AVENUE ultimate style Magazine June 2013
PURE POISON
Interview
n o s i o P Pure
Writer Louise Roundel Photographer Citta Wiskee
“U
nique, addictive and loyal to its customers!� This is how Shaleene Kenin describes her brand in three words. But to find out more about Pure Poison and its designer and owner, you will have to sit back and feast your eyes on this tale of hope, love and optimism.
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The year was 2009, and fashion was thriving in the world of Second Life®, with a considerable number of designers producing an incredible amount of pieces on a weekly basis. Kenin and her friend, Lua, had decided to open up a little business together, and despite things starting off well, their real lives put everything on hold. But the worse things got, the more Kenin felt she had to return to finish this endeavor she had begun, and so she did. Determined to learn as much as she could, to better herself as a designer and her products, and to continue to grow in other areas, she started studying and learned to model her own mesh. Pure Poison was given a new perspective, and with new goals in mind, 2012 provided Kenin with the breath of fresh air she needed to bring the brand forward, making sure it got more attention. And it sure did. Kenin laughed when asked how much she felt the industry changed since she started, and she also mentioned that it was also her life that has changed since people started noticing her brand and her talent, explaining, “Now I get invites for events, blogger requests, interviews and all the stuff I had dreamed about, while back then I was searching hard to get them!” A lover of beauty, fashion and style, Kenin first picked up her drawing book in other virtual worlds and her real life before that, but when she discovered SL®, she became amazed. She soon realised that it was difficult for her to find things in-world that she truly liked, so she
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brought all of her past experience here, and we are quite thankful for that! All designers have concerns, and Kenin is no exception as she is a perfectionist at heart, so the thought of not being able to finish a piece in time and the constant search for the tiniest imperfections that need fixing are always in the back of her mind. As a real artist, she always instilled passion in everything she did, whether it was hairstyling or nail art, so she infused that same passion into her designs. “I started to design as if everything was for myself, and I felt good,” Kenin recalled. “I thought about how others might have felt like me, though without having the ability to do the same, so I started to study different kinds of people and design something for each and every one of them.” AVENUE asked her if she could define her designs, which caused a bit of a riot as it is impossible for her to offer a definition given just a few words, and wouldn’t - quite obviously reveal her secret ingredient. The sources of Kenin’s inspiration are so varied that it makes each of her designs unique and unable to label. Kenin related, “My designs are different with a touch of weirdness that is great for everyone.” When asked to choose just one of her designs, often as difficult a task for a designer as asking a parent to pick a favourite child, Kenin chose Alexandra - Excentrique, as it is the result of a very, very, very long creative process, a true labour of love (over 13 hours just for the mesh). She aims high in terms of
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goals for the future of Pure Poison, which includes more events, more releases and the start of a brand new Pure Poison Annual Contest. On her free time, which is rare due to the fact that she is known to be a workaholic, Kenin loves to go out shopping for hair or talking to her best friend Lua about anything except work. And if you were wondering about the “love” we mentioned at the beginning of this article, here it comes. The real life Shaleene Kenin was extremely happy to reveal that she found her happiness here in SL® and got married a few months ago! The happy couple works Pure Poison together because this is their real job, but when they are not online working, they go out walking, enjoy cooking together and share in searching for new design ideas. Kenin also reveals that sometimes she even dreams of things she then translates into her work. She would love to attempt surfing and fishing, two things she hasn’t had time to try yet. Now, dear reader, if this wasn’t a tale full of good vibes and optimism, I dare you to read it again. AVENUE wishes Shaleene Kenin the best of luck with all of her new ventures, and as for Pure Poison, we’d say that it is the sweetest success of its kind. Visit Pure Poison: http://maps.secondlife.com/ secondlife/zenshi%20south%20 two/213/68/27
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Fashion Spread
Pure
Colour Photographer Eira Juliesse Models Eira Juliesse and Tania Tebaldi
Tania Gown: Alexandra Bridal by Pure Poison, jewels: MeiMei by Pure Poison, hair: Julia by Miss C. Eira Gown: Alexandra Gown – Excentrique by Pure Poison, earrings: Emerald Dream by Pure Poison, hat: Sophie Violet by Pure Poison, hair: Mimmi HP by Vanity Hair, eyeshadow: Hippie Makeups by MONS.
Gown: Sandra by Pure Poison, jewels: Emerald Dream by Pure Poison, stilettos: Angelina by Gos, hair: YN041 by boon. 14
Tania Gown: Luisa by Pure Poison, jewels: Zzoie by Pure Poison, hair: Bitter Sweet by Vanity Hair. Eira Gown: Miley by Pure Poison, necklace: Alena Necklace by Pure Poison, earrings: Triandre by Pure Poison, hair: Stabilizer II by (epoque hair), eyeshadow: Hippie Makeups by MONS.
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Gown: Liquid Glam Black by Pure Poison, jewelry: Ra’naa by Pure Poison, hair: OKAPPA platine by t.humanoide.
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Tania Gown: Sore by Pure Poison, earrings: Studds Nay by Pure Poison, bracelet & ring: Naira by Pure Poison, hat: Sophie by Pure Poison, hair: Adorable by TuTy’s. Eira Gown: Absinthe by Pure Poison, Earrings: Nisaa Earrings – Emerald by Pure Poison, hair: LIMBO by Tuty’s, eyeshadow: Hippie Makeups by MONS.
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Gown: Amelia Gown - Sequin Red by Pure Poison, necklace: Black Beth by Pure Poison, hat: Giul Lace Haute Couture by Pure Poison, hair: Guardian II by (epoque hair), eyeshadow: Hippie Makeups by MONS.
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