Fashion for Gorean Free Women

Spring Obsessions

2010-04-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

Tal Ladies,
This is just a brief post (yea right!) about new releases from designers, as well as a designer I just rediscovered and an up and coming designer.

First we have a beautiful new dress by Lady Arwen. It seems that we have something very interesting in common. We are both obsessed with the new hit TV series Spartacus on STARZ. She has taken an interesting twist on an outfit of one of the main character's dresses. She made a very provacative dress, modest without boring it or aging the wearer. Though you can obviously see that it is Roman inspired, it is uniquely Arwen, as seen in her choice of textures and prim arrangement.
The necklace/tie around the neck is shaded and drawn to perfection. There absolutely no downside to this dress (and she knows I would tell her if there was :-p). As usual she provides us with an option of a low waist skirt as well as two top options. As always an excellent job Lady Arwen!

Next is also a well known designer, Lady Lux. I absolutely love her dresses for the days when I wish to look more modern, more unique or just stand out. I enjoy her designs because she has an ability of creating more modernized creations without it looking cheap and weird. I would wear this dress to a feast, play or ceremony. Her dresses are for the daring FW, who are looking for a modern twist on the usual sl FW dresses. I have a secret obsession with trains on dresses in sl, and Lady Lux has made my day.
I would also like to thank her and Lady Arwen for not over killing the solid colors, they both are very talented at meshing in the solids. I have seen way too many FW this season that look like a blob of red paint. Perfect choice of vertical lines in the dress, as well as a wide color palate while thankfully staying in a decent color wheel. The cuffs drawn into the sleeves did not escape my notice. Just beautiful!

Though I haven't been to this designer's store in a couple years. I came upon Lady Vivienne Daguerre at a Ko-ro-ba event two weeks ago, and I kept staring at her dress, I had to know who made her dress. Because of the lag I couldn't see who made the dress, so I had to ask her. She informed me that she made her clothes and she gave me a lm to her store. When I got there, I knew I had been there before, and realized that I had bought a wagon there a while back. Her new designs are amazing, and I would encourage all my readers to check out her designs.

This specific dress, I fell in love with it's simplicity, but overall good quality. She has an ability to make the dresses look effortless, without looking like someone slapped something together and just put it on sale. Good job Lady Vivienne!

Last but not least is a designer that I have been watching very closely for a while now, and she is improving daily. Lady Morgaine Price is one of those designers that becomes great through hard work and a great imagination. I will be honest, the very first dress I saw of her's I hated, but then I saw another, and another, and another, and I knew that one day she would be a great designer. I am completely amazed by her work ethic, and her drive to become a better designer. This dress proves that the potential I saw many months ago is real. Well done Lady Morgaine, beautiful work!.

She is reopening her store next weekend, and she will be sending a lm out to the group next weekend.

Dress 1:
Dress- Domina in Minerva Wine by Arwen's Creations
Hair- Brooke by Truth

Dress 2:
Dress- Elements in fire by Lux Aeterna
Hair-Marisela II (Blacks Pack) by ETD

Dress 4:
Dress-Medieval Lady by Black Rose
Hair- Tanya by Truth

Dress 3:
Dress- Wish in red by Mer Elf Creations
Necklace- Valva in red jasper by Silent Woods
Hair-Dharma by Magika

FW Platforms- Finally!!!

2010-03-31T23:41:00.001-07:00

What is anticipated to be very big this year among upper caste FW are Gorean FW platforms. A few months ago I sent out a challenge to all designers, to see who could make the best Gorean Free Woman platforms. Through submission and member referral I was able to find three designers that I believe have made my favorite platforms.

Lady Arwen Serpente's newest release. I love her interpretation on the FW platforms. Congrats Lady Arwen on a very creative shoe. Very beautiful!

Lady Stephania Vuckovic was the winner of my FW platform challenge 3 months ago. I love how she went with the chopine design I suggested, and made it her own. When I was reading the books the chopine design was what I pictured in my head. I also would like to thank her for being one of the first FW designers to actually take a different turn on the platform design that came before.

Up next is my favorite all time shoe designer Chopine Aura. She is nothing short than a "Prim Genius". She is an alt of Naergilien Wunderlich, a historical dressmaker (she thought it would be easier to start her shoe buisness on another account). She is a stickler for historical accuracy, which is good for me, because I finally found historically accurate chopines. I would like to say that I am the first Gorean FW to wear her shoes. I hope you will forgive me for keeping these platforms to myself before telling you about them, but it was nice to walk around and know that I was the only person who had platforms this beautiful. I am working on modifying them to so that they look like you have socks on your feet.

She is also the first designer I know to use the new invisible layer technology in the Secondlife 2.0 version. No more invisiprims yay!!! (Please send me notecards inworld about how you like the new sl version)

Even though she is not a Gorean designer, these platforms are perfect to use as an uppercaste FW. Do not let me catch lower caste FW in a market in these, because I will take a pic and reporting you to the fashion magistrate.

I hope everyone enjoyed this post. It was a long time coming. My 3 year search for FW platforms is finally over! *sighs and puts her beautifully clad feet up on an ottoman*

Fashionably Generous- Relay for Life

2010-03-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

It has been shown that the Gorean community is one of the most successful fundraising bodies within Second Life because of the simple fact that they are a community. One important factor, that I have found, in getting people to stay within sl is for them to find a community that involves and engages them socially. I believe this is similar in rallying behind a cause, in order for the cause to truly be successful it needs to be embraced by a community. The SL Gorean community has embraced the Relay for Life cause, and we are out performing a majority of other RFL groups. In order to help you locate more RFL vendors I have put together a posting of dresses that are being sold by Gorean as well as non-Gorean dress designers to help raise money for RFL. (I have also thrown in some accessories to help provide tips on how to wear these dresses.)

Dress- Muse II- RFL 2010- Evie's Closet
Veil- Leor- beyond the veil
shawl- ST Afghan Stole in black- AOHARU (I tinted it pink and then purple)
Modesty top- FW tulle- Husky

When talking to the owner and creator of Evie's Closet, Evangeline Miles, she explained to me her reasons for wanting to do her part in RFL. "I suppose because of my sister in law. When I was asked to participate in the Clothing Fair 2 years ago, she had been fighting cancer for a number of years already. And it was just a way for me to feel as if I were contributing something.... You get angry, and scared, and miserable, and sometimes there's nowhere for those feelings to go. So to have a purpose, to be able to make a real contribution, not just a virtual one, was a big deal for me. I love that people respond to the outfits I make, and I'm so thrilled that I raised over L$100K each year, for the last 2 years. That goes towards a cure."

Dress- Cassi RFL 2010- Shack

shawl- ::obesssion:: 24's shawl black blossoms
scarf-Peggy Mocha - Dela
vest- chest piece of Cropped Jacket
(Remember Ladies to be careful with black (caste wise), you can always offset the effect with neutral colors.)

Dress- Siren (Response) by Spellbound

Dress- Arwen- Voyager- Voyage of Hope Gown RFL 2010

*Sighs* Do I even need to comment on the amazing texturing and color job on this outfit? Just beautiful!

Dress- Lady Hope (RFL), Ania's Arsenal
Necklace- Sakura, Alienbear (RFL)

Well done Lady Ania on the details within the texture! Plain but very much detailed!

Fantasia- Nightfall- Purple RFL 2010

I absolutely love this nightgown. I added a modesty top underneath because I'm a prude, it all depends on personal taste or your FC. You can also wear this dress out, provided you put on a non-transparent modesty top. Thick gold jewelry would go well with the purple and black.

Chairs-Caste Seating Set Arm Chairs- The Great Serve
Table- Caste Seating set table
Bear-Relay for Life Bear 2010 LG by Falcon Nacon Ko-ro-ba
(he can take off his hat when touched. Isn't he cute!?)

Even the Margie's Corner set got a RFL make over!

We at FGFW would like to thank all the creators of the items I posted today. Thank you for your contribution in this years RFL. Thank you: Evangeline Miles, FireFox Fonda, Kendall Dagger, Arwen Serpente, Stephania Vuckovic, Dream Resistance, lilyanah Demar, Falcon Nacon, and everyone else who has created items but was not mentioned in the posting.

Interview with Stephania Vuckovic

2010-03-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

Margie Meng: Today on the set of Margie's Gorean Corner, we have the owner and designer of Ania's Arsenal, Lady Stephania Vuckovic. Thank you for joining us this morning, it is an honor to have you here.
Stephania Vuckovic smiles: a pleasure

Margie Meng: Do you remember how you discovered sl and why you decided to stay?
Stephania Vuckovic nods: a RL friend of mine got me started, her Brother had been playing a while and one of the big named Land Barons... well I came in to check it out and they're still in SL and I keep coming back for some odd reason still unknown to me...

Margie Meng chuckles "How long have you been involved in the sl Gorean community? Also please give us a bit of background on your sl Gor experience and story"
Stephania Vuckovic: well my very first SL partner was a Gorean Scribe from Tampica SIM... he's the one that got me started in reading the books while we were SL dating, he took me around traveling as a free dancing girl, he would talk to some of the tavern keepers to see if I could dance in the taverns for coins... some SIMs were all for it while others were totally against it, after 3 months of this traveling and experiencing, I think 20 Gorean sims, we companioned... 2 weeks after that he passed in RL and I guess I see SL Gor as part of my connection to his memory for it was something he and I enjoyed doing together.
Stephania Vuckovic: so that will be 3 years come March
Margie Meng: I am very sorry for your loss, I too lost someone dear to me in the Gorean community, and their loss definately played a factor in me staying. I think a lot of my readers can relate to this on some level. It being sl does not make the loss any less.

Margie Meng looks to her notes for the next question "What got you interested in fashion in sl?"
Stephania Vuckovic: honestly... when I was doing the traveling around with him it was hard to find something that I liked to wear in Gor... the only things I had to pick from than was the victorian gowns with the veil or this short camisk that showed all my goods.... Sandor wanted me as a Free Woman but not a high caste, so the first thing I ever made was a sleeveless dress that the skirt came to my knees... and with each role I involved in I made my own outfit for... til one day Jeanie Ashby and I started talking she had some land from her brother and than we just opened a store.... and it's grown sense then

Margie Meng: What is the main inspiration for the collect? Is there a certain time period or region on Earth or Gor that you draw on? Is there a certain caste you tend to lean to?

Stephania Vuckovic: Low Caste, is who I love to design from... the time frame depends on what region of Gor I'm in Ar was the mix of muslim and roman.... torvaldsland came from the vikings, well the romanticized vikings sense Norman wrote some had horns on their helms *laughs* ok I have a scribe that will kiss me when she reads this... Torvaldslanders are not the same as vikings... Torvaldslanders had horns on their helms and True Vikings didn't..... I love nomads of Gor I was corrupted dearly by a Tuchuk... who has been the little devil on my shoulder at times when it comes to design ideas... throwing me book quotes or found something on the web sending me a photo of and asking "can you do something like this?"

Margie Meng laughs as she looks again at her notepad "Which is your favorite outfit and why?"
Stephania Vuckovic: My favorate of all of them?... I have a hard time picking between Planswoman a very classic Mongal Designed Leather Dress shortened to keep from getting dirty with baggy trouses tucked into boots again to keep from getting dirty or snagging... And Peasant woman... I love the shorter skirting, sacked dress... it just makes me feel like I'm poor and common
Margie Meng: Planswoman is definately my favorite, you can see it in the back up on the wall. I loved the detail, and the use of color and light.

Margie Meng: What goes into making one of these outfits?
Stephania Vuckovic: hmmmm depends... sometimes I can make an oufit within an hour or it could take me a month to make one.... it depends on insparation and or if I have extra help from my toddlers

Margie Meng laughs "You were the first to my knowlege to take advantage of the scuptie technology and create the very first realistic robe of concealment. To this day it is my absolute favorite robe of concealment. What caused you to push ahead and create this dress?"
Stephania Vuckovic: Honestly... the robes of concealment insparation came from anger... I was RPing around as a peddler girl with a basket jams and other goods going around trying to sell these out of my basket... I had one man tell me because I was barefooted and my skirt was to my calf that I was begging for a collar and was unrespectable.... his free companion comes up to me and OOCly starts getting into my IM's about I needed to dress Gorean... this was a woman with a victorian gown, sheer top that her boobs could be seen and sheer veil..... I was sooo pissed after that RP that I locked myself on my platform for 2 days and looking up muslim robes and outfits.... and had it in my head I would put out something beautiful and show this witch up.... and you know what even though I was angry with her.... I have to thank her for being a complete jerk in my IM's or else I wouldn't have came up with the inspiration
Margie Meng grins "Even though I'm not happy that woman was rude to you (and a bit ignorant if you ask me), I am glad that it inspired you. I believe that you did a wonderful job"
Stephania Vuckovic: to be honest... it will always happen... people are going to form their own view on what is Gorean and what is not... and we all read the same passage and more likely we'll all see something different from that.

Margie Meng: What should we be looking for in the future?
Stephania Vuckovic: I'm working on the Boot like Sandles discribed that many of the men and some of the free women wear.... I've been doing research on roman foot wear to get a better view and idea at what was ment by boot-like sandals. And of course more low caste wear... from poor poor to middle class Gor
Stephania Vuckovic: I think the Market has been flooded with the rich upper caste clothing... I think I would like to make a move to bring more of the common Gorean unto the light.
Margie Meng: I most definitely will encourage you in this endeavor, because I have no problem finding clothes, but many of my lower caste friends do have a difficult time.

Margie Meng: What is the most difficult part of your job?
Stephania Vuckovic smiles and shakes her head: honestly is being a perfectionist.... I have about 100 or more outfits I have never released over the years due to I just thought I could do better, go back to them later and never have because my inventory is so disorganized and I forget what I have

Margie Meng nods "What is your favorite part of your job?"
Stephania Vuckovic: I love it when I see someone wearing one of my designs and she or he looks just fantastic and with a low rendering costMargie Meng: Oh that is definitely one of my favorite parts of you designs they are very affordable.

Margie Meng smiles "Well it seems you have made it through your first interview. Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions, and thank you for your contribution to the sl Gorean fashion Commmunity!"
Stephania Vuckovic smiles: thank you kindly... I'm truly honored for you taking time and notice of my little shop

After Thought:
What I enjoy most about Lady Ania is her ability to recognize the intricate caste system of Gor. She gives women who dare to play the roles that many of us shy away, authentic costumes. Even though she specializes in Lower caste FW outfits, she has made my all time favorite upper caste robe of concealment. Lady Ania's talents are vast and diverse ranging from upper and lower caste women's outfits to shoes to furniture to FMs clothes. She is the first person I IM when I am thinking of an outfit from the books and wondering if she has any ideas on the construction...most likely she already has made it, and just wasn't happy with it so it hasn't been released yet. She is an all around designer that I respect a great deal.

New Releases:

Interview with Luxianna Aeon

2010-03-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Margie Meng: I am here today with Lady Luxianna Aeon, owner and creator of Lux Aeterna. Thank you very much for coming this evening, its always a pleasure to have talent here on the set.
Luxianna Aeon: Thank you for asking me, it’s a thrill

Margie Meng: First question: How did you discover sl and why did you stay?
Luxianna Aeon: I first came to SL in 2006 and I have no idea how I found out about it. honestly, I can’t remember. Now it seems like I have just always been here. I think I might have read about it in a magazine or something
Margie Meng: Are you involved at all in the sl Gorean community?
Luxianna Aeon: I am somewhat. I try to roleplay but I easily get caught up in a new outfit. I am kind of obsessive compulsive about them once I start.

Margie Meng laughs "If I had your talent with making clothes I would too! What are some of the things you create?"
Luxianna Aeon: well I started with furniture actually, then moved to clothes, mainly Free Women’s. After awhile I started into silks for girls, then boys, and recently put out my first outfit for Free Men. I have also been making costumes for non-gorean rp, things like cyborgs or nekos
Luxianna Aeon: mostly I do gorean free women, however
Luxianna Aeon: that’s what I enjoy

Margie Meng: What got you interested in sl fashion?
Luxianna Aeon: hmm, for awhile I didn’t see a lot of Free Womens clothes I liked. A lot of the things I saw were drab and boring. So I started making things I would want to wear. Now there are a lot of designers for Gorean Fashions I admire

Margie Meng nods "How did this interest translate into opening the store? "
Luxianna Aeon: I already had the shop for the furniture and it wasn’t doing too well. My female friends were very encouraging with my designs and I was giving them out to them. People would ask my friends where they got the outfit and sales started to increase. A friend of mine owns Tigereye Designs, and early on, he and Siona would really encourage me
Margie Meng smiles "Oh I love Tigereye! I am glad they encouraged you, because your designs give a new flavor to FW fashion.
Luxianna Aeon: Next thing i know, I just kept growing
Luxianna Aeon: yes Val and Siona are great!
Margie Meng: What is the main inspiration for the collect? Is there a certain time period or region on Earth or Gor that you draw on?
Luxianna Aeon: Not really. I am inspired by my moods, and trust, I am moody, haha. Sometimes I want something flowing and bright, other times severe and dark. I tend to look a lot at earth fashions, see what’s popular and try to work it in. Whether it’s on Gor or Earth, I think women like pretty things and fashion.Luxianna Aeon: Like with the houndstooth tunic, or the Tinsel gown, they were inspired by current earth trends
Margie Meng: I definitely see the modern earth inspiration in your dresses. I think my favorite part of your collection is that your outfits come with quality OOC clothing, that people will actually want to wear. I have seen many designers attempt to include OOC clothing extras but you're the first to actually create stylish, modern and quality extras. How do you do it and where do you get inspiration for these stylish OOC clothes.
Luxianna Aeon: I like the idea of being able to go from a role play scene in gor, to say shopping on Earth or dancing in a club just by changing a piece or two. The outfit I am wearing right now was inspired by a Ukranian designer. I knew I wanted a certain look and feel, so I started surfing around the internet, looking for inspirations and found her collection. I have others though those are inspired by a piece of fabric I liked, or even by Lady Gaga
Margie Meng: Very interesting! I have talked to many of my friends and at times we can look at one of your dresses and see the inspiration from current fashions or TV which is a very refreshing break from some of the conventional Gorean inspiration

Margie Meng: Which is your favorite outfit and why?
Luxianna Aeon: oh my, hmm. I think the one I have done most recent is always my favorite. I see older stuff and hate it, or think how can I make it better? Hmm, Tattered Elegance I have loved, The Cobalt and Amethyst dress I wear a lot. I think I like those two because you don’t see much around like them. Especially with the Cobalt, it’s such a bold outfit, very colorful
Luxianna Aeon: Oh wait, and the Wanderer, I love that one, too
Margie Meng: One of my favorites as well *chuckles* I will have to get another for my daughter.
Margie Meng laughs "so many good ones to pick from"

Margie Meng: What goes into making one of your dresses?
Luxianna Aeon: A lot of time, Mostly. I had no idea how Photoshop and GIMP worked when I began, so I fumbled around a lot learning. It’s a big learning process actually. Trying to make each one better with folds and shading and highlights. I was a fine arts major in my 20s, so luckily I understand some of the basics
Margie Meng: I think that attention to detail and taking time to learn makes all the difference between the FW designers who are great and those who are average
Luxianna Aeon: It’s also time consuming finding the right textures. It’s aggravating to have an idea and not be able to find the texture you want
Luxianna Aeon: yes, there are some amazing designers out there who have it down. They inspire me to do better

Margie Meng laughs "That is why I would never make it as a designer because I just don't have the patience. If you were to give one reason for why people should buy your things what would it be?
Luxianna Aeon: oh my, hard question! Hmm, well if people like my designs I would hope they would support me, ha. I do this for fun, mostly, because I enjoy it. It does get costly to rent stalls all over and buy sculpties to add realism, but I look at this as a hobby, in a way. I do take a lot of encouragement from sales, simply because it tells me I am doing something creative that people enjoy.

Margie Meng: What is new for this season?
Luxianna Aeon: Right now I’m concentrating on warm things. Currently I’m working on a new kilt and sweater set, and a revision of the Tattered Elegannce set. I also hope to build a good inventory of Mens clothes. I am a pastry student, so between working full time and going to school, I don’t always put out as much as I like. I am already looking ahead to spring, though, with some bright, breezy dresses
Luxianna Aeon: The Tinsel dress I put out for the holidays sold well, too, which surprises me. So i think more romantic offerings in that vein as well
Margie Meng: We are very much looking forward to your new spring dresses!
Margie Meng: What is the most difficult part of your job?
Luxianna Aeon: Not having enough time during the school year. Sometimes the ideas start backing up inside my head and I get frustrated. Sometimes market managers annoy the hell out of me, ha, but that’s just part of the territory I suppose

Margie Meng laughs "I definitely know how you feel about the school year. I am currently in College and I don't get nearly as many post and events done as I would like. Indeed very frustrating! What is your favorite part of your job?
Luxianna Aeon: I think seeing people in something I created. I like to visit the cities I have shops in, RP a little. I was captured in a combat zone by a woman wearing various pieces of several of my outfits. As she was dragging me out, she pulled me right past a slave wearing one of my silks. It was kind of a cool moment for me.
Margie Meng chuckles "I bet!"

Margie Meng: How has your Second Life change since becoming a designer?
Luxianna Aeon: Being an SL designer has changed both my SLife and my First Life. It’s really made me more confident in my design abilities, which is nice. In SL specifically, it mellowed me out a little. I enjoy my time here more now because it has more of a purpose and is less about the role play and some of the drama that is invariably connected to it
Luxianna Aeon: Oh yeah
Luxianna Aeon: and I’m not spending as much of my real life money on it!
Margie Meng laughs "At times like that I wish I had some building ability!"
Luxianna Aeon: It can get expensive, for sure. New skins, hair, clothes, naughty bits...yikes
Luxianna Aeon: the amount of Lindens I have spent on hair alone
Margie Meng: Oh yes, I nearly fainted when I calculated the worth of my Gorean wardrobe alone.

Margie Meng: Last question, how did you come up with the name of the store?
Luxianna Aeon: There is a song I like called Lux Aeterna, I think it was on the soundtrack for Requiem of a Dream. I found it particularly beautiful and inspiring. Plus it kind of worked with my name, since most people call me Lux
Margie Meng smiles "On behalf of my readers and FGFW group members I would like to say thank you for your time. We would also like to thank you for your contribution to the sl Gorean fashion community."
Luxianna Aeon: Thank you for your interest in my shop!

Recent Spring release

Margie's After Thoughts- It was a pleasure to meet the person who created some of my most unique and imaginative dresses. Whenever I get sick of wearing Medieval or robes of concealment I think of Lady Lux. Against popular belief there is more than enough room for artistic interpretation and imagination when it comes to sl Gorean fashion. After all it is Second Life and imagination is king here.
**Please note that this interview was done 2 months ago**

Spring Cleaning

2010-03-22T08:59:00.001-07:00

Tal Ladies!!!
It's that time of the year again, spring time!!! This year sl dressmakers have out done themselves. I personally did not think they would be able to follow up the amazing winter collections...but yet again I was proven wrong. This season we are seeing a continuance of fabric draping, but I am seeing more designers drawing the draping into the shirt and jacket layers in order to leave attachment spots open or just for effect. For spring this year we have taken an unexpected turn toward angled skirts. I suppose designers have gotten a bit bored with the usual skirts, so they decided to add more diagonal lines.

Another trend for this spring are angled shoulder sculpties, that helps to separate the elements of the dress. It also tends to add depth to an otherwise flat design.

You all knew it was coming, but I must comment on Lady Arwen's new dresses. It encompasses all the new trends this season, as well as some of her own. I loved the veil so much that I bought this outfit in white just so I could copy and tint the veil to match other outfits. As usual she hits us with a double wammy, detail in texturing and in prim work. I honestly don't know where she gets the time to crank these detailed dresses out, one after another.

For the past three years I have been looking for intricately designed updos. As an upper caste FW you would have a kajira or kajirus to do your hair if you wished. I just can't fathom why anyone would allow a girl to get away with just pinning your hair into a bun. Now these hair styles from JE*Republic looks like it took some poor girl hours to create. I don't know if it will catch on, but I do hope so...think of the rp possibilities!!!

Below is a dress by Tuli, a mainstream designer who is trying her hand at RP dresses, mainly in a elven style, but I believe with the perfect accessories the possibilities are endless with these dresses. I found the flattened necklace, at "A la Mood". As you have heard me say many times before, you must fill in the empty spaces when adding modesty tops to non-Gorean dresses, because it will begin to look plain and thrown together.

I love "a la mood" for two reasons: 1st- They always have the thing your looking for, and 2nd they give you two attachment points. For a long time I could not wear high waist dresses with jewelry because they used the same attachment points. Thank goodness this trend of giving customers two attachment points is catching on.

I hope everyone likes my new skin as well. I was a bit behind on the painted on head hair trend, because designers take so long in releasing their ebony skins. It makes wearing hair that doesn't have bangs so much more realistic. This skin is from [KA].

I hope everyone enjoyed my post today. I would like to thank everyone for the flowers and the get well cards. It definitely helped in my recovery.

Skin- [KA] Zuri Mahogany

dress 1- Indunn Sabra- Aisha in red&tan

Dress 2- Arwen's Creations- Cashmere Rose

Hair- JE*Republic- Tarae III

Dress3- Tuli- Royalty 2

Veil- Arwen's Creations tinted tan from the Perle (coal & Cabernet) outfit

Necklace- Ala Mood- Celestial collar

Hair- JE*Republic- Narae

My Designer Challenge- FW Platforms

2010-01-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

Tal Ladies!

Earlier this week I sent out a challenge to all the Gorean Free Woman Designers. I am not satisfied with the FW platform slippers that have been created thus far within sl. So I sent of a picture of a chopine (A platform shoe worn by European women in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries) as inspiration. I am offering 2000 lindens to anyone who can send me a pair that meets my approval. This is what I pictured when I read the books and imagined these shoes. Hopefully I can start a new trend within SL Gor FW fashion.

I have already received one great entry that I believe to be the winner. Any takers? Spread the word!

Interview with Idunn Sabra

2010-01-04T11:14:00.001-08:00

Idunn Sabra on right (Note that her sleeves are not rezzed)

Margie Meng smiles to the Lady and begins the interview, "Today we are meeting with the talented Lady Idunn Sabra, owner and creator of Sabra's Dresses. Welcome to the new Margie's Gorean Corner set and thank you for taking time off your busy schedule to meet with us!"
Idunn Sabra smiles "oh.. it was pleasure and honor being invited... Lady.. "

Margie Meng looks to the first of her notes then back to the Lady "First let me ask the standard question, what brought you to Second Life and what caused you to stay?"
Idunn Sabra smiles behind her veil "my first steps in this world were like for many others... curiosity... and imagining what possibilities this medium can bring to us.. Chance to meet people from other cultures and of course here all is easier .. Very early I started building things.. and enjoying the simple creating process... this is I think what keeps me here.. people and chance to make things"

Margie Meng grins nodding and glances down at her notes for the next question "Let’s get a bit of a background on your sl Gor experience. How long have you been a part of the Second Life Gor community?"
Idunn Sabra "its no secret that when I stepped onto a gorean sim for the first time I had no clue about Gor and about role play. It was 2008 and it was a long process of learning. I was lucky to meet people who helped me a lot – such a lucky beginner."

Margie Meng: Where do you spend the majority of your time roleplaying?
Idunn Sabra sighs "Starting out I role played in a northern small torvie village, Jotunheim. It was a small community but I have to admit that when sim was closed it was a big loss for me. Later I joined Ivars Landfall, it is in the north as well. It’s not hard to guess why my dresses are simple - I made them for myself. When Ivars was closed I moved to Salernum and there is my homestone now. I love that place and the people who make this place in a way which forces me to get better and better"

Margie Meng grins as she takes a delicate sip of her Cosian wine, then looks back up to the Lady "What got you interested in fashion in sl?"
Idunn Sabra laughs "oh.. well.. I was looking for dresses which would be fit to northern roleplay but will not look like rags. We all have our taste and image of how our avatar should look. I wanted dresses which weren’t fancy and rich but on the other hand I wanted dresses which aren’t damaged. As a woman I have a big weakness for shopping and well… Creating my own dresses allows me to have both: dresses which you like and for free.. or.. rather for almost free"
Margie Meng: A very good reason to start creating!
Idunn Sabra laughs "best I know so far"

Margie Meng: Which is your favorite outfit and why?
Idunn Sabra blinks "oh.. well.. I’m horrible in this case… I really have many dresses from other great creators. And sad to say I stick to my own dresses.. When I make a dress for some weeks it’s my favorite one. Till I do another new one. Actually I liked my last released dress, Freda a lot. However now I’m testing this one, not sure if its deserving of selling. So all my thoughts are now about this one I’m doing now."

Freda

Margie Meng laughs "We actually have Freda up on the back wall now. What goes into making an outfit such as Freda?"

Idunn Sabra looks at wall and blushes "well.. I wanted to make something warm.. simple but with a shadow of elegance. I know it’s horrible talking this way about my own work but it is like I see this dress... My friend from Salernum who, I don’t know why , likes my dresses asked me once to make modesty versions of dresses, with hoods and veils. And I added it to Freda set. I do dresses which I want to wear.. Blame me and my taste for how my dresses look. I tried to do something that would be perhaps more fancy and rich but I couldn’t find a muse."

Margie Meng grins "I was going to note about how your dresses are becoming a bit finer and wealthier in appearance, maybe not overly wealthy but noticeably so. Is this a hint of maybe you leaving the north or is it just a phase?"
Idunn Sabra laughs "oh.. its just comes with time and skills.. Each dress is kind of a training ground. I have dozens unfinished dresses which i started but failed because I’m still learning things. And well.. I have to admit that all these women who are purchasing my dresses give me a reason to look for the next challenge.."

Margie Meng: I am glad that I am doing my part in encouraging you to continue *chuckles*
Idunn Sabra laughs "and its a good time for thank you.. "

Laura

Margie Meng: Who is your favorite designer in sl?
Idunn Sabra gasps "oh this is a hard question really... but first name which comes to my head is Ginny Talamasca. It’s sad that her things are not more available to buy. And if you ask me for favorite gorean designer I would say its Dream Resistance and Vilandra Miles from ViGo "
Margie Meng smiles "Good one, I enjoy shopping at Vigo!"

Margie Meng looks down at her notes again to refocus, "When I look at some of your designs I get a feeling of the 1920s. Was that effect done on purpose or did it just happen?"
Idunn Sabra laughs "Oh.. it has to be just accident. But I have to admit that generally when doing my dresses I want to run away from medieval tends.. Not that I have anything against it. Perhaps its lack of my skills or its just this mentioned lack of inspiration. Maybe its also because of the fact that I like steampunk style"

Margie Meng grins "I can see some of the steampunk influences in your designs. So what should we be looking for in the future from you?"
Idunn Sabra smiles "well my dear friend who is also a great creator, she said she can recognize my dresses from first sight. I’m not so sure if that’s a good thing. Perhaps something about being boring?" Laughs again "Well.. in my head there are so many things which waits to be made.. Lately i did some darker dresses but deep inside I believe that we all should wear more colorful robes... And when spring comes for sure I will wear some light dresses... with hope someone else will want to make our grey and brow Gor more vital"
Margie Meng smiles "You make some of the best spring robes, so I am definitely looking forward to this spring."

Margie Meng: What is the most difficult part of your job?
Idunn Sabra thinks a while "I would be lying if I said there is nothing that I don’t like about being a designer, but the whole process, from getting an idea, by looking for the best textures and shapes of skirts and additions, gives me pleasure and joy. Part of checking permissions and putting things in boxes demands patience and attention for no fail and I don’t want to let people buy things that they didn’t wish to have... "

Ax (summer/Spring skirt)

Margie Meng: What is your favorite part of your job?
Idunn Sabra smiles "oh.. I have to admit that I never expected that someone else would like my new releases. I do dresses for me even if its sound selfish. And then, when someone else finds it interesting and worthy of paying for... this is the most pleasing part of this ... that someone else will share with me that vision... In Gor I like that we have so many different styles. And every new customer makes me part of this. When I meet at an unknown city, an unknown woman in my gown - gods... it always makes me feel better. "

Margie Meng: That was the last question and on behalf of all my readers and group members we would like to thank you for your time and contribution to the sl Gorean fashion community.
Idunn Sabra bows head "and I thank you again for this talk... I wish you and all members Happy New Year"

Margie's After Thoughts- Out of all the interviews I have done over the years, this has to be one of my favorites because the designer was so humble and unaware of her great talent. We laughed and had a great time with this interview. It was truly a pleasure. Another aspect that I love about her designs is that they come with an abundance of options, take for example the dress I was wearing in the interview, Ax in maroon. The dress comes with both a summer/spring skirt and a winter skirt. It seems that all her outfits come with special surprises such as different styles of tops and skirts. I would urge each of my readers to take a visit to Sabra's Dresses.

Special Edition- Profile Pic

2009-12-31T05:49:00.001-08:00

Greetings Ladies,
Its that time of year again, the time when almost half of sl changes their profile pic for the new year. I have found the best photography company is sl. The company is called "Picture This Studio and Design". It is owned and operated by Lucias Lexenstar and Sylvia Bombastic, a Gorean FC pair. The lighting and creativeness of their pictures are unmatched! I have been searching far and wide for the best Gorean photographer, and I am confident that this pair is it. I believe that it is very important to have quality, beautiful and professional profile pictures because it is the primary view into your personal style seen by others when they look you up in search. I stand guilty of profile picture judging, when I am looking to hire someone, I look at their profile pic and if it looks horrid, I may think twice before hiring them.

Their pictures are affordable as well as beautiful, and I would urge everyone to get their pics done from Picture This Studio and Design for this New Year. I'm not going to go on in my usual descriptive paragraphs this time because I believe that their work speaks for itself.

Picture of Lucias Lexenstar and Sylvia Bombastic

My new Profile pics
This last pic I put in my children's lockets and they absolutely loved them!

Makeover Gorean Edition #1- New Assistant

2009-12-28T19:25:00.000-08:00

Tal Ladies!
This weekend a friend of mine from Urth decided to come live with me as an assistant and companion. Because she doesn't have a Gorean family and will not be actively rp she is caste neutral. She wanted to be able to fit in when we go to Gorean sims and events, so I decided she needed a Gorean makeover. I needed outfits that would not draw too much attention, and would look of good quality but not extravagant. For this project we decided to stick to a black, white and brown color set.

Before

After

Her first look is my favorite dress from Seamstress of Skjern, it is called The Scroll Keeper in black. I thought it would be perfect for the office when we are doing work. The corset that goes from just below the breast to the waist gives the appearance of a smaller waist. I absolutely love the lighting that was done on the skirt, giving a more realistic depth to the folds. This is a good quality dress that is perfect for scribes and scribe assistants. The hair is Hallie from Truth. She needed a demure, but beautiful hair style that would look as though it were effortless to create.
The next dress is Dora in black by Demure Designs, I got this dress specifically for interviews and dinners. It can be dressed down with a scarf and dress dressed up with a necklace.

The last dress is Hilary in Cocoa also from Demure Designs. I thought this would be the perfect dress for traveling to Gorean cities. It is caste neutral, sensible, and it also has the look of quality fabric. Add this cloak from Lions & Butterflies and you have a perfect outfit for traveling. The hair is also from Truth, and it is a perfect short ponytail that clasps at the nap of the neck.

Dress 1:
Scroll Keeper in black by Seamstress of Skjern
Hair- Hallie from Truth

Dress 2:
Dora in Black from Demure Designs

Dress 3:
Hilary in Cocoa by Demure Designs

Cloak:
Isabella in black by Lions & Butterflies

New Years with Friends

2009-12-26T17:10:00.000-08:00

Greetings Ladies!
Today I have a treat for you all. I was able to con the lovely dressmaker Lady Gaea Andel into modeling for my Upper Caste Woman New Years shoot. As most of us know it is very hard to get a Torvie Free Woman into any kind of delicate or fine material, but I will have you know this blogger has accomplished the impossible. For this New Years there is a move away from the traditional silver to more bronzes and golds.

I did not want to overwhelm Lady Gaea with delicate silks and satins, and I also wanted to capture some of her independent strong characteristics. I believe that this gown by Arwen's Creations has done just that. Many women do not understand that their clothes are an extension of their role. As the saying goes you can take the woman out of Skjern but you can't take Skjern out of the woman (or something like that). The amazing gold detailed textures on the collar of the shirt as well as on the jacket allows for you to go without jewelry. My favorite part of this dress is the bronze velvet fabric. Even though velvet is considered a luxury fabric, it is tough and thick which I considered perfect for getting across an understated strength.

The dress that I wore, I thought to be interesting because of the designers ability to distinctly encompass 4 colors within the dress (gold, red, black and bronze). In sl, caste colors can become played after wearing the same color all day every day. We have to keep finding ways to enrich and excite the usual color slate by playing with the color arrangement in the dress. The designer prevented the dress from being a usual empire waist by thickening the black strip that separated the two halves of the dress. This is a new twist to the usual dinner party dress, that will definitely gain compliments. I also added this thick necklace by Trident to occupy the empty space between the neck and the neckline of the dress. I have received a lot of comments about how I do not use Gorean jewelry designers within my post, so here is a perfect Gorean jewelry designer.

Any FW who cares about the quality of the food she feeds her family and guest will only shop for food at The Great Serve owned by Lilyanah Demar. I started shopping at this fabulous store about 3 years ago when it was only a small two room store. Since then The Great Serve has exploded in popularity. Each month she releases a serve that contains everything a slave needs to prepare and cook a meal (animations included) and a final platter along with 6 food plates for place settings. For my holiday meal Gaea and I had a Roasted Gant with Caramelized Peaches, and Carrots. These recipes are amazingly detailed which allows for enriched kajira role play.

Each December The Great Serve releases 30 bottles of Falarian Wine, which is the most expensive and rare wine on Gor. Each bottle sells for 1000L, but it is assured that no one will ever have the same bottle again. I buy my Father a bottle each year, because I continue to ask myself "What do you get a man that has everything?" In fact my Father has the first bottle ever made in sl from a couple years ago (I know I try to be an overachiever). Well this is the first year that I bought a bottle for myself as well, and I got the 30th and last bottle of Falarian wine. To celebrate the coming New Year Lady Gaea and I decided to have a taste of the rare and expensive wine. So what does 1000L wine taste like? Lady Gaea proclaimed it to be "a nice rosy taste with a hint of prim." I likened it to drinking a 1787 Chateau d'Yquem...sl style. I shall leave the rest to your imagination, but I will tell you that the 1000L is well worth finally finding a good drinking animation that doesn't look like you're break your back every time you take a sip. Happy New Years!!!

FW Outfit 1 (red):
Dress-Allison in ruby by Stone Keep
Necklace- Lunnitsa in gold by Trident

FW Outfit 2:
Dress- Refined Lady in bronze by Arwen's Creations

***Please Note***- Traditionally at home I go without a veil when I am dining with FW friends. but if I were to wear one with this dress, I would have used worn my Leora veil in black with gold trim along with a my Wren veil from Beyond the Veil. The Arwen's Creation dress comes with a head cover and veil that is sculpted to perfection.

Winter and Holiday creations

2009-12-20T13:16:00.000-08:00

Greeting Ladies,

I am sorry for the delay in postings, but I hope that this post will make up for my tardiness.
Last year I complained about the lack of in character banquets and dinner parties around the holiday season. I should be careful of what I ask for, because this year I have gotten 12 invitations to Gorean banquets and dinner parties. On top of having to find dresses for myself, I also have to help my sl daughter, who just turned 18 (note: she is well over 20 in rl) try to build her winter wardrobe. I have to try and find clothes for her that comes off as young and innocent. We have decided that more pinks, whites and silvers would be perfect for her, while I will stick with reds, golds and blacks. Fur is a really big thing this year in sl (The technology has finally caught up),and you cant get enough of it. Trends such as sculptie scarfs, large necklaces and brooches have continued from the fall into the winter.

This year Arwen's Creations has the best new winter outfits of the season!! The fur capes are the absolute best in sl! Also her Rohanna dress is the best holiday banquet dress of the season. The veil is perfectly draped, and the fabrics are just rich with quality. I want to personally thank Arwen for helping to start my daughter's first round of banquets with a bang. She has had all eyes on her at every party.

Remember Ladies that these dresses aren't just for Christmas because they come in all colors, and can be a great addition to your winter closet.

Outfit 1: Winter's coming in red by Spellbound
Outfit 2:WinterWonderlandGown in red by Falln Angel designs
Outfit 3: Jackie in red by Demure designs
Outfit 4: Plainswoman in red by Ania's Arsenal
Outfit 5: Sif in Snuggle by Arwen's Creations
Outfit 6: Sif in Burning Embers by Arwen's Creations
Outfit 7: Rohanna in Narya red by Arwen's Creations

It's raining shoes!

2009-11-11T06:18:00.001-08:00

To my dismay, many Free Women have been seen walking around in shoes similar to the one shown above. Ladies!! If I see another FW in peep toe stillettoes I shall report you to the magistrate. I understand that FW in the books had a type of high heel, but they were so tall that they were mainly worn at home and no designer in sl has attempted to make them *coughs*. I understand that sl gives us room for artistic interpretation, but not that much. My rule for buying shoes for my Gorean closet is if you couldn't walk down the street in 1800s England and before in it, don't buy it. Some boots you can get away with, but some things people try to get away with are ridiculous!!! Remember when shoe buying, get one in black and/or white and another in your caste color.

The first three pairs of shoes I consider the basis for your boot closet. The first is a Victorian type ankle boot by Lassitude & Ennui, these were my very first pair of boots that I bought to go along with my FW dresses. They aren't the sculptie versions because I bought them in early 2007. The second boot it called the Bloom Boot from Maitreya, it came out to rave reviews about a year ago, and I absolutely love them! The next item is the hot item for this fall and winter, Long black boots by J's. I believe every FW should have at least one pair of these boots, because can go with almost all everyday FW dresses. They also can be converted to ankle boots which are definately in this year.
Boot buying depends on the FW, because some FW are very strict and will only stick to flats, and others wear what they like. Because I am a lifestyler, I am a bit liberal on the boots.

"L&E" Elizabeth lace-up ankle boots in coal by Lassitude & Ennui

Bloom boots in black by Maitreya

Long Boots Round in black by J's
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The next three pairs of boots I like to call fun boots. They are boots that aren't neccessary, but they add a bit of something extra to your wardrobe. The first one is the Rose bootie by G-field, I absolutely love this designer. These boots can be worn with the fur or without. It is absolutely lovely and eye catching. Third we have the Voyager boots bt Arwen's Creations. I knew that Lady Arwen was talented but it seems she can also make lovely boots as well. There are no limits to this Ladies talents.

Rose Bootie by G Field

Anna Ribbon boots by G Field

Voyager Boots by Arwen's Creations
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Now here is the real basis of a FW's shoe closet, her slippers. This is the type of shoe that was most mentioned in the books. The first shoe is the basic flat by Fri.day. I searched sl far and wide, and these are the absolute best simple flats. They are must have for for every FW. I have one in almost all the colors.
The next two flats are from a really cool store called 50 flats that have a wide selection of flats. They have the traditional displays of shoes as well as gumball shoe dispensers. You pay the gumball machine and it will give you a random pair of flats. The imagination of this designer is amazing, I would definately recommend this store to you.
The next pair of flats are from a store called Emjay. I think these are the perfect flats for lower caste women. Simple yet good quality.

Basic Black Flats by Fri.day

50 flats

50 Flats

Brown ballet flats by Emjay

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Next we have shoes that I got from outfit or sets. You should always find ways to reuse parts of outfits or sets, so that you get your money's worth. After looking through my wardrobe, I found that I had many shoes that I had only worn once, because they were parts of sets. Many of these shoes were very detailed, because many designers like to carry the theme from the dress into the shoes.

Aelgifu boots from "Aelgifu" FW Gown by BINA

LadyMagic slippers from Lady Magic dress by Arwen's Creations

I hope that I have helped cure some of you 'Stiletto' Goreans out there. Remember this is my twist on Gorean FW footwear, and I hope that I haven't offended any "Strict by the Books" Goreans. I enjoyed doing this post and I hope you Ladies have fun shoe hunting. Happy Veterans day!!!

Margie Meng

Below the Poverty Line pt. 1

2009-11-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

I decided that today I would post a blog about FW peasants and she-urts. Though she-urts are at the bottom of Gorean society, only above slaves, they are Free women non-the-less. I have made a promise to all free women on SL Gor, that I would help them to make their closets the best for their role on Gor. That means all FW from the highest caste all the way down to the poorest she-urt, and every culture from every corner of Gor, I shall seek the perfect fashionable outfit for each role. I found this to be the hardest post I have ever done, because of the simple fact that I am of a high caste, and have never felt the need to look at peasant garments. So I have done some looking and I found a few dresses to start off this 2 part post.

First I will be talking about she-urts. I have traveled to a few cities and it seems that many she-urts are mistaking peasant women dresses for she-urt dresses. It is confusing when I see what looks to be a Sa-Tarna farmer's daughter picking through the trash and eating spoiled bosk meat. She-urts were dirty, hungry and at times desparte, but we can never forget that they are Free women. I have even seen some she-urts in slave camisk. Think for a moment on how a she-urt's dress became so dirty and ripped. At one point the dress was probably a proper peasant FW dress that covered her fairly well, when she found herself on the streets, she had to live in the dress 24/7. She may had to rip off a strip for a bandage or for some other use. Rips probably happen often because she may squeeze through tight places to get food and find shelter. She may only be able to wash it once a month, so it is probably very stained and dirty. When shopping for a she-urt dress, ask yourself "Was this once a proper FW dress?" If it's just a slave's rags then don't even try it!!
Next we have peasant FW. The thing to remember on this subject is, it all depends on your region. Some peasant women did not wear veils, some wore shorter skirts and others went barefoot. There were some FW who got their noses pierced, the list goes on. The important thing to always keep in mind is, could your character afford what they are wearing. I have seen peasant FW in silks and jewels of rich tones on sl, and I am here to tell you "THATS IMPOSSIBLE!!". If you want to wear beautiful, colorful and rich clothes, then rewrite your character so they are in a high caste.

She-Urt 1-
Dress- She-Urt green by Ania's Arsenal
Mud- Overt Mud by Overt

She-Urt 2-
Dress- SU Stripped Raggs White by Gutter Pup
Mud- Overt Mud by Overt

Peasant Woman 1-
Dress- Peasant Woman by I Got Charisma

Peasant Woman 2-
Dress- Peasant Robes by Merchant Tarl

Gypsy Inspired

2009-11-04T06:32:00.001-08:00

I put together this outfit by mistake one day while I was searching for a scarf that would go well with the dress. Instead I accidentally put on this lovely coat by crazy. I had never worn the coat before, and I was searching for something that would add a splash of red at the neck to bring the outfit together. The scarf by Leezu was the perfect touch to the outfit, by adding a layering and draping effect to the top of the dress.

I really do think this dress would do well for a woman of the wagon people. Though it may not be an authentic wagon dress, I believe in the right colors (maybe more earth tones, tans and browns) it can be pulled off. This dress evokes images of European Gypsy women and Gypsies have always reminded me of the wagon people. This style is in no way meant to offend any cultures, it is only meant as artistic interpretation.

Dress- Gypsy Chemise and overdress in red by Wishbox
Coat- Gaibiel Jackey by Crazy
Scarf- Miss Mara Scarf in ethno fire by Leezu
Modesty top- Husky

Trip down memory lane

2009-11-02T06:46:00.000-08:00

***BEWARE*** Some of the following pictures may be difficult for some readers to see.

So I have been trying to encourage some of my friends to send in some pics of themselves when they first started SL Gor. Needless to say no one wanted to come forth, soooo I shall go the first. I am very proud of my journey and my progression in fashion over the past 4 years. Below are some outfits that I would have worn to a formal event at the time. Buckle up your tarn belts, its going to be a bumpy ride through memory lane.

Margie 2006- Pre-flexi
Friend's 2nd Rez Day dinner party outfit
-During the pre flexi phase of SL Gor FW fashion there were linden skirts and Victorian stiff prim work. Authentic FW dresses are not possible to make with the limited technology.
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Margie 2007- Post Flexi/ Pre-Sculptie
My Rez Day dinner Party
-Post Flexi/ Pre-Sculptie- There was still a reliance on stiff prims to create details that textures could not. We still see dresses that would have up to 200-600prim.

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Margie 2008- Post sculptie
2008 new years party
-Post Sculptie- There are now dresses that have sculptie parts. Sculptie was slow in getting into FW fashions. We have a push to more realistic styles.

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Margie 2009 Post Sculptie/ Post Realism
My Rez Day dinner party
(I'd like to thank Lady DONATELLE ROSSINI for this style idea)

-Post Realism- Now we see almost half of the dresses sold are made with at least 30% sculpties. Scarfs and other accesories that were impossible before sculpties are being widely produced.

______________________________________________________________________

***Please send in your pics with your name in the heading along with the year. Send to Margie Meng*****

Autumn

2009-11-01T08:16:00.001-08:00

I am sorry Ladies that it has taken so long for me to post, but I hope this next outfit will make up for me being tardy. A lovely autumn dress by Nicky Ree. The flow of the sheer layers coupled with the heavy fabric underneath, gives an appearance of falling golden leaves. This is a perfect dress for upper caste FW who want to draw attention this Fall without looking like shes going to a costume ball. I am in love with the cape, it adds a very regal look to the outfit with it's long train. The necklace was added as a way to occupy the empty space between the neck and the top of the dress.

Dress- Autumn Bliss in red by Nicky Ree
modesty top- Madison's Creations
necklace- Uncut gem Necklace in orange by Swallowtail
Veil- Genevieve by Beyond the Veil
Hair- Cameron in espresso by Truth

This Fall

2009-09-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies! This is just going to be a post about the trends this fall in mainstream fashion and how they are crossing over into sl gor this year. First up is a big trend in scarfs and shawls that has been coming along for the past few months and is now catching on big time. Thanks to sculpties we can now have more realistic scarfs and shawls that aren't bulky and over sized. When this trend started only a few designers made them, but now you can pretty much get a scarf or shawl at any mainstream store. Even some Gorean designers are making dresses with sculptie scarfs and shawls now. I would recommend you always get one in black and one in your caste color.

Over sized necklaces will definitely be making their mark this season. My three favorite jewelry designers are Dona Flora, Swallowtail and Paper Couture. Dona Flora has made a reputation of giving her customers quality, realism and detail in every piece of jewelry she sells. Her diamonds are my absolute favorite.

Swallowtail brings together the imagination and finely crafted jewelry. Her store is a candy shop for women, everything is just absolutely beautiful. You will want to buy everything you see! Definitely take a look at this designer.

Paper Couture has the ability of bringing out the diva in everyone. Just stop by the store, and I promise you, you'll want to go on a shopping spree. This is one of their lesser known pieces (usually we see her huge Tumble Stone necklace), but even in its simplicity it is eye catching. Drawing eyes directly to it on almost every outfit its seen on.

The next noticeable trend coming over into Gor is mixing and recycling. It seems the economy is causing women to rethink buying expensive dresses and just focusing on accessories and re eventing the dresses they have. Now I was a bit skeptical, because I have a lot dresses, but I didn't think I would be able to mix and match them like many of the mainstream bloggers are doing. Never underestimate Margie!

Layer, layer, layer Ladies!!! I put a vest over the ruffled shirt and a belt over that. I believe that this is one of the most simple outfits to put together because it is just a shirt and skirt with layers over it. Take the skirt bottoms of your old dresses and just reuse them. Button up shirts are so cheap in sl its crazy. Use slexchange!!! Vest, are also cheap and easy to come by. You saved so much on the outfit you can probably splurge on jewels (OK we all know Margie can't save). Scarfs are a cheap and colorful addition to a shirt and vest set.

The important thing about this trend I believe is your ability to tint or recolor skirts. To darken the color or lighten it. The outfit shown above in red, I darkened the skirt slightly in order for it to flow with the poncho. It takes a bit of work, but I believe it is worth it.

I never get rid of anything, I just have a storage dress folder. Once something goes out of style it goes into the folder, because sometimes it does come back in (or I'm just a pack rat). I was able to re-event and update a few outfits using the layering and shading methods. I only spent 600L on vest, shirts and scarfs, updating 10 outfits that were just never going to comeback into style. Considering buying 10 whole outfits would cost you anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000L I think I did good. Who says I can't bargain shop! *Looks down the street and spots her favorite jewelry shop* Um...well I have to go now, but remember Ladies anyone can be a fashionista with work! *In a flash of red robes she sets out at a fast pace down the street toward Dona Flora.*

~Scarf 1~
Kashmiri Shawl in black- by Zaara
~Scarf 2~
Peggy in black by DeLa
~Scarf 3~
Pashmina Scarf in black by Adam n Eve
~Necklace 1~
Aurora gold set by Donna Flora
~Necklace 2~
Mary Necklace by Donna Flora
~Necklace 3~
Butterfly Necklace by Swallowtail
~Necklace 4~
River Stone Necklace by Paper Couture

~outfit1~
Skirt- FallnWinterWonderlandGown Slim red skirt by FallnAngel Creations
undershirt- Madison's Creations modesty white top
veil- Ariana Veil - by beyond the veil
shirt- LLA008_01 Ribbonribbon by Lico Nyanda
Vest- Long vest in charcoal by Fri.day
Scarf-Fabric scarf by Paper Couture
Belt- Belt by London Darkes

~Outfit2~
Poncho-Sarah Poncho in darkred by DeLa
Skirt- Zarya Gown Flex skirt in red by Analise
Modesty Top- Madison's Creations modesty black top
Veil- Leora by Beyond the veil

Last Maternity....I promise

2009-09-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

So I just had to do two more maternity dresses that I absolutely love. Please forgive me for not styling a veil with them, because I just was on a veil mind block today. First up we have a lovely dress by Madison's Creations, and it is called Jocelyn.

Be advised that she has maternity skirt add-ons to some of her dresses, but I found that I only needed the regular skirt. This maybe because I am only half way into my pregnancy and my belly is not big enough for the maternity skirt. But I would hold off on buying the MC maternity skirt add on until you really need it. I believe that this is the perfect upper caste maternity dress, it is very well textured and the sleeves flow perfectly with the dress. I added a large piece of jewelry to the top to occupy the empty space between the neck and dress.

Next we have a lovely dress by Alluring sin. This is Dora Maternity in red, and it is what I would call an everyday dress. I would definitely recommend this dress for working women (scribes and physicians) as well as on the go moms, because of the maximum comfort this dress gives. I cannot stress enough Ladies the importance of good quality textures. In my book you either have excellent prim work and prim detailing or excellent textures that do the detailing for the dress. Alluring has definitely mastered the texturing details. On this dress I added a scarf by DeLa, to keep it on the casual everyday work side. This dress is subtle yet hard to miss. I would recommend this for late in your pregnancy when your belly can fill out the space.
***Notes on Maternity!***
For the first week or two when you have a small bump I would recommend Evies Closet empire waist dresses and just add modesty tops with the the ones that don't come with them. Also split up your dresses into beginning, middle and late part of your pregnancy so you have more variety at different times. Not everyone wants to buy a closest full of Gorean maternity as you will only wear it for a few weeks then probably never look at it again. Its not hard to convert other dresses into maternity so make a maternity folder and copy some existing dresses that you have modified into the folder. Have a happy pregnancy and remember women it is your birthright as free women to give birth take pride in it.

~Dress 1~
Dress- Jocelyn by Madison's Creations
Hair-Gwenevere in expresso by TRUTH
Necklace- Tumbled Stone Necklace by Paper Couture

~Dress 2~
Dress- Dora Maternity in red by Alluring Sin
Scarf- Peggy by DeLA
Hair-Cora in black by ETD

Lovely Mommy Sighting

2009-09-30T06:40:00.001-07:00

I just recently found a physician, Lady Dharma Debruyere, to visit for my pregnancy. The interesting part is that she is pregnant as well. She is expected to give birth to TWINS sometime this week. I wish her all the luck! I have seen her two times and on both times she looked stunning even though she must have been tired of carrying around the excess. I absolutely love the belt on this ensemble, as well as the skirt. She did a great job putting it together!

Dress- Aliquette by Spellbound

Maternity!

2009-09-23T06:53:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, I now have a bun in the oven. I had no idea it was this hard to find Gorean FW maternity dresses in sl. After all this is the main reason why FW exist on Gor. So I have searched sl for Gorean maternity and I have had to create my own maternity out of existing dresses. The key to this is that the dress cannot have a linden skirt, but a flexi skirt. It has to be mod and you have to have patience. I put this outfit together for time in the house, but you can also wear it out shopping. If any of you have any maternity suggestions please IM Margie Meng.

I will be posting 2 more maternity blogs, so stay tuned.

Dress- Kahlan by Mystic Sky
Veil-Leora by Beyond the Veil
Modesty top- FW tulle undershirt white by Husky

Working Women

2009-09-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

In secondlife it's really hard to give the appearance of working a long hard day. What makes our avs so great is that we can be perfect all the time if we want to. No bed hair or bad breath. This may be a disadvantage in rp. At times we want to look messy, like we just cut off a limb or baked bread. So Ladies lets get messy!
Alluring Sin of Demure designs has created three dresses for the working Women. Scribe, physician and baker are the three dresses that she has craftily made or should I say craftily messed up. They all come with props, one clean dress and one not so clean dress. The physician has blood splattered on her dress and bloody hands. The Scribe has ink stains on her hands and ink smeared on her dress. The baker has flour dusted everywhere. When I saw these dresses I actually wished I did caste work. So for these fab and messy dresses you get 4 out of 5 tarns Alluring, Good work!

Dresses-Gerta Working Dress- Baker, Gerta Working Dress-Green, Gerta Working Dress-Scribe
Hair-Chelsea in espresso by Truth
skin- Hana by Redgrave

The Jewell Theatre

2009-09-04T03:08:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I had the privilege of spending a rehearsal with the best acting company in SL, the Jewell Theatre. Two weeks ago I went to a play on the Isle of Farnacium with my Father. The play was called "The Ost", the script was very witty and funny, catering to a more FW audience but can be enjoyed by all. What I enjoyed most of all was the grand sets and the beautiful costumes. I have always enjoyed theatre in SL, but the Jewell Theatre has combined my 3 favorite things SL, Gorean fashion and theatre. They have a wide range of actors and I had the pleasure of interviewing two of the actresses. Lady Keyla Destiny and s'anne (Sanne Theas) are the two actresses that gave me a view into the world of the entertainment caste.

What may be the most unique part of this group is that they fit the rolls to the person not the class. Though Lady Keyla is a FW she plays a slave in the new play "Free", she says that at first she "was feeling rather uncomfortable thinking about losing her dresses and having to kneel" but her passion for acting is what won in the end. s'anne who is a slave in everyday SL, plays an Ubar's daughter in the "Free". she says that it's "interesting especially when you have a Master on His knees in front of you... but it makes becoming the role more defined." The sim that the Jewel Theatre is located on is Pilgrim Bay a very FW friendly area. You have no need of escort because they usually have security on call at all shows

I promise you when you go to their plays you will notice the costumes. The clothes are approved by the lovely and talented Director/Writer Fake Jewell and at times picked out by liat and dara.
I decided to have a bit of fun with this posting and show you my take on two of the Jewell theater costumes.Hair- Gogo in espresso by Truth
Cloak-Lucille cape in Black by Lions & butterflies (best cloaks ever!)
Veil- Scarlet Gown veil by Merchant Tarl
Dress- Immortal dress by Emo City

Hair-*Doll* in Black by Mirai Shan
Dress- Saiyge by Evie's closet
Modesty top- modesty top in black by Madison Winthorpe
Necklace-Ivy necklace by AlchemyImmortalis Cyannis

The next dress is one of my favorite costumes, modeled by s'anne. This dress is from Evie's Closet, and it has a lot of detail. As you all know by now I am a "prim detail freak" I must have prim detailing and I'm not talking about just slapping on a sculptie . I like it when designers mix sculpties with flexi and regular prims. Sculpties may be faster, but they don't get the wow factor points. I enjoy looking at a 70 prim arm piece and figuring out which is sculpties and which isn't, and its even better if I can't. Good job Jewell Theatre costume team.
Last but not least we will be taking a look at the lovely sets. Every gorgeous outfit needs a lovely setting to complement it. Dorian Cao creates these amazing, jaw dropping sets, that gets praise from the audience after every curtain raising. I didn't want to ruin the surprise you get when seeing these sets in person, but I had to show you a peak at one of the sets. This is my favorite it's a full scale Panther camp, that Dorian has some how fit onto the stage of the Jewell Theater. I look forward to every scene to see what will pop up next. A full scale slave auction, an Ubar's daughter's room, a tavern , a physician's office and even an Ubar's office. What next Dorian? A city block? I have no idea what's next, but I'm sure going to be there to see it.

Special Thanks to:
Fake Jewell, Ketter McAllister (publicist), Keyla Destiny, s'anne (Sanne Theas) and Dorian Cao

Sun Princess

2009-08-25T14:42:00.001-07:00

This outfit is what I call Sun Princess, because it looks as though she has a sun crown. The colors are also very rich and regal. When I first bought this outfit, I was at a lose as to what I should put with it. Because of the cut it can be easily overpowered by jewelry and accessories. So I decided that I would take a subtle yet eye drawing approach.
The head piece and veil are from Beyond the Veil. I didn't want to over state the sun theme in the dress by going with red and orange. Instead I stuck with red and blue, representing the sun and the sky, allowing the head piece to do most of the speaking for the theme.

The brooch is a lovely addition to the dress creating the appearance of pinning the overcoat together. I just felt that a necklace would draw attention away from the theme, so instead I went with the brooch making it an actual piece of the dress.
The prim skirt is very lovely, it gives the look of a two layered skirt. This dress is very beautiful, and eye catching. I recommend this outfit to any high caste Free Woman who is trying to catch the eye of that special someone.

Veil and Head piece- Reina veil and hair piece by Beyond the Veil
Dress- Decadent in Red by Fantasia
Brooch by AlchemyImmortalis Cyannis
Skin- Hana by Redgrave
Hair- Skin- Hana by Redgrave
Hair- Allure by Sirena Hair

Few of My Favorite Things

2009-08-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

Today's dress is by my all time favorite Gorean FW dress designer Alluring Sin of Demure Designs. She is an all around designer meaning she can do prim work and textures. Her designs come off simple but at the same time intricate in her attention to details. This is one of her older designs, but she has redone the skirt giving it a full body as well as a subtle layering affect. The flexi prim movement is perfect in every way, drawing all eyes and complements. The trimming on the dress gives it a finished look that is lacking in many FW clothes. All of Alluring's dresses are excellent; this one is one of my favorites. Lady Alluring has set the bar I give this dress 4 out of 5 tarns.

Originally I had shrugged off Beyond the Veil because I always considered their veils to be over the top and dramatic. Recently I have gone back to take another look. I was surprised! Hidden among the dramatic veils are simple yet artistic works that will get second glances. Also some of her newer veil packs have layered veils on different attachment points that may help authenticate your character’s wardrobe. In the past I have had to find many similar styles of veils and try to attach then to different points in order to get a 5 layer veiled effect. The under veil which I used as the house veil has an intricate working of chains underneath. The street veil is the above the eye veil in the Wren pack, and it completes the veiled effect by keeping with the chained theme.

The necklace is by luc fashion jewelry formerly known as Earthtones. My rule of thumb with buying necklaces for free women is to try to get the shortest necklace to be two inched or more below the neck, so no mistakes are made. I didn't want to overdo the chained theme so i went with a black triple stringed beaded necklace. The gold beads in the necklace bring cohesion with the veil and dress. Ladies do not be afraid to wear jewelry, just use your common sense! No chokers, wearing them is not bold its being stupid!

Thank you for reading my posting, more details on the pieces in the dress are below. Don't be afraid to IM and ask questions or have a chat.

Lady Margie Meng
Dress- Kaitlin in Merlot- Demure Designs by Alluring Sin

Veil 1 (House Veil)- Genevive Face Veil - Beyond the Veil by Ylusive Surface

Veil 2 (Street Veil)- Wren Above-the-Eye-Veil in the Wren Veil set- Beyond the Veil by Ylusive Surface

Necklace- Grazia Necklace- (luc) fashion jewelry by Lucas Lameth

Hair- Marisela II- ETD by Elikapeka Tiramisu

Back from Extended Leave

2009-08-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

Tal Ladies

It has been a very long time since I last posted, and I wanted to tell you the reason for the delay. I was experiencing some computer problems and thus could not access SecondLife. With that said, I would like to inform you that I will be back in full force. An outfit each week will be posted along with my many Gorean fashion rules. I have a great passion for both Gor and fashion, so bringing them together is a dream come true. I would love to hear from everyone with both fiery hatred and contructive criticism.

Lady Margie Meng

Bustled Beauty

2008-06-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

Today's dress is yet another one from Lilyanah Demar. The dress has an optional cloak for those cool sl afternoons. The simple detailing on the chain and shoulders of the cloak is nothing short of lovely. The lace trimming on the dress could have ended up looking like a thousand other dresses as well as cheap looking. Instead the lace trimming added an edge of danger and sophistication that took the over all look of the dress in a different direction. The bustle in the back of the dress, added an interesting detail to an otherwise plain skirt. The three-quarter sleeves with ruffles on the arms are my favorite part of this dress, they seem to move perfectly with my av, giving it more of a rhythmic feminine appeal. Altogether I give this dress 4 out of 5 tarns.

If you have any questions, or you wish to tell us about a quality free women's dress store that is above average please IM Margie Meng.

Detailed Dream

2008-06-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the delay in getting out the next blog, but I hope this makes up for it. The first dress I want to show you is one by Lilyanah Demar owner of The Great Serve. I have just come across her Free Women dresses, and they are both lovely and detailed in her use of prims. This dress is called Habit Gown in red. When I look for Free Women dresses I look for the movement of the gown, how it covers and comes back into place. In keeping to those standards I give this flexi skirt 3 out of 5 tarns. The down side of this dress is that the textures were not up to par. Despite the choice of textures I could not resist the prim work on this dress. Excellent work Lilyanah Demar!

Starting

2007-12-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

I have noticed that all the high fashion designers in Secondlife only focus on the slaves of Gor, and thus I believe that there should be more focus on free women's dresses. In starting this blog I will also start a group on Secondlife, titled Fashion for Free Women of Gor. Please promote high fashion among the FW of Gor. I wish to force designers to make more stylish and detailed clothes for FW.