Tag: Mandala

I’m ALL ABOUT ANTHONY…

I’m ALL ABOUT ANTHONY…

by Lisa Millar ♥ 3 Comments

mesh body_cut I make no bones about my love for TMD- The Mens Dept. It’s entirely possible that I look forward to it more than FAMESHED or even COLLABOR88 ( and that’s saying something!) especially when you consider I’m not a male avatar! But the fact is that each month it sells some bloody glorious stuff, it really does.

I’ll be honest, the fact that it’s expanding in size fills me with both hope and dread; hope because I think this means that male avatars are finally being seen as just as important as female, especially when it comes to fashion, but dread because I’m worried that the standard of the showcase will slip. I’ve got to be honest here and say a couple of the brands included this month were a little bit, hmm how can I put this? ‘Not up to the usual standard’, shall we say, BUT hopefully they’ll use the opportunity of being part of such an auspicious event to improve their products and prove that they’re worthy of inclusion. The one thing you have to say about TMD is each month it’s an absolute roaring success. It’s always jammed to the rafters and filled with some utterly gorgeous avatars too..not that I go looking or anything, ahem! Now that little intro  is out of the way let me tell you about what Jez and I fell in love with when we visited today. A MESH BODY FOR MEN. GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!

Now, when you consider we’ve just had the release of the SLink Physique and there’s a number of other female mesh bodies on the market it had to be that the fully-fledged male equivalent was just around the corner, and it seems that it’s been launched at TMD.And you know what? I really, REALLY like him. Take a look. That shot at the top of the page isn’t touched up in any way, shape or form, I’ve merely trimmed the picture for the blog. Is your jaw still on the floor? Are your pants ever-so-slightly damp? I know mine ruddy well are!  LOOK!!

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Isn’t he an absolute dish? His name is ‘Anthony’. He’s a SIGNATURE MESH AVATAR creation, and comes complete with body, shape, four skin tones and Alpha Hud.  

The product itself is straightforward to fit- there are alphas for full body and one for the head, meaning you can use your own chops should you want to. However, this will prove tricky due to skin tone matching; there are just four shades to select from and unless you plan on wearing polo necks you’re going to see seams UNTIL we start getting appliers for this product. (Skin creators are going to be an incredibly busy bunch in the next few months aren’t they? APPLIER ALL THE THINGS!!)

Fortunately ‘Anthony’ has a very lovely face. In fact, he is incredibly handsome. There’s something a little, hmm, Nordic or even Baltic about his face, and I’m not complaining about that in any way, shape or form. In profile he is a sensation, with his nommable lips and thick, shapely brows making him an extremely attractive guy. I love his nose. He looks good bald, but he’s a real treat when worn with some rather surprising hair choices; for some reason I decided to try some Dura hair on him, not for a moment thinking it would work…and just LOOK AT HIM! He’s a sensation isn’t he?! OOF!!! The skin tones, whichever one you opt for, are each pretty darn lovely featuring great shading, blemish details and tone. He’s a very realistic guy. I always thought that Jez looked great in his REDGRAVE skin before, but now there’s just no comparison and I don’t think there’s any going back, he looks way too good in this!   Of course, this being a mesh body means he has decent feet and hands. I’ve always held a special loathing for the bog-standard male avatars hands and even though SLink produced some amazing male add-ons Jez ain’t my avatar so I didn’t fork out for them, and subsequently whenever I’ve photographed him I’ve tried to do it in such a way as to hide his shovel-like claws.

For some reason, and I’m sure I’ve not been the only one to notice it, whenever Jez posed his hands would occasionally look really ‘off’. It wasn’t something I ever really noticed replicated by the female avatars, but I often saw it with Jez and ruddy hated it.

I don’t need to worry about it now, because he has nice hands and they work beautifully with the rest of the mesh. In fact, his body is rather ruddy delightful. (I predict this torso will be one of the most photographed in SL over the next few weeks!)

You know, upon reflection It’s just ever so slightly possible that I’m a wee bit more impressed by this than I am the SLink physique  mesh body, even though it’s not something I’ll ever wear, and I’ll tell you why that is. I wasn’t convinced that a male mesh body would be as successful as a female. For some reason my kitty-fried brain just didn’t think it could be achieved; I knew Siddean Munro would nail her mesh body creation, but when it came to the boys I had no expectations really, so it’s great to be so pleasantly surprised. I guess I was a little narrow-minded in my expectations, but I’m so chuffed that they’ve been surpassed!  It’s not perfect though, of course it’s not. There’s room for improvement. I’d like to be able to change my eyes for a start, and I’d also like to see eyelashes. I’d like the ear shape/detail to be slightly improved, picky puss that I am. But these are relatively minor quibbles on my part (and perhaps something I can change anyway, I just don’t know it yet) but as I keep saying to myself, it’s ‘early days’. I mean, look how bad mesh clothes were in the beginning against where we are now. Who’d have thought it eh?

Incidentally Jez is wearing ‘Anthony’ against his usual shape, and that’s something that I really like about this mesh, it fit onto his frame without any alterations needing to be made and looked good from the get go. The HUD is also exceptionally easy to use and works a treat, no problems there at all.  In fact, the only problem that I did encounter with fitting was a serious case of bug-eye, but that was swiftly addressed by using the sliders.

I can’t wait to see how my peers are going to style ‘Anthony’ on their blogs, and I have a really good feeling about him. In fact, this Kitty is about to go and test him out in the bath..you know..for science or something. Oh, and a final point. This mesh avatar is just L$300 at THE MENS DEPT. Which is so cheap as to be scandalous, so what are you waiting for? I’m guessing the price reflects that he is a ‘Lite’ version, whatever that means, but even so it’s an absolute gift at that price. Go and try him out!! (Also check out the SIGNATURE MESH AVATARS Flickr and Facebook pages, where you can leave comments to help with product development, something I always love to see!)

Congratulations to Brox and all the team behind this epic creation, now you must excuse me as I’m being called from the bathroom..apparently the water is warm, the champagne has been poured and I’m being missed….LUCKY KITTY!!

mesh body Jez

Jez wears: 

JUST JEZ – The Mens Dept Has It All!

JUST JEZ – The Mens Dept Has It All!

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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I don’t know what Jez would do without THE MENS DEPT; it’s just such a boon to Second Life men’s fashion. It constantly  features excellent designers to fall in love with* and offers fabulous on-trend items and home-wares.  This month is no exception either; a range of absolutely sensational gear that is very easy to wear and is guaranteed to turn your fella from Ebbe Linden stylin’ to street chic in less than the time it takes you to read this post!

My particular favourites this month include this fabulous style from INK HAIR, this gorgeous tee and tied shirt combo by HOWL and these epic pants from APPLE MAY DESIGNS. 

INK HAIR is definitely Jez’s brand of choice and it always looks fabulous on him. Their colour range is particularly good, with the brown shade suiting his over-all look perfectly.  I find that their hair-bases always wear well too; they don’t look as though someone has gone crazy with the boot-polish on his scalp.  This style, ‘Flow’, is really substantial and frames his face beautifully at the front. It blends into the hair-base well and doesn’t look ‘stuck-on’, as can often be the case with such styles.

The HOWL tee is a real find.  It’s mesh, and I did notice that to get a good fit on the sleeves he had to adjust his pecs ever-so-slightly, but no matter, such sacrifices must be made in the name of fashion.  If you’re willing to shell out some extra Lindens then you can boost your package (ooer missus!) with a HUD that features a number of tee patterns and shirt colours, so this piece will definitely see Jez through Summer 2014 in style.

I have to confess that I usually despair at baggy-crotch pants, but these ‘After Shorts’ were too good to pass on, although I really do find myself wanting to give Jez the most epic of wedgies every time that he passes me, hence his voice being a little squeaky at the moment! (I may have pulled a little too tightly last time! Oopsy!) The style of these is actually pretty nice, and they’re textured really well, something you would expect from APPLE MAY DESIGNS. Plus if he wasn’t wearing the tied-shirt, you’d be able to see that he’s wearing pants too. Rather than going commando, you get the briefest glimpse of boxer shorts in these bad boys. Yum!

To finish he put on his old fave EUDORA trainers, which were a group gift (although there are some spangly new space-age ones in THE MENS DEPT this month) and added some jewellery from a previous TMD round from MANDALA  (another brand with some epic new releases at the event)  (The bracelets are old group gifts from RONSEM).

I really love this look on Jez; he looks cool and stylish with a polished, urban edge, and it wasn’t a painful experience getting him to go shopping at THE MENS DEPT at all, in fact, truth be told, I think he enjoyed it!

And so will you, I guarantee it! Here’s your TAXI! 

Jez wears:

  • Shape – Jez’s Own
  • Skin – ‘David’ by REDGRAVE
  • Tattoo – ‘Japanese Sleeves’ by AITUI
  • Eyes – ‘Ascension’ Eyes in Pewter by IKON
  • Hair – ‘Flow’ by INK
  • Necklace – ‘Kotowari (Full) by MANDALA
  • Shoes – ‘Blaze’ Hi-Tops by EUDORA 3D (Group gift)
  • Tee/Shirt – ‘Rui’ Summer Outfit by HOWL (I wonder if he has a moving castle?! Sorry..)
  • Shorts – ‘After’ Shorts in Dark Denim by APPLE MAY DESIGNS
  • Bracelets on both wrists were group gifts from RONSEM

*The majority of items on this list, with a few exceptions, were from designers Jez discovered because of THE MENS DEPT; which just shows how effective these kinds of events are. Whenever Jez goes shopping now, these are the designers he tends to check out first…just sayin’ ;P 

JUST JEZ-THE MENS DEPT WINS AGAIN!

JUST JEZ-THE MENS DEPT WINS AGAIN!

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

old fashioned Jez

It’s hard to believe that THE MENS DEPT  is celebrating its second birthday in-world, and of course it’s doing so in style. This monthly event has firmly established itself into the SL calendar and is always choc-full of inspirational menswear and furnishings and really is a favourite of mine. This is because it’s a one-stop shop for making your fella look fabulous. It’s made of win, it really is! 

Let’s be honest, there are so many regular events held in-world now that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but TMD is one that I rarely miss for a number of reasons. For a start I can be sure of finding super-stylish clothes for Jez to wear (because when it comes to his making choices he’s nothing short of useless) and for another thing it is a fantastic place to spot some of the most stylish, fashion-forward avatars on the grid. If you’re ever stuck for male fashion ideas, TP over to THE MENS DEPT and loiter with intent. It won’t take long before you spy some seriously tottylicious avatars, and if you’re cheeky (like me!) you can ask them where they found the items that they’re wearing. (Pro-tip: If you’re single this is a good way to start a conversation too! Shhh!!)

I’m especially impressed by the quality of items for this birthday celebration. Particular favourites for me are the THEOSOPHY ‘Monmouth’ spectacles and the CASA DEL SHAI dirty plaid and chambray shirts. The EUDORA footwear is gob-smackingly good, and the PUMPKIN Parka is perfectly styled and fits like a dream. There is so much to fall in love with here, there really is, and you would be a bit of a fart to miss this collection.  In fact, I’ve actually been waiting for this month’s TMD with baited breath,  because an old friend has come back to second Life after a considerable absence, and he’s been badgering me about the best places to find cool threads. My short answer to him was, of course, GO TO THE MENS DEPT! 

Anyway, back to Jez. So what did we end up with after our shopping spree? Well it was time for a change of hairstyle for my beloved, and INK hair is always a good place to start. They’re selling two styles at TMD this month, but it was the romantic ‘Foglia’ style that won me over when he tried the demo. Sometimes when you try hair on it just works, you know? Well this beautiful style is a perfect example of that occurrence. He looks dazzling in it doesn’t he? Teamed with this fabulous APHORISM shirt/waistcoat set he looked like an old-fashioned romantic,  ready to sweep me off my feet and read poetry to me. If only eh?

tmd 2.1As usual APHORISM uber-designer Rucy Byron has created an excellent product for the event, and this combination mesh waistcoat and undershirt is a must buy for role-players as well as the stylish hipster crowd.  The waistcoat is available in Herringbone, Houndstooth and Pinstripe patterns and is very dapper indeed. (Jez paired it with his favourite jeans, also from APHORISM. I don’t think he’s taken them off for the past few months to be honest, stinky Jez!) I also insisted that Jez treat himself to the fantastic ETHAM ‘Alexandro’ mesh combo blazer/shirt and the incredibly cool ‘Kotowari’ necklace from MANDALA. When worn with the blazer and shirt it makes a great alternative to a tie, and looks incredibly on-trend.

TMD 2

Had I the cash I would have purchased everything from the event, but alas I don’t. However what I did invest in has made me incredibly proud,  because not only does Jez look scrumptious, he has some classy threads in his inventory that I know he’ll get loads of wear from, and such things make this Kitty very happy indeed! Oh, and a quick shout out to POSEOLOGY. They have a fab wee set of poses available at TMD this month, and they worked really well when posing Jez for this piece. Now please excuse me, I have to go ravish my boyfriend.

While I do that, why not go visit THE MENS DEPT? Here’s your taxi! 

LOTD: LARKING IN LUXURIA

LOTD: LARKING IN LUXURIA

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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I’m having one of those ‘I cannot be arsed’ days today in RL, and it’s sort of carrying on into my second. So I’ve decided today is a day for being lazy! But instead of wearing a onesie and slobbing on the sofa, I intend to lounge about like a lady. So to that end I’m wearing LUXURIA lingerie, enhanced by this rather fabulous necklace from LARK. I feel like I should be splashing around in a champagne glass, like Ms. Dita Von Teese,  but instead I’ll be sipping on multiple cups of tea and napping frequently. Such is life!

I’ve kept my fabulous JALWA ‘Coven’ skin on for the shoot, as blogged in my last post, and I’ve been racking my brains trying to think of who I look like in this. (I’ve got it! Madge in her ‘Confessions Of A Dancefloor’ phase-her last truly great album in my opinion) I’ve teamed it with my favourite style of the year, and more on that later, which is called ‘Plenty’ by MAGIKA.  Last but not least is this stunning lingerie, It’s called ‘Rosa’, and it really lives up to the LUXURIA brand name. It’s incredibly delicate and girly, but the under bust corset has a very strong, well defined shape and there is lacing to the rear to compliment. I think it is utterly divine; and perfect for days like today, when you have chores to do but intend to do them dressed to the nines, and then some! Look, if I have to vacuum today I am going to be utterly sensational when I do it, OK?

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The necklace from LARK is the finishing touch. Again, Sienia Trevellion has crafted a corker, this time in this opulent bow-tie necklace. I can see this looking fabulous with a number of things, but for a real statement I’d say try teaming it with a tuxedo jacket;wearing *nothing* underneath it. (A kind of look that evokes Lauren Hutton and 80’s decadence.)

You can find this necklace in four colours; Silver, Gold, Black and Champagne, and it’s resize scripted too, available at the ACID LILY GALLERY EVENT.

Kitty wears: