Ahoy Latex Lovers!
Here I am again after some time to finally present you with my first proper blog entry. Well, a blog entry that actually fits the description of what I wrote last time my blog will be about. It is my first review/interview of one of SL nicest and most talented Latex Designers: Jackie Graves of GRAVES LEATHER/LATEX/METAL.
GRAVES Mainstore: Oxymoron (54, 111, 30) - Surl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Oxymoron/54/111/30
Graves is a label that is most famous for its beautiful transitions and seamlessness. In not a single outfit did I find an ugly glitch or mismatches. They all blend together nicely to form a beautiful ensemble that not only the latex and leather enthusiast will find satisfying! This also means that they are easily combinable with one another and also can be worn with other outfits. A feature that makes them also attractive to non-fetishists who are looking for perfectly made outfits with a little twist. Her textures are nicely drawn and have their highlights in the right places, producing nice and shiny latex and polished leather.
Jackie’s style is understatement in its most positive incarnation possible. Her clothing is simple yet sexy, hugging your avatar’s shape and drawing the viewers attention to the right places (you know what I mean :P). To that she adds beautifully drawn buckles and zippers that are never too much and thus do not produce a messy outfit. In her posters and her shop design she chose a nice scifi and cyberpunk theme that really adds to the general feel and look of her outfits (look for the amazing 60ies style spacesuit…a really beautiful piece!).
You will find everything from the classic catsuit (with really nice strechy looking textures) to skirts, harnesses and even Matrix like coats (a male one was just added as the newest outft which finally is finally a long overdue adiition to the underrated male SL Latex designs in general).
I had the chance to talk to lovely Jackie Graves and ask her a few questions about her label, herself and her history as a SL Latex designer. The interview was done in German and I translated Jackie’s answers but decided to post the German replies as well for those of you who prefer to read them. I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you Jackie for taking the time to answer my questions.
1. What made you join SL and for how long are you part of it?
Ein Freund gab mir den Tipp dass SL eine tolle möglichkeit ist sich kreativ auszutoben. ich bin seit 18 monaten in SL.
A friend gave me the tip that SL is a great opportunity to live out one’s creativity. I have been in SL for 18 months now.
2. Why did you join SL?
Ich wollte nur mal reinschnuppern. ich hatte viel gehört über Sl und wollte mir eine eigene Meinung bilden. Ich experimentierte früh mit Texturen für Kleidung und das hat mich dann nicht mehr losgelassen.
I just wanted to peek into it. I have heard a lot about SL and wanted to form my own opinion of it. I started to experiment with textures for clothing early and I really got hooked on that.
3. Did you want to create Latex clothing from the beginning or what was there a moment that made you want to do it?
Fast von Anfang an.
Almost from the beginning
4. Why did you decide to make Latex clothing and not a regular SL fashion line?
Mich hat es gereizt hier Dinge zu gestalten, die ich im RL nicht selbst machen kann, Sachen die ich im RL nicht trage. Ich wollte nicht mein RL nachspielen sondern Phantasien ausleben.
I was itching to design things here that I can’t make in RL myself, things taht I do not wear in RL. I didn’t want to imitate my RL but live my fantasies.
5. Are you doing your SL Latex Designing as a full time job or do you do any work in RL beside that?
Ich bastel in SL eher abends und samstags da ich auch einen Fulltime RL Job habe.
I work in SL in the evening and on Saturdays because I have a full time RL job.
6. Are you a RL Latex fetishist as well?
nein, leider nicht. ich traue mich nicht 
No, unfortunately not. I don’t dare to do it.
7. Would you describe your SL Latex clothing designing as a job, as a hobby or anything else? If so why? What makes you do it?
Es ist zuerst ein Hobby. Es ist wichtig das es Spass macht - die Kunden bemerken das und das macht den Erfolg aus. Natürlich ist es auch manchmal harte Arbeit aber der Spass steht an erster Stelle.
Ich geniesse es Kleidung ohne Kompromisse zu machen, so wie sie mir gefällt.
It is a hobby. It’s important that I have fun - my customers realize that and that’s what makes it successful. Of course it is hard work sometimes but fun is the most important factor. I enjoy to make clothing without any compromises, just the way I like it.
8. How would you generally describe your designers career on SL. Could you give us a short history with its ups and downs and maybe some drama 
?
Am Anfang habe ich nicht daran gedacht meine Sachen zu verkaufen, ich trug sie nur selbst oder habe sie verschenkt. Als ich 5 Outfits fertig hatte, testete ich sie im Herbst 2007 in einer kleinen Mall. Das lief gut und nach und nach kamen mehr dazu. Genauso viel Spass wie am Gestalten von Kleidung, machte es mir den shop zu bauen, Poster zu machen, ein Logo zu entwerfen.
Dieses äussere Erscheinungsbild des shops war mir immer besonders wichtig und dessen Gestaltung und Pflege nimmt ca 50% der Zeit ein. Um dabei mehr Möglichkeiten zu haben, zog ich nach 2 kleineren Mainstores vor einigen Wochen schliesslich auf die neue sim Oxymoron. Dort kann ich mich so richtig austoben weil die Uhren langsamer ticken und Qualität und Kreativität Teil des Konzepts sind. Ein Dankeschön an Jaqueline mit der ich mir die Sim teile und die mich seit meinen ersten Designexperimenten in SL unterstützt hat.
In the beginning I didn’t think about selling my items, I only wore them myself and gave them away as presents. When I had finished 5 items I tested them at a little mall in the autumn of 2007. All went well and little by little more followed. I had as much fun building the shop, making posters, designing a logo as making the clothes.
The appearance of my shop has always been very important to me and its design and maintainance takes about 50% of my time. In order to have more posibilities and after running two little shops I moved to the new Oxymoron sim a couple of weeks ago. I can really romp there because time passes slower there and quality and creativity are a part of the concept. I thus want to thank Jaqueline with whom I share the sim and who has been supporting me from my earliest design experiments in SL.
9. How would you describe your destinctive style of design?
Klare Linie. Leicht wiederzuerkennender einfacher Stil. Auch deswegen gut untereinander aber auch mit anderen Teilen kombinierbar. In der Regel eine Kombination aus schwarzem Leder mit farbigen oder transparentem Latex. Sehr tragbar, dh. ich habe auch viele Kunden die nicht aus der Fetischszene kommen.
It has a clear thread. Easily recognizable simple style. And because of that you can easily combine the different sets and also with other clothing. Generally its a combination of black leather with coloured or transparent latex. Very wearable, i.e. I have many customers who aren’t a part of the fetish scene.
10. What inspires you?
Tragbare Fetischmode aus dem RL. Wenn Modells und Schauspielerinnen auch gerne mal Lack oder Leder tragen, schaue ich genauer hin. Ausserdem Illustrationen oder Comics aus dem SciFi und Fantasy Bereich - in Sl hat man ja schliesslich mehr Möglichgkeiten als im RL.
Wearable RL fetish fashion. When models or actors wear PVC or leather I take a closer look. Furthermore scifi and fantasy illustrations or comics - eventually posibillities are greater in Sl than in RL.
11. Would you say that you are influenced by other artists, be it fashion designers, music, painters, photographers, RL or SL and if so, who are they and why?
Nein, niemand bestimmtes. Sehr viele Einflüsse.
No, no one in particular. Many many influences.
12. How do you usually go about designing a new piece? What tools/programs are you using to create it?
Ich benutze ausschliesslich Photoshop. kein 3D Programm, Die Texturen sind handgemalt mit verschiedenen photoshop tools und effekten. Nur so habe ich die Übergänge der verschiedenen texturen optimal im Griff.
I exclusively use Photoshop. No 3D program. The textures are made by hand and with various Photoshop tools and effects. Only in that way do I have all control over the transitions of the various textures.
13. How long does it usually take you?
3-4 tage im schnitt pro outfit. Plus 1 Tag für Fotos, Poster und Verkaufsschild.
3-4 days per outfit usually. Add 1 day for photography, poster and vendor.
14. Do you have other people helping you and if so can you tell us a bit about how you usually work?
Ich mache die Outfits, Fotos, Kunden- und Shop-Betreung alleine, bekomme aber viel hilfreiches feedback. In Ausnahmefällen setze ich für Poster befreundete Modells ein.
I make the outfits, photographs, do the customer relations and the shop maintainance myslef, but I get a lot of helpful feedback. Sometimes (which is an exception) I use friendly models for the posters.
15. If someone would like to work for you, as a model, photographer, shop manager etc., what would she/he have to do? Or do you do all the work yourself?
Ich engagiere zur Zeit niemanden. Bin Kontrollfreak und muss deshalb alles selbst machen *weint*
I don’t accept applications at the moment. I am a control freak and therefore have to do everything by myself *cries*
16. Have you done or do you do custom designs? If so what would a potential customer have to do to contact you and make you interested in doing it?
Nein, keine custom designs. Das schaffe ich zeitlich nicht
No, no custom designs. I don’t have the time for it.
17. Are you doing any other design or business in SL apart from Latex clothing?
Ich wirke an der Gestaltung von Oxymoron mit, entwerfe einige Häuser, die Strassen und Kleinigkeiten. Eine gute Abwechslung.
I participate in designing Oxymoron, design some houses, streets and little things. A real change.
18. If you go shopping in SL and are not wearing your own creations, where would you go and what are your favourite designers (Latex and non-latex)?
Ausser meinen eigenen Sachen trage ich oft punkige Sachen, ein Geheimtipp ist da Dystopia. Dazu kombiniere ich gerne mit witzigen Gürteln oder Armbänder zB. von Manna.
Apart from my own stuff I often wear punky things, a quiet tip is Dystopia. I like to combine these with cute belts or bangles from e.g. Manna.
19. What, apart from designing do you like to do in SL?
Beobachten was andere Kreatives leisten hier. Es gibt immer noch viel zu entdecken. Das zu sehen und darüber zu reden macht mir viel Spass.
To see what other people put their creativity into. There is still so much to explore. I am having great fun to see and talk about these things.
20. What are your plans for the future. Do you have any special lines of clothing coming up? Are you thinking about doing a specific theme that you haven’t touched so far but would like doing?
Ich habe vor einer Woche gestartet mit Sachen für Männer. Da kommt sicher noch mehr.
Dann kniffelige Sachen wie weisses Leder zB.
Vielleicht auch mal Einzelteile nicht nur komplette Outfits. Uniformen oder witzige Sachen.
Soviele Pläne, sowenig Zeit *lacht*
I started to do men’s clothing a week ago. I will certainly produce more of that. Then difficult things like white leather e.g. Maybe also bits and pieces and not only complete outfits. Uniforms or funny things. So many ideas and so little time *smiles*
21. Is there something else you would like to talk about?
Übrigens - vielen Dank auch an meine Kunden, ein wirklich bunt gemischter Haufen aus fast allen Ecken und Communities, die man in SL finden kann. Macht wirklich viele Spass zu sehen wie sie meine Sachen kombinieren und so ihren eigenen kreativen Touch reinbringen.
By the way - many thanks to my customers, a really mixed bunch from all corners and communities that can be found in SL. I really enjoy to see how they combine my stuff and thus add their on creative touch.
So dear readers! That was the first review and interview of one of the nicest and most talented Latex desingers in SL! I hope you enjoyed it and would love it if you commented on it. I know I enjoyed meeting and talking to Jackie whom I’d like to thank for being such a nice girl
AND NEXT TIME I WILL FEATURE “THE GRAVES SPECIAL PHOTOSHOOT” SO STAY TUNED AND CHECK FOR UPDATES…which you can recieve by contacting me directly in SL or by joining my “Second Life Latex” group in SL!
Kisses ^v^ Latexia
Ahoy! What is this all about and why a blog about virtual latex?
Well I started to play with SL in 2006. Since then I have, like so many other SL people, played around with my style and appearance. What really struck me in the beginning was that so many people use SL as a means to live their most intimate secrets and passions. Or to put it more bluntly…they virtually sex their brains out (sorry for the honesty). And me? Well I’ve been there and done that. Yes. Its like adult Disney Land…and it was fun for a time but in the end I got really bored. So I looked for something else…for companionship, which was not easy and I lernt my lessons and it all turned out to be as difficult as in RL so I quit SL for some time.
Only for a few months now is SL fun for me again. I use it for my passion…my fetish…and that is LATEX (you didn’t notice so far? This is not an allergy site…please go here for further advice on latex allergy, danke sehr). I could write a long article about why I like RL Latex but I guess you know it already (and if not and it is asked for nicely, I will write an article), since you must love Latex as well ’cause otherwise you wouldn’t have been stranded here (unless, of course you are the one searching for information on latex allergy for which I am happy to provide you with a hyperspace jump again, bitte sehr).
SL Latex has many major advantages. First of all it is almost for free when you compare SL prices with RL Latex prices. Second you can generate a second me with a body that actually is made to wear Latex (in RL not all of us look like Dita or Bianca or Acilla or Darenzia or Emily or Jean or Kumi or Masuimi or all the other stunning Latex models that I did not mention). Third there is a huge selection of really well made Latex in SL designed by very talented women and men. Fourth there is a community that you can meet and talk to about your fetish (and most of them are really nice ;)) So it easy to make friends who share the same interest and passion. And that is exactly why I decided to make a blog about all this!
I like to meet likeminded people. People I can talk about how those heels fit with that corset and if I should consider the black catsuit over the red hobble skirt. For that reason I founded the Second Life Latex group in SL and you are all welcome to join (just search for it under groups in the search menu. Memebership is free). Another passion of mine is SL photography and playing around in photoshop. When I joined flickr last year to share my SL photographs with others I was really surpised that there was no SL Latex Flickr Group. So I decided to found one and again you are welcome to join! As a matter of fact you will always be able to see the latest additions to my flickr stream and to the SL Latex Flickr stream at the bottom of the page. (neat hm?)
Okay but why a blog? To finally round out the experience It shall bring the two “worlds” together. I will (insert fanfare here) present new SL Latex designs mostly but also post interviews with the designers, feature photographers and models, post my own favourite outfits, talk about myself (pretentious, moi?) and add the occasional RL Latex reference. I hope that thereby the SL Latex community will grow and people will get to know each other even more. If you have any futher suggestions what this blog could feature, fell free to make it.
So far so good…a begin is made and I am really looking forward to talking to you/meeting you/reading from you and hope you enjoy the show!
Kisses ^v^ Latexia
Hello dear Latexlovers and readers!
My name is Latexia and I finally want to present you my Second Life Latex Blog called Latex}i{affections. Some of you might know me from SL already or from my Flickr group “Second Life Latex”. And for those who don’t know me I will write a little bit about myself now.
My SL name is Latexia Kavka. For two reasons mainly. Latexia because of my latex fetish (obviously) and Kavka because of Franz Kafka (with an f not a v) because I think it rather suits the idea of SL. It is rather kafkaesque in some reasons and as in his novella “Die Verwandlung” (were a man gets transformed into a giant beetle over night) I was transformed into something different over night in SL. That transformation happened two years ago in 2006 and I have made many SL experiences and changes so far; from a “shore leave” to nights in front of the screen, from the ugly newbie avatar to something more sophisticated, from complete sexual freedom in SL to seeking a partner, that is I am not here for a quick f&%$ but for friendship. I have only recently found someone who shares that with me and am very very happy indeed. I have also found new and dear friends on SL who are very important to me (you know who you are).
For all others I have made a little About Latexia page where you will find a little survery I answered for you and I would also gladly answer any further questions. Please direct them to latexia.kavka[at]yahoo.de
Well and now have fun and enjoy the show
Kisses ^v^ Latexia
