VOL 3 ISSUE 3
SPECIAL EDITION
INTRODUCING ms mohna lisa couture
ADRIEL HUNTRESS Monha lisa The Man
behind the
Brand
bejeweled and beguiled jewelery by
Vintage Jewels
sl
maniera staff BUSINESS Publisher and CEO Topaz Joubert
Read past issues of our digital publications in our archives.
Managing Director Kathrine Comet Sales Director Topaz Joubert
Editor in Chief Topaz Joubert Assistant Editor Deepthinker Oh Photography Editor Natzuka Miliandrovic Layout Artist Elissiana C, Topaz Joubert Stylist Lovelymiwako7399 Menna
MANIERA
Writers AphroditeBrianna,BrittainyCollins,CareyDeCuir,LeahPortland,LovelyMiwako7399Menna,,SherrieShepherd,SitaWriter,SammieAudion,KokoCarlucci Photographers Berto Firanelli, Brie Pinazzo, Dahriel Resident, Eira Juliesse,Falbala Fairey, Florence Babenco, Honey Bender, Jax Aster, Kynne Llewellyn, Latrelly Flux, LovelyMiwako7399 Menna, Lybra Rage, Manu Reggiane, Rabia Baxton, Syra Hyun, Tosha Bergan, Valeria Endrizzi
About Us MANIERASL Magazine is a fashion and lifestyle publication owned, operated and published by MANIERA LLC. Any views, opinions or interpretations expressed in columns are solely those of the author and do not represent those of Maniera LLC and its subsidiaries. Maniera LLC will not accept any responsibility for any views, opinions or interpretations expressed in the pages of MANIERASL Magazine, MyManiera.com or other communications.
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CONTENTS
SPECIAL EDITION VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2
COVER |EIRA JULIESSE Model: Adriel Huntress in MLC Tatina Red
FEATURES
20
CARYLINN O’HARE
Get to know one of MANIERASL’s brightest stars
THE EMBODIMENT OF ELEGANCE The man behind the brand
ELEGANCE HAS A NEW NAME
14
Meet the new Ms Mohna Lisa Couture
REGULARS Editor Letter Asst. Editor Letter
16
8 12
NEW RELEASES BY MLC BEJEWELED AND BEGUILED
Designs by Vintage Jewels
14 16 20
26 32
Shoes and the wisdom of being “Clueless”
EDITOR’S NOTE
The
other night while camped out on my sofa and flipping through channels, I came across the movie “Clueless”, which I haven’t seen in years. “Clueless” is a comedy directed by Amy Herkling that stars Alicia Silverstone as the lead character named Cher Horowitz, a high school student in Beverly Hills, who, on surface, may seem shallow and dippy. However, each time I watch the movie, I grow a deeper understanding of the true wisdom of Cher Horwowitz... There is one quote from the movie that stands out for me. When teased by her friends why she is “saving herself ” for a certain person, Cher calmly replies : “You see how picky I am about my shoes and they only go on my feet.” Maybe Cher is on to something that in my 20s and 30s I never really “got “ until now. Maybe dating and finding a partner is not as complicated as we make it. Many single people join dating sites, social clubs, agonizing over never being able to find the right person but maybe it comes down to looking for a partner is like looking for a good pair of shoes. If we look in our closet, we might see shelves filled with past purchases that can give an insight to our dating past, present and future. We may find shoes we should have thrown out, never purchased in the first place or ones that no matter what we just can’t let them go. We have the pair that seemed like a great purchase at first; the pair that had so much potential, but sadly always taking in for repairs. Rather than having it resoled or constantly having the heel replaced, the shoe just seems never to live up to our preconceived standards. Then there is the pair we desperately want to 8 | MANIERA | mymaniera.com
TOPAZ JOUBERT |RABIA BRAXTON
work but time after time, we find our feet swollen, blistered and making us just have to admit no matter what we do, a bad fit is a bad fit. Moving on we see our tried and true loyal stand-by; the pair is solid, functional, or our “go to” shoe when we are in a pinch, but still in our mind lacks the spark we feel we need so we keep searching. Lastly, we have the pair to show our wild side, the high, dangerous and sexy heel. We know this is one we can not wear every day and. sooner or later, the fun and excitement will wear off. But at the end of the day, we just search for a million things in one pair of perfect shoes: a pair of shoes that we can dress up or down, a strong, sturdy heel and a classic that will never go out of style; one that has the comfort of a sneaker and the style of Christian LouBoutin with some room to wiggle our toes. The perfect fit.
Topaz SPECIAL EDITION 2013
1 only
Predicting the future
ASSISTANT EDITOR’S NOTE
There
is a tradition in several cities in the United States to hold an annual Artists and Models Ball. These balls celebrate the collaborative relationship between artists and models. Such annual celebrations were first held in New York City perhaps in the 1920s. An Artists and Models Ball is a feature of a 1937 Jack Benny film set in New York. During the Depression, Artists and Models Balls were held as fund raisers for the Chicago South Side Community Art Center. The center was a project of the Works Progress Administration that funded art programs during the Roosevelt administration. In the 1950s and 60s, an annual Artists and Models Ball was held by the New York Artists’ Equity organization and it was featured in a 1955 Martin & Lewis film. Such balls are still held today from Chicago to Los Angeles. An intriguing feature of the 1950s New York balls was a series of studies for ball costumes done in gouache by Jacob Lawrence. In his highly regarded work lies the key relationship between artists, models and fashion where this issue of MANIERA SL lives. This month MANIERA SL celebrates the relationship between artist and model. Often artists are pictured as single individuals working alone to create their expressive visions. However artists always have subjects and that connection forges a mystic and symbiotic relationship. 12 | MANIERA | mymaniera.com
DEEPTHINKER OH |RABIA BRAXTON
In this issue we feature gowns created by Mohna Lisa, known as Mo to his friends, who is the founder of the design house Mohna Lisa Couture. These exquisite gowns are worn by Adriel Huntress, who is the winner of a contest that selected the “The Face of Mohna Lisa Couture 2013.” We have two feature articles. One explores the career and aspirations of the artist, Mohna Lisa. The other delves into the life and expectations of the model, Adriel Huntress. A pictorial showing Huntress wearing six Mohna Lisa gowns is the centerpiece of this issue. One of the gowns, named appropriately Adriel, was designed specifically for Huntress. All of the gowns are designed to blend bright colors with high fashion. In this issue we also shine the Staff Spotlight on Carilynn Ohare, a model who works for MANIERA Model Management.
SPECIAL EDITION 2013
Staff Spotlight
|Syra Hiun
WHAT SHE DOES AT MANIERASL
Name:
Carylinn O’hare
Model, MANIERA Model Management
Rezz date:
August 8, 2009
ON BECOMING A MODEL
In 2009 I attended my first fashion show and was instantly hooked! I found a school, enrolled, and have never looked back. In addition to modeling, I am a modeling and styling teacher, a magazine writer, a blogger, and I work with the Miss and Mister Virtual World competitions each year.
Country:
United States IN HER FREE TIME my RL, helping others is what it
I love to attend live entertainment events in SL and love to spend time with friends whenever I am able to do so.
FAVORITE WORD
“Hope.” Hope points us to
WHAT SHE LOVES the future, gives us something ABOUT HER JOB to look forward to, and inspires The best thing about doing anything in SL for me, including the work that I do, is getting to meet people from around the world and seeing us come together to achieve a goal. It always amazes me and is the thing I love the most about SL.
us.
LEAST FAVORITE WORD
“Can’t” When something is difficult, I often hear “I can’t” do this or that. If you begin every project with the mind-set that you can’t do it, then you are probably right.
really is all about gets me going.
FAVORITE SAYING OR MOTTO? A friend of mine who recently passed away used to e-mail “Daily Thoughts” to me. One day he wrote this and I have it on my profile now:
“Excellence can be attained if you care more than others think is wise; risk more than others think is safe; dream more than others think is practical; and expect more than others think is possible.”
ON HER NEXT YEAR PROFESSIONALLY WHAT MAKES I am working on a new busi- HER HAPPY ness venture with three other friends. It will be interesting to see where we are with that business next year. I will continue to do what I do and see what other opportunities present themselves!
When I can help someone, whether through teaching or helping with a charity fund raiser of some sort, those are the times that I find the most personal fulfillment in here. Modeling is fun and I adore styling and being in shows, but when it comes down to it, as it does in mymaniera.com | MANIERA | 15
The Embodiment of Elegance
16 | MANIERA | mymaniera.com |KYNNE LLEWELLYN
SPECIAL EDITION 2013
sherrie shepherd MANIERASL STAFF a difference between the real life and Second Life fashion industries. He ohna Lisa, owner and observes that Second Life, like real designer of Mohna Lisa Couture, life, is highly dynamic, full of talknown as Mo by his friends, is the ent and highly competitive. He also creative genius behind the most elemphasizes that Second Life is a lot egant styles for women and men. He of fun and hard work but enjoyed strives to create the very best designs by all who participate in it. Looking and highest expression of style in his at it from the creator/artist perspecgowns and tuxedos. tive, he acknowledges that there are many amazing and talented creators. A sales and marketing execuHe points out that the Second Life tive, Lisa frequently traveled intercommunity is fortunate to enjoy nationally. He discovered Second such quality of talent at such a low Life® over five years ago and used it cost in-world versus real life curas a form of entertainment to pass rency. time during periods of lack of sleep Lisa adds that his customers are due to jet lag. As the Mohna Lisa the most rewarding aspect of deCouture brand grew in popularity, signing. In fact, many of his loyal he was afforded the opportunity to customers have also become his long rearrange his RL schedule to dediterm friends. They inspire him and cate more time to his brand. keep him motivated. Of the utmost Lisa’s objective is simple; he importance to him, is that he keeps wants to make women and men feel his customers happy while mainand look wonderful in his formal taining the highest level of customer attire. There is no question that he service possible. has achieved that goal with evening Visit Mohna Lisa Couture in-world at gowns that epitomize beauty and GOWNS (99,119,761) or on Market sophistication. In some cases they Place at https://marketplace.seconcross that fine line from sensual to erotic while still maintaining that el- dlife.com/stores/39691. egant flair. His trademark technique Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/mohnalisacouture and finally at of using a glitter texture is most http://mohnalisacouture.blogspot. appealing. Lisa’s period ensembles, com for example his Bonnie and Clyde, provide an edge of danger along with his trademark style and good taste. His wide collection of tuxedos and breathtaking bridal gowns are sure to satisfy the taste of the most discerning of customers. Lisa assesses that from a business perspective, he doesn’t see much of
M
SPECIAL EDITION 2013
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Elegance has
|KYNNE LLEWELLYN 20 | MANIERA | mymaniera.com
SPECIAL EDITION 2013
a new name...
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SPECIAL EDITION 2013
Who’s that Girl? Introducing Adriel
Sita Writer MANIIERASL STAFF
M
ohna Lisa’s mantra encapsulates sophistication and style. Their advertisements read: “All real women and men in SL wear gowns and tuxedos by Mohna Lisa because only the very best will do… elegance has a new meaning!” As it is one of the most popular shops in Second Life®, there’s no denying that many agree wholeheartedly.
“I see SL as a place to explore new things and challenge yourself.” Recently Mohna Lisa produced the Ms Mohna Lisa Couture 2013 contest. The format was straightforward; contestants were asked to choose a Mohna Lisa creation; style it and enter a photograph to
SPECIAL EDITION 2013
be judged in a preliminary selection of 18 semi finalists. The semi finalists were given three questions that they would answer live in the pageant final. Designer and store owner Mohna Lisa explained the procedure to decide on the winner, “There was a panel of judges, and three categories to be judged, including; the overall look and first impression, how effective she would be to represent the MLC brand and how she answered the questions. It also came down to finalists’ styling skills and prim editing. It was important how well the contestants styled themselves to compliment the design of the gown with their choice of hair, makeup and jewelry.” Ms Mohna Lisa Couture 2013, Lisa explains, “...will be the recognizable Face of MLC in events and photos. She will promote the brand of MLC through brand ad campaigns, shows and events.” As for the new face of MLC, he tells MANIERA, “The judge’s scores determined that Adriel Huntress was the best fit as the new face of MLC.” RIGHT- Adriel shown wearing her speciality gown named in her honor Adriel- comes in a variety of colors.
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“Winning the MLC contest cements my love of being a model. “ -adriel huntress A friend introduced Adriel Huntress to Second Life and helped her through all the awkward stages we all go through as noobies on the grid. I began as a store model to get some extra lindens and to be honest maybe a free outfit or two! Along the way, I was lucky to meet some really amazing ladies that told me about modeling schools and the success they had in contests. This piqued my interest and I considered it a new avenue to explore and conquer.”
your body and hugs every curve. Erotica represents everything I love in a gown… the sleekness of it, as well as the glitter and fluff. Wearing this dress gave me the chance to be elegant and yet sensual enough to keep you wondering. Competing with so many beautiful women I hoped that my look and my confidence would distinguish me from the crowd. Regardless of what happened, I decided that the experience of all this would be my prize.”
Set on the modeling path, Huntress graduated from SoloEvane Modeling Academy. She is currently attending Amici Model Agency & Academy and works as a model for ProFashion Productions. Huntress is a natural when it comes to modeling. “ I really don’t have that much experience compared to other models in SL. I started my career participating in photo contests for stores. I was lucky to be photographed by Sydney Bonde and Bloomy Miles. Things changed when I met Roe Woodford at a casting for SoloEvane and was invited to interview with ProFashion. I was so happy to be chosen as a runway model in the opening of the Virtual Asia Sim.”
As we all know, the devil is in the detail and in this case the photo was immensely important. To prepare, Huntress let the dress be her guide. “I wanted to keep my hair and makeup subtle, to allow the true beauty of the gown to shine through. I was delighted that the amazing Sydney Bonde took my ideas and combined them with her talents and made a truly stunning picture for me.”
As a fan of Mohna Lisa Couture Huntress decided to enter the contest. “I adore Mohna’s designs and to have an opportunity to show his designs through my eyes was a privilege.” Entering a contest like this takes hard work and careful thought about how to present your avatar. The dress Huntress chose is aptly named Erotica. “I chose Erotica because it represents a woman’s true beauty. It is elegant and sexy, letting the imagination run wild. The material flows over
“Winning the MLC contest cements my love of being a model. It reaffirms my confidence to carry on as a model and to continue to take part in contests and shows. It’s a confirmation for me that the efforts I have been making are right on track. It makes me unbelievably happy to have been recognized by a designer of Mohna Lisa’s caliber and that I have been able to distinguish myself in a sea of truly amazing men and women,” Huntress explains with a smile.
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SPECIAL EDITION 2013
Turn page to see Adriel in the latest fashions from Monha Lisa Couture Adriel in Mohna Lisa Tatiana Red
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Adriel Huntress in Essex Luv |Natzuka Miliandrovic
Barely-There II Red Nude |Natzuka Miliandrovic
APRIL /MAY 2013
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Barely There II -Black Sequence |Natzuka Miliandrovic
Monha Lisa Couture finalist Left 2nd Runner up - Rea Quar in Kerasia (Charity Exclusive) Center Ms Mohna Lisa Couture Adriel Huntress Erotica Nude Right 1st Runner Up-Gamp Lane in Bella Donna Green Jewlery Designed by RKThings Crystal from Vintage Jewels
Turn page to see more of Vintage Jewels by RKThings Crystal
|KYNNE LLEWELLYN
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APRIL/MAY 2013
Adriel Huntress wearing a special set named in her honor. Set includes ring and bracelet. |Natzuka Miliandrovic APRIL /MAY 2013
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LEFT- Gamp Lane wearing Eternelle. RIGHT -Rea Quar wearing Athena Black |Natzuka Miliandrovic
APRIL /MAY 2013
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