Spring Cleaning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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