Black Diamonds

Diament Noir coutre by AlaFolie

In doubt, wear black. To dazzle, wear diamonds. To intrigue, wear black diamonds. All these truisms come together in a marvelous outfit at AlaFolie called Diament Noir courte. But, there is no doubt about this dress.  It's the most fabulous little black dress in my clothing inventory. And that is saying a lot.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

Distinctive and highly stylish, black diamonds (diamante noir) are the rarest of diamonds. They are also a mystery. Black diamonds are found in only two places on the planet - the Central African Republic and Brazil. They are real diamonds but differ from other diamonds in their crystalline structure. Their unique structure absorbs light rather than refracting it like a conventional diamond making them opaque black. Conventional diamonds are created in the high pressures and temperatures deep within the Earth and are carried up from the Earth's mantle by volcanic explosions. They are mined from volcanic rock called kimberlite. However, no black diamond has ever been found among conventional diamonds. Their geological setting is starkly different being alluvial rather then volcanic. Many scientists believe that black diamonds are not from within the Earth but from outside the Earth. Hydrogen analyzed in black diamonds indicate an extraterrestrial origin in a supernova explosion of a dying star that predates our own solar system. About 2.3 billion years ago, an asteroid sized black diamond slammed into the Earth on an ancient continent that later separated into Africa and South America. When you wear these fascinating black diamonds, you are wearing one of the oldest objects on the planet.

  

I'm sure that you are now fascinated by black diamonds (hmmm hopefully), and you'll be equally fascinating dressed in Diament Noire coutre (make that even more fascinating). I just love its shimmering black sequinned skirt. It's perfect for a night at the clubs. And look at that sexy back view. Diament Noir is designed by pixivor Allen and is can be found at AlaFolie for L$600.

When you want sophistication, this hair works. It's from [kik] and is called Fine. It is getting very monotonous seeing models wearing the latest hair from Truth. I would encourage people to look elsewhere for a change especially at the collection of styles at [kik]. The hair designs are wonderful, and the quality is equal to the best that I have seen in Second Life. Each color set sells for L$100. A six color pack is available for L$300 and a 12 color pack for L$450.

AlaFolie
http://slurl.com/secondlife/AlaFolie/138/145/38

[kik] main store:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rhizome/135/70/33

These pictures were taken at the lovely estate garden of WK Ganesvoort in Costa Rica. These pictures are windlight free.

Previous post for AlaFolie

Fashion from Miss Virtual World - Miss Philippines by AlaFolie
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2011/02/fashion-from-miss-virtual-world-miss.html

Alecto - A Touch of Evil

Alecto by House of Rage

We are told that evil is about to evolve. Will it be subtle and seductive? A soft kiss and the flick of a serpent's tongue? That evil is here now. We see it in the new Evolution line of fashions at the House of Rage. Designs of grace and charm with a touch of evil. So it was that I was drawn in by the charming veneer of a most sinister outfit called Alecto. It's a fitting name for a design coming from the House of Rage. In ancient Greek, Alecto means unceasing anger.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

In Greek Mythology, Alecto is one of the Erinyes, called the Furies by the Romans. The Erinyes are three sisters, daughers of Gaea (Earth), who sprang from Gaea as she was fertilized by the blood raining down from Uranus (Heaven) when Cronus, their son and leader of the Titans, castrated the terrible deity at the urging of his mother, as told by the poet Hesiod in his Theogony. The sisters are Alecto (unceasing anger), Tisiphone (avenger of blood), and Magarea (the jealous one).  The Erintyes are avenging deities who persecute unpunished criminals with unrelenting fury, especially murderers guilty of patricide, matricide, or fratricide. The sisters unmercifully pursue their guilty targets, howling at them by day and tormenting them in their dreams at night. Their attacks are  devastatingly psychological creating unbearable pangs of conscience. So relentless is their pursuit that their victims either go mad or commit suicide. In appearance, the Erinyes are frightening - coils of serpents crown their heads and their eyes dripped blood. They are lead to the guilty by the flaming torch carried by their leader, Alecto.

The Matricide Orestes Pursued by the Furies by Willam-Adolphe Bouguereau (1862)

When I wore Alecto in public for the first time, I was immediately greeted at my favorite pub with 'Mariko, you look ravishing.' This dress has a very affecting allure. It's charm is evident; but, the spiked fur collar hints of the diabolical. Alecto was designed by Lybra Rage, one of the three fashion designers at The House of Rage who created the Evolution line, the others being Topaz Joubert and LovelyMiwako7399 Men. Alecto comes with ripped top, fur jacket, collar fur, miniskirt, miniskirt prim, miniskirt fur, and hose. It sells for L$700.

You can also remove the fur collared jacket and fur skirt to get an attractive look that is quite fetching. I like how it graces my figure.

This really cute shag is from HairARt and is called Sayen. Sayen was designed by Sebass Easterwood and sells for L$220 for one color. Sayen means sweet and lovely in the language of the Mapuche, a native american people indigenous to Chile. This hair style must give me a 1950 retro look. I have been told by various people that I look like Audrey Hepburn, Leslie Caron, and Elizabeth Taylor in this hair. Of course, I'm so flattered and thrilled when people say my avatar reminds them of those classic Hollywood lovelies. What avatar wouldn't be?

House of Rage
http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Regis/224/49/24

HairARt
http://slurl.com/secondlife/FANTASTIC/112/104/75

The outdoor scenes in this picture collection were taken at World's End Garden. The two interior backgrounds are taken in my Heritage Park mansion in Ocelot Valley.

World's End Garden
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dernier%20Lamento/104/136/21

I came across Alecto and the House of Rage in the fashion blog of my good friend Meimei Shiu. MeiMei modeled Alecto and other outfits for House of Rage. She looks fabulous. See for your self and take a look at her blog.

Meimei Shiu

http://meimeishiu.wordpress.com/

Related Post:
Whom the Angels Name Lanore (April 17, 2011)
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2011/04/whom-angels-name-lenore.html

Theme from Sleepy Hollow - some music to listen to while viewing this post

Patchwork Colorful

I've become so relaxed since returning home to Hawaii after graduation. I've been spending mornings leisurely walking the beaches and becoming reacquainted with paradise. I was so winter pale when I arrived in the islands that I look like a tourist, so says my sister. So I'm also working on a tropical tan, and it's coming along gorgeously. And now I want a new colorful dress in Second Life to match my happy mood. Look what I found at Nils Island Store. It certainly is colorful and eye catching isn't it. It's called Nilsy Beaded Patch Leather Dress.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

I wanted colorful and found it in abundance at Nils Island Store. The dresses are as bright and vibrant as a tropical island and very sexy. The store has a large collection which includes tropical dresses, formals, casuals, retro, and even winter outfits. Nilsy Beaded Leather Patch dress was designed by nils Tomorrow, owner of Nils Island store, and sells for L$300. I just love this patchwork and these ruffled sleeves. When wearing this dress, I'm constantly being asked where I got it. It definitely attracts a lot of attention.

For the photo shoot, I took the outfit to Cerridwen's Cauldron main gallery, a floating island owned and designed by Elicio Ember. Cerridwen's Cauldron specializes in fantasy plants, many of which are interactive and even carnivorous, and the gallery reflects Ember's interests in science, nature, myths, and magick. I think that you'll agree that Nilsy Beaded Leather Patch dress looks fabulous against this lush fantasy jungle and in the gallery's Tower of Dawn.

      

My hair is from DrLife and is called Ju. DrLife's hair employs a fantastic color technology which consists of 11 color textures and 10 filters that can be combined using the menu to create over 100 different colors. Ju sells for L$350.

NILS Island Store, Saint Lucia
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saint%20Lucia/247/126/22

DrLife Skins and Hair are available at Mariko in Mont Saint Michel

Mariko
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mont%20Saint%20Michel/228/117/31

The photos are taken at Cerridwen's Cauldron

Cerridwen's Cauldron Main Gallery, Floating Islands
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Griffin/73/123/674

Related Posts:

Avatar Inspired Fashion at Boudoir (February 22, 2010)
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2010/02/avatar-inspired-second-life-fashion-at.html

Fashion from Miss Virtual World - Miss Philippines by AlaFolie

View of Venice from the Ponte di Rialto - Dressed in Miss Philippines by AlaFolie

Miss Virtual World is the premiere beauty contest in Second Life. The finalists in the contest all have sterling pedigrees in the Second Life fashion industry - all are popular models in the top agencies and are graduates of the prestigious modeling academies. The pageant that crowns the new Miss Virtual World is a feast for connoisseurs of fashion. Some of the finest designers in Second Life create the outfits worn by the finalists in the pageant, and their creations are eye-popping fabulous. One that especially caught my eye this year was designed by Pixivor Allen of AlaFolie for Fuzz Lennie, Miss Philippines, 2011. Naturally, this stunning fashion creation is called Miss Philippines in her honor.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

Silvery sequined Miss Philippines is shimmering excitement. And Fuzz Lennie was absolutely breathtaking in this outfit; indeed, as any girl would be. I love how its low cut and form fitting elegance grace my curves and combine with strands of sequins to conjure irresistible magic. Delighted would be that special someone that falls under its spell. Miss Philippines comes in three versions: Club (version 1), Formal (version 2), and Mini (version 3). I am wearing and featuring the Club version of Miss Philippines. Each version sells at AlaFolie for L$1000. All three are available for L$2000. Group members get a discount.

Midnight Rendezvous

The hair that I am wearing is from DrLife and is called BaoChai. BaoChai was designed by dear friend Leena Ying and sells for L$350. The skin that I am wearing is also from DrLife. Leena creates the absolute Best Skins in Second Life. Their artistry and details are unsurpassed by any other skin designer. I wear DrLife skins exclusively.

Fascination in Venice

I have already attended a number of events dressed in Miss Philippines. Let me tell you, you'll make a grand entrance in Miss Philippines. I am so thrilled to have this outfit in my wardrobe, and I know that you will be too.

AlaFolie

http://slurl.com/secondlife/AlaFolie/138/145/38

DrLife Skins and Hair are available at Mariko in Mont Saint Michel

 Mariko

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mont%20Saint%20Michel/228/117/31

The pictures were taken at Venice Venezia and Villas de Revello. Venice Venezia is an astonishing recreation of the city of Venice that is amazing in its details. These photos are windlight free.

Venice Venezia Showcase City

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Prada/118/86/30

Villas de Revello

http://slurl.com/secondlife//141/191/31

Theodora by Lady Thera's Art and Fashion

Theodora by Lady Thera

Theodora by fashion designer Thera Taureg is a masterpiece - a work of extraordinary skill, an artistic achievement. Whenever, I wear this outfit, I marvel at the ingeniuity and creativity of its triple layer design and how everything just flows together into a graceful whole. Its a strikingly lovely dress, and I'm very excited to have it in my wardrobe. Theodora can be found at Lady Thera's Art and Fashion where it sells for L$990. Theodora was inspired by one of my favorite persons from history - Empress Theodora of Byzantium. She was born 1,510 years ago; but, Theodora is a woman for all ages.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them to their original size for better viewing.

Empress Theodora (c. 500 – 548 AD) was one of the most influential and powerful figures of the Early Middle Ages. She was the empress of the great Byzantine Empire which she jointly ruled with her husband, Emperor Justinian I. Of humble background, she had been an actress and a courtesan prior to her marriage. A delicate beautiful, a delightful wit, and a keen political acumen endeared her to Justinian who appealed against an old Roman law forbidding the marriage of officials to actresses in order to marry her. Justinian considered Theodora his full intellectual partner. The pair took control of the empire following the death of Justinian’s uncle and father by adoption, Emperor Justin I, in 527 AD.

Empress Theodora from a mosaic in Ravenna, Italy

They were a dazzling couple who ushered in the most brilliant period in Byzantine history. It was a renaissance of power, conquest, and culture in the former eastern Roman empire. During their rule, Theodora and Justinian transformed Constantinople, the capital of the empire, into one of the world’s most splendid cities. And among their many monumental public works in Constantinople is the magnificent Hagia Sophia - Church of Holy Wisdom – once the greatest church in Christendom and a grand achievement in Byzantine architecture.

Empress Theodora on the Throne of Byzantium

As joint ruler of the empire, Theodora had a real effect on political decisions within the empire. Most noteworthy, her participation in Justinian's constitutional reforms resulted in an expansion of women’s rights that was unprecedented for the age. Forced prostitution was prohibited, women were granted more rights in divorce cases, mothers given guardianship rights over their children, the death penalty was instituted for rape, the killing of wives accused of adultery was forbidden, and laws were established that allowed women to own and inherit property. Today, we recognize her as an early pioneer and a heroine of the women's rights movement. Theodora died from cancer in 548 AD. She is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Theodora by Lady Thera comes with jacket, blouse, underblouse, underblouse, pants, gloves, and 3 triple flexi skirts - mini, median, long gown - which give you 3 different looks.  I am particularly fond of the mini which I have highlighted in the previous pictures of this post.

The long gown is elegantly regal. In this look, the triple layers in the skirt creates a 3-dimensional effect that is truly magical.

The midi skirt gives a very sexy look that is sure to attract attention. It's perfect for parties and a night at the clubs.

The hair that I am wearing is from DrLife and is called Boachai. Boachai was designed by my dear friend Leena Ying, owner of DrLife, and sells for L$350. Boachai comes with 9 colors - red, silverin, platinum, honey, blonde, black, brown, golden brown, dark brown - which you select with a menu.

In real life, I made a memorable trip to Istanbul and explored the magnificent Hagia Sophia and touched the remnants of the great wall of Constantinople. So I am glad that I can bring you this little taste of Byzantium. And consider taking a trip to Lady Thera's Art and Fashion and aspire to the Imperial Throne of the Byzantine Empire.

Lady Thera's Art and Fashion:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mitcom%20Experience/136/128/136

DrLife Main Store:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sylvhara/98/172/27

Pictures were taken at the Frank Lloyd Wright Virtual Museum, Villa Amorosa, and Kingdom of Sand.

Frank Lloyd Wright Virtual Museum

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Usonia/18/4/22

Villa Amorosa:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nydia/107/124/48

Kingdom of Sand:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/KoS/249/25/506

A marvelous website with fascinating audio lectures on the history of the Byzantine Empire by historian Lars Brownworth.

http://www.12byzantinerulers.com/

Video: Hagia Sophia

Other posts for Lady Thera's Art and Fashion:

Lady Thera & Vincent Van Gogh (January 24, 2009)

http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2009/01/lady-thera-vincent-van-gogh.html

This post was recently featured in the Facebook page for the movie Little Theodora:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theodora-The-Movie-Little-Theodora/165926480092476

This post was also cited in Mosaicology

http://musingovermosaic.blogspot.com/2010/12/woman-who-seduced-emperor.html#comment-form

Avatar Inspired Second Life Fashion at Boudoir

Pandora Festive Outfit by Boudoir

Its commonplace to say that James Cameron's Avatar is revolutionary. But undeniably, Avatar is movemaking at its most extraordinary. And it is most memorable for its creation of the verdant immersive world of Pandora. As avatars in our own immersive virtual world, we may feel a special kinship with the film's main character, Jake Sully, as we too use avatars to enter another world and to interact with it and its inhabitants. And, like Jake Sully, our avatars can ultimately forge a second existence in that other world and become a part of it.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

Avatar's Pandora inspires us creatively in Second Life. Blue-skinned Na'vi, the denizens of Pandora, now walk among us. We can also teleport to Pandora Magic, a grouping of role playing sims where we might experience a Second Life version of life on Pandora. And, of course, Pandora has inspired Second Life fashion designers. Perhaps the most magical of all the Avatar inspired fashions is a little number called Pandora Festive Outfit. It was designed by Vitabela Dubrovna and can be found at Boudoir where it sells for $650L.

Vitabela Dubrovna is a self described explorer, photographer and fashionista. She is also a renowned real life fashion designer in Zagreb, Crotia where she and her twin sister have a popular boutique called Boudoir. Vitabela has brought Boudoir and a number of her real life creations to Second Life. The collection at Boudoir is a definite must see for the Second Life fashion aficionado as well as for us fashion divas and shopaholics. Her exquisite designs are stylish, feminine, and very romantic. And while I was shopping Boudoir for specials, I came upon Vitabela's Avatar inspired creations and her wonderful Pandora Festive Outfit.

Vitabela tells us that her Pandora Festive Outfit is made from 'Pandora's glowing flora and spirit tree seeds.' It is so much fun to believe that. I love the pale colors of the ginko leaves flowing down the dress and forming the skirt. The most charming aspect of the outfit are the spirit tree seeds floating on diaphanous parachutes of gossamer fluff that form a magical garland adorning one's head. The whole effect is of being a child of nature - a spirit at one with the planet.    

I had so much fun photographing this outfit. As the pictures attest, it looks fabulous when placed in naturalistic settings, even alien ones. I would wear this outfit when exploring those wonderful scenic sims filled with gardens, forests, meadows, and mountains and be as a free spirit of nature on these wanderings. Did someone say 'nymph'? Of course, Pandora Festive Outfit could be worn on festive party occasions. And I would wear it to create an occasion to be pretty and enchanting.

I hope you enjoyed this look at Pandora Festive Outfit and will be planning to drop in at Boudoir. And I have a feeling that I will soon be encountering a number of festive nymphs from Pandora in the forests of my estate at Opar.

Vita's Boudoir

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Zora/47/206/303

Pandora Magic
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pandora%20Magic/207/237/1001

Video: An Interview with Vitabela Dubrovna

Video: Pandora Magic in Second Life

Photos were taken at Pandora Magic, Bentham Forest, Opar, and at the residence of a dear friend.