Spring Obsessions

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

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**

The Jewell Theatre

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

Back from Extended Leave

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