce
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Saian Samuel Shirt - ...Scars... Boa Fleece Coat Pants - C L A Vv. - Leather Skinny Pants Gray Shoes - C L A Vv.-ATTIC- Wrapped Dress Shoes Gasses - [ FAKESSI ] Cherub Sunglasses Rings - ^^Swallow^^ Gift Ring studs Silver - :Fusion: Diamond Ring Necklace - + Divinity + Origins Hair - :[ Efran ]: Class Trade: ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 63
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Saian Samuel Shirt - C L A Vv. Gregor Jacket/Hood Up Blue Pants - GizzA - Salwar Pants [Blue] Boots - Brii Underground -Combat Boots 119 Blue Necklace - KOSH- MULTIPLEX Apricot Paws - Banded Armwarmers - Blue Stripe =Melo= Bahia blue Face tattoo ~GD~Swag So Suave Nails
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The Forge and the Crucible: Alchemy in the Digital Age Page 70 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Written by Aradia Aridian Photography by Tempest Rosca ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 71
Model: Deccan Arida Page 72 | ECLIPSE November 2015
The oxymoron at the center of â&#x20AC;&#x153;original artâ&#x20AC;? is that all creations are necessarily based upon or facilitated by other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s works. Writing is but an arrangement of thought and language, painting but an arrangement of light and shade. Yet from those same building blocks, the entirety of human creativity has emerged; each artist assembling the pieces according to their own schemes. Some artists have toiled in the abstract, a plane where internal congruence does not immediately translate to external understanding. Others, seeking realism, have run aground upon the shores of our innate understanding of familiar shape and form.
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Model: Tadeu Gartner
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Teleporting into Deccan Aridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store, The Forge & EZ Weaponry, is to render moot these discussions of the place and purpose of different schools of creativity. To teleport into his store is to find an artist who understands form, considers function, and makes art that is truly beautiful. Swords line one wall, each exquisitely modelled: European claymores; ancient Greco-Roman gladii; Japanese katana; rapiers; and other broad and longswords - each one immediately recognizable as a sword of a specific type. Swords designed along fantasy lines are also present, with jagged blades, stabbing teeth and angry edges. Standing out immediately above all else is the sense of discovery, as each piece is genuinely distinct, as well as being representative of its own historical lineage. There is a wall of bows where every type and style imaginable is represented in a level of stunning detail that rewards zooming in for a closer look. Each one looks like no other bow that has ever existed, and yet immediately represents the ideal after which is it modelled. This theme of representative uniqueness continues around the store; ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 75
with belts, buckles, bracelets, collars, shoes, corsets, and armor - all lovingly crafted to the highest levels of detail. Three threads of style run through all of these creations, mixing and mingling seamlessly: sci-fi, fantasy, and apocalyptic. In the section of deliciously accurate bows is one piece made from weathered wooden beams held together with a thick springy leaf of rusted metal. That this piece can sit adjacent to an ornate heirloom bow edged in feathers is a testament to the abilities of its creator. Arida discovered Second Life® in 2007, and intrigued by the possibilities, signed up to pursue an interest in creating and building. After initially designing some tattoos and animations, he immersed himself in roleplaying in the Gorean and Urban sims, drawing inspiration for his early creations from those realms. Applying his art background, Arida brushed up his Photoshop skills and followed building tutorials to teach himself, adding sculpties and mesh to his resume as Linden Lab™ introduced them into Second Life. His brand and business has grown with him through the years, as The Forge was the first store that Arida started, followed by EZ Weaponry. To keep a business new and fresh in Second Life, as in the real world, requires a unique blend of talents; having great products and continuing to construct new and fantastic creations is only one part of it. Keeping up not only with the latest trends, but also with society’s appetite for reframing our cultural context, is of paramount importance. The manufacturer of the world’s highest quality radio receivers Page 76 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Model: Tadeu Gartner
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needs only to worry about whether next year’s home theater appliance color is black, silver, or walnut. That is, until the entire idea of radio is replaced with the internet, and streaming music services. In Second Life, this need is often tied into viewer improvements or technology trends, such as when mesh objects became desirable over “old school” prims. It can also be driven by consumer trends like the gacha craze. The wall of gacha machines at The Forge & EZ Weaponry is a fascinating inclusion from a business perspective as well as in a creative sense. Gacha machines work by giving out a randomly selected item from a known set, in exchange for a fixed cost in lindens™, meaning that it can take several purchases - or “pulls” in gacha parlance - to get the desired item, or to build a complete set of items from a given machine. The majority of gacha machines feature “rare” items, meaning those items that are statistically less likely to be dispensed. Maintaining a balance between the actual rarity of these items versus customer frustration is an important aspect of a good gacha policy, which goes no lower than 10% on the Page 78 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Model: Carley Benazzi
machines at The Forge & EZ Weaponry. Gacha offers unique degrees of creative freedom, for example to explore color and texture on a consistent form: it’s not uncommon in the gacha universe to have a whole collection in one machine be the same base model with different colors and textures. Gacha also allows for the exploration of a coherent theme; for example, framing the backstory of an imaginary world by bringing to life the everyday objects of that world in exquisite detail. Branching out into completely new creative space is permissible too. Because each machine is a selfcontained unit, new ideas can be tried that are outside of the
“When I set a theme for an event, I can close my eyes and form an image of what I want to do. In my head, it’s a mix and match of lots of things I’ve seen before. I usually always look at Pinterest® first just to get a general idea, although I enjoy creating totally original ideas as much as possible. That’s my real passion. These are usually my most well thought-out designs too, which is just a massive mish-mash of all the ideas I’ve collected through the years floating around inside my head!”
store’s customary branding. In these ways, gacha not only makes good business sense, but good creative sense too. Freedom to explore reinvigorates the creative mind and allows ideas to feed back into the principal brand, protecting it from homogeneity. Arida triumphs in this regard, bringing originality to already well-mined genres. He draws inspiration from many sources: films, books, magazines, and Pinterest; as well as period history such as the time of the Vikings and medieval times. He grew up studying art through college, fed by a steady diet of 80s & 90s films as well as genre interests such as science fiction, apocalyptic, and fantasy. Arida describes his passion in creating totally original ideas:
Creatively, Arida manages the consistency of his work by imagining a backstory that weaves its way through the art. For a fantasy set, it could be anchored by a mythical “sacred” piece of armor that forms a centerpiece and informs the creation of the other pieces. For an apocalyptic scene, like the Desolate Wasteland set, it’s pinned to a backdrop of a viral outbreak turning people into zombies in a post-apocalyptic world. Once the story is set, imagining the items a person from that world would need, and then roughing them out and letting the scene and story guide the process often produces accidental results that are better than the initial idea. Working atop ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 79
a story allows for inspiration to arrive from many sources. Says Arida, “I definitely want to avoid traditional designs. I’ll try to make something my own or make it unique, creativity is the main thing basically, it’s what led to the discovery of my styles in the first place. I like to keep tweaking and mixing. For example, if it’s a steampunk piece, I’ll try to incorporate wastelander elements in there, or sometimes I’ll give medieval a twist by giving it elements of industrial features. It’s where studying nature and design from art is useful, as it gives you an understanding of how the elements fit together.“ The Forge & EZ Weaponry exemplifies these principles, and codifies them into a working, successful store. Arida proves that the building blocks of art can still be moved and rearranged in unique ways, and that customers will respond accordingly. When he’s not creating dazzling new content and managing his store, Arida can be found hanging out with friends and in his own words, “spending too much time thinking and talking about building.” Some of his favorite places in Second Life are the older Fantasy sims, where he loves to hone his meter fighting skills. He confessed that sometimes he will go there on a secret alt and join in a raid if one is going on. Ultimately, he is thankful for the support of his friends, fans, and customers; as are we in return for his continued inspirational creativity and imagination. The Forge & EZ Weaponry Main Store SLurl Model: Deccan Arida Page 80 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Model: Carley Benazzi
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Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trend: Haute Nerd Page 88 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Photography by Tempest Rosca ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 89
Caoimhe Lionheart Hat: Maitreya Wool Beanie Hair: .Shi, Journey Stole: MG, Fur Boa Bag: Maitreya, Calgary Clutch Dress: Ison, Printed Shift Dress Stockings/Gloves: Izzyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tights/gloves Eyewear: Gos, Cateye Ring/Earrings: MG, Ayla Moon Pearls: MG, Violette Cut Bead Boho Boot: Maitreya, Laud Page 90 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Caoimhe Lionheart Hat: Maitreya Wool Beanie Hair: Argrace, Kagari Sticks: Mandala, Rushana Glasses: Yummy, Quinn Necklace: Mandala, Lustful Earrings: Mandala, Chara Chara Ring: Mandala Motsumame & Annutra Sweater/Shirt: Ison, Wool side cut sweater Skirt: Emery, Alicia Shoos: Azoury, Leontine Page 92 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Linda Reddevil Skirt and Top: COCO - Sheer Panel Crop Necklaces: MANDALA - Pearl Rain Ring: Yummy - Burger Glasses: Yummy - Quinn Gloves: Baiastice - Velvet long gloves Earrings: Tracei - LT Round Disc Lapis lazuli Hair: LoQâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ue - Mojito Scarf: MAGIC NOOK - Highland Scarf (mod.) Shoes: CandyDoll - Jennie
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Linda Reddevil Blazer: The Secret Store - Structured Blazer Hair: Vanity Hair - Goth Shine Purse: LWL - Taxidermy Poodle Shoes: whatever - Mary-Anns Blouse: NO - Openback Lace Tee Headband: NO - Pixie Cut Bow Glasses: Yummy - Cat Eye Readers Bow: COCO_- fr. BowShirt Earrings: hmaem - hope for emilia Shorts: ISON - pleated shorts Necklace: LaGyo - Eva Maxi boules Necklace: LaGyo - _Kenya Ring: Lazuri - Kaya Watch: LeFemme - MUSCHI Page 96 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Tyra Eiren CHANTKARE COUNTRY VEST & BLAZER CHANTKARE COUNTRY SKIRT CHANTKARE Bijoux Necklace CHANTKARE Petah Necklace (2) Glam Affair - Baroque Frame Glasses Mokaccino Maitreya Beret Page 98 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Tyra Eiren Gizza Gardenia Cocktail Dress Gizza - THINK PINK - Pants Bax Regency Boots Glam Affair - Baroque Frame Glasses Dollie
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And Nothing Stays the Same Page 106 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Written by Cajsa Lilliehook Photography by Zzoie Zee ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 107
There’s rumbling and grumbling around the grid. Creators are flooded with requests from entitled bloggers asking for items even though they have never blogged one thing by that creator in the past. They ignore directions about how to apply or whom to contact. They make ridiculous claims about their importance and they waste creators’ time. Bloggers are also frustrated by increased demands, changing requirements and often unrealistic expectations. They feel they are being punished for problems caused by a few bad actors and see the old relationships between creators and bloggers breaking down. As an anonymous person said in our survey of bloggers and creators, they are “at odds more often than on the same side.”
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Not limited to sotto-voce murmurs of discontent, this frustration has broken the surface on Facebook®, Twitter®, and Plurk®. Bloggers have highlighted new requirements they think are ridiculous. Creators have shared demanding requests from bloggers that are shocking in their willfulness. And of course, there are the self-serving bloggers attacking bloggers in a “hey look at me, I am not like them” fashion. How bad is this relationship getting, what may be the underlying cause and where is it going are all questions we asked in a public survey. Like most internet surveys, it is self-selected and unscientific since people who do not feel strongly about an issue seldom choose to respond.
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Symbiotic Relationships
joined SL® five or more years ago remember a time when most people Second Life® creators and bloggers shopped main stores. Creators have had a long symbiotic opened satellite stores in malls to relationship. As Sasy Scarborough introduce themselves to customers. recalls, “Bloggers would buy things, blog They joined in-world groups where a them and designers would say “Thank notecard announcing a new release you so much, I am going to send you my could fill their store to capacity within stuff.” There were no applications, no 2 minutes. There were a few annual forms. It was very informal. Bloggers events organized around charities were very competitive, scouring for and specific market sectors such as new stores, hoping to be the first with Fashion For Life and Hair Fair. Some a new discovery. Many creators would creators advertised in the plethora share some or all of their new releases of in-world magazines created with a few bloggers in the hope in the THINC™ press. Marketing that those bloggers will highlight agencies abounded, with frequent them in their blogs and inspire more runway shows featuring designer people to shop their stores and buy collections. In that world, bloggers their creations. In the past, these played an integral role in publicizing relationships have often led to close and highlighting new releases, new friendships and the development of collections and new stores and many a sense of family and community. As followed fashion feeds such as I Monica Querrien described it, “It used Heart SL and Fashion Feed of SL with to be a special thing when I would blog regularity, even obsessive dedication. for content creators. They liked my work, In the years since then, many things and I would get items directly from in SL have changed, The Second Life them. I was on friendly terms with them. Marketplace™ has replaced satellites When I post my items on Flickr, I would and even, in many cases, in-world get faves from them.” store locations. The introduction of mesh had increased barriers to Those friendships and that closeness entry for designers. Meanwhile, new is less and less important in the markets created around third party new regimen of managers. As Sasy applicators have lowered barriers to Scarborough, on of the longestentry for others. Meanwhile, events running bloggers in SL and a mentor have come to dominate the creative to many bloggers over the years, put cycle. Few people create seasonal it, “The relationships are gone, they do collections or any collections for that not exist with many, and at the end of matter. Most release items at an event the day now, history does not matter.” for two weeks to a month before selling the item in their store or on External Drivers of Change Marketplace. More fashion followers Everything changes, though, and subscribe to RSS readers rather than there have been many profound following feed aggregators and many changes in Second Life and perhaps simply follow Flickr® looking for it is inevitable that the bloggervendor pics. Event catalogs produced creator relationship would evolve by event blogging syndicates like with those changes. Those who Seraphim and Eloquence have Page 110 | ECLIPSE November 2015
become go-to c by seeing everyt before going to
Increasing Relia
Designers and b increased focus
choices for shoppers who can save time thing in one place and making a list an event.
ance on Events
bloggers were united in naming the on events as the primary catalyst for
changes in how bloggers and creators relate to each other. Events usually organize and select their own bloggers without input from creators. Creators are usually asked to provide the bloggers with some or all of their releases for the event. This is often contentious as some items will be blogged by everyone and some will be neglected. A few creators might send items to their own bloggers as well just to compensate for the
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lack of coverage by event bloggers. One event manager wrote anonymously, “It is hurtful to creators seeing their bloggers not blog their stuff. I wish blogger would know this, it might motivate them to do what they agreed to. Then maybe things would become a little more relaxed.”
events, has lead to managers assigning specific stores to bloggers who may end up assigned items to blog that do not inspire them. Fecklessness and Expectations
Bloggers and creators are united as On the other hand, bloggers can find well in blaming the increasing number themselves overwhelmed by event of feckless bloggers whose impetus requirements which become increasingly for blogging is more about “getting stringent. From simply being required free stuff” than styling new looks to write a minimum number of posts, and highlighting new designs. An now bloggers might be required to anonymous blogger explained, “I think include a minimum number of event there are too many bloggers who expect items in each post or be asked to feature to be given things for very little in return.” different stores from month to month. Beunna Resident puts it bluntly, “Shitty Some events require bloggers to post bloggers getting things and not posting” their logo on their web sites or include started the breakdown. Veenya Venter their logo in every photo featuring event puts is more diplomatically, suggesting items. The list of possible requirements the relations breakdown is probably due is long and getting longer all the time. to “the vast amount of bloggers that exist As Khitten Kurka explained, there is “A today of varying quality, they need a way push for bloggers to cover events much to narrow down their selection.” more frequently than before. I have seen the decline in actual relationship building Bloggers understand the forces that between bloggers and designers.” are pushing creators away from the older, looser relationships they formed An anonymous blogger believe that the with bloggers. Most of the bloggers number of events is affecting bloggers as surveyed spoke empathetically about adversely as creators. “There are too many the frustrations of dealing with a flood events and each event has a minimum of blogger requests, the disappointment number of posts as requirements. Bloggers of sending out preview copies that are like to keep their spot in the blogging neglected and not blogged and the need groups but at the same time due to the to spend more time creating and less number of events they blog for they cannot time fretting about bloggers. Monica realistically cover each event properly. As Querrien put it well, “Designers are very most bloggers have a couple of creator busy between creating for so many events. friends in each of these events, they feel Some are so busy creating for events that obligated to blog their friend’s items from they neglect their main store, and so have that event and with the high number of trouble getting sales at their “home base”. events they participate with, that one (or They simply do not have time to form two) posts is all they can do for the said strong relationships with bloggers like they event. Most other designers and products used to. Newer creators never learned how are ignored.” This naturally leads to event to form these relationships. I do think this is managers requiring a greater variety a factor when it comes to the over-the-top of stores featured and even, at some requirements to blog for their stores. They Page 112 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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have lost touch with the bloggers.” Management Contributing to the lost relationship is the rise in blogger managers. It is easy to understand the increasing reliance on blogger managers. There are increasing numbers of bloggers who all want to blog for their favorite designers. Creators need time to work on making new releases, not sorting through blogger requests, checking out their blogs to see how well they feature items, how long they have been at it and what kind of social media presence they have. They also would rather create than spend time checking out whether their bloggers are actually blogging items. As creator Alaska Metropolitan put it, “For me personally, I’d rather be creating than managing an inworld group and checking on each blogger in my group.” Over and over, bloggers singled out blogger managers as a flashpoint in creator-blogger relationships. Beunna believes “the increased demands stops bloggers from being creative.” The list of rules is long and getting longer. To bloggers, it seems as though blogger managers are playing a game of oneupmanship with each other. As soon as one manager adds a requirement for 300 Flickr® views, another manager calls that 300 and raises it to 400 plus a new time limit on posting after a release. The next manager calls both those bids and adds another 50 views and a Google® form. The manager with the most extensive and restrictive requirements wins. What kind of requirements are we talking about? - Adding pictures to the store group on Flickr - Blogging a minimum number of posts for the event or the store per month - Blogging a minimum percentage of new releases - Blogging at least one item from every new release - Blogging within specific time frame from release or event opening - Completing forms or notecards with post and picture links - Identifying Event or Store as a Sponsor on the blog - Minimum number of months blogging. - Minimum number of blog posts per month overall/ minimum level of activity. - Minimum number of Flickr Views - Posting brand logo on your blog - Posting links to Facebook® - Posting to a Facebook group. - Syndication on minimum number of fashion feeds Page 114 | ECLIPSE November 2015
- Tagging store in blog, Flickr and Facebook. - Weekly blog posts about an event While none of these are arduous, keeping track of the various requirements of different stores and events can be difficult. Bloggers are resorting to planners and project management tools just to keep track of requirements.
rather than in-world. I also really like seeing how other people style things and make them their own, so I’d still offer review copies even if it translated to zero sales.”
Some bloggers are less optimistic and several of the anonymous bloggers said they were thinking of quitting. “I plan to quit as a blogger after 4 years of blogging. I have very little joy for Where do we go from here? doing it. I have pressure to do more, go faster, improve my picture quality, stylize better, make We cannot know the feature but we can find pictures masterpieces, give very detailed style hope in the knowledge that creators and credits with prices and links to events and stores, designers are united in their love of design, and increase the number of ways I promote fashion and Second Life. From that common including shady methods in Flickr (because ground, there is alway a way forward. everyone else is doing it)...I suffer horrible guilt when I can’t blog everything I want to blog. I feel Alaska Metropolitan is not too worried. She is like I let designers down since they have hope not convinced blogging necessarily translates pinned on me. But the other hand I feel burning into sales for creators in the first place. “For me, rage that so many people are expecting me to do it’s more about seeing how people create new so much for them.” looks with my stuff and having a big presence spread on social media, since most of my SL For Sasy, the changes are depressing, “I started brand is advertised via Facebook and Flickr to blog because i had no other skills than to ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 115
tell everyone where to shop,” laughing, “I was so passionate about SL creation and was a born salesperson, that it was a skill i could add to the community in my mind, but it is my blog, it is my showcase of items I enjoy and put together and share insight into, designers join me in that, they do not own me, and I do not work for them. I agree to some guidelines they would prefer, but when that gets ridiculous I bow out. SL is big enough to blog in whatever way you enjoy do not get bogged down by expectations people that are trying to earn dollars have on you.” Monica Querrien is also concerned. “If this is not addressed, I think the blogger/creator relationship will continue to deteriorate. We can see that certain stores recruit for bloggers every few months because they cannot maintain a reliable blogger list. This does not include stores that rotate bloggers. I can potentially see blogger managers needing assistants, so then that would be another degree of separation from blogger to creator. The lack of a relationship, combined with the increasing requirements to blog for a store, will cause bloggers to feel like what they are doing is the equivalent of an unpaid job.” Aribeth Zelin is more optimistic. She hopes the relationship is headed toward “something with more mutual respect...But I see more creators becoming bloggers, and bloggers becoming creators, maybe it’s helping get some understanding on the two sides of the relationship.” Khitten Kurka has a more mixed view of the future. “It depends. There are some creators that have a good handle/understanding of the value of a blogger. Those that do will continue to have successful relationships with the people that blog for them. On the other hand, creators that continue to “handle” bloggers like unpaid staff, forcing unrealistic requirements and timeframes, will likely see a decline in their relationships with bloggers.” Auryn Beorn sums it all up rather well, “I don’t know how this will affect us in the future. There seems to be a lot of bloggers, and if ten of them quit because of being burned, another fifty are fresh and ready to take on blogging with crazy requirements for a while. Perhaps this is why there are more and more strict requirements: there will always be bloggers ready to accept them. Can this be sustained forever? Will this cause a massive burnt-out and bloggers will be re-born this time as professionals that charge for their advertising services? Again... I don’t know.”
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Contributors Who Are Not Anonymous: Alaska Metropolitan - alaskametro Amity Sorbet - Amity Style Auryn Beorn - Black Tulip Sasy Scarborough - Flair Sasy Scarborough - Sasypants.com Khitten Kurka - {K}iss {K}iss Beuanna Resident - Just Stuff Monica Querrien - Moniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Phire - Style Genesis Veenya Venter - V For Veeny Aribeth Zelin - Atomic Faery
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Since our April issue of ECLIPSE Magazine, we have done this segment “Ways to Wear” to highlight how style is unique to the individual by providing two models the same items while resulting in two different looks. We took this concept a step further with a friendly competition between our models, by empowering our readers with the opportunity to “vote” on who they feel styled it best. This issue we continue.
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Photography by Anderian Sugarplum ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 123
Wicca Merlin q p Lua Vendetta
Dress: MSS - “Lauren Dress” Gloves: Wicca’s Wardrobe - “Avicularia” Hat: LODE - “D’conay smaller” Clutch :22769- “Seconds Clutch” Earrings: Alienbear - “Lorraine Pearl” Sunglasses: Meva - “Milan Sunglass” Hair: Amacci - “Eclaire” Page 124 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Click here
*MSS* Lauren Dress Zibska Arzu Frost 10 Zibska Anya ~ Nine F I N E S M I T H Soon We’ll Be Found- bracelet Magika [Hair+] Hush N-core KAIA “Silver”
e to VOTE!
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Outfit: h.m.a.e.m. - Jasmine Sleeves: CASHMERE - Fur Sleeves Shoes: Wicca’s Wardrobe - Cayenne Heels Hat: Wicca’s Wardrobe - Emilia Hat Jewelry: Modern.Couture - Lolita Nude Necklace Hair: Amacci Hair - Eclaire
Wicca Merlin q p Silly Avro
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Click here
e to VOTE!
jumpsuit: h.m.a.e.m. - Jasmine hat/hair: AZOURY - Helmet/pony tail bracers: .Enfant Terrible. Chloes shoes: AZOURY - Titane ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 127
:...Deche...: Pelagic Backpiece :...Deche...: Pelagic Dress Swoo ~ Purple Zibska Arzu Frost 02 ^^Swallow^^ Sabry Lipstick Wine Medium *PROMAGIC* Wrap it Heels Magika [Hair] Wait Chop Zuey - Viennese Blood Mask
Lua Vendetta q p Silly Avro
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e to VOTE!
dress: Deche - Pelagic jewelry: Lazuri Celeste hair: Truth Ryleigh shoes: Glamistry Crocus ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 129
Wicca Merlin q p Steele Sirnah
Head Piece: AZOURY - Sorrow Headwear Outfit:: Graves - Crossfire Body Wrap: RunoRuno - Narke Harness: Enfant Terrible - Harness Shoes: Pixelfashion - Vanina Tattoo: White Widow - Focus Jewelry: Enfant Terrible - Decor Armor Staff: Enfant Terrible - Moondchild Hair: Baiastice - Fujiko Page 130 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Click here
e to VOTE!
Miamai_Tinker Taylor boots Fallen Gods Inc Children of Void Intense Silver 7 tat AZOURY - Sorrow Headwear (Stark White) 1 Zibska NoName Deux jacket CX Tsukiyomiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Halo (Black+A) ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 131
Lua Vendetta q p Luka Benton
Lee Ling trousers red ** DIRAM ** YASMINE Top Zibska Arzu Frost 04 [sYs] KEIRA lips (epoque) Interjection Ring (epoque.s) Cage Cuff AZOURY - Titane Shoe NO.MATCH NO.ROCKSTAR. Hair Page 132 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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e to VOTE!
Lee Ling trousers ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 133
Silly Avro q p Skintrader Greyskin
top: Lybra! Andrea tights: erratic / ripped stockings sleeves: Revolt Minako Arm Warmers boots: Plastik Anakre boots hair: Runaway Luan Page 134 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Click here
e to VOTE!
Top: Lybra - Andrea Stockings: erratic - ripped stockings Hair: Soonsiki Homme - Scisim Hair Base: Lanevo - No. 01A Make-up: Glamorize - Potent Eye Makeup Feathers: Zibska - Afanen Uomo Necklace: Zibska - Hiltraud Uomo Bracelets: Stitched - Astreaea Shoes: Skifija - Absinth ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 135
VRSION KONVERT 9 Male Coat INK Hair_Hairbases buzz-cut /Sideburn /Bold ::Beige(R Unorthodox Vicious 1 Noir Facial Hair Silken Moon Amen Flasher Lashes BRAVURA Formal Mens Shoes for SLINK Mr.Poet Knit scarf_Blue A:S:S deLuxe - Cross my heart pierceing DC: Leather Travel Bag MANDALA Steking EARS GizzA Suit Pants Tweed GreyBlue INK Hair_BOVVER Hair
Steele Sirnah q p Alex Avion
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Coat - Vrsion -Konvert Coat Pants - mea Culpa - Trillian jeans bracelets - Acid & Mala Creations - My favorite Bracelet Necklace - â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alienbear design - White pearls Shoes - Gabriel - WR HC Studs Makeup ASS - Drama Shadow MUA - Garde Eyeshadow
e to VOTE!
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Steele Sirnah q p Skintrader Greyskin
Wiccaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wardrobe - Braedy Jacket [Black/Silver] Valiant & Sacred 2.0 Goatee v2 Labyrinth Goat Beard Shi Homme Outre - Leather Pants Faster Pussycat Heart Ballet Boot Zibska placide Uomo necklace
Click here
e to VOTE!
Top: Wiccaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wardrobe - Braedy Jacket Hair: Wasabi Pills - Zack Brows/Liner: EMO-tions - Seth Rings: cinphul - Sahit, Exquisite - Love in Chains Necklace: Gabriel - Curb chain necklace Pants: ODDITY - Rod Shirt: Rotten Defiance - Grey Thermal-Bulled-J Boots: BLF - Black Biker Boots ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 139
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Alex Avion q p Skintrader Greyskin
Pants - Gabriel - Heavenly Warrior Pants Shirt - Gabriel - Grow tank top Undershirt - Mortality - Prower red Tank Scarf - Mr Poet - Gathered Scarf Earrings - Meva - Earrings 3 shoes - Illi - Sean flip flops Wrist cuff - PMB - Sweatbands Bracelets Rebellion - Leather Bracelet Nomad - Bound wings makeup -22769 Guyliner
Click here
e to VOTE!
Pants: ::GB:: Heavenly warrior pants Hair: Dura-Boy 05 Make-up: A:S:S - Drama shadow Coat: Scars - Boa Fleece Coat Necklace: Powerdesign - free necklace Ring: Exquisite - Manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Love in Chains Shoes: Gabriel - WingT high cut ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 141
While we skipped our “Ways to Wear” spread last issue, this is the recap for the September issue’s winners. Don’t forget to vote this issue for your favorites!
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Voices From the Grid is a monthly survey of opinions and ideas of Second Life速 residents on the salient issues of the day. For many of us, investing time into anything will have an effect on our lives. Investing time in Second Life速 has more potential to impact their lives that most games. This month Voices From the Grid asked residents how Second Life has changed their first lives.
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Written by Cajsa Lilliehook ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 149
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Rainbow Mubble Rainbow Mubble is a blogger whose Rainbow Sundae blog is a delight. Her photos are fully realized tableaus of imagination, full of creativity, skill, style and humor. I joined Second Life in 2008 in a professional capacity, researching the viability of virtual worlds as a tool for recruitment. I fell in love with the grid on a personal level and spent my time exploring the world, socialising and experiencing all that was on offer before taking a break some years later. I returned to the grid eighteen months ago and discovered a new passion in Second Life photography which led to the creation of my blog, Rainbow Sundae. I’ve always been a creative person. I’ve enjoyed various creative hobbies over the years, mainly needlework based, but I never really felt I was creating something new or truly expressing myself. Photography in Second Life has enabled me to do just that, using my imagination to build a picture and put my own unique stamp on it. I feel that it really has encouraged me to grow creatively while learning new skills in photo editing, styling and set design.
Photograph by Rainbow Mubble
The other thing that Second Life has given me is a great community to be able to share my creativity, something I’ve never had in my first life because I’ve always lacked confidence in my own abilities. The fantastic Second Life flickr community creates a safe and positive environment for sharing my work and a constant learning experience through following the work of my peers. I think the main way that Second Life has affected my first life is by giving me an outlet to express my thoughts and feelings through my pictures. I find it incredibly difficult to talk about myself and my emotions in first life and have coped with depression for a long time. I find it so therapeutic to pour all of this into a picture where I can get things out of my system without having to talk it through. It sounds awfully clichéd, but it really has helped me through some difficult times in my life. ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 151
Gara Heishi Gara Heishi joined Second Life over seven years ago. She is an experienced role player. She is coowner of a fantasy clothing store, roleplay sims and the Mystic Dance Club. She has taken several in-world classes and workshops on photoshop and blender. She also attended modeling courses at UH Models, Miss SL Academy and One on One Modeling Tutelage and Academy. As a model she has placed 3rd runner in Miss K E L I N I 2016 and 1st runner Miss Mundo Virtual 2016. She currently works at Canary Models, Mahasiah Models, Via Condotti and K E L I N I models. You can check out her Blonde Temptations blog here. Firstly and above it all I do not believe that real life and second life are two different things, SL is a hobby, yes...but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a hobby that takes many hours of my daily life. When I switch off my computer everyone I have met online does not disappear. They are still there , I have been lucky enough to meet some amazing people in here, some of whom have become my best friends also in real life and that is a huge prize I have won. This is a place filled with emotions that I take into my life, the good ones, the joy and friendship and the bad ones like when you feel disappointed. My tears and laughter are real. But feelings is not the only area in which my life has changed, Second Life is a world which is always evolving and so am I. My scientific mind has discovered an infinite world full of possibilities, and I have walked creative paths I had never walked before, designing, building, creating...exploring sides of me I knew so little about before. In the last few months my interests have shifted towards the world of fashion, I am constantly learning applying these newly discovered forms of expression in my real life. Yes, definitely Second Life has changed my life, I believe for the better. I have grown and expand my boundaries in so many ways! And as I said before...my heart has been rewarded too. Photograph by Illargi Dover Page 152 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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Xandrah Sciavo Xandrah Sciavo fell into the SL fashion industry by accident in 2010, and since then has worked as a Top Model and Stylist with many of the grid’s most renowned agencies and publications. Currently, Xandrah is returning from a mini-hiatus and plans to resume her work as a model, stylist, and photographer, as well as a private modeling coach. When I first stepped over the virtual threshold into this world as we know it, I had no idea that the experiences I would have would affect my life in so many ways. I was provided with opportunities that allowed me to grow as an individual, to overcome my shy nature, and to grow in confidence. SL has served as an outlet for me to continue to develop my skills in Photoshop, particularly in photo editing. Most important, however, SL has enriched my real life through the relationships I have been fortunate enough to forge here. I have fallen madly in love, have had my heart broken, and have found that all of it was worth every moment because of the lessons I learned. I have made the most amazing friends, cultivating friendships that transcend virtual boundaries to become what I consider to be real, true friendships… some closer than many I have in my real life. I have found family. I have been blessed with the opportunities to love people and to feel loved in return, and to me… this gift to be able to form a connection with people from all over the world, from different walks of life, whom I would not otherwise have had the good fortune to meet… makes me a very lucky woman.
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Photograph by Xandrah Sciavo
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The Proust Spotlight is a new monthly feature where we highlight one of the many creative residents of Second Life速. Utilizing the Proust Questionnaire, whose namesake comes from the late 19th century French writer, we will offer a glimpse into what makes them tick.
Proust Spotlight: Kaylith Zeurra Page 158 | ECLIPSE November 2015
Photography by Kaylith Zeurra ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 159
BLIND SIGHT by Kaylith Zeurra Hat: Deadwool - Bowler - Black - RARE Hair: Besom - Long Beach - Essentials Skin: JOLI - Lucie Skin - Bare - Cream Sunglasses: Goth1c0 - Oculus Round Big Glasses Piercing: Moon Amore - Ukka Septum - Bat - Black Lipstick: Zibska - Ricana Lips - 34 Collar: Goth1c0 - Malkuth Collar - Female Top: BOYS TO THE BONE - s/he tank - alien babe Tattoo: Se//Mi - Fujutsu - Arms & Hands Set Pants: Plastik - Militia Jeans - Coag Boots: Blackburns - Platform Work Boots - Unisex Body: Maitreya - Mesh Body - Lara Hands: Slink - AvEnhance Hands Female - Elegant Sabana 1: Moon Amore - The Sacred Sabana - Manos Misticas Sabana 2: Moon Amore - Sacred Sabana - Mystic Eye Sabana 3: Moon Amore - Sacred Sabana - Constelaciones Pose: Custom. Page 160 | ECLIPSE November 2015
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OPALESCENCE by Kaylith Zeurra Hair: Little Bones - Creme - The Blondie Skin: JOLI - Lucie Skin - Bare - Cream Eyes: Dead Apples - Sinistre Eyes - Pink Shades Edition - Blossom Eyelashes: Mon Cheri - Falsies Eyeshadow: Zibska - Ania - 04 Lip Gloss: Blacklace Beauty - Hi-Gloss Lips Version 2 Choker: Junbug - Highland Ribbon Necklace - White Outfit: Zibska - Pixie Dust Nails: A:S:S - Precious 2 Hands: Slink - AvEnhance Hands Female - Elegant Pose: Custom. ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 163
CAN I PLAY WITH MADNESS by Kaylith Zeurra Hair: Little Bones - Grixdale - Blondes Skin: JOLI - Lucie Skin - Bare - Cream Eyes: Ikon - Charm Eyes - Fjord & Forest Eyelashes: Mon Cheri - Falsies Eyeshadow: Zibska - Noir No. 2 Eyeshadows - Riley Lipstick: BlackLiquid Makeup - Blue Jeans - Matte Headpiece: Charm - Moontear Headpiece - Onyx Piercing 1: Keystone - Annyn Nose Chains - Double - Onyx Piercing 2: Moon Amore - Ukka Septum - Celtic - Black Jacket: Gato - Fortuneteller Jacket Bodysuit: Zibska - The Bodysuit Rings: Izzieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Celestial Midi Rings - Black Nails: A:S:S - Precious 2 Hands: Slink - AvEnhance Hands Female - Gesture & Splayed Pose: Custom.
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Kaylith Zeurra in her own words is a “unconforming artist.” The true definition of a Renaissance Woman, she is a photographer, blogger, model, animator, mesh artist, pro prim builder, texture artist and concept artist. As a lover of all things unique, it is easy to understand why in a crowd of conforming masses, she is a true breath of fresh air. What is your ideal of perfect happiness? Mine would probably be to have a tight knit circle of fellow artists, creative minds, and strange souls to create and collaborate with as we feel inspired, to explore the strangest of places, and genuinely enjoy being around each other as almost a family. What do you most value in your friends? When it comes to my friends, I must say I most value their artistic souls, their sharp minds and their beautiful hearts. They are always there when I need someone, grounding when I lose my way, and always inspiring me when I least expect it. I adore each and everyone that I am honored to have as a friend. What is your greatest regret? I would have to say my greatest regret is not opening up my mind sooner. I spent so much of my life afraid to experiment, to change, to explore, or openly express my thoughts. But the day I began, my life has been a series of amazing events that have ultimately shaped who I have become today and where I will go in the future. How would you like to die? I couldn’t keep my morbid mind from answering this one. If I were to die, it would probably be from falling backwards from a very high distance. I can only image how insane it must feel to watch everything rushing past you before you land. What is your motto? As long as I can make you laugh or put a smile on the faces around me, I am doing my job right. What is your most marked characteristic? I think my most marked characteristic is probably my artistic vision. It’s a big part of who I am and plays a hand in almost everything that I do. Click here for her Blog. Click here for her Flickr. Click here for her Plurk. ECLIPSE November 2015 | Page 167