Men's Second Style

What hath Catero wrought?! I wanted to start this segment as a means to briefly sum up seven days worth of men’s style news while still fulfilling the commitments of the real world and maintaining some level of fun in Second Life. There were tons of stuff that warranted coverage this week! Some designers have kept me busy with multiple product releases and the skin market has been in overdrive, not to mention the opening of Hair Fair ’07.

I highly suggest that you surf the waves of lag and visit Hair Fair. Several stylists (old and new) have some interesting styles for their male customers and its a great opportunity to see where in-world hair trends are heading. Did you know that the AVEDA institute established its presence in SL this week (check the details on the ETD blog)?

Releases at: Canimal · Earthtones Boutique · Here Comes Trouble · LILA Natural Skins · Mhaijik Things · Million Dollar Skin Lab · Mystikal Hair Designs · [Renegade] · Renown by Aitui · TRUTH *plus* Freebies!

Canimal by Canimal Zephyr
Men’s novelty tees (85L each)

Canimal’s pieces are textured and shaded with a sombre, mysterious and romantic tone while still maintaining an appropriate amount of whimsy. A continuation of her earlier men’s tees this set of 12 baseball shirts is made up of 5 longsleeve ringers (black/olive, black/white, blue/baby blue, brown/orange and navy/red) and 7 longsleeves overlaid with a tee. Shirts feature various pop culture references including my good friend Domo-Kun. Though some of the overlaid shirts may seem to be made up of two layers upon first glance all shirts are in the jacket layer for added length. The composition specifically plays up the pecs and shows off a hint of the ab muscles.

Available @ Canimal (209, 66, 27).
Permissions: Mod / Copy / No Trans
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

EARTHTONES by Lucas Lameth
His Prayer Rosary (149L)

Heathens, beware. The internationally-inspired designs of Lucas Lameth have now evoked the power to exorcise the demons of a dull wardrobe. With the release of rosary neckwear you can meditate and pray, confessing your second sins (god knows first life has its fair share). The EARTHTONES designer has created four variations of the traditional Roman Catholic meditation necklace with beads in organic darkwood and gemmed bloodstone, onyx and tiger eye. With the exception of the onyx which features complete silver accents, the rosary pendants are partnered with a gold cross backed by a silver halo. Lucas advocates that his rosaries are “the perfect gift for your naughty male counterparts”. Somehow, I have the feeling that saints and sinners alike will be attracted to them.

Available @ Dos Corazones (12, 148, 28).
Permissions: Mod / Trans / No Copy
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

Here Comes Trouble by Bailey Mackenzie
“Austin”, “Blaine”, “Jesse”, “Lucas” (200L each)

Here comes male representation at the 2nd annual Hair Fair. Though largely geared towards a female audience a few designers are holding it down for the men. Bailey Mackenzie gives us four new additions to her men’s line which will be sold exclusively at the showcase until it closes on April 14th. Brave the lag to offer your support, as a percentage of the profits from the sale of “Jesse” will be donated to the Locks of Love children’s charity. With the exception of this short, well-kept approach the other three hairstyles are mussed, shaggy and slightly overgrown – showing a carefree nature. Demos available for 1L. You can buy the complete colour pack for each style at 2,000L.

Currently available @: Hair Fair Site 2, Prim Paradise (175, 138, 25).
Permissions: Copy / Mod / No Trans
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

LILA Natural Skins by Lechium Candour
Old Dude Skin (1900L each)

The term “vintage” in SL is taken on new meaning following the release of several products aimed at an older audience. The Sam, Dylan, Ben, Ethan and Derek skins at LILA have aged about 40 years (they all must’ve gotten married). As Sam, Sr. and the rest of the old boys gear up to gear down Lechium Candour asks, “Sick and tired of the twenty-something metrosexual look?”. If your answer is ‘yes’ these skins may be worth your consideration. Each of the 5 “Sr.” skin tones includes 8 beard variations and grey chest hair. As with all skins offered in-store, a complimentary shape is included. Demos are available in-store for 1L. There’s a strong possibility that these may pair up well with Mystikal Hair Designs’ “Baldie”, “Combover” and “Sensitive Ponytail Guy” hair and/or Lemon’s body shapes for older avies.

Available @ Purden (16, 48, 140).
Permissions: Copy / No Mod / No Trans
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

Mhaijik Things by Mhaijik Guillaume
Mens Necklaces (250L each)
Mens Rings (125L each)

Continuing the momentum of an on-going series of matching rings and necklaces Mhaijik adds simple and elegant jewellery for the male market to her store. The current focus of the designer are necklaces and triple-band rings. Though the products are sold separately, customers are given the option of buying both pieces to create a fully coordinated set. Mhaijik takes the time to closely associate textures to actual precious stones and metals. This week’s earlier release is a tri-ring in yellow, white and rose golds. It’s companion: a short-hanging necklace with spiralled pendant with consistent gold make-up. The later release is a platinum, iodized steel and blue sapphire ring supplemented with a silver necklace with simple sapphire pendant.

Available @ Pheosia (55, 229, 151).
Permissions: Mod / Trans / No Copy
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

Million Dollar Skin Lab by Hybel Koba
Male Skins (900L each / 1,500L 5-pack)

This new skin retailer debuts with a modifiable skin that is available as separates in five different facial hair options: a tidy �Fu Manchu�, the light coverage of day-old stubble, a “Fu Manchu” with stubble, a moustache that Magnum P.I. would envy, and a clean-shaven baby face. Each will run you 900L. The tones modification ranges from light to dark tan. On the downside, I can�t say that I find the 20L demo fee reasonable as � in my opinion – the intent of the skin is to provide potential buyers a sample while incurring the least possible charge. Keep in mind I am admittedly frugal. On that note, free men’s skins are available on-site for 0L.

Available @ Ifrit (254, 19, 30).
Permissions: Copy / Mod / No Trans
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

Mystikal Hair Designs
The Sensitive Ponytail Guy (250L)

Another Hair Fair release. Playing off of feedback desiring similar styles to her “Combover Hair” Mystikal Faddoul follows up with another hairstyle aimed at the older male avie market. The practical hairdo accentuates an exposed crown which is followed by a lustrous, free-flowing mid-length ponytail that shows confidence and character. Ideal for the former hippie turned artsy philosopher. Mystikal welcomes the receding coif as “a style that will remind each of us of someone we have known at one time or another”. Available in 16 colors (complete pack for 2,200L), the “Sensitive Guy Ponytail” is flexified and reminiscent of everyone’s favourite collectibles store proprietor, Jeffery Albertson (a.k.a. Comic Book guy).

Currently available @: Hair Fair Site 1, Hermit Heaven (13, 78, 26).
Permissions: Copy / Mod / No Trans
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

[Renegade] by Kaejo DaSilva
West 54 Graphic Flame Janes in black and blue (129L each)

Flashback to a summer spent playing Tekken 3 to master Jin Kazama’s advanced Mishima technique. Jin’s customary outfits – usually a karate gi or jumpsuit or – always bore some sort of flame design just like this week’s release delivery from [Renegade]. Kaejo’s West 54 graphic flame jeans embody all the energy and ferocity of the vengeful Namco character, urging me to rekindle my game playing days. The black jeans are overspread with a calescent red flame and the blue jeans with a a more clement cobalt. For these and other casual fashions that run with an intensity that not even time can extinguish visit [Renegade]. The store also has a selection of free graphic/novelty tees for men and women.

Available @ Cleary (241,226,122).
Permissions: Mod / Trans / No Copy
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

Renown by Aitui by Jesseaitui Petion
Layered Polos (85L each or 375L 5-pack)
Hair: “Carved”, “Drift”, “Sway” and “Bleached Sway” (150L)
Unisex Denims (110L each, 300L 3-pack)

Polos. Sexy and studious these raw, organic textured longsleeves have a linen-like feel. The body colouring is outlined by a more deeply saturated hue on the unbuttoned sleeve cuffs and collar. The five colours – rust, brown, red, green and black – can be dressed down with a pair of jeans or dressed down with a nice pair of slacks. // Hair. In a week concentrated with coiffure Jesse enters the hair market with 5 short, black styles: the schoolboyish “Carved”, the laidback “Drift”; the breezy “Sway”and “Bleached Sway”, a the rock star worthy “Spikey”. Demos for 1L in-store. // Denims. For his first clothing release below the belt Jesse treats us to a set of unisexy jeans in light, medium and dark washes in 3 different styles: “Unison” and “Sliced Twice” which have strategic dissection lines and “Classic” for which the integrity of the jeans have been maintained. Stitching is pronounced and artfully diagrams the form of the pants.

Available @ Aitui (200, 175, 27).
Permissions � Polos: Trans / No Copy / No Mod
Permissions � Hair : Copy / Mod / No Trans
Permissions � Denims: Mod / Trans / No Copy
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

TRUTH by Truth Hawks
Gypsy Denim (110L)
Underground Jacket (185L)
Graphic tees (120L 2-pack)

Denim. Get down and dirty with 4 new pairs of veiny unisex jeans. Their grimy, time-eroded colours include “Yardy”, “Filth”, “Storm”, “Gravel”, “Nicotine” and “Stank” – which coincide with texturing from other Truth products. The reticulated texturing makes them very much like those jeans that you wear every day when given the chance. // Jacket. Unleash your inner badass with this half-zipped abrased leather, flanked with tarnished zip pockets. The worn, browning edges reveal the signs of over-wearing. The fit-to-body design paired with the soft light shading shows off the substance of the torso. // Tees. Let your tomcat tendencies shine through while wearing Neko-friendly graphic tees in navy. The four tees are divided into two sets. Pack one contains shirts with a doe-eyed kitten and another that states in bold hot pink lettering “Neko Boys Get More Tail”. Pack two boasts a cat that didn’t quite land on its feet and the bust of a geisha serving tea.

Available @ Plush Altstadt (98, 102, 497).
Permissions (all): Mod / Trans / No Copy
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes (tees only) | Friends List: Yes

F R E E B I E S

Kru’s Boutique by Kru Flan: Face Light (1L)
Simple two-component gadget with easy-to-use HUD interface that sheds an even light across your face, alleviating drastic contrast shading created by environmental lighting. Missauke (180, 205).

Hair Fair
Free men’s styles are available at the following booths: Gurl 6 by Six Kennedy (“Electric”), Here Comes Trouble by Bailey Mackenzie (“Beanie”), Wig Out by Bryce Tully (“Hairdizzal”, “Hot Rod”, “REZN8″), Wig Out by Ariel Black (“David-Vamp”). If you’ve noticed any others please post to share with other readers. Hermit Heaven and Prim Paradise. [Edit:] A listing of Hair Fair freebie providers is at the Savior Hair blog by Teagan Blackthorne.

Second Eyes by Watermelon Tokyo: Anime Eyes (0L)
Nicely textured anime style eyes. Overall, the shop seems to be a new player-friendly spot, offering a pair of black prim sunglasses and a eye set for for residents 14 days or younger – both for 0L. NineInchNerds (110, 34, 21).