FW Platforms- Finally!!!

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

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

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

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**