There's Much More than Masks Behind Illusions' SL Success (NWN Readers' Choice, Top SL Brand)

Iris Ophelia's ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

• Brand name: Illusions
• [SL Marketplace]
• [SLURL]
• Blog
• Estimated average item price: L$250
• Brand owner: Siyu Suen

Siyu Suen, the woman behind top SL costuming brand Illusions, is a remarkable creator because she found a niche few people paid attention to and truly made a name for herself in the SL design community through it. Starting primarily with ornately crafted masks, over the years she expanded her line with hats, jewelry, elf ears, horns, and even the occasional outfit, sticking mostly to costumes and the supernatural side of SL in the process. A mask from Illusions is a must-have for any eccentric and mysterious fashionistas, and if you ever need an excuse to wear it Siyu herself hosts an annual Masquerade Ball every October.

If you get the chance it's well worth the trip to Illusions' in-world shop rather than their Marketplace storefront. There's a broader selection of items available and the vendors allow you to select copy or transfer permissions, so if you want to get someone a gift for the holidays and wrap it up yourself, Illusions is an ideal option.

We're blogging the top 20 brands in our Readers' Choice list. Stay tuned for the rest soon! Tweet

Iris Ophelia (Janine Hawkins IRL) has been featured in the New York Times and has spoken about SL-based design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan and with pop culture/fashion maven Johanna Blakley.

Comments

[Pussycat Catnap]

I think I've been here on a RP alt. MP listing has familiar visuals.

And some items that were really nice, and definitely going into my wishlist.

If this is the shop I think it is, and almost certain of that - then I will agree that its best to visit inworld, to be able to experience it all side by side.

[Lourdes]

Love her items. She is quite talented and puts an extraordinary amount of work into her items. When it comes to masks, horns, and antlers Illusions is my go to spot. Damn I sound like a commercial but its true