I think I’m turning Japanese, I really think so

October 9th, 2008 at 07:25pm Ryan Darragh

Hey, you there! Yes, you. I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not true. Well, I suppose you’d have that same silly grin if I had titled this post “She Bop.”

I love exploring sims that showcase builds and other creative work by Japanese designers. Whether it’s clothing at Back and Forth, jewelry and accessories by Yukirei Greene, hair at Zero Style, or skins, hair and clothing at Z#road Men’s Shop, the design work often reflects the influences of both historical and contemporary Japanese culture as well as anime, manga and other forms of art. There’s a unique sensibility and a distinct “feel” to much of the design work by members of the Japanese community in SL. I find it appealing, refreshing, and just…fun.

Here I’m wearing the Spyder T-Shirt (L$70) in Beige, Clopped Pants (L$120 in Olive, and Simple Scarf in Green (L$60), all by Machang Pichot. This ensemble wasn’t too big a stretch as these items are all for sale on the same aisle at AOHARU, and in-store posters suggest how you can mix-and-match. The shirt is provided on all applicable clothing layers, for flexibility and your choice of tucked or untucked wear. The spider’s-web artwork is bright and colorful, the opposite of what you might expect–a nice twist. The pants are softly textured and use sculpted prims to make them look rolled unevenly to the knee. The scarf is simple-looking indeed, but deceptively so: the central portion wrapped around the neck is smoothly sculpted and looks completely natural, and the long ends are flexi, which adds interest as well as realism. For your convenience, two versions of the scarf are included, appropriately shaped for fitting to male and female avatars.

All permissions are Modify / Copy / No Transfer. Available at AOHARU (AOHARU 110, 124, 23).

Namida Akami continues to explore contemporary Tokyo streetwear with her new “Taste of Harajuku” outfits. Emo influences bump elbows with punk elements but settle into a wary truce. The set includes a hooded jacket with sculpted upper sleeves and bold plaid pants. The jacket (included on shirt and jacket layers) has optional fur trim at cuffs and bottom hem.

The sculptie hood can be worn either down or up, and amusingly the two separate prim items use different attachment points, so it’s possible to wear both at the same time. The pants are included in two versions, one with and the other without zippers. The crowning touch: gloves give you your choice of fresh or flaking black nail polish. What was it Ludwig Mies van der Rohe said?  Oh yes: “God is in the details.”

Permissions are Modify / Copy / No Transfer. Available in five colors: Black, Blue, Pink, Purple and Red. L$180 for a singoe color, or $650 for the pack. Available at MUWU (Crocus Island 137, 147, 455).

At this point, I have to give a shout out to Justify Darkstone, who dropped me a landmark to Mikan YA * Bratty Puppy and insisted that I drop by immediately, if not sooner. A good tip like this one earns my admiration and friendship forever. Thanks, Justify!

Here I’m wearing designer Maps Koba’s Checked Suit in Green (also available in Brown and Black). For your L$350, you get the checked jacket, plain and checked pants, white shirt, flexi tie, and black and green socks. Resize-scripted cuffs complete the pants. There are actually two shirts, both on shirt and undershirt layer, one with and one without a drawn collar. These work together with the two flexi ties, one of which includes a very realistic sculptie collar while the other does not. The flexi ties are scripted, so you can choose from six different colors by touch.

Also from Mikan YA but much more casual, the Check Shirt (L$150) includes a shirt-layer plain black long-sleeved tee, but can also be worn without. The jacket-layer checked shirt has resize-scripted sculptie sleeves for a decidedly realistic rolled-up look. I’m wearing it in Blue, but five other colors are available. The fabric texture looks like soft plaid flannel, but the open front makes it feel somehow slinkier and sexier than that.

The pants-layer Half Pants  (L$140) are also textured in plaid, in fact an even bigger print than on the shirt.  They’re shown here in Black, but you can choose from five different colors.  The sculpted “cuffs” with side cargo pockets are scripted for resize via touch.  Although I have reservations regarding resize / prim adjustment scripting for complex attachments like hair, I think it works great for simpler things like shoes, belts or cuffs, where you’re less likely to need to tweak individual prims.  And it’s kinda fun to watch in action, too. 

Permissions are mixed, but sensibly: clothing items are Modify / Copy / No Transfer, prim pieces are No Modify / Copy / No Transfer (but scripted for resize).

Available at Mikan YA * Bratty Puppy (Witch Hazel 139, 177, 88).

With all these outfits, I’m wearing one color or another of JB Gazov’s P.E Sneakers.  Their sculpted shape is simple but handsome, flowing smoothly from the roomy, squared-off toe to the comfy, padded heel.  Slightly glossy, perforated leather uppers let your feet breathe, and crisp white accents contrast boldly with the main solid color.

Permissions are No Modify / Copy / No Transfer, but four sizes are included (Small, Medium, Large and LL=Larger).  Available in eight different colors (shown at left), and good for girls as well as boys.  L$300 a pair, or L$1200 for a pack of all eight colors.  Available at J’s (TSUKISHIMA 207, 232, 22).

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

Notes: On Ryan: "Koji" skin by Riki Yifu (Slanted Fox). "Anji" hair by Din Raymaker (Uncleweb Studio). Boxer briefs by Donovan Brennen (GearShift). Freebie ankle socks by swaffette Firefly (SF Design). Found Objects Bracelet and Ring by Mhaijik Guillaume (Mhaijik Things).

Entry Filed under: AOHARU, Accessories, Casual, Hoodies, J's, MUWU, Mikan YA * Bratty Puppy, New Items, Shirts, Shorts, Suits, Ties