Maniera- A Beautiful Mind Edition 2010

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e c a l

k c a l D

B

esigns on the

Virtual:

The partnership of Blacklace and Vollers Corsets By Aphrodrite Brianna SL Photos Valeria Endrizzi

Voll

RL photo contributions Vollers Corsets

ers

28

Cors

e


Mariska Simons of Blacklace


Mariska Simons is the well known

Fortunately that dark period has now

and popular designer for Blacklace,

passed and after spending just over a

one of the leading brands of lingerie

year in Second Life, Simons found her

in Second Life®. In real life she is a

niche. During an evening chatting with

happily married woman in her mid

Yelmer Pfeffer, the designer behind

thirties

with

background

a

the Alphamale label

in

who

had

already

jewelery design.

established

Simons

brand, she started

arrived

in Second Life

to

in

the

December

think

Blacklace.

persuaded

provided

a

friend

extolled

who

and

the

help

about

concept

2006, after being by

his

of

Pfeffer support practical

during

this

pleasures of the

initial period and

virtual shopping

introduced her to

experience.

Overbust Corset V1809 by Vollers Corsets

the

pleasures

of

Simons instantly became hooked.

Photoshop, which amazingly, given

During this early period in Second Life

the quality of her work, she was

she sadly discovered she had cancer

totally unfamiliar with until January

and says, “Second Life was my outlet

2008 when the Blacklace brand was

and sanity, allowing me to make so

born. Once again Second Life proved

many friends, who had no idea they

a positive influence, “Having fallen

kept me sane during that dark period.”

down a rabbit hole in virtual designing,


Overbust Corset V1131 by Voller Corsets


Overbust Corset V1905 by Voller Corsets


it gave me that much needed outlet ... igniting that passion in me again.”

This seemingly trivial event was actually an important turning point

Tamar Rexen is probably much

for Rexen, who is now the exclusive

less well known in Second Life than

distributor in the United States for the

Simons, although that may well be

high end designer of corsets Vollers.

about to change. Rexen arrived in

She is busy establishing a reputation

Second Life in October 2008. In real life

as a distributor who creates virtual

she admits to being a “forty something

products for real world manufacturers

(cough cough)” real life mom whose

that are distributed exclusively in

“last contact with a video game was

virtual communities.

Pacman.” Second Life also proved to

Continuing her love of virtual

be life changing for Rexen who initially

shopping Rexen found herself in

found great pleasure in exploring

Blacklace surrounded by the same kind

the top designer establishments and

of high quality sexy corsets she was

discovered a new found freedom

selling in her real life business, and that

and confidence to try out new things

gave her the idea to approach Simons

and an increased interest in real life

with the innovative collaborative

fashion.

project that would combine the

“Inspired by the freedom to explore

business skills of one woman with

and try new things, I bought my first

the creative flair of the other, creating

real life authentic corset. It was exciting

the collaborative venture between

and I know I wouldn’t have made that

the virtual company of Blacklace and

purchase if I hadn’t experienced such

the real life company Vollers. Rexen

confidence and satisfaction buying

arranged a meeting of avatars in

intimate apparel in Second Life.”

Backlace’s virtual office, where she



shared her vision of bringing a new

of course with the real life creative

line of authentic corsets to the Second

talents and far sightedness of Voller

Life shopper.

himself. By focusing on the specific

“After speaking with Mariska I knew

parts of the process they excel in, they

she and her team of professional

have managed to successfully create

volunteers

right

an exciting business model which

choice to represent the elegant and

brings real life designs into our virtual

sophisticated Vollers authentic corset

world. I think what is striking about

line.”

these two women is their energy and

would

be

the

The two women keep in constant

positivity. Both of them share a passion

touch with each other both in-world

for shopping and for beautiful clothes.

and by e-mail and telephone. The

But their individual energies and

business partnership works well and

their ability to use their experiences

they claim never to have had a single

in the virtual world in a positive way

disagreement about how to progress

are the qualities necessary to make

their innovative new venture. They

things happen. I think I will leave the

have also struck up a more personal

last word to Simons. Taken from her

friendship, and Simons describes

profile she sums it up perfectly, “You

Rexen as, “A beautiful, creative and

are in charge of how you react to the

savvy businesswoman. She is full

events in your life. You can either give

of fresh ideas and I have found her

negativity power or you can choose

energy refreshes me.”

happiness instead. “

Each woman brings their own unique skills to this project, along

glimpse the partnership

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Ewan Crumb

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Sofia Longspring

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