ATTENTION SL MAGAZINE Winter 2023

A. ATTENTION SL

ARTFUL TECHNOLOGY THE BEST OF BOTH

THE NEWEST

WOMEN’S BODIES BEHIND CATWA’S

RENEWED ASCENT THE UNDENIABLE The Sexy World Of

PIERRE LACROIX By

HEAT OF THE WINTER

DIVOS TITANIUM

Photographs by

VERANDI DIAVOLO VOL 8, ISSUE 3, WINTER 2023

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Contents 55

Attentionistas

17

17 / Opening Act Belleza and Maitreya up their female body games in a big way.

20 / Comfort & Joy A gorgeous ode to the seasons, by photographer Luke Niklas Pierce.

22 / My Style Stylist Mya Audebarn showcases her latest finds and puts the win in winter.

36 / Décor Home and garden maven Elaine Lectar gives us a peek at the season’s finest treasures.

Columns

46

SL+

PHOTO BY VERANDI DIAVOLO

On the Cover

Trivium owner/creator Pierre LaCroix, photographed exclusively for Attention SL by Verandi Diavolo.

Is it possible that Second LifeTM has healing qualities?

Longtime Attention SL contributor, Bru, explores this question in the first of an ongoing series focusing on health and wellness, featuring conversations about bipolar disorder, safe spaces and, yes, love.

By Brunella Voelisa

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The Winter Issue Features

55

68

76

The Trivium superstar creator on passion, beauty and dad jokes.

By Divos Titanium Photographs by Verandi Diavolo

Within the community of Second LifeTM’s creators, her innovative work is inspirational. In this rare interview, her passion is palpable, her urge to grow unstoppable.

By Tory King

When you’re seeking the perfect wintry getaway, the options can seem endless. Our happy, traveling journalist has found three of the best.

By P E D R O

Pierre LaCroix’s Love of Sex and Authenticity

The Catwa Ascent

Dreams of Snow

76

PHOTO BY P E D R O A LIFETIME

16

YEARS

The length of time pioneer and innovator Catwa Clip has been in Second LifeTM, since joining in 2007. [P. 68]

“Everything you see, carefully placed, and winterized, will enchant you...have fun, party and celebrate with friends.”

-”DREAMS OF SNOW” [P. 76] WINTER 2023 | 5 | A.

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Contents

The Winter Issue

98

Features

98

Maesar Artem

Enraptured with her alchemy of heart and technology, the cognoscenti agree: she is an artist.

Photographs by Mila Maesar

122

Key Objectives

Alecat Breda, owner of the iconic N4RS, fills us in on the multitasking life of Liam Rizzo.

By Alecat Breda

124

17

The Heat of Winter

Super-hot photographer Daines gives men’s fashion options to beat the winter’s chill.

By Vexx Daines

134

The Hotel Inspector

Long the preferred winter destination for many, this years version of The Forest extends its magic for another season.

By Dirk Vanlager Photographs by Aria Christen

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE

What is your current state of mind? I am within a protective bubble floating by until it pops, and I hold the soap wand if I choose to re-bubble. -HIKARU ENIMO [P. 152] A. | 8 | ATTENTION SL

P H O T O G R A P H

B Y

M I L A

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M A E S A R

Contributors Editor’s Letter

Editor in Chief Tory King Assistant Editor Kere Delcon Social Media Director Eli Hunter Marketing Manager Bellisima Benelli Promotions Director Nonge Koolhaas Contributors Alecat Breda Aria Christen Bellisima Benelli Brunella Voelisa Dirk Vanlager Divos Titanium Elaine Lectar Luke Niklas Pierce Mila Maesar Morgaine Warblood Mya Audebarn Pedro Verandi Diavolo Vexx Daines

Attention SL Magazine© is solely owned by Tory King.

Second LifeTM and SLTM are trademarks of Linden Research, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Linden Lab. All photography and writing appearing in Attention SL Magazine© is used with the express consent of its creators. All Rights Reserved.

Attention SL Magazine© is created using Adobe InDesign™.

Republication or redistribution, in whole or in part, of Attention SL Magazine© is expressly forbidden without the explicit written consent of Tory King. All Rights Reserved.

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Editor’s Letter

Rebirth and new beginnings are often foremost in our minds at this time of year. Divos Titanium, who conducts an indepth interview with Pierre LaCroix – founder of the recently surging men’s shop, Trivium, always has his finger on the pulse of fresh stories. Likewise, Bellisima (Bella) Benelli, who does a deep dive into the exciting new women’s mesh bodies from Belleza and Maitreya – both longtime, high-quality Second LifeTM creators.

CONTINUOUS RENEWAL is also

the topic of our feature on Catwa Clip, a true Second LifeTM legend. Her drive to innovate, to push boundaries, put her at the forefront of the first wave of mesh head makers. Her passion to move forward remains undiminished.

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Wellness and health are the focus of Brunella (Bru) Voelisa’s new column – SL+ - in which her conversations with Second LifeTM residents reveal a bounty of goodness and optimism.

In this issue, we also celebrate the glories of winter (with apologies to readers in the southern hemisphere!) and the holiday season, with features on fashion, décor, travel and more.

Finally, on a personal note, while parts of the world are suffering deep, shocking distress, leaving many of us feeling frustrated and helpless, we believe that those of us who have the great fortune to live in relative peace should consider using this time as a moment of reflection, to truly count our blessings.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

TORY KING, Editor in Chief

ATTENTIONISTAS AT T E N T I O N C U R A E

PAGE 18

Game changer!

BELLEZA & MAITREYA come roaring back

PAGE 20

EMBRACING THE SEASONS PAGE 22

MYA AUDEBARN LOVES WINTER PAGE 36

FESTIVE TREATS WITH ELA LECTAR Bella wears the new Lara-X body by Maitreya.

P H O T O G R A P H S

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T O R Y

K I N G

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Attentionistas / Opening Act

The Gen-X body by Belezza

WOMAN Reborn MAITREYA and BELLEZA take their

classic mesh bodies to new heights a lot of new bodies over the last few years in Second LifeTM which

THERE HAVE BEEN

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have taken the market by storm. Inithium, Legacy, and Ebody have all come out with brand-new releases that have become very popular as of late, which has left two of the most iconic brands on the grid sitting in inventories collecting dust. Belleza, which has struggled to stay relevant for females, and Maitreya. Even with updates to BOM and other

features, they have not been able to keep the top slot they enjoyed for so long. All of this, however, may be about to change.

The maker of the once super popular Freya body has jumped back into the pool feet first with an all-new Gen-X line of bodies. The Classic body is the slimmer of the two without being overly thin. Sporting the same features as the classic, the Curvy body has more curves and is a bit thicker than the classic, potentially making it direct competition for EBody’s Reborn. These are entirely new bodies, so your old Belleza clothing is NOT going to fit, but designers are creating for it, so there should be plenty of clothing and accessories hitting the market soon. The HUD is redesigned and features a comprehensive alpha system, as well as the feet and hand positions you would expect. It has several breast shape options and of course shine, freckles, nails, and tattoo layers. So, what makes this body stand out? It’s called “X” for a reason. The body contains a fully animated vagina with controls on how “open” it is. Of course, you have the option to turn it off, but it is an innovation that I’ve not seen integrated into a body in the past, and I wonder how many are going to copy this going forward, as it could, at least from an aesthetic standpoint, replace some of the third-party parts out there. There are developer kits specifically for that as well, so expect accessories to be hitting the event circuits soon.

Now on to Maitreya! The extremely popular Lara body has dominated the market since it was first released, and still, even though it’s only had updates, remains a first choice for a lot of the residents in SL. It has been long discussed and anticipated as to whether there would ever be a new body released, or if the old one was just going to slowly fade away like so many other brands in Second LifeTM. The wait is finally over, and the answer is at hand. Maitreya has

just released Lara-X. This new body has the look and feel of the classic Lara body but has been redesigned from the ground up.

The goal of the creator was to make it as close to the original as possible, while still updating everything. From smoothing edges to reworking weights, this body moves better and is more responsive to shape adjustments.

We tried it with shapes that were made for classic Lara, and while the differences are negligible, there is a definite difference in how the bodies respond. One of the gripes I saw about the original is that it wasn’t as responsive to the shaping sliders as users liked. I never personally had an issue with it, but some did. This has now been fixed, and the customization for this body is now one of the best. The other glaring difference which I am ecstatic about is the new alpha system.

It has so much more range and flexibility making it a whole lot easier to alpha certain sections without making things disappear you didn’t intend. Because the new body has new weighting, a lot of the old Maitreya clothing may not fit the new body. Some will, by modifying the alphas a bit, but some will not.

This is not really an issue though, because if you already have Lara 3.1, hitting the redelivery button on the HUD will give you Lara-X, so you have both. If you are new to Maitreya and purchase Lara-X, 3.1 comes with it, so you still have the option to switch back and forth to continue wearing the clothing that you already have. That said, a lot of designers I’m seeing and have spoken to will no longer be designing for classic Lara, opting to only design for X. Both companies who had become household names and were starting to fade have jumped back into the game with a bang and are looking to end 2023 on a high note.

We wish them well and great success in the new year and look forward to what comes next!

-B E L L I S I M A B E N E L L I WINTER 2023 | 19 | A.

Attentionistas / Comfort & Joy

Autumn’s FALL Photographer LUKE NIKLAS PIERCE gives us two glorious illustrations of seasonal transition, a celebration of autumn’s bounteous end, and an embracing of winter with a spa retreat in the snowy mountains

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Models in both photos are Luke and his sister, Ashley.

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Attentionistas / My Style

““Because the birdsong might be pretty, but it’s not for you they sing.

And if you think my winter is too cold, you don’t deserve my spring.” ~ Erin Hanson

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Stylist MS. AUDEBARN, brings us the glamor and the fun - of women’s holiday fashions

P H O T O G R A P H S

M YA

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S T Y L I N G

A U D E B A R N

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“Snow was falling, so much like stars filling the dark trees, that one could easily imagine its reason for being was nothing more than prettiness.” ~ Mary Oliver

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“Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around people’s legs like house cats.

It was magical, this snow globe world.” ~ Sarah Addison Allen

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STYLE CREDITS WINTER 2023 | 27 | A.

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“That’s what winter is: an exercise in remembering how to still yourself then how to come pliantly back to life again.” ~ Ali Smith

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“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, ‘Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.’” ~ Lewis Carroll

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“Thank goodness for the first snow, it was a reminder — no matter how old you became and how much you’d seen, things could still be new if you were willing to believe they still mattered.” ~ Candace Bushnell

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“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it.” ~ John Burroughs

STYLE CREDITS WINTER 2023 | 35 | A.

Attentionistas / Décor

Visual FEAST Within the plethora of seasonal holidays, the magic of Christmas is undeniable Photographs and Styling by Elaine Lectar

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STYLE CREDITS

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home.”

~ Edith Sitwell ~

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“Winter forms our character and brings out our best.”

~ Tom Allen ~

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“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”

~ Francis Pharcellus Church ~

STYLE CREDITS

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“Winter is not a season, it’s a celebration.”

~ Anamika Mishra ~

STYLE CREDITS WINTER 2023 | 43 | A.

“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.” ~ John Boswell ~

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STYLE CREDITS

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Attentionistas / Health & Wellness

SL+ A Guide to Positive Living in Second LifeTM

by Brunella Voelisa

to improve health and wellbeing, help others, find space to express themselves or simply find happiness inworld. I hope that what you read here helps you and anyone who visits Second LifeTM to realise what an amazing place it is and how it can help us.

IN THIS FEATURE:

• Laura Richards tells us how she uses Second LifeTM to deal with bipolar disorder.

• Lori Bailey finds a safe space, peace, and solitude at the Bella’s Lullaby sim.

• A Love Story - How Benjamin and Bee Heron find joy in their Second Lives.

O

Poles! How Laura Richards uses Second LifeTM to deal with bipolar disorder MANY OF YOU will know

OVER THE LAST five years,

I have been privileged to interview around fifty people for Attention SL Magazine. The interviews

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all had one thing in common: they sought to draw out how people used their Second Lives to do remarkable and creative things, sometimes against the odds and often in the face of personal challenges in their real lives.

I asked Tory if I could develop this theme in a series of features that focus on how residents use Second LifeTM in positive and beneficial ways:

P H O T O G R A P H

B Y

B R U N E L L A

Laura Richards (laura. demonista) as the cofounder of Debauche dance group or from her amazing photographs on Flickr.

What you may not know is that Laura has bipolar disorder, a mental health condition that affects the mood, which can swing from one extreme to another, causing episodes of depression, mania, or hypomania.

Laura used Second LifeTM to deal with her condition V O E L I S A

P H O T O G R A P H

by building a room inworld, known as Poles, filled with images, poetry and thoughts that help her.

It was featured in detail in the March 2017 issue of Attention.

I was recently reminded of how helpful it can be to use Second LifeTM in this way, when a friend told me how much Laura’s room had helped her to understand bipolar disorder before visiting a relative who is bipolar. So, I asked Laura if it would be OK to use Poles in this feature and took the opportunity to ask her a few questions about it. Laura told me why she built a room inworld rather than create something in Real Life.

“I CREATED POLES in 2012

when was still relatively new to Second LifeTM and Second LifeTM photography, so it was more interesting and challenging to do it in

o f

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C O M F O R T

R O O M

here. Plus, I cannot draw. I had done a lot of “erotic” pictures and I wanted to see if I could do something more meaningful in Second LifeTM. I built it because I wanted to say something about myself. Basically, express myself and who I am. I’m not sure its right to say who I am or what I am.

It’s what I deal with?

But there is a more sinister reason. I was hearing “bipolar” as an insult, especially in Second LifeTM, “What are you?

Bipolar?”, and it struck me that these people do not have a clue what bipolar means, what it’s about, or anything beyond a handy insult. So, part of it is expressing what it means to someone who is bipolar, as opposed to simply throwing insults at someone.

Although it must be said, when someone said it to me, I took great joy in saying,

B Y

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W A R B L O O D

“Actually, yes!”

“The most useful thing for me is to look at it, read my thoughts at the time and see if things have changed. Many have. I will guess it’s maturity. Or is it simply being used to it? Or, more likely, seeing through it. Trying to sum it up neatly, being bipolar is an emotional state. I have come to learn that emotions lie, so I am more selective in which ones to pay attention to.”

“To your readers who might want to do something similar, I would say I would say do it. It was a really good experience for me.

I expressed myself far better than I would have in words alone. One thing to remember - just because you do it doesn’t mean you have to share it. It could be just for you and that’s perfect too.”

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in the March 2017 Issue of Attention SL no longer seems to be available. But Laura told me she would be prepared to talk to people if they want to know more about bipolar disorder. She also recommended visiting the following website to learn more about the condition: https://www.isbd.org/.

DEBAUCHE

LAURA’S FLICKR

A Safe Space: Lori Bailey finds peace and solitude at Bella’s Lullaby THE TERM ‘SAFE SPACE’ has

entered popular usage in recent years. In simple terms, it means finding somewhere you can feel comfortable and secure in your identity and expression, and it helps people to cope with stress, trauma, discrimination, or harassment that they may face in other environments.

I know many people who use Second LifeTM in this way: to escape, feel safe, express themselves and relax.

I asked Attention SL’s very talented landscape photographer, Lori Bailey (Ishtara1), who knows more than most about A. | 48 | ATTENTION SL

beauty and solitude, how she finds a safe space inworld.

Lori took me to the Bella’s Lullaby region.

“BELLA’S LULLABY is my

favourite region now.

Mostly because I feel at home here. It is rural, on a little island and it could very well be in Norway. I love places like this in both worlds, a bit away from the daily busy life.

The designer, Bellaswan. blackheart, has made it in such a way that there is not too much going on, and not a lot of things that can be disturbing. It is a simple region, and I find it much more calming than a place that is full of stuff. It is minimalistic and peaceful.

Less is more. It is almost like on the outskirts of somewhere, not crowded with people and things that in our daily lives can be stressful. It gives me more of a sense of peace and calmness when there is not too much going on. I can hear myself thinking. It is never boring here though.

It is a great region to capture pictures with lots of possibilities, and the owner makes changes to make it interesting for visitors.”

I asked her Lori about Second LifeTM as a safe space: “Oh yes, in a way. It is relaxing. I am a highly sensitive person and I need my own space in both

worlds, so coming here is very fulfilling. It fills my creative side.

Music is also very important to me. It was my first love in life. I do not play instruments, but all my pictures are, in one way or another, also related to music. So, I get to enjoy both taking pictures and listening to music.

Like I said, I am introverted and a HSP (Highly Sensitive Person).

So, after a day at work it is nice to come here to enjoy the peace and be creative.

I find that to be positive. I am not here to be social. I am that too, but I have a very small circle of people in Second LifeTM that I talk to. My joy is having peace and being in my own little bubble, just capturing my pictures and anything related to doing pictures.

That is why I decided to join the Grove Art Center, to learn more about doing pictures as well as meeting others with the same passion. We can exchange ideas and knowledge.”

“The beauty of Second LifeTM and all the creativity in this world has always fascinated me, ever since I first entered it. It did not take me long before I discovered the option to capture pictures of the things I saw when I was traveling around in this world, so I started doing that.

At first, I only did the

P H O T O G R A P H

pictures for myself, but in 2018 I decided to start sharing them with others on Flickr.

I always put a link to the place where I have captured my pictures so that others can visit and enjoy that place too, but also to give credit to the sim designer/ owner. Without the sim owners and designers, I would not be able to do any of my pictures, so it is only fair to give credit to the creators of the places I visit. Landscapes are my favourite and my passion to capture. Most of my Second LifeTM time is dedicated to doing pictures.

I have, over the years,

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also had the honour of exhibiting my pictures in different galleries.”

“I have provided a link to some music to describe the feeling I have at Bella’s Lullaby; it gives you a good idea of the state of mind I have when I am there. It might be helpful as well. I find that there is music for every state of mind and feeling, instrumental more than with lyrics.”

“My motto in life in both worlds is: Always be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”

B Y

M O R G A I N E

W A R B L O O D

LORI’S FLICKR

BELLA’S LULLABY

YOUTUBE MUSIC LINK

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A love story! How Benjamin and Bee Heron find joy in their Second Lives I WANTED TO END SL+ by

asking people how they find joy or happiness inworld as a reminder of how wonderful Second LifeTM can be. When I asked Tory if he knew anyone who would be suitable, he instantly suggested Benji (Benjamin Blakewell) and Bee Heron (HumbleBeeH), who both model in Second LifeTM. They met me at their delightful homestead, and this is what they had to say. I began by asking them why they decided to have Second Lives.

BENJI: “Years ago I suffered from ailments and agoraphobia. Which makes it hard to make friends when you are always indoors. When I came here, I instantly loved it. and so many years later here I am, and I’m married with children. It’s a wonderful life.

BEE: “I heard about it, in those days on the television and at work in RL I asked if someone knew what it was. One co-worker said he tried it and didn’t like it. For me it was the best reason to give it a go. I met the right people and stayed.

When I met Benji I became more independent and started a life with him.

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What gives them joy or happiness in Second LifeTM? BEE: “Well for years and years I lived my Second LifeTM as a family member, organizing Fashion Shows with my model agency, for kids and by kids (PEMjr©), and breeding Meeroos and such. Then I dared to get into AviStars, a Challenge Styling Fashion Show by God has his soul – Marcus Lefevre-Enimo, and on one of those I saw Benji dressed as Mowgli! I got rubbery knees and sweaty hands and was totally confused. But ALL of this gave me, and still gives me, happiness. And from being an escape of RL, it became the reason to go home in RL and log on!”

“What makes me happy in Second LifeTM? See the land? hear the birds? The weather is always good.

I can be sitting here with Benji - from the US of A while I am in Europe. I can make others happy showing off clothes on a catwalk.

Kids, who (many of them) never had a chance to show off their talents, have their minutes of fame and applause.”

“Benji makes me happy and drives me crazy now and then, but mostly happy! I would say – it’s Second LifeTM. A second chance to shine. Follow your dreams here. If you want to be a cat that has his home in the water, you can here. Want to be a

punkster here, while living in a strict community RL? you can! Daytime RL and raining? Go to a night-club and party. You can direct your life here, be your own Spielberg. If there’s something you want to do and it’s not here, you can create it. You can make your own environment and/ or visit places. And most of all, Second LifeTM is not like a GAME. There are NO levels, no endings, it doesn’t stop until you leave here forever, and it goes on and on and on even after that, like RL does. When I asked Benji to share his life with me, I asked him to do that Forever and a Day, ‘cause Second LifeTM doesn’t end at level 2,964.”

BENJI: “For me, I am a very lonely man in real life. But here in Second LifeTM I have a husband that I love with all that is in my heart. I have three children. Who could ever ask for more than that? Let me also add that my husband has provided a beautiful home for us all. I thank God for Bee every night before bedtime and ask him to keep us safe!

What makes me happy in Second LifeTM is that you can start with a clean slate, and you can pursue those dreams you failed at in real life. Then I fell in love, and that just goes on and on.

It’s like rolling a snowball; it just gets greater and bigger all the time. The one

thing that makes me most happy here is my family but especially Bee. He is my angel and has the scars to prove it.”

“When he got on his knees and held out that ring, in real life I thought my heart would burst, and my knees got weak. Then I sat and accepted. I was shaking all over in real life. everything good or bad in Second LifeTM affects me in real life, so the two are sort of connected, is the way that I see it. I thank God and the Lindens for making

us such a wonderful place.”

“I even told him I have cancer, so you can walk away if you want to.

Look at him, still at my side. Every day before my radiation treatment he would message me and say, ‘I am with you baby’. That always helped.”

BEE: “I didn’t walk away.

I was with him every step (and I pull your ears when you are in a scanner lol)!”

And finally, what tips they had for others to find happiness in Second LifeTM. BENJI: “If you crave love,

don’t try so hard to seek it.

Just be who you are. Let them see you, and soon, as it did for me, it will come.

Also, if there is a career in Second LifeTM you want to try, let NOBODY stop you from achieving that dream.”

BEE: “Follow your Heart.

Explore (places and events).

Join groups that attract you. Try things and always remember it’s not only YOUR Second LifeTM, but also all the other persons around here. Respect that, always!” g

P H O T O G R A P H

B Y

B E E

H E R O N

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L

Pierre

LaCroix’s

PHOTOGRAPHS BY VERANDI DIAVOLO WINTER 2023 | 55 | A.

Pierre LaCroix saw a need, and he felt compelled to address it. Trivium, his exploding business, is the result – the go-to for men seeking to upgrade their style and, yes, their sex appeal.

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Authenticity

of Sex and

BY DIVOS TITANIUM WINTER 2023 | 57 | A.

Not everyone knows there is a difference between sex and sexy.

One, of course, being the act of sex itself.

The other is a state of mind: a feeling that transcends yourself and piques the sexual curiosity and interests of others. The clinical definition of sexy is “sexually appealing and exciting”; however, it is so much more than those words alone. While sex can be viewed as almost easy (no pun intended), sexy takes a skill and uses it to have others almost feeding out of the palm of your hand. Sexy is an art form. It’s hard to explain and even harder still to teach - it’s almost an innate quality that one simply seems to have, and to further make it more complicated, what is sexy to one person can likely be different to another. However, one new store that understands sexy and has a strong sense of appeal to many is Trivium.

Born out of a designer’s desire to create for the Inithium Kario body, Trivium has been bringing sexy to the grid for over a year, courtesy of creator Pierre LaCroix. The road to becoming a creator was not without an extreme level of hard work, beginning with his education in real life in fashion design and merchandising. Once in Second LifeTM, Pierre became a photographer and blogger, sizzling in his photos as he infused his artwork with an insane amount of sex appeal. Pierre was excited with the release of the Kario body and was trying to garner support to create more options by reaching out to creators. While he did not always find success, his path led him to forge strong bonds with other designers who became friends and helped guide him along the way. The Kario A. | 58 | ATTENTION SL

team noticed Pierre and hired him to start creating assets for the body. This blossomed into Pierre honing his craft and ultimately utilizing his acquired skills to create a new store all his own. The road he traveled paid off, and in fact the store brand, Trivium, means the place where three roads meet.

g

The Trivium catalog includes a wide array of items, from facial hair to formal wear to sensual attire for men. What makes his creations special is that Pierre feels an investment in his designs because they are items he would want to wear or showcase himself. He feels a deep connection to his work, and making items he would be proud to wear himself allows him to keep integrity baked into his creative process. Pierre is very tuned in to the market and what items might be missing, and he relies on his own savvy as well as the input of his customers to keep current on market demands.

He refers to his loyal customers as the Trivium Fam because he views his supporters as family and relies on their input to share feedback and suggestions on what they would like to see.

Pierre embraces sexual positivity, and this has been translated into his work at Trivium.

He takes a lot of inspiration from social media and is excited to see the sex positive atmosphere we live in today. He does not shy away from sex and creating sexy clothes, and in doing so sees a bit of honesty in what he is delivering to the grid. Many people on Second LifeTM enjoy sex, so he figures they should do so beautifully. Pierre shared he does not take himself too seriously and loves to spend time with his friends being silly and sharing dad jokes. He’s a homebody that enjoys music, and those lucky enough to be on his friends list often find he is hosting or entertaining at his home.

Like many of the creators we have had the fortune to meet with Attention SL, Pierre considers his work in Second LifeTM a labor of love. He is a party of one, meaning he is the one delivering the products and the customer service to his supporters. He does not hire a staff, and when you buy something

from his store, it is coming straight from him to you. He finds this incredibly important and continues to thank his customers for allowing him the opportunity to be himself.

While he often uses this line to close out his posts, it seems fitting to give it back to him by saying thanks for the love and support you give all of us, Pierre!

ALL ABOUT PIERRE DIVOS: Pierre, I am so excited to have the

out to be even more amazing friends! They were kind enough to teach me the basics.

Because of my aforementioned post and other posts I created – where I styled fashionable, on-trend outfits for Kario using the clothing that was available – I was noticed by the staff at Inithium and started working for them. They gave me the opportunity to start creating assets for Kario and that was how I was able to learn. Between that and the help of friends, YouTube and Google, I’ve learned so much in the 1.5 years since I made my first item.

I’ve always been an eternal student.

You’re never too tenured to learn something new and when you stop learning you stop evolving. I’m happy to say that I was able to grow my brand and have now begun rigging for Legacy as well. Long story short, Trivium started because I saw a gap in the men’s clothing market that needed quality attention.

opportunity to meet with you today on behalf of Attention SL! While you have been on Second LifeTM for over seven years, you have only heated up the scene relatively recently with extremely sexy and impressive items for men. What made you decide to get into meshing and start a store?

PIERRE: Thanks, Divos! I wanted to get into making clothes after I got my Kario body.

I’ve always loved the fashion aspect of Second LifeTM and I studied fashion design and merchandising in college. At the time, I was an established blogger. Because of the DIVOS: You create a wide range of products, lack of options for Kario, I created a post from facial hair to clothes to skin textures. where I advocated for Kario users and asked What is your inspiration and how do you several big designers if they might consider decide on what you are going to create? rigging for it and tagged them in the post.

PIERRE: Honestly, I make items I want to wear.

These were stores that I had loved and I also really love hearing from my Trivium supported for many years and really wanted Fam. I would never produce an item that I to use my platform to raise awareness that wouldn’t be proud to wear myself and I feel there is a bustling Kario community in like that level of integrity is important for Second LifeTM & that we have money to any designer. It could be sportswear, active spend! wear or next to nothing - if it’s something I Unfortunately, many of them either really want or my customers really want, I ignored the post or disregarded it. I now will make it happen. Once again, I think it understand that each designer has their comes down to being savvy at knowing what workflow and aesthetic for their brand that items are missing in the market and bringing they want to maintain–and sometimes that them to life. I also think that you must be also includes what bodies they choose to rig true to yourself as a person. for. As a consumer at the time, I just “AS A CREATOR WE BRING JOY TO wanted to have more options. I was lucky PEOPLE, SO WHEN YOU’RE ABLE TO enough to meet some MAKE THE THINGS YOU LOVE AND THOSE amazing designers BECOME THE THINGS OTHER PEOPLE during my time as a blogger that turned LOVE, IT’S AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE.” WINTER 2023 | 59 | A.

DIVOS: Do you remember the first time you

ever saw someone wearing an item that you created? What was that experience like?

PIERRE: I do! I remembered seeing a few folks who bought my very first t-shirt wearing it around and posting about it on Flickr. It was honestly such a proud moment for me, and it made me realize that as a creator we bring joy to people, so when you’re able to make the things you love and those become the things other people love, it’s an amazing experience.

DIVOS:

You have had an opportunity to collaborate with other impressive creators.

What spawns the idea of collaborating and working with someone else? Are there any creators out there with whom you would love to collaborate?

PIERRE: I have done collabs! Verkso is owned by my buddy Axel, and I’ve been proud to say we have done 2 collabs so far for Halloween.

He’s been one of my mesh mentors and we have a very similar aesthetic. I have several other brands I would love to collaborate with including my other mesh mentor, Max, who owns Aurealis – so stay tuned!

DIVOS: Do you have a creation that you are

most proud of in your catalog? Is there one that stands out for being exceptionally popular?

PIERRE: I’d say my CEO Set and my Vice Set were the ones I was the proudest of.

At the time, Kario had little to no formal or semi-formal options. I love to look sexy of course but we all love to dress up. Kario users deserved to have garments for those occasions that made the body look amazing and that were made beautifully. Those two

“SEX IS, FOR MANY FOLKS, A VERY FUN ASPECT OF SECOND LIFETM – SO WHY NOT DO IT BEAUTIFULLY? I LOVE THE SEX POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE WE’RE LIVING IN.” A. | 60 | ATTENTION SL

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sets I made at a time when the market really needed it and customers really responded.

Funny enough those sets are best sellers but my #1 selling items are my shorts…for a big reason. *wink* DIVOS: I always want to know the story

behind the brand. What made you choose the store name Trivium?

PIERRE: Trivium means “the place where 3 roads meet”. It’s also the classical, liberal arts study of grammar, rhetoric, and logic.

STYLE CREDITS A. | 62 | ATTENTION SL

I’m a huge history nerd! When I started Trivium, I was at a major crossroads in my SL journey and making clothes really gave my SL purpose again. I had the creative ability to establish my brand, the educational background – and thanks to learning all I could about 3D design – the technical components to make it come alive.

Trivium seemed like a perfect name for the combination of all those aspects into a venture that helped me see new possibilities in Second LifeTM.

DIVOS: How do you protect yourself

from

burnout as a Second Life creator?

PIERRE: I do take breaks! I sometimes will go for a month or two and not participate in an event or take that time to learn more about the 3D software I use in my workflow.

Funny enough, I create some of my favorite items when I’m on a break and just messing around or learning about new tools and techniques. Taking the Azzedine Alaia approach to creating clothes is the sanest option sometimes.

TM

“I’M A BIG HOMEBODY AND I TAKE A LOT OF TIME AND CARE TO DECORATE MY HOME. I LOVE HAVING PEOPLE OVER TO HANG OUT.” DIVOS: What is the best piece of advice that

you have received when it comes to creating your own store and brand in Second LifeTM?

WINTER 2023 | 63 | A.

STYLE CREDITS Is there any additional advice you would share now that you have become a successful creator?

PIERRE: I wouldn’t say I’ve necessarily received a ton of advice as much as I’ve received immense kindness. Second LifeTM can be a very autonomous or even a lonely place sometimes, but I’ve been fortunate enough to make friends with amazing people who weren’t gatekeepers of information and who were never unwilling to give a helping hand or introduction. I think that being kind is so important and that’s the #1 piece of advice I can give. To aspiring designers, I think it’s important to be consistent and learn as much as you can, be as kind as you can and make friends! Being a store owner is of course about product but it’s also about A. | 64 | ATTENTION SL

people – and if you’re not a people person – working with people might prove to be very difficult.

DIVOS: What do you do for fun in Second

LifeTM when you are not creating items for your store? Any favorite pastimes?

PIERRE: I do still love taking photos and posting them on my social media from time to time. I also love to hoard home decor – those weekend sales get me every time. I’ve recently been interested in learning more about videography as well. Being with my friends and being silly brings me so much joy and I love to go to or throw a good party!

DIVOS: There is quite a difference between

sex and sexy. You create such incredibly

that you love to see someone wear?

PIERRE: I’m so boring but I honestly spend

the most time on my black swatch Obsidian.

Black is a very interesting color. You can have blue-based blacks, red blacks, green blacks. It’s every color that culminates into one. Having a consistent black swatch is a very big challenge from item to item and I always do my best to make sure that my blacks are rich and dimensional. Also, who doesn’t look good in black?

DIVOS:

While we love your store and creations, most of us do not get a chance to interact with you. Can you share one thing about yourself that maybe most of us do not know?

PIERRE: I’m big on dad jokes or reality TV memes/gestures. You always gotta keep a good clapback in your back pocket.

DIVOS:

sexy items. What do you find sexy and how do you translate that into your creations?

PIERRE: Many of the items I create for my brand play on the idea of sex. Sex is, for many folks, a very fun aspect of Second LifeTM – so why not do it beautifully? I love the sex positive atmosphere we’re living in today. Not shying away from sex and creating sexy clothes that reflect the sentiments of our time is enjoyable for me. I take a ton of inspiration from social media, and I love to look at what we as a culture deem sexy and translate that into Second LifeTM. Some people might see it as overt, but I think it’s honest.

DIVOS: Your store offers many options, styles

and even colors. What is your favorite color

Your portfolio includes so many creative and sensual items for men in Second LifeTM. Is there anything new that your customers can expect from you soon?

PIERRE: Lately I’ve been experimenting with more bulge shapes, and it’s been fun to learn about. Rigging is always a challenge for some areas of the body and bulges are especially difficult sometimes - that’s why you don’t see them as often. I’ve been doing my best to make them look amazing and rig properly – stay tuned!

DIVOS: In addition to your creations, you

are also an incredible photographer as well.

Where did you learn your skills?

PIERRE: I did have a leg up using Photoshop because of my college education in fashion but honestly YouTube raised me. There are so many tutorials out there for photography - and Second LifeTM photography especially!

I think the only limitation is time and your creativity.

DIVOS: Do you have a favorite place in Second

LifeTM? PIERRE: Home. I’m a big homebody and I take a lot of time and care to decorate my WINTER 2023 | 65 | A.

STYLE CREDITS home. I love having people over to hang out and enjoy all the fun things I rez. Lately I’ve gotten back into playing cheesy funny enough.

DIVOS: What is your favorite song on your

playlist right now?

PIERRE: “Evergreen” by Omar Apollo has been my favorite for a minute now. Love my crybaby music. LOL A. | 66 | ATTENTION SL

DIVOS: Is there anything you want people to

know about Trivium that we have not had a chance to cover yet?

PIERRE: I just want folks to know that Trivium really has been a labor of love for me. I really believe in my brand and in myself and I want to see it grow more and more. The most important thing that makes a store successful is the people who buy your products! And I can say that I really pride

myself on my amazing customer service.

Trivium is all me, I don’t have a business partner or staff. So, when you come to my store or you buy one of my items, it’s coming straight from me to you – and that means so much to me. I tend to always end my posts with “thanks for the love and support” because I really do appreciate my Trivium Fam so much! My customers are amazing, and they give me an opportunity to be

unapologetically me in this digital space.

DIVOS: Thank you so much to you and your

store for making Second LifeTM such a sexy place, Pierre! g

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T H E C A T WA A S C E N T For years, Catwa Clip’s exquisitely sculpted mesh heads were de rigueur for those wishing to look their best in Second LifeTM. Then, LeLutka’s new technology changed everything. Now, Catwa has released a female head (male head coming soon) that incorporates LeL’s innovations – potentially the best of both worlds.

BY TORY KING A. | 68 | ATTENTION SL

WINTER 2023 | 69 | A.

HER AVATAR IS ON POINT, WITH CLASSIC PROPORTIONS AND IMPECCABLE STYLING thing I noticed when iconic Second LifeTM creator, Catwa Clip, dropped by my studio on her way home from a friend’s wedding. The next thing I noticed, as we began the shoot, was her eye for detail. The woman is an artist, and she loves to share her incisive insights – always with a generous dash of humor. Having recently heard about her decision to incorporate LeLutka’s EVOX technology into her own work, which set tongues wagging across the grid, I had many questions!

THAT’S THE FIRST

For many of us, Catwa is legendary. Some more recent Second LifeTM members, however, may not be as familiar with the brand. For those newer people, please share a brief history of your business and artistry. When did you begin creating things in Second LifeTM? What inspired you to create these iconic products, and how did you begin this incredible journey?

CATWA CATWA was my online nickname, and long before I became a creator and CATWA became my brand, I played in virtual worlds purely to socialize and have fun.

TORY

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Catwa is wearing her new REEMA EVOX head

WINTER 2023 | 71 | A.

My journey began with www.there.com, long before I’d even heard of Second LifeTM, and I enjoyed my new virtual life, becoming a bit of a shopaholic! But I had a hard time finding things that I really liked, so I started creating my own outfits. My close friends loved what I created and asked me to list the outfits for sale so they could buy them. This was the start of the CATWA brand, with my nickname becoming my brand name. However, the avatars at there.com were low-poly and restricted to PG content, so I decided to search for a more advanced virtual world that was for more mature users, and that was when I discovered and joined Second LifeTM. One of the things we couldn’t make at there.com was hairstyles, and I was excited that I could create hair in Second LifeTM. I started out creating several hairstyles, plus a few outfits and other items, and I sold them from a tiny store in the sky. Many of my customers knew my store from the Marketplace, and I became well known mostly for my hairstyles. Before mesh existed in Second LifeTM, we created hairstyles with

prims and sculpts, and I was a big fan of flexi hair. When Linden Lab introduced mesh to the Grid, I started creating mesh hair, but I missed the movement that flexi hair had always offered, so I made a few combined mesh and flexi hairstyles.

Then I saw that some amazing creators like TheMeshProject and Snow Rabbit had started to make mesh heads. I bought some, and I was so obsessed with them! Lee Quirina, owner of LV Designs, also created a custom head for me, and I enjoyed all these new heads so much.

But after some time with a thing, I can get bored and feel the need for more styles, and that was when I decided to start creating my own mesh heads.

I needed a scripter, and so I posted online about my first new head. That led me to meet the amazing scripter Boshwer Honi. He was - and still is - so kind, and willing to create any kind of scripts that I needed.

And then I started to feel the same about my mesh heads as I did my mesh hair: I wanted them to move! So, I started creating frames animated heads, and I couldn’t get enough of it!

“SOME PEOPLE JUST LIKE TO TALK A LOT, AND SOME THINK THAT WE ‘CREATORS’ ARE ALWAYS AT WAR WITH EACH OTHER, WHEN WE’RE NOT! IN FACT, WE’RE ALL FRIENDS.” A. | 72 | ATTENTION SL

My customers kept asking for more faces and more animations, so I was doing more and more. And then the guys started asking for men’s heads as well, and I couldn’t let them down!

Since then, I’ve had no time for anything else other than mesh heads.

And then Linden Lab released the Bento bones, allowing creators so many more possibilities for lovely movements. It’s amazing to have all these developments, and I’m excited to see where things go in the future.

TORY What is your creative

background in RL? What are the natural skills that have enabled you to create so many classic Second LifeTM mesh sculptures?

CATWA I’m an artist. I started drawing when I was nine years old, and since I’m also a gamer and computer addict, I used to play with animation programs on my PC, creating comedy animations with readymade characters, just for fun. But school and college took up most of my time, as I was busy studying Civil Engineering.

I felt so relieved when I graduated and got my Civil Engineering certificate, because then I finally had the time to create again and have fun with what I really love!

TORY What do you consider your greatest successes?

“NEVER GIVE UP. ALWAYS BE OPTIMISTIC. IF SOMEONE ELSE CAN DO IT, THEN YOU COULD DO IT EVEN BETTER. ALWAYS BE KIND. ALWAYS TRY TO BE HELPFUL FOR ALL OTHER CREATORS.” Establishing my own brand and my own company and working for that company; all thanks to Second LifeTM.

CATWA

TORY What was your most disappointing moment?

CATWA When people throw stones at me. It’s because they see me as a tree full of fruits that they think they will get a good harvest from.

But I want to throw my fruits back to them, so that the seeds of that fruit might inspire them to change their ways.

TORY Which

other Second Life creators do you most admire?

CATWA Oh, there are way too many! I couldn’t name them all! So many of them are friends of mine.

Some people just like to talk a lot, and some think that we “creators” are always at war with each other, when we’re not! In fact, we’re all friends. We help each other, we give each other advice, and we share our experiences.

CATWA

TORY What is your

current relationship (if any) with the LeLutka team? Thora Charron, Jaden Nova, or others?

CATWA We share our experiences. They are very kind, and we try to help each other make Second LifeTM even prettier.

TM

Many people would think of Catwa and LeLutka as direct competitors. What was your thought process in the decision to incorporate LeL’s technology into your own products?

TORY

You’ve been a TM Second Life creator and businesswoman for many years. What inspires you to continue growing and evolving?

CATWA My kids! I keep working to get a good income for my kids. Sometimes it’s healthy to take a break, though. Being a Second LifeTM addict can mean being stuck in a chair in TORY

front of a monitor for long hours. This can influence mood, and a lack of exercise and sports can affect both health and weight, so it’s good to step back and take a break sometimes.

TORY What advice would you

give to a new, inexperienced Second LifeTM entrepreneur/ creator? Which mistake(s) should they try to avoid?

Which challenge(s) should they try to accomplish?

CATWA Never give up.

Always be optimistic. If someone else can do it, then you could do it even better.

Always be kind. Always try to be helpful for all other creators.

God distributes livelihood equally, and no one will take your livelihood. Work hard, and God will give you more than what you have expected.

What is your main goal as you move forward?

CATWA I have always loved to invent new things that nobody has done before. g TORY

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This winter season P e d r o brings you three unmissable destinations that will bring beautiful memories for this final stretch of your year 2023. Fabulous regions, full of beauty and details to entertain you, that he is immensely happy to include in his journey and share with you. Let’s explore!

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DREAMS of SNOW

DAYDREAM BELIEVER IM WINTER AMBIENTE

“Jαηηα ƊαуƊяєαм Rєєd™

(janna.blackwood ) is the owner and designer of the region. Winter has begun and dressed all of nature in white.”

P H O T O G R A P H S

A N D

S T O R Y

B Y

P E D R O

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“Poor Santa Claus!”

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“If you are looking for a peaceful place to visit this Christmas, we highly recommend Daydream Believer!

Everything you see, carefully placed, and winterized, will enchant you. An excellent space to have fun, party and celebrate with friends.”

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“The landscape is incredibly photogenic and welcoming. You will want to see everything from different angles.”

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“Perfect destination to explore, sit back, relax, and enjoy your time with serenity.”

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TIMELESS SEASONS

“Designed and owned by Suzie Anderton, this region is an excellent winter destination and developed for various fun activities suitable for this season, multiplying visitors’ opportunities to enjoy quality time. Its landscape is wonderfully photogenic and built around a large frozen lake.”

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“Santa Claus in his house is preparing to bring gifts and magic for our Christmas.”

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“Try getting to know the place with everything it has to offer.”

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“Bring your friends to play with snowballs, go sledding and horse riding, or ice skating on the ice lake. Come dance with your partner and warm up in the sauna. Enjoy music and moments of peace at Christmas.”

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“Grab your skates and have fun!”

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BORKUM “This is one of my favorite places in Second LifeTM. I still remember last summer, the heat, the sand dunes, and the coolness of the waves on those beaches, today lined with snowflakes that fall in pleasant symphonies.”

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“A perfect destination for couples in love to connect and appreciate nature and its versatility. It’s Christmas with all its magic happening all the time.”

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“Skate in the square with friends, smile, drink hot drinks, have fun!”

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“The owner of the region is yoyo Collas, an experienced designer and creator of several other regions such as Monverdun, Le Paradis, Ambiance Hideaway, among many others, always bringing realism, creativity and filling our stations with wonderful landscapes, providing the public with moments that will be unforgettable in our memories.”

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DAYDREAM BELIEVER IM WINTER AMBIENTE

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TIMELESS SEASONS

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“Visit this unmissable region and tell your story!”

BORKUM

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STYLE CREDITS

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M A E S

A

R

EVEN WITHIN THE SELECT SET OF SECOND LIFE TM’S FINEST ARTISTS, THE WORKS OF MILA MAESAR ARE SINGULAR,

A POWERFUL MELDING OF ART, EMOTION, AND TECHNOLOGY.

A

R T

T E M

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t o t h e m o o n a n d b a c k WINTER 2023 | 99 | A.

MANY OF US HAVE LONG REGARDED MILA MAESAR AS

ONE

OF

THE

FEW,

TRUE ARTISTS IN SECOND LifeTM photography. Her work, with its riveting manipulation and elevation of the simplest subjects, transcends and challenges the commonplace.

As one of her followers stated in a testimonial, “With your work you allow us to touch eternity, making it easy to live it and love it. You are showing us not what life looks like but rather what it feels like.”

Considering the detail and finesse in her images, it’s not surprising to learn that, in fact, it was her curiosity about Second LifeTM’s technical possibilities that led her to begin exploring photography in 2016. The flower of creativity blossomed soon after.

Other exceptional Second LifeTM artists were her first inspiration. She says, “The first time I saw an SL picture and really ‘felt’ it was a bit like a milestone for me.” Learning how to use Second LifeTM as a medium to create digital art soon became her passion. This creative process drives her as she continually experiments with new techniques – an ongoing learning curve.

Music is her other great inspiration. When a song touches her, she feels an urge to recreate that feeling in a photo.

While, like many of us, she does photography primarily for fun, Maesar’s constant goal involves a process of trying to bring emotions and feelings into a picture, to show the emotions through a digital photo, and show a bit of herself in it. She often uses portraits for this, as “eyes are the windows to the soul.”

As to the passionate responses she receives from her followers, she states, “When I can touch people even slightly with one of my pics, it’s wonderful.”

She shared this quote that she loves with us, words that she feels describe her best: “Creativity is not a competition, it’s a personal journey. You don’t have to be ‘better’ than anyone else, you just have to be yourself.”

Mila generously created two of these pieces, botanical, and to the moon and back, especially for Attention SL. The others are from her existing collection. g A. | 100 | ATTENTION SL

b o t a n i c a l

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come away with me

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death feels like a butterfly

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drowning

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happiness is an inside job

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i rise

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keep me warm

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open up

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strong

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the night we met

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the walls of the world

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I

OBJECT

KEY

N THE VIBRANT metaverse

of Second LifeTM, few names resonate as strongly as Liam Rizzo’s. With over five years immersed in the digital landscape, Liam has become a prominent figure, leaving an indelible mark as a DJ, entrepreneur, and dedicated collaborator in the virtual realm.

Liam’s virtual journey has been one defined by passion and innovation.

For a significant portion of his time in Second LifeTM, he has been at the forefront of the digital music scene, gracing numerous venues with his electrifying DJ sets. Specializing in live mixes of house music, a sprinkle of pop, and a willingness to cater to diverse requests, Liam has not only entertained for the sheer joy of it but has also contributed his talents to charitable events supporting various causes and organizations.

However, Liam’s impact extends far beyond the dance floor. At the core of his virtual ventures lies his pivotal role in the operations of Session and ASA, renowned makers of innovative products such as the famed “Physics Cock” (affectionately known as the “P”) and the groundbreaking Bento V, among a host of other offerings. His friendship with iPro, a collaboration that has endured since the inception of the products, underscores his commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology in Second LifeTM, and doing it with world-class people.

As the orchestrator of daily operations at both Session and ASA stores, he collaborates closely with iPro, Angi, and Keme, navigating the intricate world of virtual commerce. His A. | 122 | ATTENTION SL

LIAM RIZZO,

HEAD OF OPERATIONS AT

SESSIONS AND ASA, IS GRATEFUL FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS, BUT HE KNOWS THERE’S MORE

By ALECAT BREDA

IVES

responsibilities span working with customers and creators alike, ensuring that the products crafted by Session and ASA meet the highest standards of quality and innovation, and the customers and creators are always receiving outrageous customer service.

Yet, what truly sets Liam apart is his unwavering love for the virtual world and its vibrant community. Whether it’s crafting new products, participating in charitable events, or simply enjoying the diverse experiences Second LifeTM has to offer from attending virtual concerts to exploring shopping districts and capturing picturesque moments - Liam thrives on the endless possibilities that this digital realm presents.

For Liam Rizzo, Second LifeTM is not just a virtual world; it’s a canvas of creativity, a stage for entertainment, and above all, a community where friendships flourish, and new experiences await at every turn. As he continues to shape the landscape of Second LifeTM, he’s grateful for the boundless fun, connections, and opportunities this digital realm provides. g

SPOTLIGHT

Photograph by TORY KING WINTER 2023 | 123 | A.

of the STYLE CREDITS A. | 124 | ATTENTION SL

Winter

The Heat

Photographer/stylist VEXX DAINES shows the guys how to maintain maximum hotness, even in the freezing cold.

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“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” ~ Albert Camus

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“The fire is winter’s fruit.” ~ Arabian Proverb

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“A man says a lot of things in summer he doesn’t mean in winter.” ~ Patricia Briggs

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“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.” ~ Anton Chekhov

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T H E

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H O T E L

I N S P E C T O R THE FOREST: WINTER WONDERLAND, a magical escape into frosty bliss, is open again this season. Complete with elves, deer and other festive treats, it’s an annual tradition for many.

The Hotel Inspector, DIRK VANLAGER, and photographer ARIA CHRISTEN report on a recent visit.

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I

IN SECOND LIFETM, destinations

and experiences come and go, with many not making it past its first year. As a result, the resilience and longevity of The Forest: Winter Wonderland is extraordinary, with Alexis and Mark Wilson having now opened it for seven years running.

Aria and I were able to venture into this festive paradise on the opening weekend, to curate a glimpse of the magic for this review.

In summary, we loved it here. The whole destination is a tapestry of meticulous detail, a spectrum of colour and a plethora of activities, with an ambience that radiates joy and positivity.

It’s a visual feast, a testament to the creators’ commitment to crafting an immersive experience.

Before it bids farewell in the New Year, go visit and seize the opportunity to immerse yourself in its charm.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

i As you arrive at the landing point, a festivethemed steam train awaits to transport you into the heart of the wintry town. i The cabins, priced starting at 2400L for a week, present a cosy retreat.

Be warned, though; there’s a substantial waiting list for these. Apply to rent via the forms on the website.

This region adheres i strictly to family-friendly (G-rated) norms, with a zero-tolerance policy for nudity. However, the cabins, equipped with adult furniture, offer a more private and mature setting.

The curtain will i fall on ‘The Forest: Winter Wonderland’ sometime in January 2024 (exact date to be confirmed), so make your visit sooner rather than later.

If you are a mac user i like me, you may find winter sims a challenge when it comes to lag. Derendering the snow helps. However, Aria (who is on a PC) was able to go into Black Dragon here without any problems.

THE CABINS

Our exploration took us inside some of the cabins before the guests arrived, revealing spacious interiors and tasteful festive decorations. There are separate living areas, bedrooms, and the larger cabins are situated across three levels.

These weekly rentals, with a 200 prim allowance for the larger cabins (at 3400L) and a 100 prim allowance for the smaller ones (2400L), present excellent value considering what you get.

The larger cabins are more conducive to group gatherings, while the more intimate ambiance of the smaller ones makes them ideal for couples.

There is good privacy within these cabins, extending to voice interactions. Security orbs kick out any unwanted intruders and permit the addition of guests THINGS TO DO

The experience is loosely separated into a forest area, and the main town.

The list of things to do is impressive, you could easily spend several hours here, and remember you don’t need to be renting one of the cabins to visit.

They include: i The steam train between the forest and town i A “snowflake ferris wheel” i Rez a sleigh or snowboard at the top of the mountain i Santa’s coffee shop, where you can warm up and meet friends. i The winter market stalls.

In previous years there were things for sale, this year however it’s only for show.

Still worth a visit though i A reindeer feeding station - they like carrots!

i A snow fort where you can have snowball fights. i A shop where you can visit the elves making toys.

SUMMARY

In summary, The Forest:

Winter Wonderland emerges as a must-visit destination for December and January excursions.

Whether accompanied by friends or on a solitary photographic journey, the sheer volume of activities

and the meticulous curation of this festive haven are commendable.

While Second LifeTM boasts numerous winterthemed retreats, The Forest rightfully should be at the top of your list. g WINTER 2023 | 137 | A.

THE BARN

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CHRISTMAS TREE FARM DESK

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ICE SKATING RINK

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REINDEER STABLES

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SNOW WHEEL

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SANTA’S VILLAGE

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SNOW FIELD

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WINTER MARKET

TRAIN PLATFORM

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TAXI

WEBSITE

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Proust Questionnaire

HIKARU ENIMO The owner of L’Homme Magazine SL and co-founder of NEO-JAPAN on cats, Winston Churchill, and keeping a positive mind

What is your idea of perfect happiness? To be able to do what I enjoy as and when I wish, and in the company of my four cats.

yourself ? I forgive too easily, I never learn.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Users who ride on someone else’s success and copy them to benefit. What is your greatest extravagance? Ferrari - ahem at the moment only in SL. LOL. What is your favorite journey? Japan. On what occasion do you lie? Awkward moments when an obvious lie hopefully can save me from having to say something that might hurt the other person. What do you most dislike about your appearance? WHAT? LOL. Which living person do you most despise?

Do not have one - never hated anyone to be honest. What is your greatest regret? Not to be able to speak to Marcus on his last days. What or who is the greatest love of your life? Family, Cats, Marcus. When and where were you happiest? I am happy all the

What is your greatest fear? I fear to lose myself, get soft-hearted and succumb to the majority voice. So, I will fight on and stand firm, and continue to be the fearsome Hikaru Enimo who does not mince his words when it comes to giving you a style check! Which historical figure do you most identify with? Sir Winston Churchill. Which living person do you most admire? My dad. What is the trait you most deplore in A. | 152 | ATTENTION SL

P H O T O G R A P H

B Y

T O R Y

K I N G

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ATTENTION SL

time, except when I am grieving. Keeping positive mind. Which talent would you most like to have? Hmm - dance like Jackson Wang. What is your current state of mind?

I am within a protective bubble floating by until it pops, and I hold the soap wand if I choose to re-bubble. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d be multi-lingual. If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? No, I love my family as it is. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement is to own and publish L’Homme Magazine SL since 2014, and to work with a team of professionals, especially my core team Jeanne and Moon.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A cat. What is your most treasured possession? I love my cats, but

they are family, and possession is more a thingy, so I would say my computers and iPhones. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Being stuck in a depressed state and drowning in sorrow with no one to reach out to. Where would you like to live?

Japan. What is your favorite occupation?

Playing Overwatch2 LOL. What is your most marked characteristic? I…am...a looming mass of stylish XY chromosomes.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Pure muscles, I mean intelligence! What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Intelligence. What do you most value in your friends? Understanding/accepting me without judgement. Who are your heroes in real life? Andreja Pejic. What are your favorite names? H&M. How would you like to die? Painless and at peace. g WINTER 2023 | 153 | A.

Style Credits I WHITE OUT by Mya Audebarn

Image One FLUFFY BUNNY HAT by DAMI - Skin *Hanna2* by DeeTaleZ - Carlie Hairstyle by DOUX FluNose, chappedLips by Deetalez Image Two Siberian Husky Adult Animesh (Companion) v2.0.0 by [Rezz Room] - Beanie Babe Hairstyle Beanie Babe Hairstyle by DOUX - Boots by Lempika - Striped Sweater / Stevie by Mimikri Image Three Hand Acessory Pine Branch by LODE - Snowbreath (Mouth) by -Birth- - Mae - Beanie by E.K Turtleneck Top / Paloma gold by Mimikri - Clear tote bag w/ oranges by MVT - Klee leggings by TETRA - J0513b hair by tram - Tessa Coat by Yasum Image Four Hand Acessory - Pine Branch, Head Acessory - Pine Wreath by Lode - Avalon Head by LeLUTKA FluNose (Winter), chappedLips (Winter) by Deetalez - Blush with pores by Pr.etty - Leeseo Hairstyle by DOUX Image Five FuFu Coat, Haze Lace Skirt by [spectacledchic] - doge backpack by kotte - boots - snow by neve - LYDIY HAT by ONEDAYs Image Six Milk with sweets by :::ChicChica::: - Sandy Skin by [avarosa] - Apres Ski Onesie by DEAD DOLL my cozy christmas . matching sleep mask . up, my cozy christmas teddy by hive - Blush with Pores 100% Lel Evo X by Pr.etty - ALBANE HAIR by S-CLUB Image Seven CroppedFurJacket, SheerSleevelessBlouse by *COCO* - Hair M1125 by tram - luna earrings -- gold

by Vibing - Blush with Pores by Pr.etty Image Eight Che Yeong OUTFIT #outer4, Che Yeong OUTFIT#ugg by DAMI - Semi Fur Maxes by Pare - Dan / 001 by VCO - Livia Skin by amara beauty Image Nine Get warm SET -Mittens, Get warm SET -Scarf, Get warm SET -White Earmuffs by Sorumin - Evo X - Aspen Skin by leLAPEAU - Stefa sweater by MeHoney - Blush with Pores 100% by Pr.etty Shape for Lelutka Avalon by - Scarlett - GAYEON Hair by VCO Image Ten Snow (face and hair) by !Oleander - Jamie Earring Collection by (Yummy) - Head EvoX UBON 3.1 by Lelutka - Pilar Hair by Be.raon - Paulina Skin by [avarosa] - Adelina Blouse by _CD_ Snowflake by Focus Poses - Shape for Lelutka Ubon EvO X by Patti Shape - Blush with Pores 100% by Pr.etty

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VISUAL FEAST by Elaine Lectar

Image One Candy Delight, Box of Xmas Delights, Gingerbread Tree Snack, Christmas Light Candles, Picnic Tray (with blankets), Warm Memmories Blanket, Blankets Stacks by [Merak] Image Two Winter Village miniature by ionic Image Three Vintage Gifts Sleigh by Serenity Style - alpine christmas tree . decorated, christmas present by dust bunny - Douglas Fir by Botanical - Star Garden Grass by +Half-Deer+ Image Four “Santa Claus sacks” by DaD - Happy Santa Figure (Berry) by Apple Fall - Isadora Rustic Cottage

by Trompe Loeil Image Five Anashara Dining Chair - Rust by Apple Fall - Country Table by NOMAD - Twig Tree (silver), Wooden Snowflake, Celeste Hurricane Candle by Fancy Decor - holiday garland, holiday bow by hive

PIERRE LACROIX’S LOVE by DIVOS TITANIUM

Image One VERANDI Head: Connor EvoX 3.1 by LeLUTKA - Alex hairstyle by DOUX - Agnus Beard by Volkstone Gauged XL Ears by Swallow - Evo X - Asher Skin by leLAPEAU - XOCIA outfit SHIRT AND THONG by TRIVIUM - Indigo Collar by AsteroidBox - Davis Gloves by Clef de Peau - Athletic Mesh Body by Legacy DIVOS Head: Eon EvoX 3.1 by LeLUTKA - Rowan EvoX skin by Stray Dog - Athletic Mesh Body by Legacy - Dom of Finland hat and outfit by TRIVIUM - Marlon Bento Gloves by L’Emporio&PL Image Two DIEGO KOWALSKI Head: Ford EvoX 3.1 by LeLUTKA - Randal Skin Brown by Not Found - XI Hair by Unorthodox - Mesh Beard Baron by Volkstone - SNEAK PEEK SET outfit by TRIVIUM - The Stack Necklace Legacy, Macho Set rings by RAWR! - coffee on the go holder by hive - Athletic Mesh Body by Legacy - American Bully Animesh XXL by REZZROOM Image Three PARKER DROVERSON Yves EvoX 3.1 by LeLUTKA - Reza EvoX skin by Stray Dog - Ari hairstyle by Modulus - Ezdra Goatee by Volkstone - Kightning Accent Earring by MARKED - Diamond Stud by VEX - Heavy Lifter Set by TRIVIUM - Athletic Mesh Body by Legacy Image Four Head: Connor EvoX 3.1 by LeLUTKA - Alex hairstyle by DOUX - Agnus Beard by Volkstone Gauged XL Ears by Swallow - Evo X - Asher Skin by leLAPEAU - X VERKSO DESPERADO SET by TRIVIUM - Athletic Mesh Body by Legacy - Eagle Adult Animesh by REZZROOM Marlon Bento Gloves by L’Emporio&PL WINTER 2023 | 155 | A.

Style Credits II DREAMS OF SNOW by P e d r o Image One Greg Sweater, Caleb Pants by ExalteD

Image Two David Vest, King Cargo Pants by [ ERAUQS ] - Oli Teddy Hat by Paré Image Three Nico Jacket by FT - Lennon bleached Pants by Legal Insanity Image Four Fleece hoodie, Biker Jeans by REINVENT

THE HEAT OF THE WINTER by Vexx Daines

Image One Pants: KNV70, Jacket: KNV79, EyeWear: SLS49, Beanie: SLS53 by VRSion - Boots: Synchronicity boots by Gabriel - Snowbike: FUBUK by Sau Motors Image Two Outfit: Atticus (wrapped scarf, Chinos, and Sweater) by E.K. - Hair: Hair ES1118 by Wings - Boots: SP Boots MK 4.2 by Gutchi - Sled Bench: Little Sled Bench (includes coffee cup) by Simple Things Image Three Armguards: Nailed armguards, Necklace: Gigi necklace by Garmonbozia - Tattoo: Withered shine+tattoo 3D by This is Wrong - Sword: Blazo Katana v2 by The Forge - Skirt: [NC] Commander (Skirt Red), Helmet: [NC] - Kurama Samurai Helmet, Pauldrons: [NC] - Glory Pauldrons by Noble Creations Image Four Outfit: Loose Double Suit & Gloves by Gabriel - Hair: NO_NOTE by no.match - Skin: Dylan Skin

by Voguel - Facial Hair: Luigi Facial Hair [Stubble], Chest Hair: Klaus Body Hair by Volkstone Armchair: Warm Respite Armchair, Fireplace: Warm Respite Fireplace by Nutmeg Image Five Tank top: Loose color denim, Pants: Loose wide pants by Gabriel - Coat: Morgan Coat by Agata Necklace: Round studs necklace by Gild - Gloves: Banshee Gloves by The Forge Image Six Pants: SOS4 Jeans, Turtleneck: K0LD Turtleneck by Memento - Slippers: Dark slipper by Garmonbozia - Hair: B107 By Dura - Dog: Labrador Retriever Adult (Companion) by Rezz Room

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