Ophelia's Second Life of Japanese Fashion, Part 2/アイリスオフィーリアによって選ばれた最高の日 本のファッション！そして 英 語を話さないデザ イナーへのヒントです。

Exclusive to NWN, Iris Ophelia's ongoing showcase of all things stylish in SL

There are a lot of impressive shops in Second Life's Japanese community, and while many of the most prolific Japanese designers were covered in Part 1, there's still so much more out there worth mentioning. Read on for more hot Japanese fashion finds, and tips* for Japanese and other non-English speaking designers in SL.

If I had included absolutely everything I treasure from trips to Japanese business sims, this article would take me a year to release in its entirety. These sims and stores are constantly growing with new Japanese designers stepping up to sell their inventive creations. I've narrowed it down to things I consider must-haves, running the gamut from casual wear to the most bizarre tiny avatars on the grid.

It's no secret that cuteness rules much of Japanese pop culture, so it shouldn't be a surprise that Japanese shopping areas tend to be full of various tiny avatars. Clockwise from the top left:

- Wafun Wise's Mokya Kigurumi (which comes with a sound effects HUD and special gestures), from Wafun Honpou
- Budou Masala's Fuchiusa Wool, from Onikuya
- Kaoru Karas' Pinky the Pig (which emits heart particles when you touch its head), found in the Motomachi sim
- Homin Mayo's Tiny Necotan, from M-C-H
- Rai Qunhua's Business Duck (complete with tiny cellphone and briefcase backpack), from the Ueno Zoo
- Kairasu Aabye's Tiny Niwatori, from the Ueno Zoo
- senkage Noel's Kojika (one of my absolute favourites, especially with a sprig of Forseti Svarog's orchids from Tableau clasped in its mouth), from NaniSL.net
- An Ballinger's incredibly striking Owl avatar, also from the Ueno Zoo

There are also some pretty stunning alternative avatars out there with more humanoid characteristics, though they aren't all exactly tiny. Clockwise from top left:

- KissKiss Zemlja's sculpted Unreal Avatar Doll-like-Girl (which is actually a head with beady prim eyes that can blush and emote on command for a very anime-inspired avatar appearance), from Kiki No. 18, shown with Seu Ahn's Cream Turtleneck from Shop Seu and Momo Foulon's Wing hair from TekuTeku
- Tikyuchan Fride's Tiny Orange Sun Wizard (who spins around that broom like a little gymnast), from Earth Bound
- Carty Capra's Zashiki Warashi (a good-luck spirit who transforms into a printed box when prompted), from the charmingly named store Pig in Slop
- Cue Fride's Girl Type and K X-01 tiny robot avatars (complete with USB cable tails), from Kuroboro Works
- AKIBE Sixgallery's Crescent (which is available in colour variations other than Cutie Pink, and which emits a blue flame from its heels when in flight), from Akibe Artworks
- Budou Masala's Mech Bear (huge, shiny, free, and with a tiny bear in the driver's seat), from Onikuya
- donburi Dixon's Kigurumin Rabbit (which has tons of optional accessories available), from Donburi Craft
- Zig March's Zig Neko with special Samurai accessory set (Lone Cat and Kitten style), from Zig Zag.

If you want to see even more of these, Garbage Prototype made a machinima featuring many Japanese tinies. But back on the full-sized avatar front...

What kind of article would this be if I didn't gently touch on cosplay?

- KissKiss Zemlja packages the outfit on the left, Black Lolita Nursedoll, in a doll box to fit the theme of his shop, Kiki No. 18. I'm really drawn to this particular outfit because it reminds me of the work of one of my favourite Japanese artists, Junko Mizuno, who has fairly popular character figurines posing with comically oversized syringes.

- In the middle is f117 Meiji's Suiseiseki outfit from Angel Cure (worn with the Xiao hairstyle from Zero Style), which is based on the costume of a character from the very popular anime and manga series Rozen Maiden.

- On the right is Wewi Yin's Nekorobo suit from techpanty. This suit is a hybrid of futuristic body armor and the traditional Maneki Neko figurines.

- SAZAE Yoshikawa of Creamshop should be a well-known name to fans of unique and irreverent hairstyles, and she's responsible for the 'do on the far left, named Cherry. Also in this shot is Gud Graves' Swimwear Skirt set from the Motomachi sim, which comes with very nice but very unmodifiable hair that's just a little too small for my head.

- The next shot is that skin I've nearly worn holes in at this point, by DynamiteTanaka Payne of D-Skin, as well as Ichigo Mayo's Strawberry Earrings from Ichigoya Soujonpo. The main feature of this shot, however? izumi Schnyder's Ichigopants from Izumi Gakuen. Second Life is so full of skimpy britches, it was so absolutely refreshing to find these.

- Next is Nana Beatty's Tattoo01 from her shop KANA-NA, along with Akari Zabelin's Plain Black Boots from Sea of Love, and Amerie Spitteler's Punk Skirt from Amerie's Naughty.

- Finally on the far right is an outfit composed entirely of what can be found at Kircheis Schroeder's shop, AnneRose, which features primarily skins and shapes, but also has eyes, hair, and lingerie. The shapes are no modify, which can be very frustrating if you want to tweak the facial features any, but chances are that if the AnneRose aesthetic appeals to you, you won't want to change the shape much anyway.

- On the left, BettiePage Voyager's Gypsy Hair from BP is shown with Pique Flan's Straight Denim 5 Pockets from 2g, Blue FuwaFuwa Cami by Yukko Furse in Ableseed, Scissors Case by Yuki Aabye of Rez, and Ryo Fride's Wedge Sole shoes from Color Scheme. Color Scheme has recently shut down due to a controversy about their sculpted slouchy boots. While only the boots were requested to be taken down, Ryo took his whole store down instead, so its future is a little uncertain at present.

- In the middle, as I rest ever so comfortably on Jennifer Hana's Vogue Sofa from Sculptmix, I'm wearing Mina Jun's Botan tattoo and Sloppy Shirt from Minajunk, as well as Mina's Bag4 from Big Boob Boutique. ... let's just call it BBB so as not to distract from how enchanting this bag is.

- Shown on the right are Haz Kazan's Lady's Butterfly Parka from Crazy Rock Style, Jun Kuroda's Scribble Slash Capris from Section 9, Wewi Yin's Metalshoes in Pink 9which give your running speed a turbo-boost) from Techpanty, skin by Hiro Pitens of Hi-Rop, and yet another fun hairstyle by SAZAE Yoshikawa of Creamshop, this one named Vanilla.

- Pictured on the left, we have RuRu Nagy's Cloissant hairstyle from LALA Moon, the irresistible Free Dress by Gud Graves from motomachi (and yes, it's named Free Dress because it's a free dress), and Kan Greene's ridiculously detailed Flute from Poco a Poco Music & Instruments. The show stopper however is definitely the Flower Strap Mules by Luly Lulu, who drove shoe fans wild last Summer with her ring mules, and then promptly disappeared off the shoe-designing scene. We miss you Luly, we truly do!

- Shown in the middle are Rei Gully's Ami from Zero Style, Miki21 Noel's tartan Check set from *21*, and the Ayumi skin and shape by miula Jun of Issigonis.

- On the right are BettiePage Voyager's Lace Scarf Hair from BP, Nao Nastula's White dress from KotKot, Hays Uriza's Nature Sandal from H&U Designs, and Asuka Neely's NEarring Cherreo, which comes with two stemmed cherries to position between your lips. Oddly enough those simple cherries are in my top ten favouite purchases of all time in Second Life, from Japanese creators or otherwise. Also on that list has to be Peach Sands' Iron Bench from P&P, shown in the background.

More traditional Japanese clothing brought into Second Life is another subject I could never have avoided for this article, and I will admit that I prefer a kimono to a ballgown at any formal event that will permit it. From left to right:

- Kasumi Silvera's Yukata Kingyo from Tiara (worn with Seu Ahn's Yuru Yuru Odango from Shop Seu)
- Cherry Tokyo's Pink Kimono and Uchikake (far from perfect, but so daringly designed and elegant that it had to be mentioned) from Cherry Tokyo's Kimonos (worn with Accord Caliber's Haruka Skin from Chihiro and Rei Gully's Bunkin Takashi from Zero Style)
- Giorno Brando's Formal Crane Kimono (worn with Mare Vollmar's Ichimegasa Black and Kiku Obi Black)
- And finally, something for the boys, is chiba Aabye's Samurai armour. I resisted this armor for a month before I succumbed to its richly textured primwork.

As I'm so interested in the Japanese street fashion scene in real life, it would have been absolutely criminal of me to overlook the modernizing and reworking of the kimono. This is a big trend in RL and SL, as the love of the clean and classic kimono silhouette is meeting contemporary design head-on.

- On the left is Canal Allen's Goth Yukata Red from the Gothic Lolita-themed shop, Canal Grande.

- The next retooled kimono is something that will appeal to many people, and break the hearts of many others-- Jun Kuroda's Hiroshima kimono from Section 9. Jun's clothing has a heavy grunge leaning that should appeal to people who enjoy sims like Midian City and Hell's Kitchen, but this outfit can be an understandably difficult one for those more sensitive to its history.

- Next is Migi Voom's Smart Black Kimono from Muism, shown with Nonko Noel's Kingyo Obi. I'm a big fan of mixing and matching obi and kimono, and the Japanese shop areas have plenty of both to choose from. I have to say, however, that the last one is my favorite.

- On the far right is NaNa Beatty's Hishou outfit from KANA-NA, which comes with platform sandals, hair accessories, nail polish, and a kimono all accented with wild streams of glitter and feathers. NaNa's personal style really shines through, and I love what I see.

* Iris' tips for Japanese fashion designers (English below)

大事な点なので日本語、英語ともに表示されていますが、内容は英語を得意としない
方、話さない方全てに対応する内容なので、そういうデザイナーを知っている人はこ
のメッセージを転送してください。
英語がファッションの成功の妨げになるのは不公平なので、改善目指して頑張ってい
ます。

以下に個人の作品を広く公表するのに役立つ点を記載します。

•英語の得な友達がいれば助けを求めよう!　新作品のフォーラム、広告、SLエ
クスチェンジ、OnRezなどのサイトにも記載できれば効果満点。

•モール、ショッピング街に支店を出そう！日本のレジデントにはこの方法が好
評で大成功しています。ここで記載された記事でもこうして発見されたものが多々あ
ります。

•一定としたメインのお店を持つ！プロフィールの好きな場所に記載して宣伝し
よう。お店が見つけやすくなります。

•私まで連絡を！数え切れないデザイナーと新作品の先端にいるのはとても大仕
事。よって皆さんの協力が必要です。[email protected] までメールをして下
さい。言語問わず。SLURLS、写真何でも送って！作品によってはNWN, Second Style,
The Metaverse Messengerなど色々なところで宣伝します。デザイナーを助けるのが
仕事なので遠慮せずメールして下さい。

•個人を生かそう！個人的な作品で主流となっているファッションと多少違えば、
その違いを有効に使ってみよう。主流だからといって個人のスタイルを変えるのでは
なく自分らしさを出してみればスッポットライトは目前かも！

This is something I want to make perfectly clear, so I've made it available in both English and Japanese, but it applies to everyone whose English skills are minimal or nonexistent, so if you know of a creator who doesn't speak English, I encourage you to relay this message to them. I do not think it's fair that knowing English plays such a big role in being successful in the fashion world of Second Life, and I want to do everything possible to change that.

Here are a few tips that can help get your work some larger recognition:

• If you have a friend with English skills, ask them for help. If they can post in the New Product Forums, Classifieds, and sites like SLExchange and OnRez, you will have a big advantage already.

• Open many branches of your store in malls and shopping areas. This has been a popular strategy with Japanese designers, and it has resulted in me finding at least half of the items I've covered in this article.

• Have a consistent main store location, and put it in Picks in your Profile, so we can find you!

• Contact me, Iris Ophelia! It's very hard to stay on top of sims like Metabirds and those surrounding Ameba, no matter how hard I try. You can also send me an email at [email protected] in any language you're comfortable with. SLURLS, pictures, anything. If I like your work, I will go out of my way to work your creations into what I do here at NWN, Second Style, The Metaverse Messenger, and elsewhere. My goal is to help you as best I can, so please don't be shy.

• Finally, be yourself. If your stuff is different than the mainstream of SL fashion, embrace that difference! Never change who you are for the sake of being seen, because in the end it's the differences that will put you in the spotlight!

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. Japanese translations were graciously provided by Namiko Hokkigai, BettiePage Voyager and Puma Jie.

Comments

[Forseti Svarog]

Thanks for running these pieces Iris. Gorgeous work.

[Menno Ophelia]

Awesome article Iris.
I think the japanese sims are filled with treasures and it deserves all the attention it can get. Way to go

[Adia Clary]

I love the coverage of the Japanese designers!!! It is great to see different stuff than what we normally see! They will be getting some of my business when I look for new clothes!

[Flugel Flasheart]

Excellent article Iris and inspiration for us all.

[Nock Forager]

Nice work! Think you spent so many time to gather and write about these contents. Hope fashion things go over ther border of language.
Ah there are some point you better mention. Advertizing to worldwide is not much difficult for non-English speakers, but They feel huge stress from customer support, especially dealing with claim (ya, dealing with angry peoples need advanced communicating skill). Maybe there would be "Bridge" person (or company) needed...

[Kisskiss Zemlja]

Dear,Iris Ophelia!
I am very glad that you wrote this blog.
I want to say that I thank you.

We are different in both the words and the culture.
I think that it is a thing with the very big meaning even that you were pleased with our making.
In addition you introduced these by your words.
You gave big chance and hope to us.
I thank you so much, as to be able to hardly express it all.

I want you to continue to introduce a lot of creators waiting for a chance all over the world as well as Japan, with your sense.

- - - -
A postscript: I use an interpreter.
If my sentence is wrong, I'm sorry.

　　　　　　 Sincerely.
　　　　　　 Kisskiss Zemlja

[rikomatic]

Wow, another awesome set of reviews.

I'd love to see bigger versions of those pics, if possible, Iris!

[Aenea Nori]

A wonderful series, Iris. I'm so amazed by the quality of the items you've displayed (I was already in love with Zero Point, but the rest are new to me), as well as your commitment to quality and completeness in the write-up.

Congrats!

[Iris Ophelia]

Thanks everyone, and for those interested in seeing larger versions of the pictures from part 1&2, here's a link to the Article Pics set on my Flickr page. ^^
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleatingheart/sets/72157594223345919/
The pictures in question are currently at the bottom of that jumbled little page.