RELAY is on its way

Announcing the Relay for Life, Clothing Fair 2008
The much anticipated Relay for Life, Clothing Fair will be opening it’s doors March 17, and run thru March 23, 2008.
Jam packed with live music, treasure hunts… and fashion shows this year’s fair features 80 of SL’s premier designers!
Kicking off this years Relay for Life Fundraiser will be a multi-sim St. Patrick’s Day celebration and running 24/7 until the doors close on the 23rd.
Did I say Multi-Sim? I did, didn’t I. With names like BeWitched, Armidi, Callie Cline, Rebel Hope, Nicky Ree, Awesome Designs, Aitui, Sherona DeGroot, Rfrye, Nocturnal Threads, Barefoot Designs, RPD, DE Designs, Night & Day, Mischief, Goth1c0, way too many to list… what choice did we have!
This year’s concept, spearheaded by Pips Fetid and Nevar Lobo spans five sims to ensure low lag, positive shopping experience.
So mark your calanders, check events, and save your Lindens. Come stroll the seasons and help us “Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back”.
We can make a difference! Until there's a cure, there's Relay for Life.
Giggles...Synergy

This year’s event is being sponsored by Second Style Magazine, The M2 Fashion Angels and the SL-Newspaper.com

TWIN TOWERS MALL HOLIDAY SHOW AND GRAND OPENING

DATE: Sunday, December 30, 2007
TIME: 10:00 am SLT
Pigra -- The Twin Towers Mall will host a gala Grand Opening of their facility by presenting a Holiday Fashion Show at the official opening of this elite satellite shopping location.
The spectacular fashion show brings together, on one runway an elite group of the some of the most influential designers in SL.

Designs from Lexi Watkin of Formal Affair, Rockwell Maltz of The Made Men, Woozie Gumshoe of Woozie's Creations, and Montana Corleone of Mode Provencale will be featured in grand holiday style amidst the work of Denise Domela of Paradise Landscaping.
Ring in the true holiday season with Twin Towers Mall and join in the celebration.

TWIN TOWERS MALL HOLIDAY SHOW is presented by TWIN TOWERS and produced and choreographed by Rusch Raymaker of Avenue Inc.
For questions regarding TWIN TOWERS, please contact Maggie Mahoney (Marketing Consultant, Sand Castle Studios)

Mannequin Model Search part 2

And The Winners are...
#3 Aleida Rhode
#2 Alize Decosta
#1 Wynter Kidd


But because the voting was so tight as all were wonderful models a special honor was handed out to the other 6 hopefuls .....Deuce Barthelmess, Davey Hullabaloo, Polaris Benelli, Emma Arbizu, Mcooter Graves and Turlututu Chaffe....they are all now models with Mannequin.

Congratulations to all involved. We should be seeing them all within the next few weeks as they start their new careers in SL by showing us the latest styles.

Photo by reporter Dashwood Dayafter

Path Cut? Hollow? Shear?

If you don't know what all these terms mean, consider taking a building class.
I recently dropped in on an ASL class called "Building Rustic Covered Wagons" taught by Sunn Thunders. The students were spread out around the instructor, who gave them easy to follow step-by-step directions:

Sunn Thunders: Change the SIZE of this box to X=4.5, Y=2.5, and Z=0.2. Lower this piece into the bottom of the sideboards to form the floor of the bed.
Look for the BUILDING BLOCK TYPE under the right side of the Object tab in the Build window. Change the BUILDING BLOCK TYPE to CYLINDER using the pop-up menu.
Next, HOLLOW this cylinder to 95 to make it as thin as possible.
Now for some fancy magic...
We are going to reshape this cylinder further by cutting part of it away.
Look for the PATH CUT under the right side of the Object tab in the Build window. Change the PATH CUT to B=0.15 and E=0.85. Watch how a portion of the cylinder gets cut away.
Look for the TOP SHEAR under the right side of the Object tab in the Build window. Change the TOP SHEAR as follows: X=0.5. Watch as one side of the cylinder gets pulled off center.

I watched as plywood boxes became covered wagons all around the building area. Its fascinating to realize that YOU have the power to create just about anything. Take a class—learn some new skills.
Sunn Thunders teaches for the Academy of Second Learning (ASL), but there are plenty of classes around.

by Isolde Flamand

A 'HUG' Debut

On Saturday morning I was summoned to the strangest debut I have ever seen.
I arrived to find a HUG fest going on, totally confused I asked Eymerich Lane what on earth (or SL) was going on, he gave me the following notecard:
Announcing the Winter Solstice release of Amandote!, a stunning new jewelry collection from Random Calliope. The Amandote! set consists of a necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring and will be available in 18 collectible colors. Possibly even more exciting then the news that Random is again releasing is the fact that this set has a price that everyone can afford. A complete set of this delicious jewelry costs exactly one hug, not a single linden need be spent. This is a gift that celebrates the season by propagating goodwill, love, and beauty from person to person.
Inspired by the Latin rhythms of the salsa, Amandote! is the perfect way to commemorate the Winter Solstice this December 22nd. The heat, spice, and passion that are inherent in the music and dance of the salsa will take the chill out of this, the longest, darkest night of the year. The Winter Solstice is that point in the earth's cycle when the descent into winter is halted and the expectation of spring begins to blooms again. In essence the Winter Solstice is a celebration of hope and rebirth and following that sentiment, Random gives to SL the gift of Amandote! May the hope for a better tomorrow flow through you all as you embrace your fellow man in friendship today and through out the year to come.
Come celebrate with us on Saturday morning, December 22, 2007 from 8-10 am slt at Popeye's Beach Club. Random will be on site giving out hugs to one and all. So please do join us, collect a hugger, and begin embracing those around you. The more you love, the more love, and jewelry, you receive!
If you can't make the debut of ¡Amándote! on Saturday morning you will be able to pick up the hugger animation at either WorthWhile or Popeye's Beach Club at your leisure.
Locations to obtain hugger animation:
WorthWhile ~ http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ode/157/30/25
Popeye's Beach Club ~ http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pamran/49/57/26

I couldn't stop smiling after reading this and looking around at all the hugging going on, it was a sight to behold. I sent Random an IM telling him so :) and asking him one question - WHY?
this was his answer:
Random Calliope: A hug is the right way to make people remember they're loved
dana Vanmoer: but you are giving away prizes for hugging?
Random Calliope: They're for others to give away, not me. I'm fulfilled, and in that I'm selfish too. I seek my own joy, and in the joy of others I have found it.

A joy to behold and I hope a way to give a little love back to others.
Congratulations on a wonderful idea Random and thanks for the hug!
Dana XXX

Finding a Furred Avatar (Do You Love the Skin You’re In Part 2)

Some friends and I were recently talking about articles in the SLN, and I mentioned Dashwood Dayafter’s article, “Do You Love the Skin You’re In,” of which the topic had also recently been discussed on Second Life TV. Discussing it, it was suggested I do an article about finding a “furry” avatar.
If you’re looking for a furred avatar, especially if it is going to be the one you'll be using all the time in Second Life, selecting one can depend on a number of factors. Cash is one consideration, as some avatars sell for over a thousand lindens. If you’re short on cash, there are some halfway decent free ones out there. I saw one newcomer at Luskwood ask about them and got a good purple catgirl avie from someone for free, as well as a squirrely one.
Then there’s what kind of appearance do you want? Felines and Canids are the most popular, but vendor machines have all kinds (skunk, mouse, bat, panda, etc.) and usually in a variety of colors.
And exactly how do you want your appearance? Some vendors go for cute and cartoony. Others go for a more balanced look. And if by chance you can’t find something you’re looking for, some builders will take the job of making a custom one for you.

One other question, especially for the guys, is how clothes will fit on you. A guy who plans on going to formal parties may want to stick with something that has legs very close in shape to normal human avatars as tuxedo pants will not fit a digitgrade.
That tail of yours will also be sticking out of whatever you wear, as will any hairs on places on your body. The adjustable option for your clothes will be very convenient, if not a must. For a fashion designer, the furry male can be something of a challenge.

Do you have or are planning on getting a job? Obviously, if you’re looking for a position as a bouncer in a club, a big wolf looks better than a small mouseboy.

Some furred avatars can also do things normal human skins can’t. Some have ears that can fold back or automatically wiggle. Tails in some can wag. Some as they walk around can temporarily leave footprints on the ground. Skunks can spray. Bats have flapable wings and can fly around in a more natural looking manner. There are also furred avies with a “feral” option, able to run around on all fours like an animal avatar, as well as on two like a human.

There are numerous places where one can get a furred avatar. Regrettably, a few of these places also cater to customers with risque tastes (at least one puts that stuff in it’s own room). Two with strict policies on clean items are Luskwood and Rocket City. Luskwood, the home of Luskwood Creatures and Luskwood Bunkies, only offer their own avatars for sale, but the place is also a social hangout, and one can get advice about avatars from the people there, as well as get a look at numerous avatars being worn. Rocket City has vendor machines from a number of avatar makers, furred and a few nekos. They also have some attachments such as flex-tails, and a little clothing. This is among the best places to shop for a furred avie, if not the best.

For myself, I went with the Luskwood Red Fox, substituting the tail that came with it with a “Flex-Tail” from Rocket City. It doesn’t have a lot of frills, but I like it as it seems to suit me, being part “redneck,” as well as a sci-fi fan. Most clothes I come across fit it okay, though the pant bottoms can be a problem sometimes.
Since getting it, it has been "me" in Second Life.
Some people I know have also stuck with their first avatar as their main one. Others have changed it as they acquired more cash, going either for another brand of the same kind that they thought looked a little better to them, or something else entirely.
A friend of mine whom I met as a skunkboy later changed to a fox, then got another brand with a slightly different look.
One can also buy additional avatars to wear on occasion much like one would wear a set of clothes, such as for a costume party, RPing, etc. Or they may change to keep from being bored with a particular look. Most still have one they see as their identity in SL. But some never do settle on a single appearance, buying a number over time and changing their forms when the mood strikes them. One lady I know who calls herself a “shapeshifter” says she has over 50 avatars, furred, free, and otherwise.

So whether you plan to have a furred avatar as your only one, or just something to wear once in a while, put a little thought in what you want.

Bixyl Shuftan

HRN Teleport HUD

Watch this video tutorial (poor quality under construction). Click here.

Save yourself thousands of unnecessary clicks with this gadget.

The HRN Teleport HUD is a Second Life gadget that will save any locations in Second Life in a quick and simple manner. It can share the saved locations with a friend list by sending them an slurl by instant message of every location saved, and may give saved locations to avatars in a 90 meter range of the owner.

The color of the HRN Teleport HUD can be changed to white, grey and black, and the transparency level can be changed to make it less visible
The owner of the HRN Teleport HUD may sell the HUD, and earn 33% of the current value of the HUD, automatically paid once sale is made.
The HRN Teleport HUD comes equipped with an automatic update script that may be activated in the HUD's menus and will deliver the most recent version of this product. Updates are free of charge

The HUD menus, buttons and help note cards are available in:
- Chinese
- Deutsch
- English
- French
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Spanish

"HRN Games & Gadgets Customer Support"
* There are many ways to receive support:
1 - Join the "HRN Customer Support" group.2 - IM Rhea Radford or Hilton Harpoon always happy to provide support.3 - Email HRN Games & Gadgets hrn.secondlife (at) googlemail.com

HRN would like to give special thanks to the following residents who helped create this device:
- Abba Thiebaud
- Bobden Westland
- Langel Sands
- Sora Ashbourne
- EuiJun Naglo
Thank you for your valuable help.

HRN Games & GadgetsNangrim (20,40,70)http://www.slhrn.com/
Hilton Harpoon
Rhea Radford
Nino Lassally
HRN Games & Gadgets

New Windlight Viewer

To make YOUR designs look even more beautifull ......

Pastrami Linden and the WindLight Team announce the new WindLight Viewer + extended commentary! (75762) - More info on the secondlife.com blog.

Shaka shakes the fashion world!

Urban designer Shaka Saintlouis has brought a new and exciting look to his designs with the new winter collection
(click the images below for a closer look)

from tracksuits to suits, from daywear to desirable lingerie

I could happily go out an buy all of these outfits and be happy to wear them!

The Avenue models did a great job, as always, of showing the designs and Shaka was overheard to say: I love this venue, makes the event a lil more special :) and in all honesty it was a lag free enjoyable show.

You can find Shakture Couture at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kemet/104/116/27

Maybe I will bump into you there.

Dana

(My thanks to Annette Wider for the invitation)

Taken by Storm

Shopping. It’s my vocation. My recreation. My life. While in Mischief Cove on one such shopping expedition I happened upon a shoe store with such delicious sculpted prim pumps that I could feel the Lindens just slipping out of my account.

I was taken by Storm…Storm Schmooz Exclusive Second Life Footwear, to be exact.

Specializing exclusively in sculpted prim footwear, Storm Schmooz has stepped up to the plate. In classic style, these shoes and boots will cradle your little avatar feet in beautifully textured loveliness. From the stiletto heel to the gently pointed toe, these shoes and boots will complement any outfit. Mr. Schmooz has been designing footwear in Second Life for a relatively short time now, but has taken the shoe world by Storm. The styles that I have had the pleasure of sporting are sexy and appealing. Essential is a classic stiletto pump available 4 lovely textured shades including a gray and cognac, along with tiger, leopard and zebra. Elegance, a champagne hued pump, sports a sculpted prim bow that is sweet and feminine. This style is also available in a metallic gold that could be legal tender. His Desir de Noir is a black pump with a darling mesh bow that would look lovely on the red carpet in your best evening wear. I do caution you to wear nothing longer than tea length with this shoe, as you won’t want to hide these beauties under a skirt. Pret-a-Sortir is a bundle of four pairs of black snakeskin pumps, embellished with black or colored bows, including lavender, gold and blue. His most recent entry is Laque, a retro style pump with a slightly rounded toe, a low platform and an elegant curved heel, and is available in a variety of colors.

Men have not been forgotten here either, although at present, he has only one style. However, this brown wingtip is amazingly detailed, and perfect with either a suit or business casual. Right down to the sculpted prim shoelaces, they are expertly crafted, and sure to please the most discerning man.

Storm Schmooz Exclusive Second Life Footwear shoes and boots have transfer permissions, so they can be gifted.

All in all, Mr. Schmooz has taken this Fashion Whore by storm!

So whats on offer for the men this Xmas?

As the Christmas season approaches and the invitations pour in the fashion industry becomes a hive of activity bringing out wonderful gowns and evening dresses. In this hectic environment it is usually assumed that the men can 'find' a tux or suit and the focus is pointed squarely at the gowns.

But lets look at this - How good is a lady going to look if her partners suit/tux is below standard? There are hundreds of suits out there but few are well made. Styles of edo have to be one of the best, the huge range alone is enough to make a person go 'WOW'

Tuxedos come in many styles and the suit range is amazing, you cannot leave here without finding that perfect suit. The range of shirts and ties is equally large and you could are sure to find something to compliment your partners wonderful gown.
Your partner has undoubtedly spent many hours choosing just the right dress for the occasion, can the gentlemen do any less?

Styles of edo also have a few ladies gowns and cocktail dresses, these look deceptively simple, the attention to detail is what makes them stand out from the crowd.

Visit 'Styles of edo' this holiday season, you won't be disappointed.

Dana

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Ever a Blaze devotee, I eagerly awaited the release of Blaze Columbia’s annual holiday offering. When I arrived at Blaze on Sunday morning past, I was not disappointed.

Holly ’07, is a richly textured, finely detailed gown that is classic in style and beauty. Skillfully balancing innocence with womanly allure, this dress includes sleeveless and long sleeved versions. The sleeveless top features delicate white holly straps and neckline trim that carries to a low cut back. The long sleeve version features a sweetheart neckline and low cut back, both trimmed in white holly.

As I tend to favor a sleeker skirt style, I was delighted with the skirt options available here. The dress includes two different floor length styles – a classic evening gown skirt, and also a slim skirt that will appeal to the Rita Hayworth in all of us. Both skirts flow beautifully, and are trimmed in matching white holly at the hem. Simple and elegant, Holly '07 is a must have for the holiday party season!

Deck the Halls I’m wearing Holly, fa la la la la la la la la...

MODA ROCKS TOYS FOR TOTS

On Sunday, December 9th, to cap off a weekend of fun and live music to benefit the Toys for Tots fundraiser that took place at Insky Jedburgh’s fabulous Twilight Gates, MODA presented a live Fashion Show and Charity Auction featuring the designs of many of the favorite fashion houses in Second Life. 100% of the proceeds from this auction went to the Second Life Toys for Tots Campaign for 2007. Among the fashion houses represented were Chez Gabrielle, J Style, Bellissima!, SF Designs, Pretty Magic, Zagoskin Haute Couture, ILLY, Silent Sparrow, True Blue, Tete A Pied, Calico Creations, Annie’s, Pizazz, and Innovations. Duckyfresh Watanabe, resplendent in “Isabelle” by Sherona DeGroot, presided over the event, which raised 65,050L for Toys for Tots. Thank You MODA and the amazing designers of SL for your fashion forward contribution to this worthwhile fundraising event!

Leaving you Breathless

This Sunday Dec. 9th at 8am sl time Fusion Modeling and Babydoll's are joining together to bring you a fashion show you will not forget. The newest and hottest models will be joined by Miss SL 2007 for the show, with music by DJ IndaSky Boa. The event is a Black Tie/Sunday Best and is being held at Fusion Model Agency. This is for the new line of sinfully beautiful and playful lingere so come and get ready to be left "Breathless".



Reporter Dashwood Dayafter

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Art always imitates life. As the temperatures plummet for so many of us in RL, the designers of SL are hard at work keeping us stylishly warm this winter.

To keep our avatars delightfully cozy, Migi Voom of Muism has created a jacket so detailed and delicious that I wont mind those chilly days ahead. Lovingly rendered in a buttery suede with a smart asymmetrical line, it features a prim fox fur collar that is sure to please. Shown here is the jacket and vest in black. It is also available are beige, brown, red, white, leopard gray and leopard brown, with each lovely prim collar color coordinated to match. The vest looks wonderful alone, or over your favorite turtleneck sweater for a chic look. This is just one of the many beautiful jackets and coats available at Migi Voom’s Muism right now.

Re: SHAKTURE COUTURE'S unveiling of Winter Solstice '08 Fashion Show

Join us on December 15, Saturday at 11 am, as designer Shaka Saintlouis will be unveiling SHAKTURE COUTURE'S latest spellbinding collection, Winter Solstice '08. This breathtaking series will be revealed in a fashion show featuring the AVENUE Models and some of the sexiest clothing to hit any Second Life runway.

Each SHAKTURE COUTURE design is unique and has beautiful detailing with wonderful textures and hues. No matter who you are you will feel sexier when wearing SHAKTURE COUTURE. Winter Solstice '08 collection features everything from sexy lingerie to show stopping multi-piece prim accented ensembles.


The owner of SHAKTURE COUTURE, Shaka Saintlouis, is no stranger to fashion and knows what works and what women want. SHAKTURE COUTURE was founded 26 December 2006, in a modest 5x5 stall and is now a symbol of cutting edge fashion throughout Second Life. SHAKTURE COUTURE has become a household name in SL and anyone who is anyone has heard of or shopped at these stores. The enterprise has grown immensely and due to hard work, a focus on customer service and creative design there is no limit at the success that SHAKTURE COUTURE can and will have in the future.

SHAKTURE COUTURE has four brands which are SHAKTURE COUTURE, SHAKTURE APPAREL, SHAKTURE BASEMENT and SHAKACASA. This means that from what you wear to how you decorate your home enwrap you in the feeling of SHAKTURE day and night. The boutique chain includes over 20 free standing stores on sims throughout the world and partners including SHEN SHOES, BODY CANDY, TESLA & ARTIZANA. With all the fashions that are created by Shaka and his partners you can create a unique entrance whenever you arrive. Shaka designs, manufactures and retail fashion and lifestyle products including Platinum Diva, jewelry, optics, accessories and estate products under the umbrella of these four brands.

Please join SHAKTURE COUTURE in the unveiling of the Winter Solstice '08 collection. Not only will there be an unforgettable new line revealed but they also promise you a wonderful fashion show.

AVENUE MODELS, STUDIO, RUNWAY & , Maria Christine (146, 48, 214)

SHAKTURE COUTURE'S Winter Solstice '08 Fashion Show is presented by SHAKTURE COUTURE and produced and choreographed by Rusch Raymaker of AVENUE Inc.
For more information, please contact Annette Wilder (Public Relations Manager) of AVENUE inc. or Joelle Mathys (Director of Public Relations) of SHAKTURE COUTURE.

Shoes, Shopping, FREE fun for all!

Mary Jane Shoes have come up with a fun way to get some free shoes - 8 pairs are up for grabs, 7 ladies and 1 gents, all you have to do is find them LOL

Hidden in and around the main store [Mary Jane Shoes - Main Store, Chalanties (32, 104, 36)] are these tiny ornaments just touch them to recieve your free shoes - IF you can find them.

Infiniti Mirihi the stores owner told me that the hunt will continue until christmas her fantastic designs are well worth looking at even without the free ones, so if you are not lucky enough to find any think about buying some of the great range anyway :)

Dana XxX

An Homage to Solomon R. Guggenheim in SL

THE STORY OF how freereed Freenote came to build an homage to Solomon R. Guggenheim in Second Life is a simple one, and one best told by her:

"In 1970 a 17 year old girl went to the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art in New York. She began her ascent of those interminable ramps of Frank Lloyd Wright's design…. till midway she stopped in her tracks. There on the wall was a painting on loan from the Philadelphia museum - Three Musicians by Picasso, 1921.

There are two versions of this painting. In the version she saw at the Guggenheim in 1970 there is the black dog under the table lower left. It seemed to her that the painting was giving off a vibration of joy. As this had never happened to her before, she decided to test it…. was it the painting doing this?? So she turned her back on the painting… waited, then turned around. Yes, it was true. She tried all sorts of tricks… shutting one eye, then another, over the shoulder… Yes it was true. She proved for herself that a painting can emit joy… and this was the painting doing it…. Picasso's Three Musicians, 1921.

But the problem was that goddamed museum. The space allotted for the painting was so small she couldn't get far enough back to see it properly. The ramps were problematic too. To get far enough away from the painting, to take it all in, she had to go up ramp from it, and she thought to herself…"This is no way to build a museum… this is ridiculous!"

And so it was, that on that spot, in the fall of 1970, she decided to be a painter, and this was the painting that did it.

And then, 37 years later, still a painter and with the opportunities offered by the virtual reality of Second Life, she decided to "right the wrongs of Mr. Wright" and build a museum that honoured the generosity of Solomon R. Guggenheim, rather than indulge Mr. Wright's teacup flights of fancy.

Working with Crap Mariner and Carnie Bing as freereed Freenote, that 17 year old girl has created what she believes Solomon himself would have wanted - "a monument to art, rather than architecture".



"But due to Mr. Wright's design however, no matter how many improvements we made to his design, you still can't get far enough back to take the whole painting in ... although, thank the gods, we have camera controls here in SL!"

Purists may weep and wail that 'amateurs' have dared to interfere with the great man's architectural vision, but SL being SL - we can do as we wish with OUR OWN PERSONAL VERSION of reality and we can present the world with an alternative.

Officially opened on 10th November, before an eager crowd of 50 avatars, with Cuban jazz and a magic show extravaganza by the famous, Fish The Magish, the memorial museum is jam-packed with information on its construction and various historical facts on the original building.

"I conceived this museum as The Solomon Robert Guggenheim MEMORIAL Museum," advises freenote. "I wanted to pay tribute to the man who worked in the needlework trade and came to found the first, greatest museum in the United States, devoted exclusively to modern and abstract art."

"Here, surely, more than any other, is the patron saint of American abstract painters."

"For those people who are critical that we have not followed the architect's original vision exactly, I would say that I am not here to slam Frank Llloyd Wright, but to build a proper tribute to Solomon Guggenheim.

Solomon Robert Guggenheim was born in 1861 in Philadelphia and worked in both the family's Swiss needlework importing business and their mining interests, founding the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska. After his retirement in 1919, he devoted his full attention to collecting modern art and in 1937 established the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to promote public appreciation of modern art.

A year before Sol Guggenheim died in 1949, Sol's friend and patroness of the arts, Hilla Rebay, contracted the then 90 year old Frank Llloyd Wright to build the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

"Solomon Guggenheim never lived to see the museum that bears his name," advises freereed. "He never lived to see our version either.... but I am certain, as much as he loved art, and most especailly abstract paintings... he would approve of our attempt to recreate the Guggenheim Museum in New York."

"Because we have created a space where you can see the works of art ... where there is great sense of light and space. We turned the railings into glass to elimitate the feeling of being compressed into picture viewing space and we raised the ceilings, so that now you can view modern art in modern scale - monumental."

"We have also eliminated the claustrophobic viewing bays that the paintings were tucked into in the sixties.

"But most importantly we have eliminated the ramps, in the belief that a person at rest and in balance is better able to view and meditate on an artwork; whereas a person standing on a slope, or put off balance, even if the ramp incline be gradual... is put into a state of anxiety.. or trying to seek physical and mental balance, and so is less able to concentrate on the work at hand."

"Our memorial museum has a permanent exhibit history of the actual Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York," continued freereed, "as well as the history of our build in Second Life and a display of "Women in the Arts", portraits of some of the most influential women in all the arts, spanning two centuries."

"The Solomon R. Guggenheim Memorial Museum in SL is a fully-functioning museum with the purpose of promoting the arts, and serving an education, as well as cultural need."

"Our ultimate goal is to reassemble the original collection of Solomon Robert Guggenheim and exhibit it in the memorial museum with a series of art history lectures about some of the greatest modern abstract art and artists of the last century."

"The aim for the SL memorial museum, is for it to be always busy and always open… and supporting the artists of Second Life… the painters, sculptors, photographers, and musicians, as well as fundraising for charities."

Despite being officially opened, the building is still being constructed in some areas - most notably in the contour of the building itself.

"Frank Lloyd Wright did indeed build a beautiful and quite unique building in the Guggenheim, and we have accommodated as much of his design into our build as possible, but we have been limited only by the size of our lot, and the dictates of our aesthetic conscience."

Although described by free as 'Master Builder', Crap Mariner is keen to decry this title. "I'm just a goofball writer, the ultimate square peg, mad-dreamer jackass," he says. "I don't consider myself one of those Master Builders who make all the big-profile venues."

"I just like to keep things simple, leaving the Photo Shop wizardry and scripting wonders to the folks who don't have two or three musicians they want to check out every evening."

"The build was done in just three days, and there were lots of numbers flying around," recalls Crap. "Despite freereed trying to draft me into the Freemasons with all her goings on about the Golden Mean and the ratio of 8 to 5, I persevered and for all the 'ramp' fans out there, all I can say is that I came to the conclusion that for Frank Lloyd Wright, the art was getting in the way of his building."

Crap is keen to compliment PB Recreant for their amazing 'weathered concrete texture' facade.

"I figured that it's a whole different reality in SL, right? I never did like the idea of taking folks up an elevator and then treating them like a pinball to roll down the ramps, around and around, until they roll outside into the street. Kinda dehumanizing, don't you think?"

"In this alternate reality rendition, folks can fly up and down the central atrium, slowly turning to catch the artwork, or they can take the elevator and walk around at their leisure."

"Since there is plenty of display space in the main tower, I axed the smaller tower and its part of the facade. freereed's streets and cars and trees and the grotto gave the build the soul it needed, and the dance club on top is a simple, but fun venue for performers.

"For those tut-tutting the fact that it's not an exact replica with the spiral and everything, well ... perhaps they should look at their avatars and ask if they're an exact replica of their RL selves. It's Second Life ... lay the digital silly putty on the world and then have some fun, stretching it around and bouncing it off the walls."

The third dynamo in this ambitious project is Museum Manager, Carnie Bing, described by free as a "brilliant scripter".

"I was initially drawn to the Guggenheim project by my hopes for a break from traditional RL architectural norms that are prevalent in SL," commented Carnie. "The concept of an open spiral where visitors could walk or fly through an exhibit, without unnecessary doors, steps or walls found resonance with the revolutionary Frank Llloyd Wright design for the original (RL) Guggenheim museum."

"It was exciting to be in on the ground floor, as it were, of this endeavour. Sure there were the usual trials and tribulations;
temperamental artists, finicky scripts, crazy hours and international co-ordination, but the work is rewarding."

"Through all of this however, I could always count on Freereed's impeccable judgement and moral clarity. As with any build, it all came down to prim count and they were always difficult decisions, but, like a crucible, they burned away the dross leaving a purer and more precious amalgam behind."

"Now that the project is taking off, I can see that everything has proceeded as it must. The museum is established, but still growing, stable yet dynamic.

"Working with the stream of artists who have found SL, an elite group indeed, has been an honour and a pleasure."



(Pictured above - Carnie Bing and freereed Freenote at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Memorial Museum in SL).

The museum has already staged two one-woman shows - graphic artist, Griffin Gaffer, and urban realist Nena Janus with musicians Kyle Beltran and Thumper Boucher and DJ Speelo and features an outstanding mural (pictured above) by Japanese-American artist, Kenzo Minami.

According to freereed, the memorial museum raised "good money" for the Red Cross with an art auction of 20 artists' work for the victims of the recent Californian Wildfires and another is planned for Christmas.

Do You love the Skin You're in?

I found myself looking around at all the avs around me about two weeks ago, thinking just how beautiful they all looked and how plain I did. Wasn't sl created to make us feel better about ourselves? To let us be more than what we could in rl?
So I started to look for makeup, still too new to know that you need a full skin in most cases. I did find one look that was just perfect, dark smoky eyes and pale lipstick. It looked fabulous on the model. Perfect I thought and was off.
A few hours later while in a meeting with my editor, she asked if I needed some help. I looked well, see-through. Back to the drawing board. Finding a skin that I liked all of was a time consuming job. I ended up spending a full week shopping and trying on demos from every sl store that carried skins. When considering a skin, you must take into account: 1) How fitting is it for day to day -especially if you have a job in sl. 2) Does it flatter your favourite shape that you wear all the time? 3)Will it go with most hair styles in sl? and 4) How does it look in all the lighting settings? The last one was my biggest mistake. I had tried it on in "noon" mode and hadn't thought about how it would look in "midnight" or sunrise/sunset mode.
My choice was a goth skin that was meant to make you look like a zombie. In the end, not what I was going for. Also, I have to admit that when I tried on the demo, I did so bald and the skin just didn't seem to work with any of the hairdos.
What I did find in the end, was a skin that was not really a "normal skin" and not really a goth skin. Most cases the goth skins were too over the top in makeup for my style, and the normal skins were too ordinary for my style. The so called "light" skins still had a tan, and all the "pale" skins had crazy make up.
When I did find one, it was at Digital Dragon Designs.

Reporter Dashwood Dayafter

Ewing Fashion Agency and OnRez Launch Fashion Design Awards in Second Life

Second Life, November 19, 2007: Today Ewing Fashion Agency ("EFA") and OnRez announced the creation of the Ewing Design Awards in Second Life.
With the Ewing Design Awards, EFA and OnRez are creating a global online contest that will unite the entire Second Life community in a celebration of the best that Second Life fashion has to offer.

Ewing Fashion Agency Chief Executive Officer Una Ewing said, "The Ewing Fashion Agency (EFA) has been in operation for five months and in that time, we have witnessed numerous contests and competitions geared towards models, but never anything concrete for the people who actually toil and sweat to create the beautiful fashions that we enjoy wearing.
The Ewing Design Awards gives the Second Life community the opportunity to reward the creativity and innovation of the fashion content creators in Second Life."
Awards and prizes by will be granted in different categories, such as hair, skins, and shoes, ensuring niche content creators a fair chance of winning.
An Overall Winner prize will also be granted to the designer with the most sales, as measured by revenue, across any of the listed categories.
As of today, Second Life content creators will be allowed to enter one new and exclusive design through the Shop OnRez website, http://shop.onrez.com. Second Life consumers will "vote" for their favorite designers through purchases in-world and through shop.onrez.com of entered contest items. Sales of the entered items will be measured by Shop OnRez from December 1, 2007 through January 6, 2008, with winners determined at the end of that period as measured by the total revenue from sales of the entered contest item.
The full contest rules and instructions for entering can be found at the Ewing Fashion Agency website, located at http://ewingfashionagency.wordpress.com/.
The Overall Winner will receive L$100,000 in prize money provided by Shop OnRez, a full-service fashion show coordinated by the Ewing Fashion Agency, and an advertising and promotional media package worth more than L$ 50,000.
Winners in individual categories will receive L$7,500 in prize money provided by Shop OnRez, a fashion show voucher worth L$1000 towards a fashion show by the Ewing Fashion Agency, and an advertising and promotional media package worth more than L$ 25,000.
The winners will be feted at the Ewing Design Awards gala event held on the 15th of Januay, 2008.
About the Ewing Fashion Agency
Ewing Fashion Agency (EFA) is a fresh, energetic and dynamic group founded by model Una Ewing which develops, trains and promotes the careers of new and established models and fashion designers in Second Life. As a fashion promotions agency, EFA uses fashion as a promotional tool for our non-fashion industry related clients, and promotes the fashion of fashion industry related clients. More about EFA can be found at their website, http://ewingfashionagency.wordpress.com/efa-design-awards-08/
About OnRez
OnRez is a growing suite of software services designed for users of virtual worlds, with an initial focus on Second Life. OnRez's goal is to make virtual worlds easier to use and help information flow more efficiently within and across virtual worlds and the Web. OnRez is created by the software team within The Electric Sheep Company. Shop OnRez is the most advanced ecommerce solution for Second Life users, providing buying and selling tools on the web and in-world.

Crazy are us & Cynthia's Heaven Live fashion show

With arabic flair and traditional style Cynthia Wilder has captured the essence of the east with the fantastic fabrics and flowing flexi, one after another floated down the catwalk before the audience with melodic arabic music streaming in the background.
The show, hosted by 'Crazy are us' (Eymerich Lane and his fiancee Roselinda Mayo), went off without a hitch - well apart from the usual lag - a great show and I will be looking up Cynthias Heaven.
The detail and textures were a delight for the eyes from gothic, arabic, gorean to ball opera daily clothes with face veils long flowing ballroom gowns to the traditional desert style mens wear worth taking a look at and definately an up and coming designer. Congratulations Cynthia
Dana XxX

Re: Fashion Show and Anniversary Celebration

Come November 17, Saturday at 12 noon, Nuclear Boutique will be unveiling their latest spellbinding collection for their one year anniversary.

The Decadence Collection will be revealed in a fashion show featuring AVENUE Models. Following this breathtaking fashion show will be an anniversary celebration where there will be great music, dancing and prizes to be given out.
This new collection has been created to celebrate the First Anniversary of Nuclear Boutique. This new line of clothing includes formal gowns in rich silks adorned with jewels, alternative business attire, playful casual ensembles, and sexy lingerie. Each design is unique with beautiful detailing and luxurious fabrics.
The well known owner of Nuclear Boutique, Arikinui Adria, has been an artist for over 30 years. She focused on color and movement in her real life work and that has translated into the beautiful colorful designs that she creates for Nuclear Boutique.
Arikinui Adria first opened Nuclear Boutique in the last week of October 2006 with a small collection of casual clothing and 5 hair styles. Over the past year the store has grown immensely. Now the store includes formal wear, lingerie, business attire and casual separates.

Nuclear Boutique is located at its own tropical island called Archipelago Wild, there you find a relaxing atmosphere which ensures an enjoyable shopping experience.

What sets Nuclear Boutique apart from many stores is the staff of lovely models and helpful sales associates. You will find someone always willing to help make your shopping experience more memorable.
Nuclear Boutique will be closed from Monday, Nov 12 at 10pm SLT through Saturday, Nov 17th at 10am SLT while the island is remodeled and expanded to include spaces for shoes by Polish Up!, eyewear from Gudshu Glasses, and jewelry from Xessories by D'Nel DaSilva. There will also be a Nuclear Cafe where visitors can sit and enjoy the beauty of this tropical paradise.

Please join Nuclear Boutique in celebrating its First Year Anniversary. They promise you not only a memorable party but a wonderful fashion show featuring the Decadence Collection and a relaxing atmosphere.
Date : 17 November 2007 (Saturday)Time : 12 noon

Venue : Nuclear Boutique~Xplosive Fashions, Archipelago (209,30,251)*
Nuclear Boutique's Decadence Collection Fashion Show is organized by Nuclear Boutique and produced by Rusch Raymaker of AVENUE Inc.
For more information, please contact Arikinui Adria, (Owner) of Nuclear Boutique, or Annette Wilder (PR Manager) of AVENUE Inc.
http://www.arikinui.blogspot.com/

Who is that gorgeous av?

The changing face of SL-newspapers CEO JamesT Juno
The early face of JamesT, yes we have all been there the bad newbie hair the sunglasses etc.......

This is the av that most people will recognise instantly, a few minor changes over the months, occasional hair changes different sunglasses but very upright and stern this was the JamesT most of us would think of if we heard his name.
Introducing the NEW JamesT Juno

A makeover was well overdue with his 1 year SL birthday looming.

First on the list a new skin, with a recommendation from Carter, we headed to Dante - by naughty designs and had fun trying on different looks. Skin shopping is time consuming every skin must be tried and tested but its not something to be rushed, at any time, your skin is the most important purchase you will ever make ( I have kept the same one almost since the beginning, it was the first skin I bought and with the exception of a few makeup changes I am still happy with it almost a year later, also bought from naughty designs) (picture by Dixie Barbosa)

The skin comes with a few different beard and moustache/ stubble options plus hair styles.

James was quite happy to stay with the hair rather than search for one that probably would not match as well.

A few new suits from Styles of Edo completed his new look.

So if you see me out and about with this gorgeous looking av - yes I have found a new man, but not a new love its still JamesT Juno!

(pictured here at IntLibber Brautigans wedding)

I find shoe heaven at Virtual Impressions

I love Designing Clothes in SL but one thing i have never got the hang of is shoes so I am always on the lookout for shoes to match my designs, yesterday I got an IM from mommy telling me about this wonderful shoe place where she had got several pairs because the price was so reasonably, having nothing better to do at the time I asked her for a LM and headed over to Virtual Impressions.

A Virtual Impression it certainly made WOW shoe heaven I immediately bought one of the first pairs I saw then decided I better have a wander around before I bought every design LOL. There were sandals, evening shoes, daywear, then the boots! Here i lost control again and ended up with 2 pairs. Then I noticed stairs so up I went, beautiful jewelry is on offer up there made with the same dedication to detail as the shoes and boots, I bought a delicate charm bracelet almost immediately LOL!
Downstairs I caught up with the owner and designer Chrissy Ambrose, after introducing myself and telling her how much I loved her designs, I asked her about her business;

Dana Vanmoer: Did you start making shoes or jewelry?

Chrissy Ambrose: Shoes first, but very quickly afterwards jewelry. Mainly because I found I enjoyed working with prims and with the footwear I tend to combine the two, so use microprims on the shoes and boots. For me it is important to make the designs different, and that way I can use the decoration to do that

Dana Vanmoer: What would you like people to know about your designs?

Chrissy Ambrose: well Primarily that they are Unique, detailed and affordable. Most sl visitors can afford something in the store and even the top priced items are still reasonable. I try to cater for most, but I don't do many overtly sexy styles.

Dana Vanmoer: Thank you for your time Chrissy

One thing I found most refreshing is that all shoes and boots here have a demo - so you can try them on and see how they look, of course most are modifiable so they can be made to fit too. You can also win some of the designs on any of the 3 lucky chairs in store.

Try them out for yourself HERE

Dana XxX

What was on offer this halloween?

I actually gave some thought to making costumes this year but in the end with the SLN birthday celebrations coming up I really did not have time for clothes designing, this week so I had to go shopping! (yes, of course I had to!)

Having been invited to several parties I needed to find something that would fit with most, although I had seen the fabulous gowns at 'Simones' and couldn't resist buying the cat outfit, I needed something a little more.

A friend recommended I tried the Ireland sim - now 'I thought why the Ireland sim?' but accepted the TP anyway.

I was so glad I did these fabulous costumes (shown above) are just a small selection of what was available with prices starting as low as L$250 I couldn't resist and ended up buying not one but three costumes LOL, including this sexy witch, which i ended up spending the 3 hours it took me to complete Fire Islands treasure hunt :) I had a fabulous time guys thank you so much! A wonderful picture for me to remember it by too, my thanks go to Gellan Glenelg for it, but mostly to Brendon Curtiz and the rest of the guys who helped me through the hunt - couldn't have done it without you. If you missed it look out for their next project its sure to be as amazing, fun and frustrating as the last three I have had the 'pleasure' of trying to complete.

After the hunt I accepted another invitation over at the Zurich sim there were some fabulous costumes down there, but it was so packed everything took a long time to rez - great party!

This wonderful skeleton avatar came from 'Monster Ink Tattoos and skins' great detail on the bones :)
So whatever else you got up to this halloween I hope I have given you some ideas for next year.

Dana XxX

Down Comes The Opera House

AFFICIENDOS OF GOOD DESIGN gathered last weekend to witness the destruction of one of the most magnificent builds in SL - "Opera Populaire".

While some people danced in celebration of a 'life well-lived' and others sobbed, Intempesta owners Sue Stonebender and Baron Grayson laughed and joked and brought the house down, making way for what Baron described as a more 'Tim Burton' build in the new year.

In the same way the Taj Mahal was built as a tribute to love, Opera Populaire was built by Sue to thank Baron for his tender loving care while she was recuperating from illness. They celebrated their second anniversary together by tearing it down so Baron could express his true artistic expression ("I don't do light and cheerful", he said at the tearing down.)

Heavy on prims, but huge on impact, Opera Populaire will be replaced by a darker build, so fans of Sue and Baron's work have something to look forward to.

aDiva and texture infringement of Nicky Ree's work

Date : 31th Oct 2007
Dear Fellow Content Creators and Customers,
Some of you may have heard of my trouble with having my textures taken and used without permission by AnneJoy Paine (aDiva).
For those who have not heard, you can read more about it from the websites listed below:
http://muimukerji.blogspot.com/2007/10/mirror-mirror-on-wall.html
http://web.mac.com/blazecolumbia/Blaze/Evidence.html
http://sl-galaxy.com/damenmode/schoene-neue-welt-legal-illegal-auch-egal/
Since I originally found out, aDiva's old stores were closed by mall owners and landowners.
A few days ago, it has come to my knowledge that aDiva has opened at least 6 new stores. She is of course free to open stores, as long as she doesn't sell items that use textures taken and copied from my work.
Unfortunately, after having checked all the locations I know about, I found out that AnneJoy Paine (aDiva) is still selling items using copies of my textures in her vendors in the new stores.
I have filed a DMCA notification on these new locations with linden labs on Oct 28, 2007 and I am now awaiting their response.
Pictures listed below have been recently taken from the vendors in the new stores. On the left I have included pictures of my originals.
When I originally found out about this issue, I contacted AnneJoy Paine immediately and asked her to stop using my textures and stop selling those items based on them. She denied any wrong-doing. A few days later, I sent her a cease and desist notice giving her 72 hours to respond. She did not. Since then I have started the DMCA notification procedure with Linden Lab.
I do not know if these DMCA notifications will stop AnneJoy Paine from continuing doing what she has with my work. Linden Lab has not taken action yet.
This is the second batch of stores I have found out about that is still selling the items listed in the pictures. She might open more stores in the future.
I do not know what else I can do. Responding to all this has taken a lot of time already, and a lot of frustration.

RegardsNicky Ree

Click images to see them full size in a new window

I have also included some of the images included in the note - so our readers can decide for themselves. Dana