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**

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.