Nataly & Love
I’m made of visions and nightmares; filled of cottoncandy for your brainfucking therapy. I do bite and I do lick without a precise order. I adore the border-lines and the upside-downs. I am in love for Beauty. And sometimes Beauty loves me back. Monica Outlander - Miamai
Nataly & Love
Where has the year gone!? It has certainly been an incredible year for us, as well as the staff of SL Fierce. We have seen so much in SL fashion and have grown both in experience and in number, and it can only get better as time goes on! The one thing, the one constant, that has been the driving force behind our continued publication has been you, the readers, and for that, we can never thank you enough. We hope that your faith in us as we continue to grow and highlight the ferocity in SL will keep you as satisfied with our end product as you have been for the past year. Thank you, again, and stay fierce! Bianca and Steele
The Mind of Frankx
W
by Miele Tarantal
When we were children, many of us loved amusement parks more than anything. Some of us grew up in places where we had easy access to these magical places, and some only got to visit once or twice, but for many of us they fueled some amazing dreams. As we grew up, however, we figured out how everything worked, and a lot of the magic went away. But we never lost our taste for that magic, and continue to seek it out as adults. So often the creations of builders in SL surpass anything we may have encountered as children in imagination, beauty, and spiritual resonance. Frankx Lefavre, for example, has a created a sim filled with adventures for the eye, mind and spirit. Lefavre first encountered SL via a 2006 newspaper story about Anshe Chung, who became SL’s first real estate millionaire (and whom, incidentally, he rents his sim from now). His interest grew, and in 2008 he finally took the step to join. Lefavre was curious about building from the very start. “I thought it was an incredibly interesting thing to be able to create content in a virtual world. Having no experience whatsoever made it even more interesting.” Lefavre’s first build was a chair. A builder friend gave him the original, challenged him to replicate it, then teleported away. “So I tried, and succeeded,” laughs Lefavre, “and from there taught myself through trial and error, and via
any source I could find to build, texture and script.” He began to discover a side of himself he didn’t know existed. Building also connected him with the most creative and artistic people in SL, who inspired him to push the boundaries on the possibilities in Second Life. Regarding his concepts, Lefavre says he isn’t sure where they come from, but once an idea forms in his head, “like anyone else, I rez a prim and start from there.” For example, Lefavre’s most recent large work is a gorgeous structure called Chrysalis, made for the Second Life 10th birthday celebrations, a work made of glass and using a lot of light, centered around butterflies. “Once I had it in my head, it almost made itself. I love to work in glass and to make use of the light in SL with scripts and whatever else I can come up with to create, hopefully, something of beauty.” Lefavre’s sim, Devil’s Island, evolved little by little to its present state. “I looked at the topography as it existed, did a bit of terraforming here and there, threw on some trees, waves, rocks, buildings and animals - then accidentally flattened the whole damn thing and started again!” Lefavre constantly tries out new ideas by doing off-sim work with mega prims and textures. “I suppose in some ways it represents an ideal I’d love to have in real life, a beautiful island home away from the idiocy and megalomania of the world as it is today.”
Lefavre is inspired by imagination, music and emotion. “If I can see something in my imagination, if it’s possible given the limits of SL, I can try to build it, and if I find it might not be possible I still try to make it so.” He says he is not inspired by financial gain, but by the happy reactions of those who experience his work for the first time, and by the sheer pleasure of seeing something he has imagined appear in front of him. Mesh has opened up exciting possibilities for Lefavre’s work. “When SL brought in mesh, one of the main things that came with it was the ability to change the physical shape of prims in linksets. When used properly, this feature can mean a massive savings in prim costs and lessening of scripting cost as well.” Regarding the technical aspects of mesh, Lefavre says, “in some cases one can cut the prim impact in half with no loss at all of any features of the build. Although badly made mesh causes problems with lag and rendering, if it’s well done there can be a savings of hundreds of prims in a large mesh build.” Lefavre’s future goals include building on commission. “I’ve done a couple of clubs so far, but building to order is a totally different kettle of fish for me. I plan to keep trying extreme things and pushing the envelope of what’s possible in SL. Maybe one day I’ll throw everything onto Marketplace and see what happens - though I doubt I’ll be the next person to become a millionaire from my Second Life work!”
Nataly & Love
I liken the creation of an object to ensnarin high on a shelf, where we all might admir and comment on how prec
ng something delicate and placing it in a jar, re this captured creature and nod and smile cious it must be without actually touching it.
Faint Paulse - Ladies Who Lunch
“It is important to leave all our preconceptions behind and treat people with the greatest humility. There is a lot to learn with MVW and those that can’t listen to advice and evolve from one style to another will miss out on all the lessons to be learned.�
Erik Baynero Mr. Australia
The Reigning Mr. Virtual World
M
by Sita Writer
Mr. Virtual World (MVW) created by BOSL is the most sought after title on the grid. To be chosen as Mr. Virtual World not only connotes you have a great sense of style but that you are also helpful and well thought of by your peers. It also means, you are the sexiest man on the grid! This year the winner of MVW 2013 has been awarded to the always convivial, fun loving and modest Erik Baynero. “I am so honored to have won this pageant but winning this big contest does not set me apart from others… I am humble and easy to approach – humble is my way of life.” One evening, in 2007 Baynero was watching a documentary about video games that included an interview with an avatar from SL. Naturally curious; he tried SL to no avail because his computer was not powerful enough. SL resonated with Baynero’s artistic nature and the following year, when he got a new computer, he created his account and started to explore the wonders of SL. In terms of fashion, Baynero is a natural. “I’ve never taken a course in modeling and have never enrolled in a modeling academy apart from BLVD. I love the world of fashion and find styling in SL very exciting and fulfilling. This fall I think I will visit some modeling agencies to explore the possibilities of participating in shows; ultimately, I will ask for the advice of my friends and take some time to consider my options.” To prepare for MVW Baynero listened to the advice from
0102
the MVW team and found their insights helpful. “I was not prepared at all for the MVW contest, I can tell you that!! I thought I was, but it was much tougher than I ever imagined. For each of the challenges of the contest, I listened to the team and then I listened to my heart. I wanted to make sure that I incorporated my own sense of taste and style. I also wanted to show who I really was and what I was made of. I didn’t want to be a copy of anyone else, and I didn’t pay attention to that little voice inside my head saying, “do you think the judges will like this or that?” --- at the end of the day, I just listened to myself. Eventually, I came up with very simple styling’s with the end goal to be totally outstanding!” The biggest challenge for Baynero was the first styling that was avantgarde. “I was so unsure of my styling and I was so nervous! Avant-garde is not something I usually style in SL, but what helped me is my gothic side! I was a vampire once in SL, so I used my knowledge about vampires and that seemed to pay off for me in this style challenge.”
The show’s finale consists of styling a national outfit, a bathing suit and a formal outfit to show the diversity and imagination of each contestant’s styling sense. For the national costume, Baynero was Mr. Australia. “ I took my inspiration for the national costume from the one and only RL Steve Irwin and wore a crocodile hunter outfit. For the bathing suit, we had to style something around the movie “Gatsby”; the show for this segment was an experience I will never forget and included the Dazzlers dancers, it was fantastic. For the formal outfit, I chose a classic black suit from Redgrave. The suit was elegant and simple and perfect for me. I didn’t ask for a custom made outfit, because I wanted to keep total control of what I was wearing.” Baynero didn’t enter the contest thinking he would win. “ I just wanted to do something really interesting and to experiment with the modeling side of SL to see if I could be good at it. Winning MVW was the cherry on the cake … I wasn’t expecting to win but I love it! It’s truly amazing; and I feel grateful to all my friends that have supported me in this journey.”
Baynero has some great advice for men wanting to enter this competition in 2014. “It is important to leave all our preconceptions behind and treat people with the greatest humility. There is a lot to learn with MVW and those that can’t listen to advice and evolve from one style to another will miss out on all the lessons to be learned. In the MVW competition you have to stand out, to be better than other participants in styling and temperament and especially to be better than yourself. You must go beyond your own limits and constantly challenge yourself, while keeping in mind who you are really deep down inside! MVW is a huge challenge that opens many doors … but you should be very humble!” As for his coming year as the reigning MVW Baynero is working on a few things and is open to the experience of it all. “Actually I have no idea on how this year will unfold –I think it will be full of great moments, fashion shows, photography, interviews … and something I will enjoy and never forget. For me, the most important things are being kind and creative… meeting people from all over the world, styling and perfecting my photography skills and spending time with my friends and my dear husband Justin.”
Nataly & Love
“Eccentric Attire for Creative Avatars...” Alpha Tribe brings you a world not just beyond your dreams, it brings you your dream avatar.
The Alpha Tribe Team
Nataly & Love
Frolic Mills Defined
by Sita Writer
T
o “frolic”…by definition indicates a carefree caper or playful romp… a light-hearted activity -- in a word, to have fun!“Frolic” Mills, one of SL’s most respected fashion experts and CEO of The Best of SL (BOSL), is not only fun but also helpful, captivating and a consummate professional. Some say he is the maker or breaker of SL modeling careers and many think he is an innovator that has transformed how SL looks at fashion. One thing is certain, Frolic is gifted with a sophisticated eye for style, a respect for others and sharp mind for business… attributes all wrapped up in a person that is creative and thoughtful; and one that continues to enthrall SL residents and the demands of the fashion and design world. Frolic’s ever expanding BOSL empire includes highly acclaimed contests and shows, a modeling school, a high end virtual magazine, a blog, a radio show and a mall complete with a Galleria where noobies as well as supermodels drop in to shop and chat. BOSL continues to expand and has played an integral part in Relay for Life and other charities. All this said, Frolic tells SL Fierce, “In my RL, I saw many interviews on SL and decided to give it a try.It took me three tries and three different avatars before I actually decided to stay.”Frolic’s first job was as a DJ in a Latino disco. “Discos were very popular back in
those days. I was paid 150 L per hour. I worked tons of hours so I could buy cool outfits and build up my inventory and style.”As Frolic evolved he began to sell land and eventually ended up at MAD Agency as a model. Always thoughtful and introspective, sometime in gone!? It has cerWhere has the year 2007, Frolic noticed that ittainly was difficult gather inbeento an incredible year for us, as formation inworld – where to go, where to shop and well as thethen staff where to find the best of the best.“Back we of hadSL Fierce. We have
seen so much in SL fashion and have grown both in experience and in number, Be daring, be different, be imand it can only get better as time goes practical, beon! anything that The one thing, the one constant, that will assert integrity of the purpose has been driving force behind our continued publication has been you, and imaginative vision against the creatures readers, and for the play-it-safers, ofthat, we can never thank youslaves enough.of We hope that your the commonplace, the faith in us as we continue to grow and the ordinary. highlight the ferocity in SL will keep you as satisfied with our end product very few bloggers, and the search button was (and as you have been for the past year. still can be) misleading. The more I explored SL and Thank you, again, and stay fierce! discovered the beauty to be found here, the more I felt the need to share this information and to document it. At that time, there were only two magazines that I knew of; one was about porn and the other was focused solely on female fashion.” Conceptual and savvy, Frolic saw there was a need for another publication that encompassed the multitude of SL experiences, places and styles; he wanted to create a publication to inspire and educate.
Bianca and Steele
There are many things Frolic finds fulfilling in the “empire” he has worked hard to create and maintain.“So many things make me smile. Discovering new talent is certainly one of them, sharing information is also great, but perhaps the one that touches me the most is when someone opens an IM to me and says, “Thank you Frolic, my life is different now”, or “Frolic we raised xx amount of dollars for charity”, or “my business has totally picked up”. Those are the moments I live by; those are the moments that give me the widest smile of all. They make it all worth it for me.” One of the most endearing (and necessary) traits of any CEO is the ability to care about their organization and to meet ordeals and tribulations with integrity.“There are a few challenges that I never forget. If you have a business called “the best of” you need to look the part; and it is essential that you are professional and know your SL really well. Another vital aspect is the ability to build your organization with solid enthusiasts who understand your vision and that can produce results. And then, you need to have really thick skin for any and all random attacks. If you get to this point, then you need to present your work and concepts in creative ways that help others, because if you don’t, then you are not doing much of anything.” When asked how he handles the negative he says, “With a bat in my hands. Most of the time I let the ball go by, but sometimes I swing hard! I have developed an instinct to know when to do what.” In RL Frolic tells SL Fierce his favorite breakfast is
scrambled eggs with bacon and pancakes with “real” maple syrup… “This always makes me happy.” And, for all you fashionistas, if you peek into Frolic’s closet you will find, among many things, his favorite items. “I love my Black Armani pants, Hugo Boss suit, CK tees, and my Kenneth Cole underwear.”As for SL and love at the moment, “I look at the horizon… and see a beautiful sunrise; I look to the right, and then to the left… No one is there.” In RL, Frolic has been offered a very important position in a large corporation that starts in January 2014. In addition to this opportunity, he is also very excited about some personal projects that he is developing. “I just have to figure out a way to do it all, but if I can’t, I will let go. I will make my announcement before the year ends. I have received offers to keep BOSL running. Perhaps new blood and fresh ideas is exactly what is needed. As long as BOSL helps others and is treated as a service to the SL community, it will shine bright. I have learned this the hard way, but the end result of my business has been quite gratifying.” When asked how how he wants to be remembered, if he does leave SL (and we hope he works this out and remains), Frolic tells SL, “I’d like to be remembered as someone that created something out of nothing and was able to help out others– even if it was just a little.”His parting advice is a quote from Cecil Beaton: “Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.” This quote epitomizes the iconic Frolic Mills.
Nataly & Love
We incorporate artistic and fashion visions in to our designs. We picture o Fantasy and Fiction to make our creations shocking enough to impress any personalities. We incorporate artistic and fashion visions in to our designs Avant garde, Fantasy and Fiction to make our creations shocking enough t
our designs as Haute Couture, Avant garde, ybody with high expectations. It reflects our s. We picture our designs as Haute Couture, to impress anybody with high expectations. It reflects our personalities. Nataly & Love - L + N
The Colour of Couture
Selina Graycloud Inspirationally Authentic
by Sita Writer
T
he beautiful and talented Selina Graycloud discovered SL from ads on her FB page. Intrigued and always curious, she decided to give SL a go. In RL Graycloud dabbled in modeling before her career in RL took over.
Early on in her SL experience, Graycloud discovered modeling. “When I found out I could model in SL I was ecstatic! In RL, my mother has always supported my goals and dreams and for this I am so grateful. I am also appreciative of all my mentors and friends in and out of SL -- Ava, Reign, Jess, Spirit, Zaks, Bella, Benjamin, Barbie, Trinity and so so many more who have pushed me to succeed and to always remain humble.” Graycloud’s SL modeling career evolved through a lot of trial and error. “In life when one is heading for their dreams one must find their own path that will work for the best. In SL, fashion is limitless and truly goes beyond the norm. As a model, I am always on the lookout for the next great piece to wear. After learning modeling skills from many SL modeling academies, I started to participate in contests, runway shows and print campaigns. I learned so much from each experience.”
As all professional models know, modeling is not just about clothes, lights, make-up and the thrill of the runway. “I believe of the many wonderful experiences I have had along the way, being able to meet and work with amazing designers and trend setters, having mentors, and making long lasting friendships with many models is the most positive aspect of a career in SL modeling.” Along with many rewards, modeling also has its challenges, and Graycloud enjoys meeting them in a positive manner. “One big challenge, at least in my opinion, is the times when you are faced with a negative situation, be it when you have a type of “stylist’s block” or worse. For me, that is the best time to go for a walk or just turn everything off and meditate. Just taking a moment to formulate a correct action is truly beneficial when one wishes to head to the top of the ladder.” Colour of Couture is a top model competition created to bring mainstream awareness to “women of color” in SL. It is a contest that celebrates the diversity of women from all nationalities and all races in SL, and demands excellence in creating a unique style, coupled with the grace of being able to help others. It is no surprise that Graycloud decided to enter this contest and is the 2013 winner of this prestigious title. “After a lot of research, including studying the website of the contest, I felt that as a woman, this competition represented me. I identified with this
contest and felt that I could support the vision of what it meant to be the Colour of Couture.” In thinking back about the contest Graycloud tells SLFierce, “Each participant was very unique and offered her own personality as part of this contest so, in essence, we all won. The judges, however, could not choose all twelve models, and I was lucky and gifted enough to have been the chosen one. It is a true honor to have won Miss Colour of Couture and to be an Ambassador for women of all races, shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, with the ability to bring awareness to our uniqueness as a whole. I am truly humbled by this opportunity and cannot thank everyone enough.”
Always gracious, Graycloud offers advice for models thinking about entering the Colour of Couture contest in 2014. “This contest is about knowing how to research, how to listen and how to execute the direction you are being given. It is important to have a mentor you can talk to if you are having a rough day, someone you trust to help you with styling or just to listen. Sometimes just a quick talk can bring back that creativeness, and you’re back on track. Most of all, everyone should know that I am always approachable and willing to help because paying it forward is truly what it is all about.” As for the future, Graycloud aims to bring the diversity of women and their causes to mainstream SL by participating in charity events, modeling and blogging. “I hope to master design and add edge to my artistic talent. I also hope to help out with several charities in the coming year and to increase awareness of wounded warrior programs in the virtual world. It will also be fulfilling to help models that are just starting out in the virtual world.”
Nataly & Love
To me, to create is always a chal To create To me, what we w
llenge, yet it is an uncontrollable passion. e is to breathe; it is just part of my nature. wear is not only what we use to cover us, it is a self-expression.� Mila Tatham - SoliDea Folies
Intoducing the Chop Zuey Girl Astralia by Sita Writer
T
There is nothing like jewelry to complete your look – and Chop Zuey makes some of the best jewelry on the grid. To celebrate their brand, CEO Belle Roussel came up with an ingenious idea… to hold a Chop Zuey Girl Contest. This year the esteemed panel of judges included icons of the SL Fashion Industry, Frolic Mills, CEO BOSL & MVW, Reign Congrejo, CEO of Colour of Couture, and our very own Steele Sirnah, Top Model and CEO SL Fierce Magazine. “The Chop Zuey Girl Contest is held once a year and came about out of my desire to have one face stand out and represent the look, feel, essence and heart that is Chop Zuey,” Roussel tells SL Fierce. “It is very personal to me. Maybe its the kind of person I aspire to be and want to see that in my Chop Zuey Girl - but truly, we do look for certain qualities to shine thru on some level… the Chop Zuey Girl is smart and sexy, full of life and personality. Creative and poetic building her world around her, as she likes it - yet keenly aware of the world as it is. Honest, sympathetic and kind to all, but you instinctively know she carries a sharp sword. You’ll find her in your favorite Van Gogh painting - for she is a work of art. Fun and funny in one breath, you are amazed at how swiftly her senses tune into razor-sharp perception and dead-on intuitiveness. Women love her as much as men and she is absolutely the kind of girl your mother would adore. She loves chocolate but swears she is a vegan, protector of animal rights, adores sensuous fabrics, she is a lover and a fighter, a romantic and a realist. The Girl you love to love.” Heady stuff indeed! The 2013 Chop Zuey Girl, Astralia is all this and more. She discovered SL thanks to her parents and her first avatar dated back to
2007; bored, she gave up for a bit but by 2009, armed with a new computer, Astralia was ready to explore SL, and in doing so she discovered her love for photography. Curious by nature, Astralia discovered the world of SL fashion, took classes and began to enter contests. “I like to create new outfits and take artistic pictures; in this way I can convey my two greatest passions: fashion and photography. After graduating from MVW Modeling Academy and MBMA, Astralia went on to become MV♛DENMARK. “I really love being judged – the feedback helps me refine my look and when I am chosen as a winner it gives me a great sense of satisfaction. I do not suffer the competition; I always try to do the best I can and try to learn from each new experience.” As soon as Astralia read about the Chop Zuey Girl Contest, she was hooked
- who wouldn’t be as we all aspire to be THAT girl. “I immediately contacted Magissa Denver, one of the most talented photographers in SL, in my opinion, because I wanted my photo to be stunning. It is crucial to find someone who knows how to translate your concepts into digital images. Listening to some of my favorite music, I visited Chop Zuey and became especially inspired by two sets of jewelry that were very beautiful and strange.” Astralia’s fashion sense and inspiration paid off as she was chosen to be one of 12 finalists. “As soon as I knew I was in the twelve finalists I started thinking about what to wear for the live final. Immediately, I remembered the beautiful “emerald gown” Belle created, to this I added some pieces from the “Splendor Falls” set and finished the look off with the Nocturne Clutch, all created by Chop Zuey.” Astralia managed to represent different elements of the entire brand - jewelry, clothing and accessories in a colorful and creative manner. “ I did try to represent the entire brand in my styling and the photos that Magissa took were stunning -- we were a good team!”
And teamwork and helping one another should be what SL Fashion is all about. As for winning the title, Astralia tells SL Fierce, “ Winning this makes me so happy; I feel more confident in my abilities and skills. In RL and in SL, it is very important to know someone appreciates you; it’s not so obvious as it might seem.” As for Belle, “ The moment I saw Astralia’s Photo I had an immediate connection to her. She really shined through; I think she is amazing and sweet… she embodies so many of the qualities I love to see in The Chop Zuey Girl. I think we can all expect great things from her.”