More and more talented Japanese artists and companies are developing the virtual world around us-- even a quick glance shows how groundbreaking these efforts have been, or can be. But with so much innovation happening on the Japanese frontiers of Second Life, why is there so little coverage of their work in the SL fashion scene? It's time for the sun to rise on our fashionable friends from the East.
The first installment of this two part feature showcases ten of my favorite Japanese-owned shops in SL, highlighting three outfits apiece. First up...
+9
This label is the work of Tamiko Kenzo. The Velvet Line, including the minidress shown on the left as well as a men's and a women's suit, is one of my favourite finds in all of my Japanese shopping adventures. The detail is very soft, and Tamiko is still learning the ropes, but it's a solid outfit nevertheless. In comparison, Rosso Tweedy's primwork is more effective, and the design as a whole is very charming and subdued. Builder Soul (on the right) is Tamiko's newest release, and the prims have only gotten better, especially in the knot detail of the laced-up sleeves. Tamiko's sense of style really sets her apart from the crowd.
About
About started with sneakers, and has quickly evolved into a small but innovative line at the hands of shin Mathilde. About recently opened a main store across from Hydro, a popular and exceptionally detailed skin line, also with its origins in the Japanese community of SL. On the left is shin's Mini Dress in Sexy Black (shown with hair by Hayate Ewing of H2L, another Japanese content creator). I love the risqué cut of this dress, and how classy it looks with big earrings and even a scarf. In the middle is a perfect male match for this mini dress, the Black Suit. It's simple, clean, and versatile, with many layer options. The gem of About, however, has to be the Cut and Sewn top, shown on the right in blue. The detail shows a lot of development as an artist, and the design itself is trendy enough to appeal to the masses.
June Dion's success with BareRose is almost unparalleled. She has innumerable satellite locations and is well known in every fashion community in SL, not to mention her store has to have the widest range of products available. March, Spellbound, and The Bloom are pictured above, recent releases from this prolific designer. March is a fun kind of costume like June is very well known for doing. The highlight of Spellbound is the fluffy feathered collar with hanging beaded straps, an extra 3D detail that really makes the outfit pop. The Bloom is leagues away from these two outfits however. This gown is really appealing to those of us who still hold on to those girlish dreams of being a princess, complete with a pearl tiara. June really deserves kudos on this dress for the impressive structure of the prims on the back-- no one can say she doesn't take risks with her designs. Shown with The Bloom is hair from Zero Style by Rei Gully (another very successful Japanese designer) and skin by DynamiteTanaka Payne of D-Skin, whose skins are so dear to me that they are repeated throughout this article.
BP
I gave Shai Delacroix a nudge toward BettiePage Voyager's store, BP, when searching for a subject for a recent feature in Second Style Magazine. Prior to that, BettiePage's modest but imaginative collection was surfacing on SL fashion blogs all over. BettiePage is an ideal Japanese designer in SL, bringing her own very unique flavors and styles into the fashion scene, and collaborating with her friends on cute side-projects like Numery Mart, a chain of charming neon-pink convenience shops scattered throughout Japanese land in SL (shown in the middle picture below). The first outfit is Sailor Otome, a dark seifuku (school uniform) made by BettiePage and sold at Numery Mart. The Green Coveralls and Apron Dress in Pink are both found at her own store, along with hair, skins, and accessories with just as much charm and originality in them. Shown with the Apron Dress is School Ruck in Black and Pink, by Nekoko Noel from Honey Kitty, another Japanese shop definitely worth investigating.
I'd never heard of Ryo Fride or Color Scheme until they were mentioned to me several times in preparing for this article. What surprised me what how I'd missed them, considering their main shop is in Envy, a relatively high-end shopping sim I used to feel I was very familiar with. Color Scheme is a line with tremendous potential for growth and popularity. The Wringkled Rose Skirt shown on the left is the crown jewel of the line, maybe even of the entire sim, and while I've paired it with the Zip Up Top in khaki for the sake of showing both without breaking form, this skirt really begs for an antique white camisole and a light crochet-looking shrug. Color Scheme also has an array of really delightful dresses, including the Sakura Chiffon Dress (I'm a sucker for silhouetted cherry blossoms), and the Crossed Top Laceline dress. Every fashionista should have some Little Black Dresses on hand, and the Laceline dress will be at the top of my LBD collection for awhile.
Kru's Boutique
Kru Flan's Boutique is another success story of Japanese fashion designing in SL, though with a substantially smaller inventory than BareRose. Kru doesn't release often, but what she does release tends to be elaborate, with every little detail worked out. This is especially true of her full outfit sets, like those shown. The Black Stones outfit on the left is a tribute to one of Ai Yazawa's characters from a series named Nana. Ai Yazawa's characters always have amazing style, and naturally I am a huge fan of hers, which makes me a huge fan of Kru's take on Nana. Also shown with this outfit is a necklace by nonko Noel of Japan Soul, also inspired by Nana. Next is Sugary Silhouette, one of Kru's most detailed outfits but also one I have mixed feelings about. It's meant as EGL (Elegant Gothic Lolita) through Kru'™s design lens, but this outfit is pretty different than much of the EGL attire available. The little crown shown is by Lico Nyanda (discussed below). Last is Raycaseal, the most complex outfit that Kru has done, and which is available all in one big package, or with each piece purchased separately. This outfit was absolutely made for those of us who love to romp around the "sick" sim.
If Kru's approach to EGL is edgy and atypical, Lico Nyanda's is the frilly norm. Lico started out selling dressable prim dolls and matching outfits for their owners, and has since shifted the emphasis of her store onto clothing the owners. On the left is the Flower Camisole and Pants (Shown with skin by Hiro Pintens of Hi-Rop!), something with so many layers of soft, flexible lace that it was irresistible. On the right is Love Lolita, which hair from the amazing RuRu Nagy of LALA Moon. The middle picture, however, is what LicoLico is all about. Shown on both myself and my doll is Lico's Simple Dress. The dolls come with lockers, and to dress your doll you rez the locker and put your doll inside it, along with the clothing and hair you want the doll to wear, then the dressed doll rezzes above the locker within a few minutes. The accessories cost very very little, so it's inexpensive to build up your dolly's wardrobe next to yours, and the end result is absolutely adorable.
Chiko Duell's strongest point is without a doubt her prims, and using that to her advantage she's come up with some show-stopping outfits and accessories for fashionistas with a taste for costuming. Chiko Slum Queen is show on the left in black, and includes one of the most fun and flattering long coats I've seen on my avatar. The marabou trim is also top notch, and I've paired it with a subtle but worthy choker from UnTone by Chocolat Yifu and Cocomitsu Mayo, as well as a hairstyle from Electro Kitty. Blood Goddess (shown in the middle) is the perfect example of an outfit that will make jaws drop all around your, though I'm not really a fan the spiked stilettos that come with it. The Angel Armor is another amazing example of Chiko's flair for the dramatic and the costumey-side of style, featuring a 7-foot long sword and enough gleaming, riveted details to satisfy even the pickiest of knights.
Monaca by elleair Plasma is best described as fun. Kooky, crazy, anything goes, fruit-on-your head fun. As much as I love elleair's Maid dress (left) and Race Queen outfit (right), the creation I most treasure by her are the Fruit Dresses. Shown is Muscat, but there are several other fruits available. What really makes this outfit so entertaining is the giant fruit basket that comes with it, complete with poseballs for each fruit, so you and your friends can all dress up for a very vibrant photo-op. There's nothing particularly vogue-worthy in a breastplate of green grapes-- these dresses are absurd, but that's why they're so unquestionably charming!
Tohru Kanami's shop is small and easy to overlook. Her store is stocked with clothing inspired by games, such as the unisex Kei set (middle) and the lustrous Silmeria outfit (right), as well as anime and manga, like the Tohru Honda Winter Uniform pictured on the left. I'm a little geeky, and I appreciate cosplay to a degree, but when I look at these outfits I don't see their sources. I see the dedication and skill that Tohru puts into these pieces, from painting the textures, to linking the prims, to shooting the vendors. Tohru's shop contains some amazing work that rivals the quality of some of Second Life's most successful designers. When I wear her creations, and the creations of many other designers like her, I envision how far they could take this skill with the right approach. I would really love to see Tohru Kanami become the next June Dion.
Next week, we continue our journey through the latest in Japanese fashion-- along with tips for more breaking the high couture language barrier. If you can't wait until then, check out the Style Asia Fashion Show on Artificial Isle, part of SLCC's in-world events and run by the Asian Designer Summit, Friday August 24th at 5pm PST.
Iris Ophelia covers and creates metaverse style for New World Notes. Visit her blog for a view at the source; and in-world, visit her pose store, Orchidee-- direct teleport at this link.
Some of my favourites and a few I don't know. We've definitely got to go shopping together sometime.
Posted by: Tateru Nino | Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Holy smokes! That's a really great and comprehensive article, Iris. More, more, more!
Posted by: rikomatic | Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 10:33 AM
I am very sorry to say that but these clothes are absolutely not impressive, they are even pretty normal average. I dont want to say that they are bad but they are definately not impressive at all. If you are advertising designers then you must start making a better job and if you really want to advertise a real good designer then check these clothes out: link -->http://www.secondlifecamping.com/clothes.html
and i am not writing this because the designer is my friend in rl no im writing this because her clothes really ARE special, really ARE impressive and you dont find such stuff anywhere else in sl
Posted by: Cecile | Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 12:31 AM
What is most impressive about these designers is what they are doing without of tutorials and most advertising systems, which in SL are dominated by the English language. Furthermore they are interesting because they are influenced by a completely different culture and completely different perception of fashion than the majority of SL designers. That's why I love them and love what they do.
Posted by: Iris Ophelia | Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 11:30 PM
Cecile, I think you may have accidentally left the wrong link in your comment. There were only pictures of poorly textured slutwear (what an embarrassing mix-up, eh?) Good you please include a different link to pictures of these great clothes you're talking about?
I'd have to agree with Iris, what SL's Japanese fashion community has been producing is amazing. As a designer, I found (and still find) the design, production and marketing of apparel in SL quite difficult - but I have the advantage of English being my first language. Also, and I think this is one of the best things about SL itself, it is so refreshing to see creations coming from such a different cultural background to my own. I can't wait to see what else the Japanese designers of SL produce in the future.
Very well written article by the way, Iris.
Posted by: 'Kota Buck | Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 12:13 AM
Cecile,
I don't mean to be... argumentative, but really? Ok, I take that back, I do mean to be critical, maybe even somewhat hostile - without passion critique is just calculation, afterall. So yeah, let this be argumentative.
First, Iris' words strike true. The designers in this article have strong portfolios of interesting, well thought out, and complete designs, without the sort of help that English literate designers have. They have a good feel for aesthetics, and are observant of fashion trends not only in SL, but in the real world. Without anyone else to go to, without being able to ask any of the other, pre-established designers how to work well with prims, or what specific shades make the intricate details of these designs pop, or even (at the most banal) how to best go about distributing their work, they've built business that produce (at the very least) quality clothing.
Second, I hate to be "that guy," but if I were one of the designers mentioned above, I would take great offense at the tone of your comment. Without any critical analysis you dismiss the designs above. you don't describe any specific faults, only noting that they are "not impressive." Here's a tip for the future, when you're writing a critique on anything, don't tell me in broad strokes how the subject of your writing makes you feel. A good piece of analysis will, through clear and descriptive language, convince me of your point of view without you even mentioning it. When Iris writes about Little Heaven, she doesn't say "Yeah, they're impressive." She notes Chiko Duell's strength with prims, that one of the outfits is "fun and flattering," that another shows the designer's "flair for the dramatic and costumey-side of style, featuring a 7-foot long word and enough gleaming, riveted details to satisfy even the pickiest of knights." By reading this I know what she liked about it, I know that she was impressed and she didn't even have to waste a line (let alone two) on telling me. You will find similar structure and adherence to descriptive writing in any quality critique.
Third, while you insult the designers with your comments, it is the author of the above article herself that should be offended by your words. First, you insult the author's ability to recognize quality, which is, I assure you, the very core of what it means to be a good critic, whether SL Fashionista, or NY Times Cinephile. You say (more or less) that she has to do a better job of displaying worthy designers and outfits, and in doing so you not only are denouncing the taste she displays in the above article, but the ability she has at her job. It's one thing to say "Hey, I don't agree with you here," it's a whole other to say "Do you job better," especially if we look back at my last point, where in I've established that I'm not quite sure you know much about good evaluative writing. Also, briefly, you've also insulted Wagner James Au's ability to select good staff, something that any good editor prides himself on.
Third, finally, and at a most superficial level, let me be clear that you and I have quite a divergence in what makes a good outfit. Yes yes, there is no accounting for taste, and yes yes, I know that some people like to juggle geese, and that there is nothing I can do about that. But honestly. From a sheerly mechanical standpoint, I don't understand how you can look at http://nwn.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/08/23/littleheaven.jpg and then look at http://www.secondlifecamping.com/images/egyptian2.jpg and say that the former is "less impressive" than the latter. Perhaps the second suits your tastes - I prefer my human form to have legs that make sense, and to not be decorated by gaudy bangles - but to say that it is more impressive is outlandish. The designers above are adept (at least) at creating clothing in SL, and in some cases display mastery that is all too rare. Chiko's prims, June Dion's control of a color palette, and Kru Flan's attention to detail are among the best I've seen - Japanese or otherwise. I take your advice, go to SecondLifeCamping, and what do I see? http://www.secondlifecamping.com/images/lizard1.jpg and http://www.secondlifecamping.com/images/diamond.jpg and countless other outfits that, at best, look pasted on to their models. There is no subtlety here, no careful touch. For that matter they even lack the over-the-top edge Tohru Kanami, elleair Plasma, and the others in Iris' article. Many of the designs on SecondLifeCamping are trite and without depth, flat and without direction. If I can break rule number one, and also be a plagiarist, they are all together unimpressive, though unlike the ones in "The Second Life of Japanese Fashion", a very large number of them are just bad.
I think I've said my peace here. I don't expect a response. I suspect instead that this was just your cheap way to give a boost of traffic to your friend's site, which I'm sure they are very passionate about, and to whom I wish the best of luck. For you, though, I wish only that you read this post in entire, and the next time that you feel like sharing your assessments with us, that what you have to share is worth my time.
-Oliver
Posted by: Oliver Blankes | Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 12:17 AM
Excellent article Iris, I will certainly be referring back to this as a resource.
To the fool who callously put down other designers to advertise her "friend"s line of, er, slutwear: rather than promote your friend's work, you have done her a great disservice with your comments here. Slagging off someone else's work and then directing them to a site filled with poorly textured clothes that look like they come out of a freebie box is hardly going to generate customers. Your "friend" might also like to consider promoting her stuff somewhere besides a camping site - it hardly gives her credibility as a designer. But if I ever become a blingtard bimbo who relies primarily on camping for income, and dresses in cheap and nasty clothing, at least I will know where to look.
Posted by: Stephanie Misfit | Sunday, September 02, 2007 at 03:44 AM
im really wondering what you are talking about. i have visited all this japanese colthes area and this is really for me personally a newbbie area. and i was also in this shop of the girl you are herasing here all the time and i bought 2 outfits and i will much more as soon i have the money for it. her clothes are stunning you should maybe better visit her shop first before laming her. i really think you guys are just a bunch of jealous morons. you even disgust me so much. the clothes in the shop of that girl are absolutely not cheap and nasty maybe you are cheap and nasty girl lol. i never met such a variety of creative clothes in sl before. so shut up morons and visit her shop and ask her to show you some of her outfits before you start talking shit you disgusting ppl
Posted by: Miranda | Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 04:50 AM
im really wondering what you are talking about. i have visited all this japanese colthes area and this is really for me personally a newbbie area. and i was also in this shop of the girl you are herasing here all the time and i bought 2 outfits and i will much more as soon i have the money for it. her clothes are stunning you should maybe better visit her shop first before laming her. i really think you guys are just a bunch of jealous morons. you even disgust me so much. the clothes in the shop of that girl are absolutely not cheap and nasty maybe you are cheap and nasty girl lol. i never met such a variety of creative clothes in sl before. so shut up morons and visit her shop and ask her to show you some of her outfits before you start talking shit you disgusting ppl
Posted by: Miranda | Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 04:52 AM
ah and i forgot to say that after i bought her outfits she contacted me and took my size and spend some time to modify all atatchments for me so that everything fits for my bbody. her attachments and outfits are made of like 400 prims and more. so really lol just shut up newbies coz such an excellent service you wont find anywhere else in this game
Posted by: Miranda | Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 04:56 AM
Very neat - thanks for the info! I wrote an entry about Gothic Lolita fashion/designers on Second Life (and Linden's Lolita word ban) on my Gothic Lolita blog, http://www.lacarmina.com Thought you might be interested. Thought you might be interested. The stable URL is http://www.carmenyuen.com/blog/post/index/92/GOTHIC-LOLITA-CLOTHES-AND-AVATARS-ON-SECOND-LIFE
Posted by: La Carmina | Sunday, January 27, 2008 at 09:04 PM
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Posted by: Bulk SMS | Monday, May 24, 2010 at 02:00 AM
Whoever that hasn't visited a Japanese shop is missing out. So far, the best designers on SL I've liked are Japanese. Why? Low prices for full outfits, non slut-ware, and good to excellent quality.
Whoever argues that they have average quality is being biased. I've seen both English and Japanese designers have average quality, and I find that English designers tend to charge more for their products. In fact, I could say that there's more slutty clothing in English shops too.
Thanks for post, even though I replied 3 years after.
Posted by: Crystal | Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 09:42 AM
Hey mate! I completely agree with your thoughts. Thank you for posting this.
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Posted by: email marketing | Thursday, November 03, 2011 at 03:59 AM
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