ICON Lifestyle Magazine Vol 2 Issue 1 Jan 2010

January 2010 - Issue 11

ICON of the Month

Dakota Neumann The Phenomenon of Social Networking Men’s Fashion Week Are You Too Clingy?

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Publisher’s Note Happy New Year !!!!!!

Another year has passed and we are still here.

2010 brings new opportunities and we are very excited about what is ahead of us. The ICON lifestyle sim is doing well and we are planning many exciting events that will be fun for everyone.

We are also planning to have the ICON lifestyle website up and running so you can get updates daily via our Blogs giving each of you another resource to find out the latest that is going on at ICON and with the various Designers we have on the sim.

I am as excited as I have ever been to see what we can all accomplish in the new year. Remember, you are all ICON’s to us and we are grateful for your support.

Wil Dreadlow

Wil Dreadlow, CEO and Publisher, ICON lifestyle magazine 21 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

Editor’s Note Wow what a ride this year has been.

For me it started out on a high point and its been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, personally and professionally.

One constant was the incredible people around me. Some who buckled up and joined me, and others who fell off the ride.

I look forward to seeing what 2010 has in store for me. From where I’m sitting right now, its looking great! Its a huge blank screen full of possibilities and experiences, and I am looking forward to filling in the blanks.

I hope you join me and the Icon team for another tremendous year of bringing you the best the grid has to offer.

Jordan Whitt Jordan Whitt Editor in Chief ICON lifestyle magazine | 22

ICON contents

Lifestyle

The Phenomenon of Social Networking 25

The Great Sailing Adventure pt 4

31

Gadget Girl

41

All That Glitters

Style

Zenith

47

55

Style ICON

55

Style Men

63

Dazzle in the New Year

67

Spotlight on Icon

71

My Must Have...Tee

75

Men’s Fashion Week

77

Radar

83

Dakota Neumann – ‘Renaissance Man’

91

The Hart of PXL Creations

95

Danmark – The Denmark of SL

101

The “Avatar” Avatars

107

Our New Year’s Resolutions

and

Entertainment Art 109

Hard Rockin’ in the New Year

113

Vintage Vocals – Jonas Lunasea

115

An Offer You Can’t Refuse

119

Are You Too Clingy?

123

Hugo Model of the Month

Viewpoint

125

Timeline of Trends

129

Wave Farewell to 2009

133

A Noob in Gor

Lifestyle

The Phenomenon that is Social Networking

By Lacy Muircastle Definition: Web-based social Networking occurs through a variety of websites that allow users to share content, interact and develop communities around similar interests. Examples are Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, flickr and Ning to name but a few.

Research shows that the social networking audience has grown rapidly.

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In 2008, 79.5 million people—41% of the US Internet user population— visited social network sites at least once a month, an 11% increase over the previous year.

The growth that social networks have exhibited over the past few years shows little sign of abating. By 2013, an estimated 52% of Internet users will be regular social network visitors.

But is social media a fad? 96% of Generation Y have joined some social network platform or other. This is a huge revolutionary shift in the way of networking and communications. If you have not joined any social network or started the process of image branding, you will find that it will be very beneficial especially if you are looking at promoting your own business or organization.

Facebook is one of the most popular social network platforms on the internet. It grew exponentially and hit 100 million users in less than 9 months, a phenomenon not seen before. In fact, it took Radio 38 years, TV 13 years and the Internet 4 years to hit 50 million users.

Imagine if Facebook were a country, it would be the 4th most populated after China, India and the United States.

YouTube has more than 100,000,000 videos and is the second largest search engine in the world. Videos are another way of branding.

Twitter is a great micro blogging networking platform and 80% of Twitter users update via their mobile phones.

This means that they can update anytime at their convenience, anywhere in the world. Since Apr 2009, Twitter has been receiving around 20 million unique visitors each month.

There are more than 200,000,000 blogs

on the internet and studies show that 34% of bloggers post opinions about brands of products and services. Picture yourself having a bad experience with either a product or service. What would you do? Well, you can imagine if the bloggers have any negative experience, news of it will spread like wildfire on the internet via the various social media and networking platforms and before you know it, everyone will be talking about it.

On the flip side of the coin, if you have a good reputation and your brand is wellliked, this will go a long way in helping you with your product and/or service.

In a recent survey, it was found that 25% of search results for the world’s top twenty largest brands are linked to usergenerated content. It seems that in the near future, people will no longer need to search for products and/or services.

Instead, the products and/or services will find them through social media.

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Lifestyle Social media is here to stay. If you do not jump on the social network platform bandwagon and start branding yourself today, you will be losing out against all those who have already started their image branding on the various social network platforms. (Statistics extracted from http://www.socialnomics.com)

Social Networks are built around the friends’ concept. Friends are trusted members of the social network that are often allowed to do things that non-friends are not allowed to do.

Friends can be anyone from a real-life friend, to someone who has similar interests, to someone who lives in the same region, to someone you simply found interesting. Basically these are people you want to keep track of on the network. Based on the six degrees of separation concept (the idea that any two people on the planet could make contact through a chain of no more than five intermediaries), social networking establishes interconnected Internet communities that help people make contacts that would be good for 27 |  ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

them to know, but that they would be unlikely to have met otherwise.

Social Networking is just as viable in Second Life as it is in real Life. Moolto. com, one of the fastest growing social networks for avatars in Second Life, is leading the way with 5600 members and another is PixeLook.net with 1200 members. Both of these social networks were created early in 2009 and both of whom use the Ning platform.

Moolto.com addresses the broader audience within Second Life, with its emphasis on the fashion industry within Second Life. Moolto.com’s strengths lie in the dissemination of information allied to strong partnerships with most of the magazines in SL as well as newspapers, TV and radio. In addition Moolto.com offers many different services to their members which include the availability of the Mootlo.

Com Island for all members at no cost.

The Island is now well known for all sorts of events from... fashion shows to music concerts and private parties such as charity events, weddings, rezday celebrations and many more.

Social Networks are built around the friends’ concept PixeLook.net, created by Alecx Writer, have positioned themselves as the one stop shop for the SL fashion community, for virtual creators of everything that is cool. PixeLook.net is directly targeted at the SL fashion industry only, but considers itself a global cross media platform that allows you to switch between flickr, youtube, facebook, and other social media platforms as well. PixeLook.net is in the process of developing its offering and Alecx Writer stated “I can say that in the first few

months of the new year we intend to announce some news that will totally change the perception of our project

for not only the fashion industry in SL but consumers too.”

These days it’s the portability of content that now matters. Online presence can be measured by where and how often your name and word show up across the Internet. The more entities distributing, re-blogging and” re-tweeting” your content (including mass media publishers) and the more services chronicling your activity the more renowned you become, which in turn that can lead directly to celebrity, position, or just a business break.

We all know ideas, business plans and startups ferment around water coolers in Real Life. In Second Life, Moolto.com and PixeLook.net can be considered virtual water coolers. The social media water coolers that are Moolto.com and PixeLook.net will be instrumental in driving the ideas that build SL businesses.

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Lifestyle Moolto.com prides itself on being a Social Media marketing tool that will assist in the creation and implementation of powerful social media campaigns that will intelligently rocket your traffic, promote your brand and grow sales, maximizing return on investment that will give you a feeling of power and

importance in the SL marketplace.

Their thought leading experts set the pace for social media. Maxes Loon of Moolto.com stated that “Moolto.com expertly crafts unique social media campaigns for their friends, which will drive more conversations about their brands and grow a loyal community to increase sales and revenue. Some of the services Moolto.com offer are: adding graphics, content and links leading to your website(s), customized social media marketing campaigns or social media consulting. We will develop a 29 |  ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

social media strategy to meet the needs of your specific business or organization.

Writing services are also available. The steady stream of updates and news will become a weekly or even daily habit for many SL residents. In addition to all of this there is the Events Island mentioned earlier.

In my opinion, the market has shifted its focus onto niche social networks, such as those dedicated to Second Life enterprises. They have focused, engaged communities, which means they can attract the right audience with an economic return on investment.

Not only do they have a purpose, but they don’t depend on hit-or-miss behavioral targeting-based advertising systems. After all, if you have something to sell in Second Life, what easier way is there to reach your audience than through Social Networking?

Social Networking is very now in terms of reaching target audiences and in real life is very much part of any businesses communications plan, Second Life therefore should be no different.

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Lifestyle

THE GREAT SAILING ADVENTURE ~ 2009

PART 4 of 4

By Dahlia Jayaram

DAY 11 ONWARDS: THE LONG WAVE HOME The Great Sailing Adventure is a challenge I set up for myself after I discovered Second Life had several continents linked together by water.

One day, I crossed the Blake Sea in about an hour, and when I realized how small it was compared to the larger SL world, I just had to see how long it would take to sail it all.

In Part 1 of my story, I covered my first day of sailing from the southeastern Island Communities, westward through Blake Sea. Part 2 covered my exit from Blake Sea and torturous struggle around the continent of Satori. In Part 3 I headed northward out of Satori, past the western Nautilus continental islands, 31 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

and around the northern perimeter of the Corsica and Gaeta V continents to my turn-around point at Gaeta V’s easternmost shore of Road End. Now, in Part 4 I make my journey back to my starting point of Serenity Keys in Morea.

I greeted the morning of my first return day with concern. I wasn’t worried about sailing past southern Gaeta V and Corsica as much as I was about the tangled web of islands that made up the Nautilus continent. But for the moment, I had to push those thoughts out of my mind and concentrate on what lay immediately ahead of me: the southern route around Gaeta V and Corsica.

Pushing off from Road End, I quickly enjoyed views of large items: a four-mast

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dahlia Jayaram loves to explore Second Life. Her first few months were spent searching for the most beautiful islands in SL and has recently begun exploring SL’s many diverse waterways.   | 32

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white wooden sailing ship at Geoduck, a multi-level street race track at Orbide, Venician gondolas and a bumper care ride at Compostista. At Orbitalis, it was a smaller rustic sea biplane docked 33 |  ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

along an old weathered pier that caught my eye from a distance. Sailing closer, I noticed what looked like a senior-aged man placing a plastic garbage bag onto the seat of his equally old scooter. It

isn’t often that I see an older person in Second Life, so I always get excited to meet them when the opportunity presents itself.

I shouted out to greet the old man and beached my little boat to introduce myself. Jule Arida introduced himself as the owner of the small parcel of land I arrived at. In addition to the plane, he had a small fishing bait store on a dock and a carnival rifle target shooting game behind it on shore. High above in the sky he also had an old lighthouse that housed a work bench and a fireplace where a mouse perpetually roasted on a stick. Everything about his property was as weathered and aged as he was, and the consistency of his style and personality was both unpretentious and endearing to me.

Jules told me he had built many things in SL but wasn’t interested in trying to sell them for profit. Instead, he simply enjoyed doing things to keep his mind engaged and active. He was happy to share the things he put on his parcel with anyone who wanted to visit—even

if he was away. I admired his matterof-fact approach to life as well as his honesty and generosity to spend time with me. In fact, we spent so much time talking, that I decided to overnight there in Orbitalis. Just in case you’re wondering, no, I didn’t eat any fireroasted mouse for my dinner!

It was a quick and easy trip the next day to pass the remaining portion of southern Gaeta V. Susie’s Little Shuttle provided me with a way to pass a few sims while sight-seeing. Passing western Gaeta V, I noted Govenor Linden’s InfoHub at HelFell where you can get links to other in-world locations and the Linden blog website. I also admired the beautiful Soraya’s Winter Enchantment Public Snow Playground once again before sailing through the narrow channel back to Corsica. With the sun setting, I decided to drop anchor to eat, wash clothes, and sleep. I found an old mattress in a dingy hotel room above a noisy arcade parlor at Kyuurai no Machi in Stafford where they offer maiko and geisha performances, art exhibits, cultural events, a marketplace, sushi | 34

Lifestyle restaurant, garden and 7seas fishing.

The next day I struggled through a series of properties surrounded by ban lines and ended up taking Susie’s Little Ferry service again in order to pass through Glamaig, Marsco, Tomaga Take, Numazawa, Propper, and Kuttara.

After clearing those obstacles, I sailed through the very pretty MarLin Bay in Fungbulf. It had rustic forest cabin homes for rent on green grassy hillsides and waterfront coves overlooking the water.

Later in Jaxipun, I passed one of my

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favourite seaside home styles built up on posts. This particular pale blue wooden home was owned by Tigard Stradling.

When I looked at his profile, it read: “This account is used by Linden Lab to perform timing and reliability tests on the grid for various actions such as teleporting and wearing attachments.

It is an automated system that will not respond to chat or IM. Statistics collected are used to monitor and improve system performance.” Isn’t it interesting the things you can discover by nosing through people’s profiles while they’re away?

When I first estimated how long my round trip would take me, I guessed it would take about 14 days. Well, Day 14 arrived and I was only as far as southern Corsica.

The remaining distance before I would finish back in the Island Communities’ southeastern waters still seemed very long. Fortunately, I was only a few sims away from Nautilus. So after taking a deep cleansing breath, I pressed forward...and directly into full sims at Marianna and Triampo, then property ban lines at a critical narrowing in the

sim of Blake. “Here begins the uncertain hard part,” I thought to myself, unsure of what route I would need to take to get either around or through Nautilus’ north and eastern sides.

Luckily, I was able to wiggle past Blake on jetski, sliding under walkway overpasses in the neighboring sim of Mulcahy. Next door in Quilassito I swam with the most beautiful school of fish I had ever seen.

And nearby, I encountered my second sea dragon! Other areas in northern Nautilus also proved complicated to get around due to property ban lines,

neighboring clubs with competing nonwarning security ejectors, and general congestion. I got dumped out of my little boat plenty of times, but fortunately, I managed to drag my little boat over land occasionally (thank goodness it wasn’t a yacht!) until I made it to the quaint village shopping area of St. Mary’s Harbor Marina in Antilaghi where I promptly collapsed for the night— spent, without even using a coin.

The next morning I was still a little weary, but occasional guests accompanied me and helped distract me from my woes. | 36

Lifestyle

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I took note of my second known blimp service, the Air Nomad: Luftship Rederi in Schilli. Not much later, at Tradewinds Yacht Club in Dex, I stopped to introduce myself to a woman standing peacefully on the docks. “So YOU’RE her!” Hay Ah exclaimed, saying that she heard of or read about of my adventure somewhere only a few days earlier. I was both startled and pleased by her response.

She was actually the first person I met on my journey who knew of me before I knew of them!

I climbed back into my little boat and literally sailed into the sunset where I only briefly stopped at the Santa Barbara and Hollywood Yacht clubs to meet people and ask about their interest in supporting my petition to suggest additional water be placed around congested locations by the Linden gods. Perhaps they could move some heaven and earth for us if there was enough support expressed, or if it at least seemed to be a reasonable— and feasible—request.

I invited Hay to join me in the sailboat and we continued to where we FINALLY crossed back into Blake Sea waters. I was so thrilled to be back in generally familiar territory that I think I blew my air horn all the way from there to the Nantucket Yacht Club where we docked. From there I anticipated I could sail virtually unobstructed back to my starting point in Morea. At last, I sensed a light at the end of the tunnel for me and my incredible sailing adventure.

Passing Boston Light, I sailed to Harris Island, which is the northernmost point of the Island Communities. There, I parked at the beach to watch the sun rise, then went fishing for breakfast from the bow of an old boat. After breakfast, sailing was as uncomplicated and relaxing as you could ever wish for. Soon, I found myself circling around Jeremy Point—the tip of a long peninsula at the easternmost aspect of the northern Island Communities in Billingsgate—then southward, under the high, triple-arched stone bridges of Mare Nostrum, past Greenhouse,

I was so excited that I couldn’t bear to stop for long. So after a short break,

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Lifestyle tried walking away, but he followed me everywhere. I even ran and jumped in the harbour water, but he followed me there too, still saying: “I pinch you! I pinch you!” Finally, I scrambled back into my boat to sail away, shouting over my shoulder at him: “When I come back next time, I’m going to eat you!” Just think how embarrassing it is for me to say that I went to Sailor’s Cove and got a bad case of the crabs!

past the Trudeau Boats shop at Isla de Jacqinda, and to Ellison Designs’ shop in Schooner Run. Originally, I planned to overnight across the harbour at Sailor’s Cove. However, after I docked there, I went to give thanks at the local church. While there, I couldn’t resist the temptation to pull the rope of the steeple bell to hear what it sounded like. What happened next was totally unexpected. A crab came out of nowhere and began pinching me, saying over and over in a little Frenchy accent: “I pinch you! I pinch you!” I 39 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

Unable to overnight at Sailor’s Cove, I drifted a few sims westward while checking out my pinch marks until I encountered ILLE Artizar, who was equally inspecting a parcel of land she could buy for selling her unique and impressive collection of submarines.

She demonstrated a few for me, and I loved them. But my day was drawing to a close, so I needed to drop anchor for the night, and found found a nice little inlet nearby at Plum Cove to rest up for my final push back to Serenity Keys in Morea the following day.

I woke up dreamily the next morning, finding it difficult to believe that it

would actually be the very last day of my adventure. Now, the first day seemed so long ago and the ending so near. I climbed weakly into my little boat and pushed out into the water, only now really feeling the toll my journey had taken on me. I sailed the narrow channel down to the southernmost Island Communities, rounded the westernmost islands and sailed couple sims south until I could see the property sign of Serenity Keys ahead of me. I was so excited that I must have started sounding my air horn from three sims away, because Clay Ellis and Dolci Woodget were there waiting on the docks for me, waving me in to the slip, launching fireworks and throwing confetti as I arrived. It was a terrific welcome back after having been away for so long; one I’ll truly never forget.

it rewarded me with opportunities to see, do and learn incredible things I never had before. Just as importantly, it gave me the chance to meet a diverse range of unique people I would not have otherwise met. Perhaps in the future, when more waterways provide links to additional continents, I’ll be able to extend my journey of discovery even further...using my little boat, of course!

Nor will I ever forget my voyage. Sailing the interconnected waterways showed me much of the grand diversity Second Life has to offer.

It presented me with a challenge to step out of my normal routine to try something different. As a result, | 40

Lifestyle

Gadget Girl: Episode 8... home

By Gadget Girl Photos by Pearla Batista Guess who’s back, back again?!! It’s that time again, and have I got some news for you... I’VE GOT LAND! I’m sooooo excited! I was dancing at a club the other day, and noticed a shop on the sim that owns homesteads in the area. Curious, and a bit anxious to have a place to rez the new Dolphin Designs home I bought, I went to the store after the gig to check it out. I met the owner and he hooked me up with a pretty sweet deal.

I started playing with my land right away and BAM... prims were up in no time! I had a house rezzed and a road.

My photostudio was in one corner, a little movie theater to the right, palm trees and flowers everywhere!!

The place was looking really good when I went to drop down a cool little hangout club that I got from Xstrreet, 41 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

...SWEET ...home

when the stupid little blue box popped up and told me, “this parcel is full.” Oh no... this looks like a job for GADGET GIRL... dah dah duh!!

So, no prims left on my land for my cool little hangout that I just had to have, I pulled up my contact list and started asking around what I should do. I got to my friend Sahara’s name and boy did she have the right gadget for the job. She’s known to many of her friends as “the prim-saving queen” as she is known to save prims on everything from plants and paintings to even prim-saving things like her dogs and her husband’s... nevermind... let’s just move on.

So, I asked her how this “prim-saving” worked. She gave me a link to a primsaver on Xstreetsl.com. This little gadget works wonders for sim owners!

If your object is mod/copy, you can link

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Lifestyle

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it with other mod/copy items and make them all count as one prim on your land.

One thing I can say with this is, however, be extra careful!! The little bugger isn’t as user friendly as you’d think the first few times you use it, but after you do it a few times, it’s SUPER easy, and totally worth it. Read the instructions!

So, I got my land down to where I had prims again, but now I had another problem. Like I said before, my new land is close to a club, therefore I have noobs wandering around at all hours of the day, and I know I don’t want them messin’ around with my stuff, so I looked for security system. My Zoob dog is worthless when it comes to land protecting... so I had to find a gadget to do the job.

out in no time flat! (Not to mention a cool joke to play on your friends, turn the land orb on when he/she’s on your sim, and watch him get banished! Too fun!!)

Well, I’m tryin to keep it short this time so I don’t bore you to tears, so I’m off to put some more furniture in my house!!

Woot Woot!!

Love you! XOXO Gadget Girl

There are many land orbs and securities out there, but I think the one I found is top notch! It’s called Land Protector which was created by Nela Lykin, and you can set it to protect just an area of your sim, or the whole sim at once! It’s your call! It kicks those unwanted guests | 44

Lifestyle

All That

Glitters

By Lacy Muircastle Photos by Brie Pinazzo The Perfect Gem A diamond is not an impulse buy. It is preceded by first dates, second chances, close encounters and long distance love affairs. It is a much considered purchase and in some instances can be an expensive purchase.

Second Life jewelry is pure art. There are any number of absolutely amazing jewelry designers around SL and I have but scratched the surface, so for those of you I didn’t get to, please believe me when I say it’s not that I didn’t want to, but that time is limited and the line had to be drawn somewhere. It is by no means a reflection on your work.

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In my research around Second Life Jewelers, it is my opinion that Caithlin Carter Designs with her Reflective Jewelry Collection and !JCNY have come closest to perfecting the SL diamond through Reflective Jewelry is made using advanced design techniques and Caithlin has blended art with design in this collection to produce the most amazingly elegant jewelry possible in Second Life. Her ‘Prim Nails + Ring’ means that the days of choosing between a ring or nails are over. With these combined sets, it is possible to wear the most beautiful rings with elegant designer nails simultaneously.

JD Hansen, of !JCNY, has designed the most stunning wedding ring sets that allow you to customize your own personal message into your rings. Words fail me to describe just how beautiful they are. She has certainly captured the essence of romance in Second Life.

The work of Deliziosa Vendetta of Gems & Kisses, on the other hand, for me epitomizes pure artistry in the field

of jewelry design. The fact that you can wear her pieces as an outfit is truly astounding.

How To Wear Jewelry - Getting the Hang of Necklaces When it comes to jewelry some people have the knack and some don’t. Some women can put together amazing combinations of beads, and some just put on the piece that’s closest to hand or that has sentimental value. Stylish women in the past, like Jackie Kennedy and Coco Chanel, were famous for their signature jewelry. When it comes to choosing a necklace to wear with a certain outfit there are a few rules and guidelines you should consider. Don’t be afraid to mix styles; chunky colourful beads can redeem the plainest clothes just as a classic piece can add polish to a fussier outfit. Jewelry is subject to the same fashion as clothes, because of this it is important to keep experimenting with colours and silhouettes.

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Lifestyle

Second Life jew The Charm Necklace There has been a massive craze recently for charm jewelry, and this craze shows no signs of diminishing. Bohemian-style pendant necklaces with tiny charms and semiprecious stones are still a key look and a fun relaxed way to wear a necklace without feeling too formal or dressed up. You will also be surprised at how many items of clothing they go with, anything from a plain white t-shirt to a pretty evening dress. You can wear them casually over a billowing peasant top or create a more formal look with a lace dress.

Remember that although women used to be very particular about what jewelry they wear, these days anything goes. So, for a somewhat casual and a more up-to-date look, feel free to mix different metals and stones on your charm necklace, or combine a number of different necklaces in a pretty jumble.

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welry is pure art The Statement Piece A bold piece can make an instant impression, so the statement necklace is not for the faint hearted. The more confident you are the more exuberant you can afford to be - and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t mix this kind of necklace with lavish clothes. For the less intrepid, it is safer to keep the outfit simple.

It is easy to buy attention grabbing items from jewelry boutique; it is most often vintage pieces that can look truly stylish. It is important that you think about proportion with larger pieces of jewelry. Petite women should stick to neater, smaller shapes, where as taller women can carry off big necklaces. Keep everything balanced with a statement necklace, and avoid bold earrings or rings.

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Lifestyle Pearls A simple strand of pearls transcends time and trends: it is the little black dress of the jewelry box. It goes with virtually anything, adding elegance to the simplest outfit. From short debutante strands to long, flapperstyle strings, pearls can also be worn in myriad ways.

Shorter strands worn against the skin will add a luminous glow and work brilliantly against the texture of a cashmere cardigan or T-shirt in a soft colour. Wear a length that sits across your collarbones but avoid matching earrings, which could have an ageing (and dated) effect. Vintage pearls have more of a creamy glow than newer cultured pearls.

Wear larger pearls Jack O-style with a neat shift dress, or longer strands for a modern edge. They also look stunning with a little black dress that has a round or boat neck and, in the spring; look out for the simple dresses in bold colours or monochrome prints. For even more of a statement, generously pile strings 51 |  ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

of pearls together. Think Louise Brooks, the 1920’s silent-film star, with her graphic bobbed hair, plain black dress

and a chic strand of pearls hanging to her hips. There are a few rules when it comes to this style - just play with different lengths and sizes, keeping the backdrop simple.

and will lengthen the body - making you look slimmer, taller and more elegant.

Pendants

Layered Fine Necklaces

They might not at first seem like the most versatile of necklaces, but pendants will go with virtually anything in your wardrobe - and they are making a big comeback at the moment. There are endless variations on this theme, from short cameos to pendants that dangle anywhere from your cleavage to your navel. Some can be adjusted to whatever length you choose. Having said that, if you have a large bust, avoid a bold pendant that sits directly on top of your cleavage.

Delicate chains and necklaces are more subtle and feminine and one of the easiest styles to work into your wardrobe - whether it is exuberant and bohemian or clean-cut and minimal. Layering finer necklaces will also bring a fresh, youthful edge to your clothes and, as with virtually any longer strands, there are few restrictions when it comes to age or shape. For wide necks and busts, fine layering can soften the neckline, but don’t wear large earrings as they will look incongruous and upstage the necklace.

Shorter pendants that sit just below the collarbone look good with round necks and strapless tops, and should be worn against the skin. A longer necklace is more flattering, as it will draw the eye down in the same way a deep V-neck can,

Chunky versions look great worn over black or chocolate polo-neck sweaters.

If you plan to layer a few plain chains together, they tend to look best against the skin, rather than sitting in a confused jumble amid your clothes. The only point to consider is that there should   | 52

Lifestyle be some kind of contrast in the lengths you are wearing.

Chokers These may be the most attention-seeking, sexy, dramatic necklaces to wear, but they can also be the most challenging.

Deep, stiff chokers - those intricate constructions of metal and faceted beads, should be worn only by women with the most graceful long necks.

There are, of course, plenty of alternatives to these showy pieces.

If you prefer a more subtle effect, delicate ribbon chokers with tiny jeweled heart drops are a much softer option.

Deeper chokers tend to draw unflattering attention to a round 53 |  ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

face or short neck, although you can soften the look by layering matching strands of beads below your choker, as the Edwardians used to do to great effect. Chokers need room - they look best when worn with the very simplest strapless black dress, subdued corset or bustier top and, preferably, with clothes that have as little decoration on them as possible, but make sure you keep your hair tied back or lifted up and away from the neck.

There is no shortage of jewelry available in SL and you can find almost anything your heart desires. It is a sorely neglected sector of the fashion industry within Second Life and does not deserve to play second fiddle to clothes design.

The jewelry designers of Second Life are as talented as any of the clothes designers, that is for sure.

!JCNY Collection – JD Hansen http://slurl.com/secondlife/ Farrah%20Island/154/161/33 Jewelry by Alyssa Bijoux http://slurl.com/secondlife/ Kirkstone/94/153/37 Gems & Kisses - Haute Couture Jewelry for the Modern Avatar - Deliziosa Vendetta http://slurl.com/secondlife/ Jewellery/42/214/39

I visited the following jewelry outlets: CCD – Caithlin Carter Designs http://slurl.com/secondlife/ HollandCoast%202/63/60/31

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Style Feature: Zenith Clothing Photographer Moose Moomintoog Model Model Dimitri Shinn HAIR - Uw.7R Nick-Hair Meteoric EYES - Eddesigns HD Eye Super Real Ord Blue Eyes51 SKIN - Damiani Pier Full Beard Hair Base Dark JACKET - Zenith Black Leather Jacket PANTS - *X*plosion BobbesJeans with WHITE (Blue) SHOES - Tread KBoots Black BANDS - Mstyle Black Finger Bands NECKLACE - Redgrave Necklace FengShui SUNGLASSES - Original Sin Sunglasses Montreal Black LIP PIERCING - Rozoregalia *Nornir* Lip Pierce1 EAR PIERCING - Rozoregalia *Nornir* Unisex Pierce3 TATTOO - Luck Inc. Rosary Cross 55 |  ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

HAIR - Uw.St AI-Hair Black EYES - Eddesigns HD Eye Super Natural 20071 SKIN - Damiani Pier Soul Patch Hair Base Tan SWEATER- Zenith Golden Sweater PANTS - Part Of Zenith B+W Outfit SHOES - Kalnins Elegance

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EYES - Eddesigns HD Eye Super Real Ord Blue Eyes51 SKIN - Damiani Neo V3 Face1 Hair Eyeliner Cutbrows Normal OUTFIT - Zenith Plaid Shirt & Pants (Black) SHOES - Kalnins Elegance CAP - Akeyo Black GLOVES - Calypso Giano Rock My Life WATCH - Calypso Giano Black Classic SHOES - [ JP ] Design Chelsea NECKLACE - M.R.M. Tribal Plate Silver TATTOO - Garden of Ku The Swan SUNGLASSES - Calypso Giano Cobra Silver

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Model & Photographer Laya Felisimo SKIN: Abyss - [ lila larue ][ porcelain ][ pinup vixen ][ bald] HAIR: ++AY.LinE++ - Minibara[[Coffee]]/ Head size 60 EYES: SLink - Eyescream Eyes Flecked Forest Small JEWELRY: Kunstkammer - la porte des reves OUTFIT: Zenith - Oscar (Beige/White)

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SKIN: -Belleza- Jesse Deep tan 3 (cleavage) HAIR: Exile - Kalea/duskwood EYES: SLink - Eyescream Eyes Flecked Forest Small GLASSES: [SteinWerk] – Poe OUTFIT: Zenith - Stripe (Black) WATCH: [SteinWerk] - Elements classic SHOES: *Kookie* - Athena/Black

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SKIN: Abyss - [ kass calypto ][ d.olive ][ liner ][ bald] HAIR: Exile - Gossip Girl/duskwood EYES: SLink - Eyescream Eyes Flecked Forest Small NECKLACE: *SiSSi* - Loose Pearls short (chest) DRESS: Zenith - Bubble2 ( White) BAG: Zenith - mimi Leather bag SHOES: SLink - Sydney Stiletto White

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Style ICON Model dango Jewell Photographer Pearla Batista To celebrate the New Year, we’ve decided to feature only one amazing ICON per issue. And who doesn’t like all the focus on them. So our first solo Icon for the month of January is dango Jewell. She has amazing style. Along with some of her close friends, dango writes a fashion blog, and I’m pretty obsessed with it. Here is the url http:// unsecond.com/dango/. The rest of her co-bloggers are just as amazing as she is. In the blog, it’s all about the fashion, not all the fancy words like others use.

And that is what I love. Fashion doesn’t need to be explained or described. It should always speak for itself. She does an amazing job doing so. When you have a moment you should most definitely check out the blog.

This page: SKIN: &bean Babushka-ya-yaHAIR: Mustache { Sabrina } in Milk Chocolate HAT: Acid_fedora hat_narrow check band SHIRT: “NINIKOBOY”shirts & Necktie(white)

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left page continued: CARDIGAN: !Ohmai : FeatherCardigan BLACKCROW JACKET: “NINIKOBOY”Jacket opentype(tweedblack) SKIRT: *COCO*_AsymmetricMiniSkirt_CheckBlack BOOTS: “NINIKOBOY”Jockey Boots(Black*Brown) TIGHTS: G.L.A.M Tintable Metallic Lycra Tights (FREE!) GLASSES: birdy. - my little friend GLOVES: VG - Brody Gloves (18 Colors) UMBRELLA: {creamshop} umbrella (border white) This page: HAT: { Kari } - The Homburg hat ANTLERS & EARS:[ATOMIC] Winter Reindeer VIP Gift SKIN: [ATOMIC] Skin Baily_Mocha – Urchin HAIR: ::69:: HIRIS 03 - Pecan Mist JACKET: [MRM] Wool Coat *Herringbone Red* SKIRT: *COCO*_FeatherSkirt.

BOOTS: FlatAnkleBoots(*COCO*_CHRISTMASGIFT) BAG: ::: B@R ::: Steam Rocket Ride RABBIT: “yodareusagi light-box GLOVES : VG - Brody Gloves (18 Colors)

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Style Men:

Two in One

Photographer Moose Moomintoog Model Boe Cortes

This is for all the men that have jackets, shirts, and such in their inventory and think they can only wear it one way.

This is not the case at all. We are going to show you two different looks with the same jacket. Fashion is about fun, my dear men. No woman wants to see you in the same outfit twice.

I’m sorry to inform you, but it is true.

We want to see a man that can dress himself without our help. So we have dedicated this section to you.

SKIN - Belleza - Jonas shaved HAIR - CheerNo - HENRY in Pure Brown JACKET - Emery - Orchid Club Men in Blue SHIRT - Cheerno - STYLETees WhitePOPART PANTS - COCO - SlimFitPants in Silver GLOVES - Cheerno - Brilliant Gloves in Silver BELT - Rawdolls - Juxtabelt~B SHOES - Urban Bomb Unit - PornStar Xtra HiTops

63 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

SKIN - Belleza - Jonas shaved HAIR - Buried - Jaden in Midnight (with hat) JACKET - Emery - Orchid Club Men in Blue SHIRT - Aoharu - BT_DrapeNeck_T-Shirt_SOL PANTS - Valiant - Beach Bum Torn Up Denim Jeans GLOVES - Cheerno - EXMORE Gloves in Gray SCARF - LeeZu - Miss Mara Scarf Simple Unisex in Fire SOCKS - Emery - Socks Orchid Club in Red SHOES - Akeyo - Chucks

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Style Men: Men and Parties Model Boe Cortes

Sometimes men don’t know exactly what to wear for different parties and occasions.

We’ve put together a couple of outfits that will rock any occasion. We have a formal party outfit with a little twist to it. Plaid is on the rage for men right now. Why not rock it at a formal occasion. The second outfit is for a casual get together between friends or a day hanging out with your favorite girl or guy, we don’t judge. Happy Shopping!!

SKIN - Belleza - Jonas shaved HAIR - CheerNo - MALAIA in Surreal Black HAT - Meriken Co. Leather hat in Black JACKET - LeLutka - Mr. SMITH jacket SHIRT - Nardcotix - NX Devon Striped Shirt in Salmon PANTS - LeLutka - MICK pants in black BELT - COCO - Homme_SlimJeansBelt in Black SHOES - Kalnins - Terra in Black

65 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

SKIN - Belleza - Jonas shaved HAT - ARGRACE – Hunting JACKET - Mr.Poet - Off shoulder shirt in White/Long SHIRT - LeLutka - DOE top1 MAN in palevioletred PANTS - Narcotix - NX 641 Black Jeans Men SHOES - Redgrave - Aviator Boot in Black Mix TIE - LeeZu - Lana Tie Male in White BELT - Kari - New School suspenders

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Dazzle in the New Year with

DYN

Clothing

Model Lovena Allen Photographer Moose Moomintoog Sequins!! That is what’s in for the New Year. I know, I know I wasn’t a fan at first either. But the way real life and second life fashion has made it trendy, I’ve become just as obsessed as the rest of them.

And I’m so happy that’s not so totally 80’s. DYN Clothing has some awesome sequins combinations that are sure to get you noticed at any party. VoguE also has some awesome crowd pleasing sequins numbers. We happened to feature on of them. So if you see sequins, don’t frown on it. Have fun with it.

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&

VoguE

Opposite page: DRESS: DYN Sarah Dress JACKET: -DeLa-short jacket-black BOOTS: Bax Prestige Boots-black HAIR: ETD-Charley Ebony ACCESSORIES: Exodi-Autumn set SKIN: Sawode- Mystic Suntan

This page: DRESS: DYN Liess Tunic PANTS: DYN metallic leggings HAIR: Bish-Strength-Toast BELT: CocoV-shaped belt-black ACCESSORIES: Falln-keytomyheart necklace; Exodi-Aubrey bangle; Black Arts- plain silver hoops BOOTS: Maitreya-Soho boots-black SKIN:Sawode-Diva-suntan

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DRESS: Vogue-Kylie dress HAIR: LollopopZ-Forever-dark brown ACCESSORIES: Total betty-hoops and Diamonds girl bracelet SHOES: Stiletto Moody-Silver Stud Pumps SKIN: Sawode-Diva-suntan

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Spotlight on ICON

Mimikri

Model Lovena Allen Photographer Brie Pinazzo We decided to shine some light on our Sim. We want all of our shoppers to have the ultimate experience, so we are going to start featuring what our sim has to offer. For this month we started with Mimikri. She has amazing designs, and we all know she’s been around for a while, but her designs are always so fresh and new. Come visit the sim to see what Mimikri has to offer, along with our other fabulous shops. Here is the url http://slurl.com/secondlife/ ICON%20Lifestyle/126/130/28

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Opposite page: DRESS - Mimikri-Gigi HAIR - MS-Emiu-black SHOES - B&G-Selena-black ACCESSORIES - Amaranthus-drop dangletitanium/void SKIN - Sawode-Diva-suntan This page: OUTFIT - Mimikri-Helena BOOTS - BAX Prestige Boots-black HAIR - Abyss-secret-full moon ACCESSORIES - role optic sunglasseseternity SKIN - Sawode-Diva-suntan

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DRESS - Mimikri-Fritz-black SHOES - Donna Flora-black HAIR - LollipopZ-Forever-dark brown ACCESSORIES - Donna Flora-Giulia earrings SKIN - Sawode-Diva-suntan

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OUTFIT - Mimikri-on stage-black SHOES - MINX-Sizzling baby-black HAIR - CS-poppy-black cherry ACCESSORIES - Earthstones beloved locket-pentacle SKIN - Sawode-diva-suntan

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My Must H Name : Blackberrys Whiteberry Item : Aitui-Tee-Butterflies Where its from : Aitui Why its your favourite : A friend gave this shirt to me as a present after I told him I love butterflies

Name : Ciara Berkson Item : Shirt Where its from : Fri.day Why its your favourite : It’s a nice color and I just love the style of it

75 |  ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

Have...Tee Name : Tanken Darkstone Item : Tee-shirt Where its from : BLITZED Why its your favourite : The gray and black mesh well with darker clothing.

It also matches my shoes.

Name : Mich Michabo Item : Tee-shirt Where its from : Tres Blah Why its your favourite : Because I’m wearing it, no just love the style and colours really and the French

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style Over 60 designers, 20 custom built runways, 70 of the hottest male models, and one week to take it all in. Of course, I’m talking about the upcoming Menswear Fashion Week!

Written and photographed RubyStarlight Writer

by

Finding great items has been an excruciating ordeal for fashion forward men since the onset of Second Life.

Everywhere you turn there are fantastic items for women; an endless plethora of formalwear, swimwear, casual items, shoes, boots, hair, and skin practically growing from the Linden trees just for girls. But what about the boys? There have been several big boys in the game who have begun to change the curse of barely existant men’s fashion.

Tricky Boucher of Belleza is known for his incredibly successful line of men’s 77 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

Men’s Fa skins, KMADD has become the one stop shop for men’s shapes and hair, and there are plenty of choices for clothing and shoes from Styles of Edo, House of RFyre, Aitui and many more. Yet, there are still many gems out there, dozens and dozens of untapped resources that men would delight in finding.

The upcoming Menswear Fashion Week (MFW) will be the pinnacle of all things masculine, showcasing all the things that men feel they lack in one fantastic, fashion-focused week. The week will include many fashion shows and parties to give men some idea of where they can finally complete their wardrobes, as well as experience some great music and meet new people.

Rob1977 Moonites and Lexie Jansma are the owners of Siren Productions, the new and quickly rising events company that is creating all the buzz on the

ashion Week 2010 fashion scene with the MFW. Rob and Lexie aren’t new to the fashion scene, having previously produced shows including the Latex Fetishwear Fashion Week back in August 2009, as well as

other shows that included a “Fashion Assassin” theme and a “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” theme. Their creativity and superb focus on detail has gotten the attention of the fashion

Men’s Accessories Runway Show | 78

style not only piqued designer interest, but is also giving them enormous faith in the company to produce something truly spectacular.

Men’s Underwear Show community and has many fashion designers watching them closely for opportunities for future involvement in their productions.

Because Siren Productions is still less than a year old, there were some initial hesitations from designers to get involved with the MFW, according to Rob. “The designers are really starting to come on board at this point, from being initially unsure to now coming back to us asking if they can participate further in shows.” Clearly the splash they are making with this event has 79 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

The shows themselves during the event will feature many favorites, including Blaze, Cheerno, and the above-mentioned greats, Belleza and Aitui.

Additionally, there will be many rising designers such as FIR (the clothing line created by show producer Rob1977 Moonites), Zoobong who has been getting great reviews, and collections from others we can’t wait to see like Cattivo and Shiki. Additionally, a few designers, like Nardya Rousselot of Nardcotix, who are normally known for their women’s lines will be breaking through with their own new men’s collection.

Each show for an individual designer will have it’s own custom built runway to reflect the brand and the collection,

and the group shows will have a unique style and twist of their own that you simply MUST see. And to add some icing to this already multi-tiered, delicious cake; Shiryu Musashi, participating designer of the Musashi-Do line, will be doing THREE machinima videos of the event. In addition to his great design skill, Shiryu is known for doing spectacular video work in SL and this will surely be the perfect compliment to this event that is shaping up to quite possibly be the fashion event of the

season.

The week promises to be full of energy and excitement thanks to organizers Rob and Lexie and their superb planning and creativity. And with KMADD as the leading sponsor, we know that this event won’t fall short of even the highest expectations.

Make sure you make your way over to The Menswear Fashion Week beginning January 8th, 2010 at 1:00PM SLT.

Gothic Couture Runway show - featuring various labels of gothic fashion   | 80

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By Persia Bravin Photos by Shannoncharlize GossipGirl

There are two salient facts you need to know about Dakota Neumann, owner and designer behind the ultra sophisticated GOL brand. The first is that he is intensely passionate about creating the finest architecture to be found within Second Life. His range of villas, tranquil shops and of course, ever popular ’Element the 7th’ club, all echo his principal design belief that simplicity and harmony with nature is at the heart of any beautiful building.

The second and perhaps most surprising fact, is that despite his obvious success, Dakota is not motivated by financial gain. In a virtual world that seems increasingly driven by the very real life quest for wealth, Dakota is adamant that instead, his personal motivation is to make GOL a premium brand-one that places quality above all. It appears that this is a man with huge integrity determined to challenge conventional 85 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

design and business ideas at every opportunity. To discover more about this visionary, I sat down with him at his superbly designed club to find out more about his business-and the man himself.

Persia: Dakota. GOL is one of the most recognizable brands within Second Life-can you explain more about its evolution please?

Dakota: GOL was born in spring 2006, starting with the first club which has had seven new, upgraded versions since. I then decided to develop an estate around this club including several versions of malls and a line of luxury prefab Villas. GOL is a unique company for its atmosphere and look.

It is all built in what I call ‘GOL design style’, which is my personal vision of architecture and texturing. It’s like my little own dream place but also hugely rewarding when people tell me they like what I do.

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RADAR Persia: Most people start businesses in SL because they feel they can earn huge financial rewards. Was this the same for you?

Dakota: I didn’t start a business in Second Life to make money, but for fun. The kind of money you invest is considerably less compared to any RL business and so the risk is very low too. You can also quit your business anytime and challenge any new idea you might have easily.

Persia: So if money isn’t your main focus, what is?

Dakota: I’m only motivated by my passion for architecture and design. SL gives me the possibility to experiment and create anything I like and to delete it and rebuild countless times.

That is what I do with the Club, which I completely rebuild every 6 months, in a continuous development of style, and with any other GOL building.

87 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

Persia: Those are exceptionally rare business ethics to have in SL and you have proved that alternative business ideas can still yield success. What advice do you have for anyone wishing to start up their own company?

Dakota: I don’t know if I’m personally so successful, instead I think that GOL is successful because it is a place which makes no compromises as it is not money driven. So when I have to make a decision I don’t ask myself “how much money would that make?” but “would that be good for GOL?” For anyone wanting to start a venture, I would suggest to take things easy. My personal belief is that SL has become a place where money is the main reason for which many companies open, but what’s the point of turning this virtual world in a copy of our real life? So I would suggest to start doing what they like most and if that will make money too, then good

Persia: GOL is not only a business but a thriving community too with many different aspects. One of the most impressive things about you personally is that you seem to genuinely care and give credit to the staff that support you in your work. Why is this important to you?

Dakota: The GOL staff is one of main reasons of its success. In all these years many people have worked here and almost all have considered GOL like their home, a place to meet their friends each day and relax. My staff are not only my employees, they are people I consider very much to be friends. Some I talk with daily, others I don’t. But I know they all contribute to the success of this company. Judy Kidd, Captain Clipper and Maile Michinaga are at the moment the key persons of GOL. I have known them years, they are the best in their job in SL and I trust them totally. They feel they are part of something unique in Second Life and I’m honored to have | 88

RADAR them working with me.

Persia: Like any businessman, you must have good and bad days within SL. When things get tough, what keeps you going?

Dakota: Yes it’s true. SL can be a hard place, especially as personal relationships are often more complicated than in RL because it is difficult to judge people well when we don’t see their face. What I have always done is to live my SL my own way and make my own choices and accept my mistakes. What keeps me going? Designing and building is the main reason why I remain in Second Life, because it’s an exciting and emotional process. Here I can just design what I like the way I like.

This is why I don’t follow the market trends in SL, but it is highly rewarding to see that people like what I do!

Persia: Describe a typical day in your second life please Dakota?

Dakota: My days in SL depend on my 89 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

mood. Often I stay on my building site for hours, others I spend time in my home sim with my girlfriend and partner Vixie and my SL daughter Calantha or with a few friends talking and relaxing together. Again, this is the advantage of not considering SL as a working place: no obligations and no real duties.

Persia: You have an impeccable sense of taste and all items you produce are made with care and an obvious love for purity in form and function. Villas, clubs and shopping districts have all been given the ‘GOL design style’.

What is left for you to design and where do you seek inspiration?

Dakota: I have other projects on the horizon, but it’s too early to talk about them! I am a very curious person; I watch all that is around me and take inspiration from many things.

I also read many books and magazines about architecture but try to develop my own style.

For the many thousands of GOL devotees, the fact that Dakota is here to stay and will be applying his immense creative skills and compassionate business sense to new areas in 2010 must be very good news indeed.   | 90

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The Hart of PXL Creations

By Sienna Bellios Photos by Brie Pinazzo

Everybody knows PXL Creations and if you don’t, then you should! After discovering PXL Creation’s latest skins at the Skin Fair, I certainly became a fan of the skin and of the creator himself!

It was my privilege to get to talk with Hart Larsson, the creator behind PXL Creation’s and found him to be most charming.

Hart, who is from Italy, stated that he read about Second Life in a magazine and decided to create an account out of curiosity, even though he certainly had no plans to start a business.

“When I logged into Second Life the first time, I really had no plans to create anything. In fact, the first month in SL, I spent all my time clubbing, surfing and 91 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

exploring all SL had to offer. That was truly a fun time. As time passed, my curiosity got the best of me and I found myself exploring the technical aspects and considering the development and creativity that it took to create everything. Eventually I began to make scripts, build things and develop skins.”

Actually, creating skins was a natural progression for Hart. “In real life I paint and take photographs. I have since I was a child. And like most men, I appreciate beautiful women. Making skins combines these passions.” But yet, the most rewarding part is creating something that pleases his customers.

“Creating something that could be enjoyed by someone else is the most exciting and pleasurable part of owning my own business. What has kept me going all these years is the pleasure in receiving an IM or notecard from a happy customer.”

With every positive there is a negative though and being isolated is that negative for Hart. “The bad aspect of being a creator for me is the feeling of

being alone most of the time. Creation needs time and continuous work if you want to create something really fine, and because I’m picky, I prefer to release something that is my best. Now I log onto SL only to work; to test something or to support my customers.”

Relaxation in SL means different things for different people, and for Hart Larsson, relaxation equals what many would consider work. “When I’m bored, or am not inspired to create skin, I make scripts. All the scripts that I use in my work I have made. Some I’ve sold. Others are not ready to be sold because I’m too lazy to prepare all of the manuals and instructions.”

Naturally the discussion turned to the massive problem of theft content.

I asked Hart if he felt content theft affected his creative abilities on the occasions that he found his work had been stolen. “Well, all creators that make good things sooner or later will be copybotted. Personally, I’ve found a lot of clones of my work around.

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use my work; modified, rebranded and reappearing later. There is also a big underground market of stolen content sold by inventory, and this is very difficult to intercept. When I find something stolen that is not mine, I always notify the original creator. For sure finding your things copied is saddening, and the first time I was so depressed. With time it becomes a normal thing that you know can happen, but it still hurts every time”.

93 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

Finally, I asked Hart Larsson about his goals for his business, PXL Creations for the future. I asked where he saw it a year from now. “I’ve got a good enough business now to support my sim rent, but I see also a bad economic trend, and people have less money. I see tons of people wearing stolen content, probably they think is smart to copy to save money, but they either don’t realize or care that creating something takes time, money and lot of patience.

Linden Lab has not decreased the costs

of land even though the economy is so bad. This doesn’t allow new designers or even established designers the opportunity to save money so they can continue to create and expand. At this rate, only the larger stores will be able to remain open. While I do work in real life, I am fortunate in that I am able to keep the money I make in Second Life in Second Life so that I can reinvest it into my business, on new software or courses in order to improve my creative

process. That is my goal, to continue to work to improve in order to keep my customer’s happy.”

It was a definite pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with Hart Larsson about his work and views. I know that I for one will be following what is bound to be his continued presence in SL skin design and look forward to his next release!

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95 |  ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

Danmark - The Denmark of SL

By Romie Serrao Photos by Brie Pinazzo Imagine yourself standing on a dock overlooking a sparkling river and breathing in some fresh air. While you’re standing there and admiring the scenery, you can finally let out that sigh of satisfaction.

Does this sound too good to be true?

Well, it’s not, because here in Second Life there is a Sim called Danmark. It was inspired by Denmark, a Scandinavian country located in Northern Europe.

The owner of the Danmark Sim is Pellegrina Shepherd, but it was built by the Danish Tax Ministry back in January of 2007, before Pellegrina discovered Second Life. She is actually a Danish priest in real-life, which is a Lutheran based church with 80% of the members are Danish.

“In February of 2007, I saw a notice seeking people to build the Danish church in Second Life,” she says. As a real-life priest, this perked Pellegrina’s curiosity and she decided to answer to the call to join Second Life. Like most of us, Pellegrina, familiarized herself with Second Life and stayed on board, building more and more things on the Danmark Sim for our enjoyment. “I spend a lot of time decorating and refining my Sim.” In Danmark you can sit back, relax, and take in some fresh air, while fishing in the small pond/lake provided on the Sim. As relaxed and awed as I was in Danmark, I can’t help but wonder if

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“In Danmark you can sit back, relax, and take in some fresh air.”

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Danmark was made in this relaxed mood to capture how the people of Denmark lived life. But like everyone all over the world, the people in Denmark are hard-workers and they can only imagine home life to be this relaxed. “I think it reflects what I, and many Danes, need in an often stressful everyday life,” she says. Danmark is beautifully decorated with Scandinavian/Nordic trees and it is filled with relaxing activities such as fishing, ice skating, a garden where you can release the green thumb in you, open houses for you to enjoy it even more, and many more places which you can discover on their beautifully crafted butterfly tour guide. The butterfly will bring you around Danmark and show you the different areas which you can enjoy.

While touring Danmark, I find that my favorite place was the church. Is not your typical church-house or your old bricked building with a pointy roof, but a nice open church with no walls except white curtains to signify purity and it is

in the shape of a circle, signifying its unity. I love the idea of people sitting in the circle because it does signify the unity that people should share under God. The way Pellegrina built the church was truly beautiful in its meaning, “We wanted to deliberately build a church different from most real-life churches; open and circular,” she says. By the church, there is a prayer candle where you can pray a popular Scandinavian prayer.

Like every Sim, there will always be changes and improvements. Pellegrina is constantly doing little things in Danmark to make it more enjoyable for us. “I change the seasons. We have four seasons in Denmark, and I just changed the season from autumn to the beginning of winter.” Pellegrina will have Danmark undergo some small changes regularly, but for now she is satisfied with Danmark the way it is. In the future we can expect live shows in Denmark. “I hope to start live concerts on my Sim and also take up the

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RADAR meditative church services again,” she says. For now, she is taking it slow but she is still making small adjustments here and there, and putting up more decorations on the Sim. Some of her inspiration comes from the other Second Life Sim designers, but Pellegrina aims for comfort and tranquility. “I create a Sim that reflects me and what I like: beauty, peace, relaxation, fun, and quirky details,” she explains.

As creative and fun Pellegrina is, she is also a really warm hearted person.

Like all of us, she too was a newbie once. When she first joined, Second Life was a whole new adventure to her and all of us. “It was rather confusing in the beginning, as probably most new residents have experienced.” Pellegrina was luckier than most of us because she came equipped with computer based knowledge, and she had a lot of help from other residents. The advice she would like to give all new residents is to reach out. Most residents love to help! And use the tutorials available 99 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

by Torley Linden. The other advice she would give to new residents, friends, you, and me is, “Be open for new places and stay curious! Don’t just teleport away from a place after ten seconds, but allow yourself to be surprised.”

It was truly a pleasure for me to have met Pellegrina, and I enjoyed exploring Danmark. It is a place I would go to in Second Life for relaxation, and a place I can only dream of in real-life. Before I concluded my interview, I was blessed with a beautiful quote.

“Happiness is not what makes us grateful, it is gratefulness that makes us happy,” (David Steindl Rast, a Benedictine monk).

I do encourage people of all ages to go and take a tour in Danmark and bask in its tranquility.

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The “Avatar” Avatar

By Ruin Quan Photos by Brie Pinazzo

Everyone is abuzz about the new movie Avatar. I went and saw it over the weekend and can assure you its well worth the money and time invested. So imagine how interested I was to hear about some avatars based on the movie characters. I mean thats what we’re all about here in SL right? Avatars? From Liliane Despres, the creator of the supercreative sim Nevaria, which is a roleplay sim based loosely on Alice in Wonderland, comes this new, incredible avatar range.

Ruin: I heard that you have created some avatars based on the movie Avatar. I guess the question would be ... Why? Liliane: I saw the first preview about a month ago. There was something

about the entire world of Pandora and the inhabitants that was just.. inspiring. I loved it. It made me feel very inspired and I had to try to make those avatars. They were just gorgeous.

Ruin: What do the new avatars entail?

Liliane: When I started working on these the first images had just been released, so there wasn’t much in the way of reference and I had to “wing” alot of the details. Not that I minded as artist interpretations of things can be fantastic. This is my version of the “Na’vi”. Not meant to be exact, ya know? Well in any case I tried to keep to the basics of what the race has - blue skin, darker blue stripes, which vary from set to set. I tried to look at a lot of tigers to get an idea of how stripes should be. They (the | 102

RADAR Na’vi) also have small white spots on them due to the species having bioluminescents. The spots glow in the dark, but I cant do that in SL, so instead I made them very light spots, because if you make them look as if they are “glowing”, it looks like pimples! So you have to use your imagination! The Na’vi’s ears are actually higher up on their heads, but because I can’t get rid of the SL ears, I had to make prim ears to cover them, so its not totally accurate. They have very different proportions than humans, but the main thing is that the Na’vi are actually 10 feet tall, but SL limits this.

Ruin: You have long been associated with Nevaria, the Alice in Wonderland roleplay Sim. Isn’t Avatar somewhat of a departure for you?

Liliane: It is indeed. But I tend to go with whatever inspires me. I am a die hard Alice in Wonderland fan since I was a little girl. It was the first book I ever read in English! However, my 103 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

store is completely different from the Sim. I cater to all in SL.

Ruin: When will the avatars actually go on sale and where will they be sold?

Liliane: December 23rd at the latest and they will be sold at my main store, Rasetsukoku.

Ruin: What is included in each Avatar set?

Liliane: They will have the basics necessary to make an avatar, and sold in character sets. There are four sets per gender. Each set is named and includes two skins, one normal and one with facepaint. Female sets include four skins - a “busty” version and a normal one of each style of skin. They will also include a pair of unpierced ears, a tail that moves, prim feline teeth, eyes and a unique shape. Each shape is different

depending on the skin. Everything is modfiable except for the skin and the scripted items. The tail is scripted (and no mod). You click it to change how it wiggles and you can turn if off.

Ruin: You’ve created both a male and a female avatar. Any feedback so far from people who have seen them?

Liliane: Well besides a friend poking me about needing to tweak this or that, they seem to be a hit within my social gathering, as well as to a few outsiders that have seen me wandering around as a female Na’vi.

Ruin: Anything else you’d like do add about the avatars?

Liliane: Just that they are unique and definately make people stop and look!

They are just fun. Fun to wear and a blast to make!

Okay folks, get out there and play.

After all, isn’t Second Life supposed to be fun?

Ruin: The movie just came out this weekend, have you seen it yet?

Liliane: I haven’t seen it yet and want to so badly! I should be seeing it this week!!!

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Hard Rockin’ in the New Year Story by Lucy Eberhart Photos by Marcy Thorne Sometimes the mainstream pop music that is on every station can get old... fast. Sometimes you just need your music to express what you feel, your raw emotions. When you find yourself in one of those positions you should consider taking a trip under the ocean to a relatively new club called Dark Tides, which embodies an ethereal and dreamy atmosphere.

The owners, Mordeth Morgwain and his bride Sasha Branagh, cater to true hardcore rockers. Mordeth or Mord as he is affectionately known, has been a DJ here in SL since shortly after he rezzed.

You can often find him spinning tunes and rocking the crowds at Dark Tides, although he does DJ at other venues as well, and is available for bookings. I sat down with him to hear all about his new venture.

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Lucy: What do you love most about DJing, what inspires you and keeps you going?

Mordeth: Really as cliché as it sounds, it’s the music. It’s been one of the few constants in my life and being able to put out what I enjoy for others to enjoy also makes it worthwhile to me.

Lucy: What prompted you to venture into club ownership?

Mordeth: It’s actually a return to coownership for me. My wife, Sasha, was the one who taught me to DJ and for a good chunk of time she owned a club called Back Alley, where I put in a lot of hours helping to grow it as much as possible until I eventually stepped into a full co-ownership with her. As it progressed though, we had to close BA and both of us missed having our own

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Art club as opposed to traveling all over the grid, and being able to work with all the great dancers, DJs and hosts. So about two months ago we got the land here and were looking for something to do to develop it and we both kind of thought it would be a great time to get back to one of the things we enjoyed the most in SL.

“I don’t think I’ to not DJ, I enjo Lucy: Ok, so tell me all I should know about Dark Tides.

Mordeth: Dark Tides is something that’s kind of difficult to sum up in a few words.

But I think overall what I wanted to go for with the club was a singularly unique experience. Some clubs you see have great venues but maybe not always the greatest events. And some have great events but maybe not the greatest look to the venue. We wanted Dark Tides to have both. To cater to the VIPs, and to 111 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

provide a family-like environment for the staff. I could spend a lot of time boasting myself but I’m only one part of what makes this place great and it’s something I think each person will experience in his or her own way. But I think that as we get further on there’s going to be a lot that will be offered to make them really come to love Dark Tides. I think 2010 is going to be a big

’ll ever be able oy it too much.”

towards early spring. When we do, we’ll be able to expand. I don’t want to give away too much but as great as things look now we’re going to turn the dial up to 11 after the expansion.

This venue deserves a look around by any rocker out there. The staff is spectacular, you feel comfortable and at home under the sea. Hearing Mord DJ is a pleasurable experience as well.

He really knows how to get your mood up and keep you feeling the energy long after he’s left the turntables.

year for us and we would love to share it with everyone in SL. Lucy: Sounds like you have big plans.

Care to share with us?

Mordeth: Well the most immediate project we’re working on is the “Girls of Dark Tides 2010” calendar, which we’ll be doing shoots for today, and then releasing before the New Year for all our VIPs. But we’re aiming to be moving the venue to a larger location | 112

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Vintage Vocals: An Interview with

Jonas Lunasea

“I don’t need fame or fortune, I just want to do what I love.”

Story by Lucy Eberhart

Photo supplied by Jonas Lunasea Every few weeks or so I find myself in a romantic, mellow mood. In these times I tend to scout out a jazz lounge or a Sinatra style singer to soothe my melodic cravings.

I was in such a mood recently, so I asked everyone on my friends list if they knew of such a singer or a new club. Several

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of them responded with the same name, Jonas Lunasea.

me, feeling it, making others feel it, the good and the bad, just...feeling.

I decided to drop him a note and see when he was performing next. He responded quickly and so politely.

Lucy: Who are your musical influences?

I went to his next show and stood there in awe for nearly two hours. This guy is good! No, scratch that, this guy is amazing! In my opinion, several of his renditions were far superior to the original versions. He sounded as if he were a professional, so I just had to sit with him and get his story.

Lucy: How long have you been singing?

Jonas: I have been singing my entire life...professionally since I was 12 (I am 26 now) but I have been singing since as far back as I can remember. My 2nd grade career day outfit was “a singer.”

I still have that picture up on my walls.

Lucy: What inspires you to sing?

Jonas: What inspires me? Wow, hmmm… life, art, music, passion, vulnerability, love, heartache. I guess emotion inspires

Jonas: Well, growing up it was the usual suspects (the Beatles, Elvis, Michael Jackson), but who influences the style I embody now would be Elvis, Michael Buble, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra, the Rat Pack, all those cats really get me going.

Lucy: What can we expect from a Jonas show?

Jonas: I pride myself on not just being a musician/singer. I am a performer; I tell stories, I interact with the audience, I evoke emotion. I act every song so there is emotion and experience and story in every piece of music. I approach every song with complete vulnerability and I experience it, I feel it. Even through this virtual world the energy and emotions I experience translate to the audience. We go through it together... it’s a journey...I take your hand and I say, “come with me.”

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An Offer You Can’t Refuse

by Lucy Eberhart Photos by Mrohs Baxton

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There are places in both lives that while you are there you know that you’re home. In SL that place for me has been Club Bada Bling. It has been near and dear to me and so many others in the two years it has been in existence. The people that have come through its doors are my family. Let me take you back in time and tell you the story of the birth of Bada Bling.

My second week in SL I met a man named Wes Albanese. He said, “Come with me, I want to show you what I’m working on and get your take on it.” I followed and there we were standing in an empty building that no one knew of. I knew absolutely nothing about running a club, and neither did he, but he asked me to help him and host for him. I agreed and it was a success right from the start. We learned as we went along and were astonished at how high the traffic was without any camping or other methods to game traffic. I eventually rose to the level of co-owner and have since resigned due to my overwhelming schedule, but it is still home and I am always welcomed warmly when I enter.

I wanted to find out from Wes, the Godfather himself, what his inspirations were for opening a club.

Lucy: What made you decide to open Bada?

Wes: I had attended several clubs that had strict guidelines as to how to act and how they should dress. I think they forgot this is everyone’s game.

I found that many clubs tended to be cliquish. Although I seem to play well with others, I saw people being pushed to the side like a bad high school experience all over again. I knew that I wanted to have everyone respected, and that hosts should be there to help people not to chastise them. They should elevate the patrons and not themselves, for without the guests we would be standing on the sand of an empty sim.

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Art “Anything goes, we just ask that you love and respect one another.”

Godfather movies and like the mafia hierarchy. We are not a role-playing club or sim. The theme simply allows me to reward good help with titles and emphasizes that we are a ‘family’.

anything at all. I surround myself with the best of SL, not to detract from a fair article; Lucy Eberhart and Marcy Thorne have built and maintained all of this for me. I am a people person, that’s my forte. Without their help, I would still be standing alone on freebie island with a box on my hand, trying so hard to figure out how to put on my shoes. I love them and respect them.

Lucy: What is the key to the club’s success and longevity?

Lucy: What would you like our readers to know about Club Bada Bling?

Wes: We are successful in that we are family first. The staff is family, and the guests are family. We take great interest in newbies; we were all newbies at one time. If you help a new player, you will have a loyal member, they will pay it forward so to speak and the family will grow rapidly.

My secret is that I have zero talent for building, scripting or oddly enough,

Wes: This is a fun place and anything goes, we just ask that you love and respect one another. If you dig girls, that’s great. If you dig boys, that’s great too. If you are transgendered or alone or confused, you are all welcome. Tigers, furries, demons, tinies…ANYONE is welcome and respected. Be honest and remember that the people here are real with real

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feelings, this may be in a virtual world but the players behind the avatars are real.

If you are looking for a fun place to go to escape all the drama in SL, maybe even a bit of intelligent adult conversation then this is the place for you. They have it all! If you want Zyngo, or Seven Seas Fishing, they have it. Contest and events? They have those too. Live Dj’s and today’s hottest tunes? Yep, they’ve got you covered. There are even romantic

hideaways if you are just in the mood to chill with someone special. Mix, mingle and let your hair down. They go all out for the seasons; there is a seasonal area that changes every couple of months. At the moment it is a cozy winter lodge with a warm fireplace and a theater for snuggling up with a date while watching a newly released movie. Trust me, I may be a bit biased, but I am very discerning and this place is at the top of my list of must visits.

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Are you too clingy?

By Sahara Mehrtens Photo by Pearla Batista So you got a new man/woman in SL and your relationship seems pretty good to you, but they seem a little off. Maybe it’s because you are a little clingy, or maybe you’re so clingy that the person is feeling smothered... take this quiz and find out!

1. If you’re in a SL relationship and a friend asks you to randomly hang out one night, you’d likely reply with? a) I need to see what we’re doing. If my man has other plans, then I’m in. b) Just assume I’m free! c) I’ll check my schedule but it sounds good.

2. When you ask your man if he likes your high-waisted jeans, he admits he thinks they are a little weird. Do you: a) Delete them from your inventory and

go buy a pair of low rise jeans. b) Wear them on your next date anyway.

Who is he, the fashion police? c) Keep them but wear them when he is not around.

3. When you discover that a new guy you’re dating has political views that oppose yours, do you: a) Ask him to explain his views. Maybe he knows something you don’t. b) Go on a tirade about how his views are totally wrong. c) Tell him you love that he’s so passionate about his views, and that you appreciate him understanding why you are so passionate about yours.

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a) “She’s still alive? We were about to file a missing person’s report.” b) ”She actually makes more time for us – she’s paranoid we’ll think she’s one of those girls who can’t do anything without her guy.” c) “She does lots of couples stuff with her man, but we still have our girl’s night out too.”

5. Your guy asks you to give up your land/home in SL and move in with him on his land. You: a) Give up your sim/home/land and make the move with him. b) Tell him that he should give up his land and move in with you. c) Tell him that you both should live on your own land for now and only move in together if you get married/partnered in SL first.

Mostly A’s If you answered mostly A’s to the above questions, then you may be categorized as a “Stage 5 Clinger”. You think that if you stayed glued to your guy 24/7, that he won’t get away. Many women 121 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

change themselves into what they think a man wants to keep him. But when you start compromising yourself for his affection, you are altering the DNA of the relationship. You have to remember that he fell for you, the individual, in the first place. So don’t give up too much of yourself in the compromise.

And also remember, any decent guy will appreciate your opinion, not ignore it or constantly try to change it.

Mostly B’s or C’s If you answered mostly B’s or C’s, your relationship is pretty healthy and in a safe place with great potential for the future. While maintaining your own individuality, you and your man share your opinions with each other and appreciate what the other has to say.

While enjoying your time with him, you also maintain a balance, not forgetting who your friends are. You have a level head on your shoulders and should be enjoying your time with your man and your friends. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting to spend an extra night with your special guy and remind him why he fell for you in the first place.

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Dixie Halfpint is Wearing Nienna Black Lace 123 |  ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

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Hugo’s Cover Model Contest Hugo’s Designs, one of the leading women’s latex designers, is searching for it’s first ever cover model. This lucky lady will be featured in print work, vendor photos, and on the runway in a Hugo’s fashion show. For the months of October, November, and December three new semi-finalists are chosen.

All nine semi-finalists will compete in a fashion show in January where the winner will be crowned. Prizes include a six page photospread and article in ICON magazine, unique, custom couture from Hugo’s, and cash prizes. November’s theme was “Hugo’s Lingerie” featuring the Expo series of Hugo’s Latex. The winners were Layla Lalonde, Marlo Kline, and Dixie Halfpint.

Top Right: Layla Lalonde is Wearing Luna Black & Pink Bottom Right: Marlo Kline is Wearing Luxon Black & Blue | 124

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A Timeline of Trends and Trouble:

Mastering the landscape and your wardrobe in

By Daelia Dollinger ropes and most of what I had done was picked up as I did my own thing, visiting everything from art sims to sex clubs, lofting what I could out of the scenic landscapes.

I know. You’re looking at this and you’re horrified. That, gentle viewers, was me. My first avatar in Second Life was named “Athena Martinek” and she was a hot mess, if you want my honest opinion about the subject. She was created in hopes of wandering this world and seeing what it had to offer as I wrote an article for a RL publication.

However I had nobody to show me the 125 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

This, my friends, is what I looked like and it was not a pretty picture. Keep in mind though that when I started there was very little available. When I decided after my article was finished to return on a new name as Daelia Dollinger, I thought I could get in deeper and really find out more. Minnu’s line (now LeLutKa) was not available just yet and when it was, I was right there. Alongside my very good friend, we delved into Minnu’s skin line. Man, did we think we were hot as hell! With our pencilthin eyebrows and our shiny faces – we owned all. We had the best hair, which at the time was Naughty, and that was

n under four years andwhat we need in 2010. enough for us. We were pretty and we thought the world of ourselves.

It took a long time to get the shapes down, to morph out of the statuesque and long haired body of absolute alienesque proportions into something more realistic. My darling friend and I combed through the Grid, finding everything to fix ourselves up with.

Sculpts were becoming more and more popular with every week that passed and now they were being included in hair as well as fashion. I went through all of the skins and my minimalist desire was never met in skin form. I did the Minnu, the Good Life, the Naughty, the Laqroki, and Redgrave skins before I finally settled on a less expensive yet simple skin. See, I hate make-up being overdone on skins because it limits so much. The only skin I found that met

my demands was made by Pixel Dolls.

Their Stella skins gave me tone and not lip and eye make-up that scared me.

I must’ve rocked that for ages until I found Curio.

Then, well, it was all over. A good skin

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Viewpoint made commerce soar and thankfully, it made me look better in the long run.

makes you want to look better, work harder, find the best you can to make sure you match with your digital flesh. At that point, designers were really hitting their stride and while new releases were popping up daily, the noob stores were left in the dust. Either convert or die, you know? Sculpts were almost a must and towards the Summer of 2009, you couldn’t do a damn thing in Second Life without becoming a master at adjusting your own sculpted prims. People were building sculpts and selling them in bulk to keep up with demand. We turned ourselves almost overnight into our own favorite builders and designers because of that. The invention of the sculpted prim created a boom in fashion and 127 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

I went from absolute visual poison to someone who knows where everything is, has mastered the art of a realistic shape on an avatar and can reel herself in when it comes to fashion. I have a humble appreciation for the hard work and guts that it takes to be a designer here in Second Life and after seeing my visual timeline of horror to happiness, I can breathe. I have a few things left to say to the future of Second Life though, to the developers and to the denizens that make this whole wide grid the place I call my Second Home: • Stop with the bling and particles.

You’re hurting us all.

• Don’t like how scripts lag? Tell people to stop putting them in our items.

• Make flexi-sculpts happen faster.

Seriously.

• AOs are necessary nowadays. Let’s make fashion that works with them.

• Stop. Stealing. Other. People’s.

Work. Kthnx.

• Make a group-notice inbox. Some of us get a lot of them.

• Appreciate the time and evolution of your avatar. It’s like a sped up human process and I love it.

I’ve entered 2010 (as of print date) and the only thing I can tell myself now for the New Year… is this: Wear what you want. Build how you want. Do what you want. This place was built for us to take advantage of the possibilities and its here for you to make the most of them.

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Wave Farewell to 2009!

129 |  ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

Written by Pet Karu

relationship has had on us in real life.

Photos by Brie Pinazzo

Our hearts have learned the reality of virtual losses. There are friends here who will forever touch our hearts with gentle remembrances, for their spirit was released in this place of pseudoillusion. For it was through the elegance of pixel light, energy, time that a heart and soul converged making that someone “ever so special”.

Well, finally, 2009 draws to a close, and so do many things with it. In our Second Life there is no difference than in our real lives; we reflect on relationships, friendships, our gains, our losses, the number of times we’ve moved etc. Here in this virtual time and space we have opened our minds to allow creativity to flow, embracing new concepts and ideas, and creating that “perfect world” for ourselves. I’m always taken aback by the degree to which our real life persona is magnified in this virtual playground. As they say, you can learn a lot about a person by examining their clothes, home and the company they keep. And the latter is the focus of this month’s viewpoint.

Our friendships are rich, endearing and lasting here in SL. So much so, that when a relationship is kindled, bonded and then separated, the emotional stress it places on our little avatar’s heart is merely a reflection of the impact that

As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, I’m speaking of someone particular.

If you’ve ever experienced the Light/ Particle Shows at Inspire Space Park on Shinda, then you may have sat mesmerized by the beauty created by one quiet avatar named Evets Igaly.

Blazing displays that make you wonder, “How’d he do that?” But for a handful of us who have become friends as well as regulars, we remember with a tear in our eyes the life of Evets, who outshined every particle he released. He will not be following us into 2010. His displays may have halted, but his spirit is quite alive and fondly remembered.

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Viewpoint Perhaps you also have lost a dear friend or a second life acquaintance. Let us remember their beauty and merge it with our own for the upcoming year.

Perhaps some of you have favorite locations which have simply vanished.

I know how you feel. I still can’t find that amazing black dress I saw and should have purchased.

Or maybe your loss was a relationship or partner that you hoped would bloom into real life, and now he or she is no longer on Second Life for reasons we don’t understand. They are no longer a part of your Second Life experience. You might even avoid going to some places which you both frequented because the pain is too great to bear. Rest assured, dear reader, time is and always will be the balm to heal the wounded heart.

Maybe it wasn’t a romantic relationship at all, but someone you had grown close to; to shop till you both dropped or siege that village together, your comrade and partner in crime. You know the one... the keeper of your fantasies and secrets - yeah, that one! And now they don’t 131 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

come in-world as much and you miss them greatly.

As an ICON reporter, I’ve met lots of people. I have so many calling cards that I have folders and sub-groups for them now. I can only hope that each one that I’ve met walked away with an impression that I was genuine and kind.

However, if I don’t respond to your teleport for your party or if I neglect to say hello personally, (it’s prolly because I haven’t rezzed yet), don’t hold it against me please as a personal slight.

Yet 2009 has been a blast! Through the tears, jeers, and cheers, we have survived to fight, shop, dance and share this virtual reality experience another day. Regardless of the losses, allow me to encourage you... “The best is yet to come”. Take the good from each encounter and pass it along to others.

Your hands are free to touch and embrace all that life has to offer - new quests, new malls, new friends, and new opportunities to love. Plunge headlong into 2010 with gusto and fervor. Let’s create that world we wish to see, full

of peace, joy, laughter, harmony, rich with love and wonder! And just maybe it will bloom into a real life experience after we turn our computers off.

some Relationship Discussion groups, consider contacting: Acuminous Watanbe, who host SL & RL Relationships.

What’s that you say? “Real life is a myth, a legend? Sleep is over-rated! Again, strap yourself in, 2010.... I can’t wait to see what it brings!

Brock Palmer who also Relationship workshop.

For those who would like to attend

When your relationship crumbles, come see me we can talk about it! I’m a professional counselor in RL & SL.

hosts

a

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A Noob in Gor

By Twisted Barrowstone Photos by Jordan Whitt

Having gotten into SL with little knowledge of many of the things that there were to do, I did some exploring.

I’ve been a noob before – plenty of times.

Noob in a chatroom: “Why doesn’t anyone talk in the AFK room?” Noob in an online role playing game: “Why shouldn’t I go into that room with 100s of bad guys solo at level 10?” A Noob in SL: Where are all the hot naked cartoon women? Now I find myself as a Noob in the world of SL Gor. 133 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

I found the Gor community innocently enough - I looked at my landlord’s profile after finding she had a very nice dungeon installed on the property and saw mention of Gor. I was familiar with the concepts as I’d read a fair number of books based around it as a kid. Gor is a fantasy realm created by an author named John Norman. There are warriors, princesses, slaves and swordplay. Pretty much everything you’d expect in a fantasy novel, but with a BDSM spin. This might be a good time to point out that Norman also wrote a book called Imaginative Sex, an early 70’s guide to kink.

I started out this adventure like I do most things in life and SL, with an internet search. Search: Gor - 7650 entries. One of the first entries to come up was Gor hub, which seemed like a good place to start.

I teleported myself to Gor hub, and found myself in a large open modern club like area surrounded by shops.

It seemed like any other SL club and I thought this might be disappointing.

The people were dressed in a wide variety of “period” clothing. Women were in next to nothing, or naked, some in Victorian dresses and others in a tribal leather bikini type outfit.

The men were generally dressed, well, like men. I saw a few in kilts, others in leather and I figured straight away I’d have to find something a bit more “Gor-y” if I was going to continue this bit of exploration, so I wandered into a shop, picked up a basic medieval rogues outfit, brown leathers and such and bought a sword and a bow and arrow.

Now feeling like I was properly dressed for an outing, I went back to the main hall of the hub. After listening to the banter for a while, and scoping out the half naked slave girls running around, I decided to wander around a bit. In the center of the hall there is a map on the floor which basically outlined the whole planet of Gor, all its of cities and villages.

The following day I decided to return to the Hub and saw a girl in a semi ratty looking (and transparent) green shift kneeling alone near a couch with

the words “Teslit City Slave” above her head. I wandered over to her and asked, in a very masterful voice.. “City Slave eh? Does that mean that you’re there for all in the city to use?”

“No Master,” she replied, and handed me a note card. With this my education into SL Gor began.

The note card stated that she was a slave in training of the village Teslit, and that if any free person had a problem with her, they should tell the village Slave Master. It also went on to explain that while she was in training none, but the aforementioned slaver, could take any liberties with her. After I read the note card the girl and I began talking and she explained a bit about her village, offering to show me around. But first it seemed, I would need proper clothes.

I thought I’d done a good job on the clothing, but I was mistaken. It seems most men in Gor wear a kilt type outfit with pants underneath it. She showed me a shop that sold fashionable Gor kilts, and after a frustrating half an hour of trying to talk me though how to | 134

Viewpoint make it all fit right, she gave up, and we teleported to her village, Teslit. Teslit, like pretty much all other locations in the Gor Sims, is loosely based on a city from the book.

and I was quickly reminded that the proper Gorean term of address was “Tal” for all free citizens, and “greetings” when addressing the slaves, or kajira as they are called.

We teleported onto a boat docked near a fairly tropical looking locale. The slave girl explained that I needed to take an observer tag so I could wander around the village unmolested, or I could take and wear a combat meter, which meant I could both interact with the people, and fight as required. Having more balls than brains, I took the combat meter.

Once I was properly equipped, she led me through the gates and began my tour. As we wandered around we would occasionally run into other residents,

I quickly got my first schooling in role play with the slave girl guide telling me in IM that I was not to use terms like LOL or LMAO in local chat with other people. It was considered bad form to not use proper English mixed with the occasional Gorean word or two.

135 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

Conversations with newcomers to Gorean villages typically run in one direction – “what the hell are you doing here?” I was able to come up with a quick back story about being a warrior looking for a home, or homestone using the Gor term.

This was generally accepted, especially since I had a resident slave escorting me. I’ve since seen these meetings go badly, with aggressive role play and a bit of violence soon following. Being that I hadn’t read the instructions for my sword as of yet, I wasn’t in a big hurry to try and figure out how to fight.

As we wandered around the village we were confronted by a man with the tag “Admin” over his head. It seemed that the slave girl had called him to come meet a potential new village recruit, me. A bit forward of her, I thought, but what the hell. I met the Admin and exchanged pleasantries and when asked if I was interested in being a resident of Teslit, I replied that indeed I was interested. He then explained that I had a one-week “get to know the village” waiting period before I would be granted residency.

“The village always needs more Reds” he said as we parted company and I continued on my tour.

Reds? I resisted the urge to ask why.

Even though the books were written in the 70s, the village would need Communists?

When he was gone, I asked the girl about it and she explained that red is the color of the warrior class, just like green is for physicians, blue for scribes etc, and he was the ruler of the village, the Ubar sort of like a king. Whoops,

well at least I hadn’t stepped on it too bad.

“Master, didn’t you read the notecard you got on the boat?” she asked. | 136

Viewpoint “Um, no?” I replied.

“Master, you’re going to get in trouble if you don’t read the rules for each city you visit” she explained.

We continued the tour, and she took me next to the arena. “Master this is where the Reds come to spar, and practice their weapons skills. Do you want to try your weapons?” she asked.

I thought ‘why not’, so we went into the arena, a large ornate space, and I looked for something resembling a target, then tried to figure out how to equip my bow. After a few frustrating minutes, I had to ask the girl how to make it work.

“Master, did you not read the instructions that came with it? You should just have to type something like draw bow.”

Wondering why by now she hadn’t realized that as a guy, reading instructions wasn’t in the DNA, I pulled up the bow instructions and figured out 137 | ICON lifestyle magazine | January 2010

how to basically use it. After firing a couple of test shots, I figured okay, I’m good to go, and told the girl that I was ready to continue the tour.

The tour ended at the village Tavern, which unlike some Gorean cities allowed both men and women to come and socialize. (I came to find out later, that this was because the Teslit sim was owned by a woman, but that’s another story) Again my escort was invaluable, explaining in PM the protocols for serving. Males are always served first, and the various Gorean beverages that were available. I ordered something called Paga, warm kind of a wine, and my escort went off to fetch it. What followed was a long drawn out bit of internal dialog for her, where she elaborately went through the serving ritual in local chat. Trust me, never go to a Gorean tavern if you’re thirsty.

The service is slower than what a guy would get in a lesbian bar. I chatted a bit with the other tavern goers, and realizing I’d stayed up way too late, I said my good nights, and teleported out.

Shortly after I teleported out of Teslit I received yet another IM from my new found friend, guide, and (evidently) potential first slave girl.

“You don’t teleport from the center of the village Master. You have to go to the boat and role play your way out of town”

Properly reprimanded, which is a difficult thing when the person issuing the reprimand is calling you Master, I decided that I’d continue to explore Gor, and see what it was all about.

Next up: Politics, clothes, fighting, slave ownership and beasts of Gor.

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