Thursday, December 4, 2008

ROSEBUD! A Challenge.

Lag. Incessant amounts of lag. Mile high vendors that take an hour to rez, a store so gigantic you can wander in it for hours and never find what you need. And the nagging conviction at the back of your skull that no WAY can all this be made by the one person, that there must be a sweatshop of chimpanzees highly trained in sculptywork toiling away in an barely ventilated building somewhere.
 
Right, we got all that out the way?
 
I love Bare Rose.
 
And I'm calling for a Bare Rose Appreciation Week.


Bare Rose Armour
 
For a designer that brings out items almost every day, its so rare to see anyone actually featuring them. I've seen the lovely Mist series a lot on the feeds, but that's about it. Even the Bare Rose Haute Couture line gets a fairly quiet reception, and the textures and primwork on that is superb. So here's an inspiration to occupy all of you Bloggers. We all have at least one B@R outfit in our inventories, surely? Even if just bought for a fancy dress party.  Dust them out, show us your favourites. Make a mash up of what you have, or feature Bare Rose pieces with other designer's items and show us what you can do with them as a base. And if you don't have any, then here is your excuse to go and discover, drift amongst the aisles in wonder.


 I'm sure this is a story that has been repeated again and again. But I remember wandering into Bare Rose Tokyo as a fresh off Orientation Island noobie with a whole 1kl under my belt to find "me." And I remember my delight in discovering that it was true, all the fantastical looking avatars I'd seen on television that drew me to Second Life in the first place existed, and that they were within my reach. That someone knew how I wanted to look before even I did - and had made it up in all my favourite colours and beckoned me to come, join in. I'm now at a point where I don't care to try count just how many B@R outfits I have, and I KNOW that I've bought a lot of them and never been able to find a place to wear, for example...  a giant golden set of scales - but it just doesn't matter.  My personal style is always evolving but I still go back there every few weeks to see what's new. Bare Rose Tokyo, I love thee. Let me count the ways.
 
Bare Rose Challenge.
 
For the amazing "bang-for-your-buck." So many options in a myriad of colours. All for 180l or less. No one else on the grid offers as half as much value as June Dion. She understands that we have 3 clothing layers for a reason. So she offers versatility at a rate everyone can afford. You can wear ensembles out of the box or mash them up with other items, and do so at a price that even campers won't begrudge. There is also a mountain of freebies with essentials for every avatar just finding their feet - AO's, facelights, skins and clothes. So we get prettier noobs to look at - she performs an important public service.
 
For the transfer option. You crave the Wastelands Cowboy but you only want the pink chaps? (Okay, okay, yes - the pink ones were in the Cowgirl not the Cowboy - I bought it. I'll admit it!) Then buy it, and split up the brown, the black, the blue and the grey and farm it out to your friendslist. Or stop by when you are bored and pick out impromptu gifts to delight your friends upon log in. No filling out giftcard requests and waiting a week for the store owner to deign to pass on the goods. See. Want. Buy. Transfer. Reap love.  No wait.  Or buy a French maid's uniform to wear just once as a dare and then pass it on to someone with better legs. *cough* There is a lack of stores that offer transfer, and I cherish B@R for that alone. 

bare rose Samurai
 
For the endless variety.  You all know that Bare Rose has fantasy and gothic outfits, and geisha robes, right? But there is also urban streetwear. Evening wear. Lingerie. Shoes. Handbags. Flowers. Hair. Jewellery. Castles. Tattoos. Skyboxes. Cages. And marvels hiding in the aisles that defy classification, as I discovered for myself yet again when Newdoll and Sasy sent over this "Pioneer" Mecha Avatar a few days ago. Stomping around making the Transformers noise as I ran Noodle into the wall several times reminded us afresh of just how much fun Second Life can be, and this was what prompted this - my open love letter to June.

bare rose pioneer
 
For the audacity.  Who else would release 4 sculpty dragons, gargoyles, an entire set of costumes for men and women based on the Zodiac, highwaymen capes, knight's armour, mermaid tails, demon wings and kimonos in 17 different styles? It's obvious that some things aren't going to sell. It must be fuelled at least in some small part by the joy of creation, and a sense of "just because we CAN." I'm not under any delusions, I'm fully aware this is a business. But it seems to me as an observer that maybe, just maybe it isn't always just about the bottom line at Bare Rose. They put on concerts, competitions, hunts, and maintain a sandbox for their customers. And June is seen rarely, and never seems to do any interviews. Feel free to fling tomatos and howls of derision at me for this line... but I think it's kinda nice that Second Life has a Willy Wonka too.
 
 
This was my paean to B@R. And I'm going to spend my next few blogs on this subject - all this week - making some mashups and highlighting a few of the interesting items I've found there. If anyone wants to join in on this, please post the links to your blogs here in the comments so we can all admire your elite blogging skillz. We have such a diverse array of styles in the SL fashion blogging community, I'm sure that everyone is going to bring something different and inspiring to this challenge. Bring it on Tokyo style!

P.S. - I've been asked to establish a Flickr group for those of you who dont have blogs, or want their pics posted here. Never let it be said that I don't give people want they want. It's getting me to stop that's the problem.

P.P.S. - I've since taken out my email addy, because in the last 24 hours I've won 4 lotteries and had 11 rich relatives die. (Note to self - stop holding family reunions in Nigeria.) So if you post to the Flickr site, mention on your blurb whether it's okay for me to re-post your pictures here.


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40 comments:

  1. I agreed totally. BR is a huge part of the experience of coming into SL. You go there as a noob because the outfits are so cheap that you can build a good wardrobe very quickly and yet, you end up going back there because there is this one photo you want to do, or this one event you are going to that requires a slightly unusual outfit and you can pretty much guarantee that BR is going to have something that will fit the bill.

    It really is one of the unsung axes of the Second Life experience.

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  2. I can actually go there now and not die a lag death, its a great place and I got my Halloween outfit there.

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  3. I've seen June a couple times. I go to the EGL dances they have on the neighbor sim and she'll show up sometimes, and shower the crowd with free outfits. usually in addition to the standard giveaway. Every dance has a theme dress you know, to match, that they give to all who attend. She seemed extremely nice, maybe a bit shy of English use, a lot of :), :D and ^_^ going on. actually you should consider going to those dances, theres never enough men and you'd probably win the best dressed contest handily.

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  4. nice homage to a great SL fashion Icon & I agree with Aisuru, I spoke with June a couple of days ago and she is very friendly and helpful.

    And yes, I'm working on my outfits, its just a matter of now deciding which of the 50+ (eeeeek!) outfits to choose as my all time favourites

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  5. *Stands and claps, tosses confetti, kisses the girl, etc.* Fabulous post and you are entirely correct. Bare Rose rocks and June is teh Bomb.

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  6. I am soo going to big out my Bare Rose folder and see what I can mesh together... I love them... and June Dion is a dear :)

    Great post!!! I have only just discovered your blog and I think Im gonna be hooked :)

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  7. Oh God Winter, that takes me back. When I first hit BareRose I was so clueless I didn't even know how to cam around. I painstakingly floated my av up and down the rows of delicious outfits trying to choose. BareRose is utterly fabulous.
    And what a fierce post!

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  8. Will there be a flickr group for us non-bloggers? :)

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  9. I was there yesterday to buya new outfit to go with my now demoness look, I knew I didn't have to go any further than B@R as she has everything! Great blog, Winter!

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  10. BR is an example that one can create great stuff, good priced and still earn money.
    BR products are full of imagination, are fun and i just can love them!

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  11. Ok then, i've posted.
    I'm still pouting that you wouldn;t do my challenge though :D

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  12. I have posted - you can see it at http://cajsalilliehook.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/br-appreciation-challenge-1/

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  13. I was preparing a post soon as I am behind in my Bare Rose ones, glad I saw this first, great store to appreciate :).

    xox Sasy xox

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  14. Um I think I just spammed your flickr, I didn't realise how many I had, don't bite me. I left some out there was too many :( sorry

    xox Sasy xox

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  15. You are making me embrace the lag. Here's a tip: http://barerose.xeraweb.com

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  16. Loved this challenge Winter, so check it out:
    http://slshopaholic.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/bare-rose-appreciation-week/

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  17. On behalf of BareRose staff and speaking as a normal member of SL. Just want to say thank you, I found this a really nice post and brought it to June's attention. I'm sure she appreciates seeing these as much as I do. I'll probably unfortunately be popping around blogs mentioning the catalogue website (cause #1 complaint is lag which we try to prevent via the website http://barerose.xeraweb.com which offers browsing outside of SL with all the info you would need and even a teleport to the outfits section. Not to mention the benefits the people who sign up recieve). I'm really excited to see this going on. Thank you once again and as always please keep blogging such good finds. ^^

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  18. Did a quick post (hope this outfit hasn't been covered yet!)

    http://wwwshelbyblog.blogspot.com/

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  19. Here's post # 2 from my blogging partner, Gidge Uriza:

    http://cajsalilliehook.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/bare-rose-challenge-2/

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  20. Everyone's pics are so gorgeous I almost didn't want to add mine to the pool because the insecurity bunny attacked me. Viciously. But I didn't pour on the pink liquid latex just to let it go to waste, so here's my "better get something blogged while I'm actually thinking about it or it'll be months before I do" entry:

    http://prettyprettydressup.blogspot.com/2008/12/sidetracked.html

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  21. http://scarboroughflairbysasyscarborough.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/how-challenging/

    runs

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  22. BR has always been my point of call when I need something special to wear, and golly, I really do have a lot of stuffz in my singularity of an inventory. :)) /me feels herself sinking to its depths and stringification happening...aagGGAAIIINNN!

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  23. June does more to help faeries break out of the "Ballgown with wings" mentality than anyone else. I love Bare Rose and have featured more of June's outfits than any other designer in my irregular "Faerie Fashions" series.

    http://faerie-h.livejournal.com/23905.html

    http://faerie-h.livejournal.com/30081.html

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  24. I posted my "tribute" too! Ha ha ha!
    Take a look at: Yes! I ♥ Bare Rose too!!!

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  25. i did one too!!

    http://closetdivers.blogspot.com/2008/12/let-them-eat-cake-n-shiet.html

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  26. Bare Rose Appreciation Challenge #3
    http://cajsalilliehook.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/bare-rose-appreciation-challenge-3/

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  27. Took a stab at it as well.
    http://virtualworldrealgirl.blogspot.com/

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  28. i love bare rose. i wish june would show some of her outfits in one of my fashion shows. i've asked... but she never answers. *sigh*

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  29. Number 4:

    http://cajsalilliehook.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/bare-rose-challenge-4/

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  30. Bare Rose Challenge: Take 1:

    http://fashionascension.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/bare-rose-challenge-take-1/

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  31. don't know if you read my Plurk timeline or not but just in case, heres my post showing the love for Bare Rose http://www.kami-no-aisuru.net/kaminoblog/

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  32. Here's another:
    http://cajsalilliehook.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/bare-rose-challenge-5

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  33. Bare Rose Challenge: Take 2

    http://fashionascension.wordpress.com/2008/12/07/bare-rose-challenge-take-2/

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  34. *whispers you could write your email as analu[at]analutetia.com and then you won't get spam*

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  35. And yet another (/me waves to Winter)

    http://rightclickwear.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/bare-rose-the-challenge/

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  36. Wow I am late but I am just going in-world to bust out my Barerose folder and take some pics <3

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  37. OMG what a cool idea!!
    her is my entry! ( iknow its not a compitition, but ya know) lol!!
    http://darkandiel.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-first-post.html

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  38. I simply love ALL of her work and business approach.
    Transfer is suicide, management suicide.
    But pure customer love.

    Respect and admiration to June Dion.

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  39. In principle, a good happen, support the views of the author

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  40. Nice post! This is a very nice blog that I will definitively come back to more times this year! Thanks for informative post. hot showers

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