Grand Opening @ Brutal Gear [1]

March 4th, 2007 at 07:41pm Catero Revolution

Last weekend Nex Brannan of Brutal Gear opened his first stand-alone store. Openings are always exciting and momentous because they are generally a step beyond renting out a cramped little shop space and a step towards being able to tailor one’s brand environment entirely, allowing for a wholistic shopping experience. The designer becomes the architect of every floorboard and fixture. As a customer, supporter, or friend you can’t wait to see what is rolled out next, because it’s a symbiotic journey.

With DJ Marleen Vaughan spinning tunes and flirtatiously accosting attendees, Nex ushered in a new stage in his brand, welcoming well wishers to the his new chop shop themed store, complete with rusted out hoopdee in front. Nestled in the south-east end of the new Callatropia sim, the build itself is made up of the things that make safety inspectors wake in the middle of the night in cold sweats. Customers must navigate between hanging chains, carelessly placed cinder blocks, randomly strewn auto parts and an idling forklift in order to make their way to the stacked vendor crates filled with BG goodies. The store owner negates himself from responsibility from your health and well-being by posting the following sign: “Customers: Due to insurance and OSHA regulations, please do not enter our work area unless you are accompanied by our service advisor. Thank you for your cooperation”.

Says Nex, “Calla is the joint effort of Tigerlily Koi and Haedon Quine. I’ve been a friend of Haedon’s for a while, and met Lily through her. I placed my clothing line in their old location”. Through that relationship the designers agreed on a trade-off for the new sim space. Nex explained that the sim share collaboration meant that he would construct Calla’s new location in exchange for land for his shop. In stark contrast to the carefully disarrayed garage is Calla’s new and highly civilized hair boutique. “The inspiration for the Calla portion of the build is an old museum/observatory. I wanted to go with a building that was beautiful, but obviously quite old. That’s why you’ll notice the occasional crack, scuff, dirty corner, etc.”

The Brutal Gear-Calla partnership has also encouraged the development of a new product for Nex’s portfolio – GearHead hair. Cuts are aptly named to align with the chop shop theme. The collection currently contains 7 edgy styles @ 200L each. Each style accomodates 22 different colour packs @ 200L each – any of which are sure to bring out the Hells’ Angel badass in you. High rollers can grab complete colour sets for 2,000L each.

While on-site, don’t forget to check out the mechanic’s office, hung with greasy pin-ups of buxom femmes and the liberally soiled living area upstairs (watch out for scurrying roaches).

If your wardrobe is in need of some servicing Brutal Gear is open @ Callatropia (172, 50, 25).

Note to readers: Take a look at Ryan Darragh’s most recent and in-depth coverage of Brutal Gear merchandise by clicking here.

Model: Nex Brannan

Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

Notes: On Nex: Skin, Male GX 2.0 "Adam" (Second Skins / Namssor Daguerre); Accessories, Belou Necklance and Belou cuff (Shiny Things / Fallingwater Cellardoor)

Entry Filed under: Brutal Gear,Designer Reviews,Hair