Publisher/CEO Kinji Lockjaw Editor and Chief Lixena Lamourfou Art Director Artemis Pearl Fashion Editor ReRe Sandalwood Advertising Manager Now Hiring Contributing Writers Lixena Lamourfou ReRe Sandalwood Sensuous Soulstar Artemis Pearl Wiccan Blackheart
Cant get enough? Visit us online @ www.queenmagazinesl.com or http://moolto.ning.com/group/queenmagazinesl 3 SEPTEMBER 2009
EDITOR’S LETTER and if we miss the opportunity to embrace this part of ourselves, this beautiful intricate woman-ness that we all engage in... we miss out completely. Women are absolutely, and utterly breathtaking... in all their forms and guises... and such is fashion. -Bliss Windlow [http://bliss-imo.blogspot.com/] I agree completely with Bliss in her eloquent statement. Second Life’s fashion world is a microcosm of all that is fantastically fabulous in first life. And as fashion translates into Second Life the possibilities are infinitely decadent and rich. Fashion here is primarily celebrated by incredibly talented women, it is simply the manner in which things are done. This issue is dedicated to SL fashion designers and their creative genius. They conjure new pixelated clothing treasures each day to adorn an audience of daunting fashionistas. Women, we use fashion to project ourselves and this projected self is an important component to our healthy Lixena Lamourfou well-being and virtual identity. Fashion is Queen SL, Editor the epitome of self-expression. It says clearly who we are, or who we’d like to be. In a world where your imagination sets the tone fashion is key. It also can be said that we find physical and psychological comfort in clothing. We all have a favorite article that elevates ashion is about the celebration of our spirit such as that perfect fitting pair of jeans, that sexy black dress, or that power creativity. There are those who design, there are those who pho- suit. So to all the designers who lovingly create our dresses, suits, shoes, and actograph, those who write, and cessories that we buy in the thousands of those who adore....collectively lindens, we thank you. In discovering our they draw our attention and our love for your designs, we learn to apprecihearts and we delight in the colors, fabrics and styles. Whether we choose to emu- ate and love ourselves. late, to rearrange, or to buck the system completely In abundance, we are making a statement about who we are or Lixena Lamourfou long to be. Playing dress-up as a little girl never September 1st, 2009 ends... it just deepens and enriches over the years
Fashion Design Re p o r t I s s u e
F
SEPTEMBER 2009 4
Queen Table of C the Real Couture 9 Will Please Stand Out! 15 Cruiz’s Cotton Club
9
19 Morph Me Fantastic: Zuri Simca
43
23 Honeymoon at
Plato’s Retreat
27 Ranena Olivier:
15 5 SEPTEMBER 2009
Showing Designers How to Get an A+
Contents 31
BBW Heaven: The Shop
33
Queen’s Six Quick Fashion Tips
23
39 Haute Style & Co 43
Baobab Academy & Cultural Center: Keeping Relationships Healthy & Strong
19
If you are interested in submitting articles are advertising for Queen Magazine or queenmagazinesl.com contact the following: Kinji Lockjaw or Lixena Lamourfou SEPTEMBER 2009 6
Will the Real Couture Please Stand Out! (A Lesson In True Couture) By: Sensuous Soulstar
Photography: Lixena Lamourfou
I
n my search for the magazine’s coveted Couture of the Month, I came to a heavy realization: designers have forgotten the true meaning of “couture” and it’s saddening. Run a search for “couture” and you will find pages upon pages of shops, malls, and fashion lines all hanging on the coattails of that one word. How watered down has that term become when a simple t-shirt and jeans has become part of a couture collection? As a result of the frustration, disappointment and lack of creativity shown on the part of designers that append the word “couture” to their store title as if it transforms their C- designs to A+ pieces of quality art, you “faux couture” slackers receive an “F” for the course, and must now learn the true meaning of couture, the abbreviated edition. “Couture” is a common abbreviation of the phrase “haute couture” which was originally meant only made to order pieces for a specific customer. These pieces were made from high-
quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, and often time-consuming, and hand sewn. In France, haute couture is considered a ‘protected name’ (protected by law) that can be used only by designers that meet certain pre-defined standards. As of late, the term has also been used to describe all high-fashion custom-fitted clothing produced in other fashion capitals such as Milan, London, Rome, New York and Tokyo. The Americanized version of this term has been held to refer to fashion designers that create exclusive and trend-seeting fashions.However, the term has been misused by “ready-towear” brands since the late 1980s. The result: a blurring of the fine line between “couture” and “prêt-à-porter,” the French term for ready-to-wear fashion. Many of today’s top designers, including CoCo Chanel, only use the term for special collections that are often created not for the sale, but as a contribution to the world of fine art. This is the true meaning of couture.
Unfortunately it seems that Second Life designers skipped one too many couture lessons. Too many overnight “here today, gone tomorrow” stores with faulty designs, boring color, and the “everybody else already did it look” have used what was once a highly coveted word as a crutch to bolster business. “Couture” has become synonymous with “common.” Go down the search results and teleport into each of those stores. Walk in, look around, and prepare to be disappointed. Quality textures, rich hues, and elegant designs have been replaced by cheap material, misaligned seams, and basic design shapes that look like they came out of a freebie box. This is unacceptable! We, as consumers, spectators, designers, reporters and anyone else involved the world of fashion, need to demand the high quality, skill, and exclusivity that was once
synonymous with the protected title of “couture.” Designers, be true to yourselves. Hold yourself to a higher standard. If it’s not truly couture, then don’t call it that to attract customers. If you are so determined to use it in the title, then produce the caliber of clothing that does the name justice. Not sure what standard of quality you need to strive for? Then take a trip to your nearest truly couture collection and see what it is supposed to look like. Bliss Couture, Ranena Olivier Couture, even Indyra’s “Couture Collection” are excellent examples of high quality, exclusive designs that showcase the care and skill that should go into making a piece worthy of the honorable title of “couture.” It’s time the incoming class sat down and took a lesson in high fashion, or we will be handing out another batch of failing grades.
Fashion At Its Fin
by: Sensuous Soulstar Photography: DrJames Exonar
11 SEPTEMBER 2009 11 AUGUST 2009
nest!
SEPTEMBER 2009 12 AUGUST 2009 12
Cruiz’s Cotton Club:
You Will Never Look at “C” The Same Again By: Sensuous Soulstar Photography: Lixena Lamourfou
O
ften imitated, but never duplicated. In this case, you better believe truer words have never been spoken. You’ve seen the “Hepcat” tag, you’ve seen the notices featuring some of Second Life’s best DJs. Do you know those three letters like you know your own initials: CCC? That’s right, it’s the one, the only, the original party spot for the sophisticated crowd…Cruiz’s Cotton Club. [Atlantic Beach (163, 131, 23)] After opening its doors in April 2007, CCC hit the ground running and hasn’t looked back since. Maybe it’s the elegant décor that makes this place so irresistible, or the fact that you always feel right at home the minute you teleport in. Don’t be surprised if before you finish rezzing you get a warm welcome from the owner himself, Cruiz Control. On a truly special night, you may even find yourself greeted by the Lady of the House herself: Josephine Baker, Cruiz’s better half and co-owner of CC C. From the minute the music hits you, you will find yourself transported back to a time where women put on their Sunday best, men shined their best shoes, and everyone gathered together at the local juke joint to just enjoy the night. Curious about the history of Cruiz’s Cotton Club, I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Cruiz to find out
more about this cornerstone of Second Life’s nightlife. 1. Where did you come up with the idea behind Cruiz’s Cotton Club? CC: Cruiz’s Cotton Club is a throwback to the Harlem Renaissance era of the 1920s and 30s when African American artists were most celebrated for their unique contribution to music, dance and poetry. CCC is in itself a tribute and a celebration of the jazz artists of that time such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and of course, my wife’s namesake, Josephine Baker. It is also a tribute to the luxurious Art Deco style that dominated that era. This is my way of paying homage to that era of cutting-edge artistic expression in our people in art and music. We started off playing mainly jazz, but now we include all genres of African American musical expression, with jazz or RnB playing in between sets. 2. How has CCC grown since its inception in 2007? CC: Back in 2006-2007, I used to do poetry jams once a week for a year prior to opening the club, so when we opened CCC, my poetry set, the Cruizin’ Neo Soul Poetry Jam, was the main feature and it set off the week. We used to have about 4-5 sets per week, starting with my own Wednesday poetry set,
and had sets running through Sunday with my wife Josephine’s own “Syncopated Sensual Sundays” jazz set. Around 2008, we went to a full 7 days with DJs and live jazz artists, and the poetry jams went on hiatus. Josephine also decided that after 2 years of Djing her jazz set, she would retire so others could have the opportunity to showcase their abilities at CCC. 3. So many clubs open their doors with excitement, only to close them for good months later. CCC has managed to stand the test of time. What’s the secret behind the longevity? CC: When CCC opened, there weren’t too many black owned clubs that exuded a high class luxury style, only a small handful. Since then, we have noticed a couple of copycat clubs that even go so far as to try to use our CCC or 3C’s slogans, but I can only laugh because they are poor fly-by-night imitations without much success. The secret to CCC’s success is our love for what we do, our commitment to being the best club we
can possibly be, our originality, integrity and our ability to adapt to our patron’s needs. Another key ingredient to our success is quite simply our DJs, many who have been with CCC for 2 years: DJ Melly Mel, DJ Nicety Nia, DJ Wilplay, DJ Buttaz, and DJ Statik. We are also blessed to have our newer, but equally seasoned and established DJs: Mr. Radio” DJ Cali, DJ Jayce Slade, and DJ Dai’Dream. 4. When you opened in 2007, what was the original CCC like? Were there any other clubs like CCC or was there a heavy demand for a club of its type? CC: When we first opened CCC, the party was held on the first floor, the theme was 1920s Harlem and everyone was dressed as either a flapper or a gangster. It was packed that night! We had classic jazz playing all evening, and the event was organized by Jayed Jewell of Black Pearls, one of our first DJs, and eventually one of our Club Managers. There was nothing like CCC in SL at
that time, and there still isn’t. Back then, we found the demand was overwhelming! Of course we were surprised that there were some people that didn’t want to see us succeed. We put the saying, “let your haters be your motivators” to test, and it paid off for us. 5. CCC has recently undergone renovations and looks like a completely different place. What brought about this change? Has the club undergone any other major changes like this prior to this one? CC: In 2008, we remodeled the facade and interior of the club and later that year we expanded to include a mall and Chez Josephine Cafe, an homage to the restaurant owned by the RL Josephine Baker’s son in New York City. Due to increased patronage, in June 2009, we tore down the original club and rebuilt a much larger venue to accommodate the growing numbers. The new build includes: a large Champagne Ballroom on the 3rd floor; an expanded Rooftop Starlight Lounge; Cigar Lounge complete with a pool table, fireplace, bar, and fine custom cigars; and a lobby boutique featuring @ DESIGN. We also moved Chez Josephine Cafe indoors to the main level, and installed elevators on 3 floors for convenience. We now have 2 complimentary suites for our patrons to relax in free of charge. We also put in an outdoor pastry bistro that serves Starbucks coffee, and a pier that leads to our new parcel called La Côte d’Cruiz, which features gondola rides and lush waterfalls.
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6. You’ve managed to have 2 hour events every day of the week with immense popularity. Do you feel that this limited schedule has increased interest in CCC since people now know that they only have a certain time frame to get in on the fun? CC: I think it works for two reasons. First, I am a rare club owner that hosts my own sets whenever possible. I have found that the patrons prefer that because it gives the 3C’s a personal touch. Because I host the sets, which are 7 days a week, you’re getting about 2 hours a day out of my time, which does add up. Secondly, I do believe in some ways less is more. I don’t like to oversaturate the patrons and get “played out” like some places tend to do when they over-do it in terms of the number of sets they have per day. When you start seeing dwindling attendance numbers regularly, that should tell you to pull back some and let the patrons miss you a little bit. 8. Where do you envision CCC in the next two years? CC: We definitely think there is a possibility will eventually take over the sim, but all in due time. We do have some special events planned that will introduce SL to some new jazz artists that are being developed in RL. Stay tuned for that as well. Now that you know, there is a place of high class and sophisticated jazz style, it’s time that you find your way over to the home of “The 3C’s” and enjoy the best nightlife Second Life has to offer.
An Artistic Life
Morph Me Fantastic by: Honey Franizzi
Photography: Conrad Pedalo
By Artemis Pea
Photography: by: Artem
19 SEPTEMBER 2009 19 AUGUST 2009
c: Zuri Simca
arl
mis Pearl
A
s an SL Photographer, I tend to be rather critical of graphic arts. Essentially that is what Second Life Photography is... Graphic Arts. In my efforts for new inspiration I have had the pleasure of running across a talented photographer who has taken her skills to an entirely new level. Zuri Simca is a bright and talented SL photographer who has has developed fabulous skills in the Medium of Morphing. Morphing is the ultimate achievement of SL photography to make an avatar look as if it is a real life person. A Morph Photographer takes shots of the face of an avatar. Then within a graphic editing program such as Photoshop, replaces the eyes, lips and sometimes nose of a photographed real life model with that of the avatar. This unique method of photography offers residents of Second Life a true to life image of their avatar. Zuri Simca is one of the pioneers AUGUST 2009 20
of this new method of SL Photography. Zuri, a Canadian in Real Life, has been a resident of Second life since 2006. For the last two years of her second life she has been an SL photographer. When asked how she got involved in Graphic Arts, Zuri replied: “I’ve been doing digital art since I was about 5 when I had my first computer called an Amiga and a simple program on a floppy disk that had coloring programs where you filled in colors or copied images yourself by drawing them with the paint brush. It was a kids coloring game, like a digital coloring book.” Zuri is completely self taught. She has been playing with Graphic Arts ever since early childhood and had a computer before she even had a television. She offered this reflection with respect to how she achieved her abilities: “Yes, I never took classes nor had anyone show me how to use any program I’ve learned. Ever since I was young I had a passion for digital art and computer graphics so I taught myself how to use a computer, from there I ended up teaching myself any painting program I could get a hold of. When I eventually got Photoshop there
21 SEPTEMBER 2009
was no stopping me, and I ended up just looking at everything in the program and messing with it to see what it did. I used tutorials to teach myself how certain features worked and what they did. I did this with many digital image and 3D programs. Since then, I’ve been these programs and teaching myself many techniques.” In talking with Zuri, I discovered that she is quite the little creative genius with a mean streak of humility. She offered up to me what her other interests in SL are: “I do everything except scripting and sculpting, though I am alright at editing scripts and am trying to teach myself sculpting. I wouldn’t call myself ‘good’ at anything I do; I just know how to do it. Most everything I make I do not release to the public or even use myself. These things have ranged from accessories, clothing, skins, hair textures, hair, shoes, boots, gift boxes and other things that I don’t even remember.” ... As I said Humble! Zuri offers services of traditional SL photography also. If you wish to see Zuri’s work you can view her Morph work and traditional work at A Touch of Glamour Photography Studio.
A Touch of Glamour Photography Studio Owned by Mariposa Menges http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lawn%20Crest/145/68/22 Z u r i S i m c a ’s F l i c k r : ( n o m o r p h ’s o n t h i s f l i c k r ) h t t p : / / w w w. f l i c k r. c o m / p h o t o s / z u r i s i m c a /
Honeymoon Pl
23 SEPTEMBER 2009
n at lato’s Retreat by: Olufemi Skytower Photography: by: Olufemi Skytower
A
honeymooner’s delight, as my bride JaaJaaMarie Philly and I, Olufemi Skytower found out after our wedding. Plato’s Retreat is a full sim beautifully landscaped with rivers, streams waterfalls, grottos, lakes, mountains, gorgeous tropical foliage and beach sand. When we arrived that evening we were delighted to see our wedding invitation perched on the mountain top. We felt so welcomed and at home. Although this was a pleasant surprise, it was in keeping with my experience with the very professional and accommodating management of Plato’s Retreat. Our arrangements were made to have the entire sim at our disposal for a full 8 hours in total privacy. Our honeymoon was the most beautiful thing, as we explored the Sim making full use of many of its facilities. The Grotto with
its cascading waterfalls, beautiful foliage, pools and poseballs. Tiki buildings, colorful and with intricate detail, equipped with every possible amenity to satisfy sensual and sexual desires. We windsurfed, rode on water craft, sat on the moon and relaxed together in the large pool of a delightful oasis. The white tent with multi domed roof was enjoyable with its very relaxing cushions and poses.
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We left with the resolve to find some reason to return once by ourselves and again with our relatives and friends. There were so many activities that time did not permit us to enjoy: the yacht, the race track, the speedboat, and the helicopter. At the end we were in total bliss, and physically spent. A more enjoyable honeymoon could not be imagined
Queen
Feature Story
Ranena Olivier: Showing Designers
How to Get an A+ in Fashion By: Sensuous Soulstar Photography: Lixena Lamourfou
I
f Queen Magazine were to give out Lindens for every “A” that a designer got on a Fashion Report Card, this sister would break our bank. Whether the criteria is color, style, use of print, or texture, you name the requirement, and she excels. You may have seen her designs displayed in Second Life, you may have attended her show premiering on count-
less runways, and most recently, you may have seen her on ModaTV. Her name is synonymous with couture. She is the one woman phenomenon known as “Ranena Olivier” the owner and fashion designer behind Ranena Olivier Couture [The Secret Gardens 223, 196, 21]…and if you are not familiar with her and her designs then you should. This Chicago native and current At-
lanta transplant in first life, has been a resident of Second Life since 2007. She was dragged kicking and screaming into this newly evolved virtual world, but once she entered, she never turned back. She quickly realized the potential of Second Life, she tried her hand at a few different ventures, but didn’t find her perfect fit until she tried her hand at fashion designing. So, how did she get her start into fashion? With a strong desire to express her effervescent creativity she started out building. She created black artifacts, but soon found herself stuck in a rut of boredom. Then an unfortunate incident happened while walking her pooch in October 2008, which left her with a broken ankle and time on her hands, So she decided to learn how to create clothing. Being a real life graphic designer by trade, and someone who had for years made her own clothing, she was no stranger to the world of fashion and design. She also was no rookie to Photoshop, as she had been working with it since its inception, she found that the biggest hurdle was learning how to read the templates. But once she got it, she really got it. With the encouragement of her sisters, she opened her first store around Christmas 2008, and found that there was a large demand for great fashion. And by January 2009, she found herself designing more and more, realizing that there was just not enough room to hold all of her creations in her current place. Also, seeing this need, sister Neveah Niu built what is now the amazing store where her designs are showcased today. What started as a curiosity and
time killer had now become her passion. She eats, sleeps and breathes fashion design, sometimes finding herself online until the wee hours of the morning, or even creating designs while at her first life job. It is not hard to see why her designs scream perfection when she shares that, “fashion is never far from her thoughts.” A sketchpad is by her side at all times. Ranena is never short on inspiration. Most times she can just eye a fabric and see the finished design in her mind, or even while shopping for accessories, pick out a color or shape to work with and then create an entire outfit around that one accessory. A believer in the credo that “designers should always have their eyes open”, she admits that at times she will see the potential in others creations and does not hesitate to take that idea to a new level of fabulousness. One of her newest lines, the J Pollack Series was inspired while watching a film done on the famous abstract artist Jackson Pollack. Believing in the recycling power of fashion, she happily shares that she regularly looks to trends of the past to influence the trends of the present. Ms. Olivier makes it clear that she only designs what women would actually wear in first life. If it does not look good, it is not finished. And if it is not as close to flawless as possible, it is not going up on display in her store. As if spending hours getting seams lined up perfectly, making sure every prim is in place, and that not a button is out of alignment was not enough, this designing phenomenon even puts her clothes through a “dance
test.” Every flaw, she says, can be seen while a woman is dancing. Saving customers time and embarrassment, she makes sure to shake her prims like a Polaroid to ensure that every woman looks their best in her designs. As with many of us, Second Life is an escape from the demands of first life. She finds that her first life design clients have very strict and rigid guidelines as to how the work should be done, but once she clocks out of first life and signs onto her second life, she is free to push the limits of her creativity in this fashion world. Through her work as a SL fashion designer she has found herself fortunate enough to meet many wonderful people, from the customers to the models and to other designers. Nothing makes her happier than when she sees women wearing her design, especially when they look as though they truly feel good about what they are wearing. It is this desire to make women feel beautiful that makes her strive for perfection. Anything that does not stand up to this test gets tossed. You will never find a “just barely passed the test” design with her name on it. And as a result her designs are most sought after, as an example while participating in a charity designer’s auction, a custom design of hers named “Mystic” sold for 10,000 Lindens. With a strong family foundation and support system, which includes her loving partner, Wilplay Watanbe, Ranena has shown that you can take your real
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life passion, combine them with incredibly amazing skills, and produce nothing less than greatness, no matter the platform. Utilizing rich hues, eye-catching prints, and daring fashion statements, Ranena Olivier is poised to take over the fashion world as we know it. Most recently, her designs have been lighting up runways across the Second Life. She started with her first small show in the late spring of 2009, after one of her sisters convinced her that it was time. Since then agencies have been knocking down her door. Even the models hired for vendor photos cannot help but spread the word around about the latest and greatest designer to hit our fashion world. With SLebrities like Honeybear Lilliehook, Evalucia Smalls, and Wenadrenia Soderstrom spreading the word as well, it was only a matter of time before Ranena Olivier Couture becomes a fashion icon. Another project in the works, she is taking her fashion beyond the runway onto the airwaves. She was most recently filmed on ModaTV, Ranena Olivier Couture has taken our virtual community hostage and her only demands are that you look “good.” Always happy to take care of any customer problems or concerns, Ranena’s immense success is a true testament that a happy customer is a returning customer. And in that statement is the proof of a perfect score on her Queen Magazine Fashion Report card, Ranena Olivier Couture, A+.
BBW Heaven: The Shop By: ReRe Sandalwood Photography: DrJames Exonar
I
n a world that allows us to be anything we want to be, it is no surprise that there is a store tailored to the tastes of the Big Beautiful Woman (BBW). Embracing the belief that being a BBW is beautiful, the BBW Heaven Shop [BBWorld 159, 115, 25], sales clothing that caters to the distinguished BBW. BBW Heaven is a shop so small, that the Queen Reader may not initially notice its existence. Yet, once you go inside, the store holds a hosts of BBW treasures, including formal wear, shapes, and skins. One treasure that stands out is the Late Evening Gown. Made by Maxx Beck, the gown is a deeply rich lilac shade, and consists of a shell shaped bust, butterfly waist, and a formal prim skirt. Besides being copyable and modifiable, this garment relies on realistic, silk influenced
textures to accentuate every sensuous curve of the BBW body. This feature, in turn showcases the true beauty of the BBW. Besides selling formal wear, the BBW Heaven Shop also sales skins and shapes specifically tailored to the BBW woman. While the shapes are very realistic in appearance, the skins require a little work in the breast and pelvic areas. Yet the details put into the faces of these skins are worthy of positive affirmation. Specifically, the lip tones of Maxx Beck’s Tralla BBW Skin, features soft tones of crimson, maroon and lilac; all the skins featured in this line are complimented by a caramel tone. For those interested in showing off their BBW beauty, the BBW Heaven Shop is a great place to start. Be sure to visit this store and see the wonderful merchandise available to all BBW’s!
Queen’s Sixby QueenBanker Quick LeF
Fashion Tips exico
Haute Style & Co By: ReRe Sandalwood Photography: DrJames Exonar
F
ashions that are accessible, affordable and stylish are often difficult to come by on Second Life. However, if you stop by Haute Style & Co [Haute Couture 203, 128, 24], you will find all of this and more. Forda Fairlane, who has been an active member of the Second Life community since 10/19/2006, designs the fashions featured at Haute Style & Co. When creating her fashions, Fairlane blends a combination of sweeping romanticism with vibrant color; this creates a look that is both professional and stylish in appearance. This can particularly be in her Cortina Sweater design. This design has two sculpted sleeve color options, and consists of a tan sweater with a sweeping collar and brown tweed pants. Though a seemingly basic item, the Cortina Sweater includes a combination of a dropped turtleneck collar, accessorized with a dark brown ribbon on its collar. At its waist, is a dark brown belt that is loosely tied to the side. Based on this design and more, it is fair to say that Fairlane relies on realistic looking textures to create her fashions. In turn, her use
of realistic textures, coupled with practical designs, creates a uniquely warm touch to the items she creates. While something as simple as a ruffle or a crease can make or break a design, Fairlane uses all these features and more to create an aura of realism to her fashions. If you would like to learn more about Haute Style & Co, feel free to visit their store. While you are there, be sure to grab the Haute Style & Co Look-Book. The Look-Book allows a customer to conveniently order fashions designed by Forda Fairlane via a simple click of a mouse.
SEPTEMBER 2009 40
Baobab Academy & Cultura
Keeping Relationships Healthy By: Sensuous Soulstar Photography: Lixena Lamourfou
W
hether you’re engrossed in your first virtual relationship, or a seasoned veteran of a happily committed long-term relationship, from time to time, you need a little advice. No matter if it is just the need
to vent and have someone console you, or a heavy burden on your heart that you just need help in figuring out, you need a place to turn. Where, oh where, do the heavy hearts turn at a time like this? One place: Baobab Academy & Cultural Center. Every other Monday at 7:00 pm, owner Acuminous Watanabe hosts an
laxing, yet engaging atmosphere for this type of discussion. Upon arrival, you land on a gorgeously landscaped sim with life-sized animals indigenous to the African continent. Enter the Center itself and you are greeted by gorgeous animal prints in an earth tone paradise. There are numerous inviting benches and couches forming a circle, just the right setup to engage everyone into a rousing discussion. Pictures of a true African hero, Nelson Mandela, are strewn about, along with other African themed artifacts giving due deference to the culture. Here you feel a true sense of African identity and presence. Looking at this place empty, it’s hard to tell that this is home to a group discussion so heavy, so insightful, and so instrumental to obtaining and maintaining healthy relationships. One has to wonder how Watanbe seemed to get it so right. Transcripts of each discussion are available on the SL/ RL Relationships Discussion page at www.slprofiles.com/groups/slrlrelationships. With so many groups for singles to open forum on SL/RL relationships at the Baobab Academy & Cultural Cen- meet, to interact, and to find others, ter. This isn’t just another group chat, it is high time that a group like this this is THE place to be for those with was formed: a place where those blessed enough to have found that questions, advice, or just a need to special person can get together to be around others in their same situstrive for a long, healthy, open relaation. Even the seasoned veterans tionship through the support of othfind solace in this refuge bi-weekly. ers in similar situations. Watanbe has created the perfect re-
al Center:
y & Strong
Tired of searching everywhere for a new home or store? Want to find properties owned by people who are legit? Then join the bbrl (Better Business Real Estate Listings). We connect potential renters and land owners with real estate agents and landlords they can trust. The basic memebership of this group is free of charge. However if u are a property owner or landlord who want to post your listings the fee is 250L. Please IM Lixena Lamourfou or Kinji Lockjaw for a realtor application.