Archive for July, 2008
“If only you could see what I have seen with your eyes.” — Roy Batty
I’ve had this idea kicking around in my head for some time now, but I was never really sure how to make it work or even if I could pull it off, close-up photography of avatar details being the challenge that it is. But it kept nagging at me, and I kept worrying it over, and finally I thought, “Well, maybe.” So here we are. Of course there’s also the question of how useful it will be to you, The Reader. You’ll have to be the judge of that.
Cliché: The eyes are windows to the soul. (Do SL avatars have souls? Maybe on the other side of the keyboard. That’s probably a discussion for another time.) Truth, subjective though it may be: The eyes are, or at least are perceived as, the outward expression of something inner, and definitely affect our perception of others. These are some of the eye designs that have become my favorites over time. Any one of these designers has more eyes than I can feature here, some of them vastly so. This brief overview is intended to do no more than give you a closer look at some of my personal favorites. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Some | Friends List: Some
Notes: On Ryan: "Stephen" skin by VincentTalent Maximus (Styria). "Leto" hair by Kavar Cleanslate (Exile).
Post Category: Eyes, Flesh Peddlers, MADesigns, Miriel, Overviews, Random Fashions, Shapes By Zada, Sin Skins
July 31st, 2008 at 09:22pmRyan Darragh
I haven’t yet had a chance to visit and check this out, but I Just read about a big sale at TRUTH. Looks like to-be-discontinued clothing and hair have been drastically marked down, with hair packs starting at L$50. Just sayin’. 
Post Category: Asides, Sales, TRUTH
July 30th, 2008 at 04:29pmRyan Darragh
At some of his club gigs lately, my friend Kaj has been wearing some intriguing and unfamiliar jeans and shirts–detailed design work, rich colors skewing to the dark side, goth influences but nothing heavy-handed. He was kind enough to put me in touch with the designer, VincentTalent Maximus, whose work was new to me. Vince’s “2di4″ collection so far isn’t extensive, but it’s well executed, beautifully artistic and growing. We were able to beat our schedules into submission and make time for an inworld chat, so in addition to my usual blather you’ll be hearing from Vincent himself regarding his design work.
“Right now I’m experimenting with a few things,” Vince says. “I’m really into goth influences (not hard core), spend lots of time listening to dark ambient music, things like the Legendary Pink Dots. [I] love Tim Burton and the lighter side of dark. Vampires are great, but they should be sexy!” I find myself in agreement with the sexy vampires idea. After all, they’re not just Max Schreck. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Leto" hair by Kavar Cleanslate (Exile). Urban Tactic boots by Tesla Miles (TESLA). Verge boxer briefs by Jesseaitui Petion (Aitui). Birdeye Black Leather bracelet by Georg Honi (A&C Longbow).
Post Category: Casual, Designer Reviews, Goth, Jeans, Shirts, Skins, Styria
July 29th, 2008 at 04:05pmRyan Darragh
I just looked in the archives, and realised my last post was made on the 4th of February. My apologies to Ryan and to the readers. Early February, real life took a turn for me, and I’m still unwinding from it. I plan to return to my old schedule though and post at the least once a week.
One of the things that changed in this 5 month period is that Lissa Maerten’s Cattivo stopped existing and got absorbed into Style Starts Here - in cooperation with Simone Designs. A short while ago I had the pleasure of receiving a few copies of one of the outfits released under this new label. From what I’ve seen so far, this place definitely deserves its name.
The outfit I’ll be reviewing is the D2K Outfit, where D2K stands for “Dressed to Kill“. The outfit consists of a blazer, a tee shirt and a pair of jeans. The jacket is available in eight different colours. These are Navy, Olive, Slate, Copper, Khaki, Desert, Light Blue and Light Gray.
(more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes, 4 out of 5 colours shown - 1 bought | Friends List: Yes
Notes: On Daman: Skin: Hunter Espresso by Sezmra Svarog (Nora Fashions & Bodyskins). Hair: Toby by Asuka Martin (Dernier Cri). Shoes: Lowtop chucks by artoo Magneto (Akeyo). Piercings: Facial Spike set by Radical Twang (Reaction) and Industrial set by Deekay Xavier (Deeks)
Post Category: Casual, Jackets, New Items, Outfits, Style Starts Here
July 26th, 2008 at 11:24amDaman Tenk
I love hair.
That’s probably not news to you. After all, you see me here (and inworld, if you happen to bump into me or, hmm, stalk me down) wearing new or at least different hairstyles with frightening regularity. Oh, sure, I have a few favorites that I keep going back to (*cough* “Nekoge” *cough*), but who doesn’t? Hey, I’ve been giving “Poynter” a break lately, so give me some credit there.
It’s been a few weeks by now, but Kavar Cleanslate recently updated and expanded his collection of men’s hairstyles at Exile. (The update includes all-new hair textures–more on that later.) His new styles are available in 30 different shades, packaged in packs of six. Four of the packs contain natural shades: Blacks, Blondes, Browns and Reds. (All styles are shown here in Scarlet, one of the Reds.) The fifth pack is appropriately called Wild Cards as it contains a selection of brighter, less natural colors. The sixth pack is K’s Choice, and it includes a selection of five from Kavar’s naturals and one of the wilder shades. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: FORM skin and GQ Shirt by Zabitan Assia (FORM). Eyes by Garbage Prototype (Random). Freebie jeans by Kavar Cleanslate (Exile).
Post Category: Designer Reviews, Exile, Hair, New Items
July 25th, 2008 at 12:26pmRyan Darragh
So much for putting up more than one post while I was away on vacation. It seems there’s never quite as much “spare time” as I think there will be. What is up with that? I had good intentions, but you know what they say…the road to hell and all that.
I learned about the new Urban Tactic boots by Tesla Miles just before leaving on a jet plane, almost literally at the 11th hour. Although I took these pictures the night before I left and carefully stashed them on my handy-dandy USB drive, I never got any further than sorting and cropping them. No actual writing took place, and don’t get me started on the internet access problem. Why do hotels charge for wi-fi? Because they can, I suppose. And I’m lazy, not to mention cheap, so rare indeed were the times when I toted my laptop down the block to the bar that offered free wi-fi–and excellent Bloody Marys and Red Snappers, I might add. Well hey now…I was on vacation, after all. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Kazho" corduroy pants by Posy Trudeau (Miau Haus).
Post Category: Boots, Casual, New Items, TESLA, Urban
July 23rd, 2008 at 05:03pmRyan Darragh
RL’s been keeping away from posting but I wanted to plug this gridwide hunt for men that’ll run until August 3rd. Head here to start and hopefully I’ll be posting more from it as the week progresses.
Post Category: Asides, Events, Freebies
July 21st, 2008 at 06:17amExpress Zenovka
It was Ryan who last mentioned Yukimaru Koba’s Z#road shop, back in January. He was reviewing some skins. I found myself in the shop for the first time this week and it was the blazers that impressed me. I think the best of the lot is the dark blue blazer with matching trousers. It’s one of the sharpest suits I own now. The fabric is so soft and comfortable. Some suits in SL are all perfect creases and smooth, straight lines, and some SL suits have wrinkles that have become permanent creases. The Z#road blazers and trousers are marvelously in the middle. There are some sharp creases in the right places, and no creases in the wrong places, but other than that, this almost liquid feel — it ripples rather than wrinkles. And I love it.
The red jacket is pale, almost salmon, and clearly on the ’strong’ side of the border with pastel. The trousers that come with it are called white, but in fact they are more eggshell off-white. The debonair cheerfulness of this bright outfit (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No
Notes: On Mr. Oh: Nora Entice - Hunter Almond by Sezmra Svarog (Nora BodySkins & Fashion). "Jared" hair in grey burnt by Elikapeka Tiramisu (ETD). Heze scripted glasses by Solar Flare (Solar Eyewear).
Post Category: Business, Dressy, Jackets, Outfits, Pants, Shirts, Suits, Ties, Yukimaru Koba, Z#road
July 18th, 2008 at 03:16pmMr. Oh
A little while back, Posy was lamenting that she hadn’t done any new design work for Miau Haus in what she thought was far too long. The next thing I knew she was asking, “Are these shirts sexy enough?” Well, now, let me just take a look.
Yes…yes, I think they might be. Break out your favorite skin with a treasure trail, because you’re going to need it.
Posy’s new “Seiki” shirts are devilishly disheveled and come in bright White and deep Black. With each you get a jacket-layer shirt (untucked only, natch), prim collars with and without flexi nectkie, and scrunched, turned-up sculptie sleeves. The shirt’s fabric weave is clear and easy to make out, even on the Black shirt, and finishing details include heavy rather than fine stitchwork and color-matched buttons. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: Yes
Notes: On Ryan: "Jack" skin by Posy Trudeau (Flesh Peddlers). "Nekoge" hair by hiko Nino (Happy Dispatch). Diamond and Platinum jewelry by Mhaijik Guillaume (Mhaijik Things).
Post Category: Casual, Miau Haus, New Items, Pants, Shirts, Ties
July 17th, 2008 at 03:14pmRyan Darragh
Yelmer has put up a box with black and white trunks in the Alphamale stall at the Beachwear & Lingerie Expo. Make sure to grab em before the expo ends on 26th of July.
Post Category: Alphamale, Asides, Freebies, Underwear
July 15th, 2008 at 10:20amExpress Zenovka
I go back and forth on shapes. Let me tell you what I mean by that. I like my own shape–I made it myself, and I don’t share it around, so it’s unique to me. I’ve tweaked it over time, but only a little here and there. It just feels right to me. (A) I’m satisfied with it, although sometimes I wonder if I might want to be taller, and (2) I don’t want to have to re-fit all my attachments, so there’s no way I’m making significant changes. For myself, I don’t see any need for pre-fab shapes.
On the other hand, I look at some of the shapes created by, say, Vasean Talamasca. The shapes in his collection at Flesh Peddlers are attractive, sexy, even exotic. I see a lot of guys roaming the grid who, frankly, could use some guidance from somebody with a good eye. I don’t mean to be judgmental, and I’m naming no names, but if you look like a muscle-bound, top-heavy gorilla on steroids, I might have bumped into you.
Jeckie Hax is partner in crime to Shinichi Mathy (SHIKI Design) and the talent behind SHIKI Shapes. Jeckie mentions in one of her informational notecards that shiki means “The Four Seasons” in Japanese, and to me this suggests not only the flow of time but the balance inherent in the succession of the seasons. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that Jeckie’s shapes demonstrate balance, proportion and harmony applied to the human form, or at least its representation in SL. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Thomas" skin by Tricky Boucher (Belleza). "Broder" "Broder" hair by Avant Scofield (The GL). Boudoir Boxer Briefs by Shai Delacroix (Casa Del Shai).
Post Category: Designer Reviews, New Items, SHIKI Shapes, Shapes
July 14th, 2008 at 12:09pmRyan Darragh
And if you think that lazy would be the operative word here–you’re right. Yes, I am indeed going on vacation yet again. I’ll be away from 15 July through 21 July, and theoretically back to “normal” (whatever that is) within a day or two after I get back. I’ll hopefully have a post or two I can schedule to pop up magically while I’m away, Express will be around, and Mr. Oh may stick his head in to say hi. Keep an eye on the place for me, and no wild parties while I’m gone! I’ve got my eye on you, Oscar.
Post Category: Announcements
July 14th, 2008 at 10:47amRyan Darragh
There is no ‘try.’ There is no ‘do.’
Do not run silently, become silence. Do not blend into the darkness, you are the night, cloaked in the soft darkness of rich, soft, supple cloth. There is no thought. It is by instinct that your opponent’s blade either sings past you or is guided to armored attachments: your strong shoulderpads or the hand and forarm protectors. These bear few gashes; for all the dozens of foes, not many were that worthy.
The belt and bandanas on your upper arms, they are tied tight. Tight enough that they bite, the way that the scent of your quarry assaults your nostrils. Your scarf, headband and mask envelope you as does duty itself. It is right that you are here. And you will not need to be here for long. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No
Notes: On Mr. Oh: Nora Entice - Hunter Almond by Sezmra Svarog (Nora BodySkins & Fashion). "Jared" hair in white by Elikapeka Tiramisu (ETD).
Post Category: Accessories, Costumes, Eyewear, Fantasy, Groll Inn, Outfits
July 12th, 2008 at 05:30pmMr. Oh
I’ve been a bit lazy about getting some freebies to you because freebies tend to come in batches. When you get one, you get twenty other stores doing something at the same time. They don’t really mean to be giving freebies out when everyone else does — it just happens around events like RL holidays or SL events like SL5B. It just so happens to be a bit of downtime between these freebie rushes, so I’m recovering from the burnout of mad freebie hunting by sifting on my butt and being lazy.
That said, I still have some good stuff to send to send your way. One of my latest finds is an awesome little shop called Jetcity. Everything in the store, by owner Jiru Jetcity, is free (as in free beer :P). There isn’t much, but what is there is rather refreshingly different. Most of the stuff here looks better on skinny, lighter framed guys instead of the typical over muscled SL male. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No
Notes: On Express: "Male gift" skin by Tricky Boucher (Belleza). "steel gray" eyes available from Freebie Eyes Package (House of Zen).
Post Category: Accessories, Casual, Freebies, Gloves, Hats, Jetcity, Mechanism, Shirts, Sidewalk
July 11th, 2008 at 03:56pmExpress Zenovka
Posy Trudeau had a costume party last weekend and this leather jacket was one of the gifts. Join the Plunder group and you can grab both the jacket and a free tee here.
Post Category: Asides, Freebies, Jackets, Shirts
July 11th, 2008 at 09:57amExpress Zenovka
There’s not much I enjoy more than finding, playing with and (eventually) writing about some remarkable SL creation. It’s even better if the remarkable thing in question includes numerous prim attachments. That is, quite simply, one of my favorite things. There’s just something about a big, beautiful pile of prim attachments–it’s kind of like a new car. I think it’s the smell. It smells like…victory. Or maybe plastic.
My latest toy-slash-obsession is the Steam-Powered Mechanical Suit by Zoe Llewelyn, who also happens to be the creator of my first and still much-loved neko ears and tail set. This amazing construct includes so many prim attachments that you can’t wear them all at the same time, so I’m in heaven. But wait, there’s more! Several of them are scripted to do cool stuff. Does it get any better? I think not. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Generation" skin by Kaejo DaSilva (Renegade). "Liam" hair by Shelly Toonie (Moonshine).
Post Category: Accessories, Costumes, Fantasy, Llewelyn Steamworks, Period, Steampunk, Suits
July 10th, 2008 at 07:45pmRyan Darragh
Last time I saw Jesseaitui Petion, he was busy getting his new menswear designs set out, arranged to his satisfaction, and properly priced so he could re-open Aitui to the public. Pretty much every time I’ve seen or talked with him, he’s been pretty mellow, but that night he was a man on a mission. He said that he’d probably be pulling an all-nighter, and I thought, Wow, I thought we gave all that up when we finished college. I guess some things don’t change. He re-opened a few days ago now, so you may have already discovered his new collection, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite items with you here.
I don’t know if Jesse considers his Tokyo Intake Jacket (L$235) the centerpiece of his new collection, but to me it epitomizes the attitude and vibe of his new designs. The jacket is cut high rather than low on the hip, and it can be worn with or without the untucked printed tee (the tee is not on a separate clothing layer and can’t be worn on its own). Although I’m wearing one of Jesse’s scarves here–more on that in a moment–the jacket has a sculpted turned-up collar, which Jesse has thoughtfully provided pre-set for two different attachment points (chest and spine). Several different fabric finishes are available; Charcoal is shown here. I love love love this jacket and I’m already plotting what other cool tees I can wear with it. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Most | Friends List: Yes
Notes: On Ryan: "David" skin by sachi Vixen (Adam n Eve). "Beau" hair by Wicked Loudon (Dernier Cri). "Dion" glasses by Rohal Schnyder (Role Optic). Stone Cross Necklace by Jesseaitui Petion (Aitui).
Post Category: Accessories, Aitui, Casual, Designer Reviews, Hoodies, Jackets, New Items, Pants, Shirts, Shoes, Underwear
July 7th, 2008 at 07:18pmRyan Darragh
“There is no such thing as a grown-up person, especially if we are talking about men.
“Boys know right from the start that they are blessed with a God-given right to immaturity, though they are often loath to admit it to themselves, or to one another, and never to the girls. They exercise this right whenever they flirt, show off, look in the mirror when someone is watching, try to act cool, impress other boys, make leaps that risk physical or emotional injury, smoke cigarettes, get wet, drink alcoholic beverages, get near automobiles that go fast, and play with children, sharp objects, or girls. …
“Boys are men in a state of grace that is often written off or undervalued as foolishness.”
– Dirk Wittenborn, from the preface to Boys, a collection of photographs by Pamela Hanson (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Some | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Wolf" hair by hiko Nino (Happy Dispatch). Merman costume by EmeraldEver Cline (EmeraldEver's Shop By the Sea). Toga by Kavar Cleanslate (Exile). Neko Native by Broder Kubrick (BroGear). Boxer shorts by Posy Trudeau (Civvies).
Post Category: Adam n Eve, New Items, Skins
July 5th, 2008 at 12:17amRyan Darragh
There’s a pretty nice, modifiable gray dollarbie tshirt at Grudge Designs. Gecko modeled it over at free*style but here is the original ad art.
Post Category: Asides, Freebies, Shirts
July 4th, 2008 at 01:00pmExpress Zenovka
The Rezzable group is sponsoring a new designers contest. This could be your big break! For more information and a link to submit your application, click here.
Post Category: Asides, Contests
July 4th, 2008 at 09:24amRyan Darragh
So summer is in full swing for me. That means humidity and frequent thunder storms. But back home, on the other coast, summer means sun, beaches, and kicking back to relax and take care of things you forgot over the last few months. So I brushed the dust off my inventory and took a look at what freebies have been sitting there unused and untouched.
First off is a bit of beach wear from Neko Gear. This stuff is at least a good month old, gathering dust in my inventory as I’ve got way too much swim wear. Some of this stuff was covered by Adaire and Gecko over at free*style about a month ago. I’m wearing the beach towel freebie over my shoulder (you can lay it down too), along with a beach shirt, board shorts, and flip flops. I tend to avoid wearing logo branded freebies just because I don’t like being a walking advertisement, but the ones here aren’t that bad or overly flashy. They all kinda just fit together. Out of the box, the flips are a tad small but all of this stuff is modifiable and thus can be resized to fit rather easily. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: Some
Notes: On Express: "Andrew Chocolate" skin by Garbage Prototype (Random Industries) from GNUbie. "Male gift" skin by Tricky Boucher (Belleza). "steel gray" eyes available from Freebie Eyes Package (House of Zen). "Black with Bronze Primero" sneakers by Steve Hansen (Hansen Shoes) from Free Dove.
Post Category: AB Apparel, Accessories, Casual, Eyewear, Fetch Alternative, Freebies, Gritty Kitty, Hair, Hoodies, Jackets, Jeans, Neko Gear, Role Optic, Shirts, Sportswear, Swimsuits, Valiant
July 4th, 2008 at 07:59amExpress Zenovka
Chances are that you’ve at least heard of Relay For Life, the annual overnight fundraising walk benefiting the American Cancer Society. The event is designed to further awareness of cancer prevention, treatments and cures; to remember those who have been lost to cancer and celebrate survivors; and to raise money for ongoing cure research. The Second Life embodiment of this effort is Relay For Life of Second Life. In 2007, through the efforts of 40 teams RFL of SL raised a grand total of over L$118,000! (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: Some
Notes: On Ryan: "Advance" skin, "Sway" hair and Classic Jeans by Jesseaitui Petion (Aitui). FORM skin by Zabita Assia (FORM). Carnal Fiber suit by kaia Ennui (Nocturnal Threads). Surf’s Up tanks by Antonia Marat (Artilleri). Dress Oxfords by Eponymous Trenchmouth (JCS Shoes). Kaimana Sea and Shore men’s jewelry by Caliah Lyon (Muse).
Post Category: Aitui, BastChild Lotus, Casual, Dressy, Fantasy, Formal, Goth, Hats, Jewelry, Men's Corner, Miau Haus, SF Design, Shirts, Suits, Swimsuits, Tawney Bian
July 3rd, 2008 at 09:23amRyan Darragh
Although I certainly have my steampunk, goth and grunge leanings, contemporary casual menswear is still a staple in my wardrobe. Designer Scherina Montgomery is doing some fairly impressive design work in this arena. These items, recently released at Sc Design, are today’s case in point. For me, one of the fun things about designs like this is that they’re often non-specific enough, stylistically speaking, to mix it up successfully with other, more obviously “genre” gear. Today I’ve thrown together a kind of bad-boy emo-neko grunge-kitty look that I think kind of works. Come on, it’s fun, try it! You know you want to.
Scherina’s “Steve” shirts have the look and lines of a classic polo, and I know what you’re thinking–everybody’s got polos, they’re a dime a dozen. Look closely, though, and you’ll see that the front buttons run full length, not just two or three at the collar. The pattern of horizontal stripes is an eye-grabber, and eight different color combos are available. I was apparently feeling the monochromatic thing and ultimately restricted myself to shades of grey, but you can also choose from some brighter colors. These shirts are priced at L$99 for singles, which includes tucked and untucked versions on various clothing layers. Two different packs of shirts in four color combos are also available for L$299 each. The “Billy” shorts (available in Grey and Blue Washed) are just L$59 each. Note the “accidentally” undone top button. (more…)
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan "Simon" skin, Molten Rock boots and Kalico Neko Ears V.2 by Kenny Sleeper (Kalico Kreations). Neko tail by Zoe Llewelyn (Jungle Voodoo). "Sway" hair by Jesseaitui Petion (Aitui). Scrunchie socks by Posy Trudeau (Civvies). O-Ring jewelry by Mhaijik Guillaume (Mhaijik Things).
Post Category: Casual, Jeans, New Items, SC Design, Shirts, Shorts
July 1st, 2008 at 05:11pmRyan Darragh
“If only you could see what I have seen with your eyes.” — Roy Batty
