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e c a l
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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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