Retropolitan A Journal of Style, Fashion, and Culture
Volume 1, Issue 7
June, 2009
Publisher/ Editor in Chief ………………… Phideaux Mayo Layout/ Production …………………….. Echo Underwood Contributing Writers… Physeter Nicholls Nemo Carrasco Firehorse Rearwin Photography… Phideaux Mayo Echo Underwood
Men’s Stylist …………………………… Firehorse Rearwin Cover Image – Ishtar Roux wearing Isabell (RFL Limited Edition in purple) by Pixel Passion Left – Ishtar Roux, wearing the Green Gingham Sundress, by Old Time Prims
Retropolitan is your guide to Retro style, published monthly. Find us at our main location in owr own sim Esoterica, and at better stores and clubs throughout SL.
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In talking with a Retropolitan recently, I was struck by something she said. "I believe that good style never goes out of style. Perhaps out of fashion, but never out of style." said Linnea Luik. !I had to ask myself, are the looks that we feature out of fashion? I know they are timeless, just as certain types of music, and certain songs are timeless. !The recent revival of the great standard songs being sung by everyone from Rod Stewart to The Pupinni Sisters is a good indicator of how much things retro are becoming in fashion to people of all ages.
Ishtar and another of my favorite Fashionistas, BellaStormi Constantine, were given the task of raiding their own closets for some of their favorite retro looks to share with you. !I think you will enjoy what they came up with.!
So I began to wander areas of SL into which I normally didn't go, I attended new live events, concerts and benefits, !and I scouted out how many people were sporting their retro looks. !And guess what? We are out there, folks! !Fine looking gents and deliciously turned out ladies of good style looking absolutely fabulous. ! No, we are not out of fashion, we make our own fashion wherever we go.!
Finally, I encourage you to invite more people to join the Retropolitan group. If you are a member it is easy, just click on them, click more then group invite. Select Retropolitan Magazine and their name and sent the invite. If you are reading this and would like to join , the easiest way is to go to our headquarters at Retropolitan Plaza, Esoterica (89, 169, 21) !step inside the building and click on the group join poster by the door.
The Iconic Marilyn Monroe has been honored in a unique stage show, and Physeter Nicholls returns to bring us the best in the lively arts in SL from the retro perspective. Welcome back Phy! We told you about the new Berlin 1920 sim being built and promised to follow its development. !It delights me to welcome Nemo Carrasco from the project to share more details about the build and it's growth. !I know you'll want to frequent their Happy Hour after learning all Nemo has to share with you.
Speaking of making their own fashion, this month 1
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A Virtual Tribute To Marilyn Monroe -Physeter Nicholls Angelina Kitaj, the lovely star of Flamenco and Moulin Rouge, excites SL thespians in her rousing impersonation of a universally popular 20th Century celebrity in the Teatr Krolewski (Royal Theater) production of The Marilyn Monroe Show. Director Szerewp Loon wrote the play to celebrate the legend of the beautiful, talented screen icon. “Many, many people love Marilyn and want to hear her songs,” noted Loon. Second Life is an ideal environment to interpret Monroe’s rich mystique. “She represents love first of all, then sex and fun!”
Monroe’s paramour is played by actor valentine Parnass, who appears at the train station to bid a sad farewell, later in “When I Fall In Love” as a smooth Frank Sinatra, and lastly as one of Kitaj’s beguiled groupies. “I think Monroe was a very sensitive woman who could express many emotions,” Parnass quipped. “And she was a very, very sexy woman.”
“She was one of the greatest talents of the 50’s,” agreed Kitaj. She shines as Monroe, teasing and pleasing her handsome suitors. “I love the lightness, the swinging of her, and I want to show almost all facets of her, that she was showing the world.”
The heart of The Marilyn Monroe Show is the music. For this retrospective of six musical numbers from Monroe’s film career of the 1950’s 3
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and ‘60s, Szerewp and Kitaj sought memorable melodies including “Byebye Baby”, “I Wanna Be Loved By You”, and “When I Fall In Love”. The tunes suggested the settings, costumes, and animations which were created for each act. Recordings were selected to convey the desired mood, from orchestral pieces that are lively and fun, to slow romantic pieces for tender scenes such as the tender parting of lovers in “Byebye Baby”.
and I am able to feel the music and to find the right animations,” said Kitaj. She shops widely in SL for the right dance and pose animations to make the scenes come alive. “I find many dances at sinewave animations, and also Bits & Bobs” she explained. “For our upcoming ballet and future productions, I need either more animations, or somebody who can make the animations.” Kitaj is masterful with romantic devices. “I bought a swing and my partner and I use microphones with animations. We have a little love dance under the night light, coming out of a spot reflector and he falls to his knees while singing the love to me!”
The production has a classic structure, beginning with a band reprisal of Runnin’ Wild, and culminating with Monroe as the object of men’s desire in “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend”. “It’s a wonderful scene,” exclaims Kitaj. “Six men, all are dancing around me!” A cast of ten avatars fills out roles as band members, travelers, and dancers.
Animations alone do not engage an audience. The choreography of The Marilyn Monroe Show involves a rigorous sequence of dances which must be rezzed precisely when needed. “The most challenging act is My Heart Belongs To Daddy,” Kitaj admitted. In “Daddy”, Monroe dances with a string of hopeful suitors, whirling from door to door, and rejecting each candidate as unworthy. While most of the scenes and props
Together Szerewp and Kitaj have decades of theater experience. Both have an intuitive sense for the correct sequence of animations to use throughout a musical. “I am a dancer in real life 4
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are reminiscent of the era, one exception stands out. “In ‘Diamonds’, I rez dance poles in front of the doors,” explains Kitaj. “The dance pole is very good for this show. It is an adaptation to Second Life, to demonstrate in a very short time the changing of men.”
hair, from Ingenue. Anastasia Jewelry provided the silver and diamonds that give Monroe the air of glamour and romance. Kitaj assembled the darling nightie worn in “Daddy” from Icing and other fine shops, yet the ensemble works perfectly. In “When I Fall In Love”, Kitaj dons the Golden Sakura outfit from Adam n Eve. During curtain call Marilyn leaves a lasting impression with a beautiful gown from BareRose. “I think that may be my favorite shop in SL,” she smiled.
Reproducing Monroe on the virtual stage required an instantly recognizable avatar. Flawlessly designed by Anulka Zimminy, the luscious shape and creamy skin exude Monroe’s sexuality and feminine power, from her full figure to her generous lips and beauty mark. Her eyes express the familiar blend of intelligence, seduction and sensual vulnerability. Kitaj spent hours searching for vintage clothing of the appropriate period and style for the various acts. She selected a fine pink suit by Zamiela Loon (Vanity Affaire) for the train station scene in “Byebye Baby”, with shoes from Blaze. The pink dress and flamboyant bow for “Diamonds” was acquired at Ivalde and shoes from Maitreya. Especially evocative is the golden
Together with Kitaj and Ania Szaberwick, Loon also designed and constructed the sets for this production. “The dresses and decorations are like 5
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Marilyn Monroe Show performs next at Bleu Katt Blues n Jazz Lounge, Rochial (61, 63, 37) on June 8 at 12PM SLT, and has shown at Loon’s newest venue Teatr Krolewsk, Second Poznan (127, 27, 1) and at the Second Life Opera House, DIXON Dream (201, 166, 305). Hot flamenco performed by the company’s Team La Fiesta will show at Puerto Rico on June 5, and at Second Life Literary Foundation on June 7. The theater company is supported by donations and seeks commercial sponsors to provide costumes, jewelry, and animations for its endeavors.
being at the movies with Marilyn,” Loon remarked. The sets effectively employ props true to the era, such as a Coke machine, a movie camera, and a Pullman coach car. From the simple heart in “Daddy”, to the floating gems in “Diamonds”, the sets support the extraordinary facets of Monroe’s personality. Following its motto “Ars Longa/Vita Brevis”, Teatr Krolewski has once again demonstrated its preeminence in Second Life performing arts. The
Wichi (218, 201, 21) 6
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The Rise and Feel of the City of Berlin
who wants to hear, this story...
- Nemo Carrasco
It all started when I was at certain club one night and noticed a nice lady from the Far East wearing a tag about a project. I was intrigued about it and we started to talk about it. The project was no other than the 1920's Berlin Project and that's how I got into it, I have always been in love with the German Expressionism period from The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari to Metropolis and the Brecht/Weill works such as The Threepenny Opera and The Rise And Fall of the City of Mahagonny, but at that time I didn't know how very involved I would be in the project.
Here I am, sitting after the Happy Hour at Die Fabrik, though our daily happy hours that start at 2 pm seem more like happy afternoons because of how they stretch and time flies... but better focus, Here I am sipping a bit of Cuba Libre and writing about how Berlin came to be, after a request from my friends at Retropolitan Magazine. The glass is almost empty but my mind is full and so is my wish to relate to anyone
At first the group was quite inactive, but with dedication, Jo Yardley, the amazing person who runs Berlin, has created this place with the sweat and blood of her effort. With trial and error we are now at the eve of inauguration, something that seemed so far off, remembering back to looking around for places. And sorry if I seem a bit parental with it, Berlin is Jo's babygirl but I still feel like the uncle who spoils her with dolls 7
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and candies when mommy is not looking.
not be welcome, Officer Edenbaum is always keeping an eye out.
When the skybox was ready we weren't sure if people would come to rent stores or see movies at our cinema... but as the old fella says, "if you build it, they shall come," and they came. Old Time Prims, Sonatta Morales, Swank Bros., Golden Oriole, not only people renting a piece of our little neighborhood but also dear friends whom we feel proud to have here. And not only them, but all those who have given their support; and you, as well, can be one of them if you want to join our group, or just by passing by and saying hi. Come on, I invite you to share a Martini.
Oh my goodness, tomorrow is the opening! I still can't believe it. I am now enjoying some bits of Berlin: A City's Symphony at our local theater, scratching my head about what else to say to the readers of this amazing magazine, but I guess what is left is not what has passed but what will pass... the future seems so bright now (unlike the real 1920's Berlin) and we have so many ideas when we can afford the big Berlin, from the El Dorado club, a recreation of the real gay dancing
It hasn't all been laughs and joys, though. We have had some scary moments, moments when the cold military steel of fascism has appeared on our beloved streets... but we have known how to manage them. Still, if any of those elements are reading this (I doubt there are such filthy scum among the fine readers of Retropolitan, but one is never too careful !) I want to tell them they will 8
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club from that time, to building a theater and a troupe so we can present a variety of shows going from Ukulele players to Mime, but the beauty of it I think is also how we have made friends in our journey and how many friends we'll make, what chances life presents to us... the future seems bright right now... [The Berlin 1920's Project held its Grand Opening on May 30th, and continues to hold Happy Hour gatherings each day at 2 PM SLT. !You can be sure to meet someone there at that time. !But be sure to stop by and see what they have to offer anytime, it is quite the unique Sim. - Ed.]
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The Gent’s Look
out there, Styles of Edo and SF designs stand out head and shoulders above the average, but, I find myself going around the same half dozen or so designers every month.
-Firehorse Rearwin Quality menswear has always been harder to find on Secondlife than quality women’s wear. It's a fact. In part because of technical considerations, the "mesh" for the male figure is, apparently, harder to work with than the female mesh, and there is a perception that men won't spend as much on good clothing as women do.
So now I issue a challenge, designers, you do wonders creating amazing pieces for the Second Life ladies, it's time to spare a thought for the gentlemen of Second Life and give us some classic retro men’s fashion.
Knowing this issue I still took on the challenge of being gentleman’s stylist for Retropolitan Magazine. Now I am deeply frustrated, because I find myself having to adapt and play 'mix and match' to get anything close to an authentic look, and even then, don't look too closely, because usually the best I can do is evoke a feel of a period. There are fantastic gentleman’s designers 10
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BellaStormi Constantine in‌ Dress: Glorious Gloria by Lemania Shoes: Sascha Ogg Design (pumps in black) Jewels : Elizabeth Earrings and Necklace in Platinum by Virtual Impressions Hair: FD Torta in Licorice
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BellaStormi Constantine in‌ (left) Dress: Moonlight by Donna Flora Hair: Curio Sleek Bob in Black Earrings: Docsisle "Fleur de Lis' Shoes: Sascha Ogg Design (pumps in black)
BellaStormi Constantine in‌ (right) Dress: Cigarette Girl Outfit by The French Farm (including shoes) Hair: ETD Xaria in Black 14
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BellaStormi Constantine in‌ Dress: 1912 by Lemania (including shoes) Hair: by Curio "Gertrude" in Black
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Ishtar Roux in‌ Dress: Azul - Mia in red Hair: Analog Dog Fleur in copper (custom hair Jewels by Yukino Dassin)
Shoes: Maitreya ChiChi in red Jewels: Molly Alexander Alia in rubies
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Ishtar Roux in… (left) Dress: Azul (Edo) Ewe - black lace cocktail dress Hair: Analog Dog Mia in copper Shoes: CourtX in black
Ishtar Roux in… (rght) Dress: Pixel Passion - Isabell - RFL Limited Edition in purple Hair: Analog Dog Emma in copper Shoes: Maitreya ChiChi in purple 17
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Ishtar Roux in‌ Dress: Blaze - Chardonnay in black Hair: Analog Dog Embrace in copper Shoes: Sylfie Minogue Essential in Slate/Black
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Ishtar Roux in‌ Dress: Shai, Daphne in silver Hair: Analog Dog Monday in copper Shoes: Adam & Eve Incanti in silver Jewels: Molly Alexander Tear Drop in diamond/silver
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The Martini Shot - Echo Underwood I suck on the olive and wonder, “is it that time of the month again?” It is of course, and I’m finishing this issue up thinking of how things slip and slide between SL and the “life outside”. So much of SL is so surreal, and yet so much of it is rooted in the very real notions we have of design and style. So we meld the two together, and put a modern spin on retro ideas, making us slaves neither to the limits of the past, not the latest fads of the present.
The photo to the right is a good example. That is, dear reader, the production office of Retropolitan. That desk is finally where the page layout meets the screen. But notice one thing? Notice that phone on the wall?
And on that note, I want to announce a new development in Retropolitan… we’ve always been, and will be committed to our in-world publication, but beginning with this issue, we are now on the web via Issuu at http://issuu.com/retropolitan so, take us with you -E
It’s not a reproduction, that’s a forty-year-old Western Electric rotary-dial telephone, and yes, it works. Works just grand in fact… A lot of what Retropolitan is, really, is a blending of what we can do in the present while still appreciating the design sensibilities of the past. 20