EXCLUSIVE MARCH 2011
Menswear Fashion Week 2011
AVENUE | Publisher's note
Rusch Raymaker Photo by Ozz Larson
Rusch Raymaker Publisher & Editor in Chief AVENUE
M
en’s fashion in Second Life® has come a long way. Men today have a host of male fashion labels that have established a whole new style quotient for men to help tailor their own individuality and set new trends, and gone are the days where men lament they have nothing decently stylish to wear. It is our honour to be the exclusive media partner with this year’s Menswear Fashion Week and in celebration of its second installation, we have dedicated a big portion of our March issue with extensive coverage on male styles along with an interview with its co-founder, Lexie Jansma. In this exclusive supplement, we celebrate the spirit of Menswear Fashion Week and showcase some of Second Life’s notable male fashion designers that you can look forward to enjoying during the week-long festivities. Siren Productions, the producers of Menswear Fashion Week, have worked tirelessly to bring you another exciting week of fashion events and parties, and I am excited to be able to DJ at the European Opening Party. I expect to see you all decked out in your finest party styles. So get your kits on and see you at the party boys... and girls, and let’s embrace and celebrate the spirit of Homme style.
AVENUE | Introduction
Lexie Jansma Photo by Izzie Rexen
Lexie Jansma Event Producer Owner of Siren Productions
H
appy Menswear Fashion Week, I want to give everyone a warm welcome to Menswear Fashion Week 2011 and our special issue with AVENUE! My hope is that everyone stops by and checks out a show! Maybe spend a bit and do some shopping. Find a new favorite designer or reconnect with a designer that you loved in the past. Menswear Fashion Week is a labor of love of so many talented people. In our second year of doing the Menswear Fashion Week our goal is to bring you the best of the best that menswear has to offer. This year we are bringing even more to the table including hair and skin designers, more accessory designers, and several new clothing designers. The Siren Productions team is happy to have so many returning designers from last year including Gabriel, Connors, Shiki, BlakOpal Designs, House of Rfyre, and Lapointe & Bastchild to name just a small sampling of the over 60 designers taking part. Without further ado I give you Menswear Fashion Week 2011! We look forward to seeing all of you!
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Designer Preview
32
Fashion Spread
AVENUE Magazine Menswear Fashion Week 2011 Exclusive Featuring Siren Productions Garrett Ceriano & Gabe Bookmite Photographer Garrett Ceriano
54
Accessories
4 Editor’s note & Introduction 12 Calendar of events 24 Interview Garrett Ceriano & Gabe Bookmite 46 Interview Sissi Pessoa 64 Thank you note
Menswear Fashion Week 2011
Friday March 18th, 2011 10-11am SL Ispachi Fashion Show 2-3pm SL Mea Culpa Fashion Show 6-7:30pm Rock N Roll Couture (Couture Group Show) 7:30-9pm SL Rock Balla’ Opening Night Saturday March 19th, 2011 11am-12pm SL Shiki Fashion Show 12-1:30pm SL Avenue Euro Opening Party 4-5:30pm SL Boy’s Night Out (Casual Group Show) 7:30-8:30pm SL Alphamale Sunday March 20th, 2011 12-1pm SL Vitamen Fashion Show 1-2:30pm SL Blakopal Designs Fashion Show 8-9:30pm SL Night out on the Town (Suit Group Show) Monday March 21st, 2011 11am-12pm SL Subversion Fashion Show 12-1:30pm SL San Francisco Underwear Party (Sponsored by SF Sims) 4-5:30pm SL SB Menswear Fashion Show 7:30-9pm SL Grotto Steam (Men’s Undergear/Kmadd Shape Show) 9-10:30pm SL KMADD Industry Party
10-11am Sl G&T Creations Fashion Show 3-4:30pm SL Symphonic Nights (Formal Group Show) 6:30-7:30pm Gizza Creations Fashion Show 7:30-9pm SL Iconically Sexy Party (ICON/Too Sexy Industry Party) Wednesday March 23rd, 2011 12-1:00pm SL Gabriel Fashion Show 7-8pm SL Connors Fashion Show 8-9:30pm SL SL Art Couture Industry Party Thursday March 24th, 2011 11am-12pm SL A:S:S Fashion Show 7:30-9pm SL MANequines (Accessories/Show Group Show) Friday March 25th, 2011 12-1pm SL Starchild Designs Fashion Show 3:30-4:30pm SL Grasp Fashion Show 7:00-8:30pm SL Phantom of the Opera (Costume Group Show) 8:30-10pm SL Scruplz Costume Farewell Party (Scruplz Industry Party)
Calendar of Events
Tuesday March 22nd, 2011
AVENUE | Designer Preview
Rock N’ Rolla Menswear Fashion Week 2011 Designer Preview
Styled, Modeled and Photographed by Lulu Jameson
//Preview Design Lapointe & Batschild S’Wear Renegade
//Preview Design (l to r) Rfyre Habitual Steam Rfyre Nathan
//Preview Design (l to r) Black Opal Feather Suit Black Opal Levant
//Preview Design Black Opal Vanguard Pirate
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AVENUE | Event Team Interview
Written by Augusta Carver Photography by Annough Lykin
The Best of Men’s Fashions Garrett Ceriano & Gabe Bookmite
I
f you are looking for a cool must see fashion event to attend, then look no further. Join us March 18th-25th for Menswear Fashion Week. It will be back and better than ever! This week long celebration; features seven parties and twenty three fashion shows, with sixty two designers. I spoke with two people, Garrett Ceriano and Gabe Bookmite who are involved in this extravaganza. Here they share the low down on what one can expect at the spectral. Augusta Carver: For those who do not know, what is Menswear Fashion Week?
Garrett Ceriano: Menswear Fashion Week is an event organized and brought to the grid by Siren Productions, going on its second time around. It was a major success last year and is unique to the fashion industry in SL™. It’s mainly to showcase and celebrate the hard work of designers that create for the male form. The focus is on bringing as many menswear designers together as possible into one place for exhibition to the public. AC: Can you tell me a little bit about your role and how you are bringing your own creativity to Menswear Fashion Week?
Gabe Bookmite: My role for the event was media coordinator. This means I contacted different avenues of advertising. GC: My role within Siren Productions as an Executive Assistant to Lexie Jansma takes me in any direction I’m needed. Wherever there is a phase of the event that requires assistance, I do what I can to make the process go smoother by freeing up time that needs to be spent on the next phase. What I’m bringing to Menswear Fashion Week and Siren Productions as a whole is my experience with organization, management and sociability. I like working with many people at once, it’s something that I’ve always enjoyed. I also would like to think I help relieve stress on the boss lady. *laughs* AC: Have you always been interested in fashion? GB: Yes, I have. In Real life I took a fashion and marketing class. I can’t say I was interested in the fashion itself but I really got into the business end. AC: How did you get started with the event? GB: I worked with Lexie last year as a model. At the time I have befriended her then boyfriend, Rob1977 Moonites one of the owners of the Menstuff group. Back then I asked if I could help out. For this year Lexie contacted me and asked if I would like to help, and I agreed. AC: What is the best part about managing Menswear Fashion Week?
GB: The best thing about managing Menswear Fashion Week is the event itself. I am hoping after this event that the success of it will trigger designers and event planners to take another look as Men’s fashion and see the need there is for events tailored to us. GC: The part that offers the most enjoyment to me is getting to speak with many of SL’s designers for the first time. It’s also been fun to see a great event come into fruition and being a part of it all. AC: Do you find anything challenging about it? GB: The one challenging thing is contacting people. Time zones really play a part in whether or not you can reach someone. Whether or not you can reach someone plays a part on ideas that you may have. If you don’t reach the right person at the right time the project that you hoped for or wanted sometimes doesn’t happen. GC: The most challenging thing for me would have to be record keeping. But it’s all for a good cause! AC: What does fashion mean to you? GB: Fashion is purely expressing. It’s a form of dress up that you can take part of no matter your age. GC: Fashion, it’s who we are, and how we express the state of mind we’re in. We use it to show emotion, time, and experiences.
AC: How many designers are participating in the fashion event? GB: This year we have 63 plus amazing designers taking part of this event. AC: What can we look forward to seeing from Menswear Fashion Week? GB: We can look forward to two sims devoted to men’s fashion, Runway shows showcasing some of the best men’s fashion on the grid, and fun parties hosted by our partners. GC: This year’s come back will definitely be memorable! Each day will offer shows and industry parties that in my opinion, will top last years. Look forward to better designs ultimately, in with the new. AC: How do you feel about how far men’s fashion has come in Second Life®? GB: While I am sure that men’s fashion has grown since the start of Second Life, I say there is always room for improvement. I would like to see Men’s fashion be as big as the female fashion world. I would like there to be more items at fashion events geared to the male gender. GC: As someone who joined SL in mid-2008, I
can safely say that it’s come quite a ways away from what it had been. I’m glad that now men have more choices in what they wear. More importantly, men now have the option to have high avatar rendering costs. *laughs* All I can say is, sculpted objects are a must now. AC: Is there anything else you would like readers to know about Menswear Fashion Week? GB: For those who attend. I would like to say thank you. Part of your attendance is sending a message to the whole Second Life population that we guys are here and while a few designers have said there isn’t a market for us, that there is. With men’s fashion in Second Life constantly improving and ever-changing, it can be hard to keep track of what is going on. It is nice to know that at least for one week some of the best designers around the grid will come together all in the name of men’s fashion. Rather you are a man or woman; it never hurts to keep up to date with all kinds of fashion. Make sure you check out this exciting and fun event, March 18th-25th for the latest in men’s clothing. You can also check out Siren Production’s website for more information: http://sirenproductions.info/ A
URBAN SPRING Photography by Brie Wonder Modeled by AVENUE Models Daniele Eberhardt Philip Dollinger Salvo Waydelich Location Heartless City
AVENUE | Fashion Spread
Shiki Azure Shirt and Shorts
Shiki Red Passion
Shiki Blue Jacket & Rhapsody Pants
Shiki Sunny Day Outfit
Shiki Blue Plumeria Suit
Shiki Plumeria Pink Shirt and Shorts
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AVENUE | Designer Interview
This
Baiastice is just for the
Men
Written by Sensuous Soulstar Photography by Izzie Rexen
M
any readers may be familiar with the name Baiastice, with its head-turning designs gracing the gorgeous female models on every runway, and gracing the backs of every lady with a love for high quality fashion. Yet there’s a side to Baiastice that many may not be familiar with: its menswear line. But thanks to the ever popular Menswear Fashion Week, Baiastice will get to highlight the stunning collection for the men of Second Life®. AVENUE was fortunate enough to catch up with the ever-so-busy designer and owner of Baiastice, Sissy Pessoa, as she prepares to debut new pieces, as well as some older favorites to an eager crowd at this year’s Menswear Fashion Week.
Sensuous Soulstar: I want to thank you for taking the time out for the interview. While I want to talk about your men’s line and your contributions to Menswear Fashion Week, I want to get into a little background on Baiastice for the readers. Tell me a little about its creation. First, does the name stand for something in first life or SL™, and how does it apply to the brand? Sissy Pessoa: First of all thank you so much for this interview Sensuous, it is always a big pleasure for me to be featured in AVENUE magazine. About the brand name, Baiastice does not really have a precise signification, I created a new and original word with an Italian sound that could represent my brand but that doesn’t have an actual meaning. SS: Well I think the amazing fashion you create has given it a new meaning. It’s now synonymous with high quality, stunning fashion! Going a little more into your background, how long have you been designing in SL, and what led you to design? SP: Baiastice was born in early 2007, just about the same time I joined SL. I understood pretty soon that designing was my future in here, the best way to express myself and it is also really fun for me, believe it or not, it is a way for me to relax from RL. SS: Alright, so let’s get to the good stuff. Let’s talk a bit about your Menswear line. When did you first decide to start designing fashion for men, and what was that original feedback like? Did you find that men were in need of
more quality fashion and were excited about your expansion, or was there any hesitation because you were an established name in ladies’ fashion? SP: I made my first male collection in 2009 after many requests from customers and friends. Back in 2009 there were already a lot of high quality stores for men, but they also needed new releases and especially new and different ideas. Guys enjoy shopping too; they are into fashion and want that in their SL too. I would say that’s the main reason the feedback was good and my male customer base has been slowly increasing since then. SS: Now I know the last time we spoke, we got into a little of your inspirations for your designs, but I want to focus specifically on menswear this time. Are there certain first life looks or designers that you pull inspiration from? Where do you find the most of your inspiration for your menswear line, and more importantly, do you find that it’s more difficult to get inspired and truly creative with menswear than in designing for women? SP: Oh I think everything can be an inspiration, especially for fashion design, but personally I really love RL fashion designers like Armani, Ferragamo, D&G and many more. Real fashion gives the main concepts, then the details and crazy ideas come from anywhere when you least expect it. Mix them and you have a new and original creation. In regards to if it is actually difficult to get creative with menswear, I don’t believe it is
more difficult than female fashion, but I do think it is a different kind of creativity. You need to put your creative efforts on the cuts and shapes and especially on details. SS: That definitely makes sense. Now, turning to your work with Menswear Fashion Week for a moment, how long have you been involved in this event, and how did you first get introduced to it? SP: This is the second year I collaborated with Menswear Fashion Week. Lexie Jansma introduced me to it, and the feedback from first year was absolutely amazing. I am delighted they have invited me to participate again this year. I honestly think they do a really good job managing this event and I am happy to be part of it. SS: So tell us a little about your approach to Menswear Fashion Week. Do you create pieces specifically for this event, or is there more of a mix of new items as well as a few of your current menswear favorites? And if so, how soon after the event are the new items available for purchase to the public? SP: There will be new creations with a spring inspiration, some of my customers’ favorites from past collections, and as usual, some surprises. They will all be in the store very, very soon after the event...I hope! Haha! SS: Was there anything different or special that you did for this year’s MWFW in terms of either releases or presentation? SP: I think the main difference this year would be the attention to details and organization.
The production team has started working on this with a lot of anticipation so I honestly think everything will be wonderfully perfect. SS: I’m definitely excited to see what Baiastice has in store for the big event now! Looking a bit ahead, what can readers and shoppers expect coming up for Baiastice? Can we get a bit of a sneak peek into the coming season’s collection? Are there any new surprises in store? SP: I ALWAYS have some surprises for the upcoming collections and the soon to be released Spring/Summer collection will be no exception. But of course, I cannot reveal them here, at least not yet. There is something I can tell you though: for Baiastice’s women collection, the color of excellence is always black. SS: I’m sure we will all be biting our nails waiting for the new collection! As is always my custom, I want to thank you for taking the time out to talk with AVENUE, especially in the midst of preparations for Menswear Fashion Week. Before we part, I would be remiss if I didn’t at least get a bit of advice from such a successful designer and businesswoman for the readers. So with that being said, are there any words of wisdom you have for us today? SP: I am not a woman of proverbs or sayings, so I will just share an advice. Support SL™ original creators. This is the only way we have to make the SL fashion industry get better and stronger every day. It is always sad for me to see creators leave because their whole stores
"for Baiastice’s women collection, the color of excellence is always black" got copybotted and resold, and sadly there is not much we as creators can do to avoid the harm, but customers can. Please support original creators. SS: While always a woman of few words, Sissy Pessoa makes the few words that she does speak count immensely. Her work speaks volumes in talent, both in ladies and men’s fashion, and her passion for what she does is evident. With such a long history of success in the realm of SL, we can all look forward to another exciting, fashion forward collection for the upcoming season. Follow the work of Baiastice on their blog: http://baiastice.blogspot.com. And while you’re in-world, stop by the mainstore at BAIASTICE [150.122.25]. Join Baiastice and the rest of the amazing creators as they debut the latest and greatest in menswear during the events of Menswear Fashion Week, March 18th to March 25th. A
A:S:S by Storm Torvalar Shoya necklace
AVENUE | Accessories
Details The
Styled by Vixie Rayna Photography by Kallisto Destiny
[Gos] by Gospel Voom GTFO Boots in Black
[Gos] by Gospel Voom Custom Sunglasses v3.2 in Aviator Windrider Watch in Steel
Adjunct by myvegancookbook Bolissima Desert Chukka in Brown and Navajo Print 3 Oh Marshall Glasses in Brown
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Menswear Fashion Week 2011
I would like to give a special thanks to all the hard work of the following people: A Huge Special thanks goes out to the Wendell Thor & Chance Byron of B&V Enterprises and The San Francisco Team! Siren Productions Team Gabe Bookmite Garrett Cerriano Tia Ryba Lorelei Maggs Locked Semaphore Leland Maggs Masteredward Avril Pheobe Narstrom
Associates AVENUE KMADD MENstuff
Media Partners AVENUE DMI Magazine ICON Moolto OnEdge Radio SCRUPLZ Second Style SL Art Couture Too Sexy Modeling Agencies BeStyle Boulevard Evane Glance International iC Motion MAD Agency Opium Premiere Modeling
And a special thanks to each and every designer who took part! Without you we would not be able to do this amazing event!
Lexie Jansma Event Producer Owner of Siren Productions
Lexie Jansma
designers Aa Production Acide! Adjunct Alphamale Amacci Animations Rising Antebellum A:S:S Avatar Bizarre Baiastice Belleza The Black Canary Blakopal Designs Boye cattiva e Cattivo Connors Dino’s Boutique DNA Cloning Facility Doc Men’s Wear Ducknipple Evoke FA Creations *FIR & MNA* G&T Creations
Gabriel GBTM Gizza Creations Grasp GOS Havana House of Style The House of Rfyre Inedit Ispachi J&D Designs Jeepers J.I.N.X Kalnins Kumaki Lapointe & Bastchild Lazybum Mea Culpa Miamia Musashi-Do NSD Plume Pounce Prince Magic
Prodigal Ravensoul Razorblade Jacket Rebel Hope Designs Red Dog Gear Redgrave Fashion SaWoDe SB Menswear SE Designz SF Designs Shag Shiki Source Spazzio Piaggio Starchild Designs Subversions Sweet Misery Three Eighty Vero Modero Violator Vitamen Zanzo
VENU www.avenuesl.com | AVENUE at GOL [45, 153, 22]