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Retropolitan A Journal of Style, Fashion, and Culture Volume 1, Issue 7 June, 2009

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SL's place for retro style and culture!

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Page 1: Retropolitan, June, 2009

RetropolitanA Journal of Style, Fashion, and Culture

Volume 1, Issue 7 June, 2009

Page 2: Retropolitan, June, 2009
Page 3: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Publisher/ Editor in Chief ………………… Phideaux Mayo

Layout/ Production …………………….. Echo Underwood

Contributing Writers…

Physeter NichollsNemo Carrasco

Firehorse Rearwin

Photography…

Phideaux MayoEcho Underwood

Men’s Stylist …………………………… Firehorse Rearwin

Cover Image – Ishtar Roux wearing Isabell (RFL LimitedEdition in purple) by Pixel Passion

Left – Ishtar Roux, wearing the Green Gingham Sundress, byOld Time Prims

Retropolitan is your guide to Retro style, published monthly.

Find us at our main location in owr own sim Esoterica, andat better stores and clubs throughout SL.

Page 4: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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In talking with a

Retropolitan recently, I

was struck by something

she said. "I believe that

good style never goes out

of style. Perhaps out of

fashion, but never out of

style." said Linnea Luik. !I had to ask myself, are the

looks that we feature out of fashion? I know they are

timeless, just as certain types of music, and certain

songs are timeless. !The recent revival of the great

standard songs being sung by everyone from Rod

Stewart to The Pupinni Sisters is a good indicator of

how much things retro are becoming in fashion to

people of all ages.

So I began to wander areas of SL into which I

normally didn't go, I attended new live events,

concerts and benefits, !and I scouted out how many

people were sporting their retro looks. !And guess

what? We are out there, folks! !Fine looking gents

and deliciously turned out ladies of good style

looking absolutely fabulous. ! No, we are not out of

fashion, we make our own fashion wherever we go.!

Speaking of making their own fashion, this month

Ishtar and another of my favorite Fashionistas,

BellaStormi Constantine, were given the task of

raiding their own closets for some of their favorite

retro looks to share with you. !I think you will enjoy

what they came up with.!

The Iconic Marilyn Monroe has been honored in a

unique stage show, and Physeter Nicholls returns to

bring us the best in the lively arts in SL from the

retro perspective. Welcome back Phy!

We told you about the new Berlin 1920 sim being

built and promised to follow its development. !It

delights me to welcome Nemo Carrasco from the

project to share more details about the build and it's

growth. !I know you'll want to frequent their Happy

Hour after learning all Nemo has to share with you.

Finally, I encourage you to invite more people to join

the Retropolitan group. If you are a member it is

easy, just click on them, click more then group invite.

Select Retropolitan Magazine and their name and

sent the invite. If you are reading this and would like

to join , the easiest way is to go to our headquarters

at Retropolitan Plaza, Esoterica (89, 169, 21) !step

inside the building and click on the group join poster

by the door.

Page 5: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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Page 6: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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A Virtual Tribute To Marilyn Monroe

-Physeter Nicholls

Angelina Kitaj, the lovely star of Flamenco and

Moulin Rouge, excites SL thespians in her

rousing impersonation of a universally popular

20th Century celebrity in the Teatr Krolewski

(Royal Theater) production of The Marilyn

Monroe Show.

Director Szerewp Loon wrote the play to

celebrate the legend of the beautiful, talented

screen icon. “Many, many people love Marilyn

and want to hear her songs,” noted Loon. Second

Life is an ideal environment to interpret

Monroe’s rich mystique. “She represents love

first of all, then sex and fun!”

“She was one of the greatest talents of the 50’s,”

agreed Kitaj. She shines as Monroe, teasing and

pleasing her handsome suitors. “I love the

lightness, the swinging of her, and I want to show

almost all facets of her, that she was showing the

world.”

Monroe’s paramour is played by actor valentine

Parnass, who appears at the train station to bid a

sad farewell, later in “When I Fall In Love” as a

smooth Frank Sinatra, and lastly as one of Kitaj’s

beguiled groupies. “I think Monroe was a very

sensitive woman who could express many

emotions,” Parnass quipped. “And she was a

very, very sexy woman.”

The heart of The Marilyn Monroe Show is the

music. For this retrospective of six musical

numbers from Monroe’s film career of the 1950’s

Page 7: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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and ‘60s, Szerewp and Kitaj sought memorable

melodies including “Byebye Baby”, “I Wanna Be

Loved By You”, and “When I Fall In Love”. The

tunes suggested the settings, costumes, and

animations which were created for each act.

Recordings were selected to convey the desired

mood, from orchestral pieces that are lively and

fun, to slow romantic pieces for tender scenes

such as the tender parting of lovers in “Byebye

Baby”.

The production has a classic structure, beginning

with a band reprisal of Runnin’ Wild, and

culminating with Monroe as the object of men’s

desire in “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend”.

“It’s a wonderful scene,” exclaims Kitaj. “Six

men, all are dancing around me!” A cast of ten

avatars fills out roles as band members, travelers,

and dancers.

Together Szerewp and Kitaj have decades of

theater experience. Both have an intuitive sense

for the correct sequence of animations to use

throughout a musical. “I am a dancer in real life

and I am able to feel the music and to find the

right animations,” said Kitaj. She shops widely in

SL for the right dance and pose animations to

make the scenes come alive. “I find many dances

at sinewave animations, and also Bits & Bobs”

she explained. “For our upcoming ballet and

future productions, I need either more

animations, or somebody who can make the

animations.” Kitaj is masterful with romantic

devices. “I bought a swing and my partner and I

use microphones with animations. We have a

little love dance under the night light, coming out

of a spot reflector and he falls to his knees while

singing the love to me!”

Animations alone do not engage an audience.

The choreography of The Marilyn Monroe Show

involves a rigorous sequence of dances which

must be rezzed precisely when needed. “The

most challenging act is My Heart Belongs To

Daddy,” Kitaj admitted. In “Daddy”, Monroe

dances with a string of hopeful suitors, whirling

from door to door, and rejecting each candidate

as unworthy. While most of the scenes and props

Page 8: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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are reminiscent of the era, one exception stands

out. “In ‘Diamonds’, I rez dance poles in front of

the doors,” explains Kitaj. “The dance pole is

very good for this show. It is an adaptation to

Second Life, to demonstrate in a very short time

the changing of men.”

Reproducing Monroe on the virtual stage

required an instantly recognizable avatar.

Flawlessly designed by Anulka Zimminy, the

luscious shape and creamy skin exude Monroe’s

sexuality and feminine power, from her full figure

to her generous lips and beauty mark. Her eyes

express the familiar blend of intelligence,

seduction and sensual vulnerability.

Kitaj spent hours searching for vintage clothing

of the appropriate period and style for the

various acts. She selected a fine pink suit by

Zamiela Loon (Vanity Affaire) for the train

station scene in “Byebye Baby”, with shoes from

Blaze. The pink dress and flamboyant bow for

“Diamonds” was acquired at Ivalde and shoes

from Maitreya. Especially evocative is the golden

hair, from Ingenue. Anastasia Jewelry provided

the silver and diamonds that give Monroe the air

of glamour and romance. Kitaj assembled the

darling nightie worn in “Daddy” from Icing and

other fine shops, yet the ensemble works

perfectly. In “When I Fall In Love”, Kitaj dons

the Golden Sakura outfit from Adam n Eve.

During curtain call Marilyn leaves a lasting

impression with a beautiful gown from BareRose.

“I think that may be my favorite shop in SL,” she

smiled.

Together with Kitaj and Ania Szaberwick, Loon

also designed and constructed the sets for this

production. “The dresses and decorations are like

Page 9: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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being at the movies with Marilyn,” Loon

remarked. The sets effectively employ props true

to the era, such as a Coke machine, a movie

camera, and a Pullman coach car. From the

simple heart in “Daddy”, to the floating gems in

“Diamonds”, the sets support the extraordinary

facets of Monroe’s personality.

Following its motto “Ars Longa/Vita Brevis”,

Teatr Krolewski has once again demonstrated its

preeminence in Second Life performing arts. The

Marilyn Monroe Show performs next at Bleu

Katt Blues n Jazz Lounge, Rochial (61, 63, 37) on

June 8 at 12PM SLT, and has shown at Loon’s

newest venue Teatr Krolewsk, Second Poznan

(127, 27, 1) and at the Second Life Opera House,

DIXON Dream (201, 166, 305).

Hot flamenco performed by the company’s

Team La Fiesta will show at Puerto Rico on June

5, and at Second Life Literary Foundation on

June 7. The theater company is supported by

donations and seeks commercial sponsors to

provide costumes, jewelry, and animations for its

endeavors.

Wichi (218, 201, 21)

Page 10: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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The Rise and Feel of the City of Berlin

- Nemo Carrasco

Here I am, sitting after the Happy Hour at Die

Fabrik, though our daily happy hours that start at

2 pm seem more like happy afternoons because

of how they stretch and time flies... but better

focus, Here I am sipping a bit of Cuba Libre and

writing about how Berlin came to be, after a

request from my friends at Retropolitan

Magazine. The glass is almost empty but my

mind is full and so is my wish to relate to anyone

who wants to hear, this story...

It all started when I was at certain club one night

and noticed a nice lady from the Far East wearing

a tag about a project. I was intrigued about it and

we started to talk about it. The project was no

other than the 1920's Berlin Project and that's

how I got into it, I have always been in love with

the German Expressionism period from The

Cabinet of Doctor Caligari to Metropolis and the

Brecht/Weill works such as The Threepenny

Opera and The Rise And Fall of the City of

Mahagonny, but at that time I didn't know how

very involved I would be in the project.

At first the group was quite inactive, but with

dedication, Jo Yardley, the amazing person who

runs Berlin, has created this place with the sweat

and blood of her effort. With trial and error we

are now at the eve of inauguration, something

that seemed so far off, remembering back to

looking around for places. And sorry if I seem a

bit parental with it, Berlin is Jo's babygirl but I

still feel like the uncle who spoils her with dolls

Page 11: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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and candies when mommy is not looking.

When the skybox was ready we weren't sure if

people would come to rent stores or see movies

at our cinema... but as the old fella says, "if you

build it, they shall come," and they came. Old

Time Prims, Sonatta Morales, Swank Bros.,

Golden Oriole, not only people renting a piece of

our little neighborhood but also dear friends

whom we feel proud to have here. And not only

them, but all those who have given their support;

and you, as well, can be one of them if you want

to join our group, or just by passing by and

saying hi. Come on, I invite you to share a

Martini.

It hasn't all been laughs and joys, though. We

have had some scary moments, moments when

the cold military steel of fascism has appeared on

our beloved streets... but we have known how to

manage them. Still, if any of those elements are

reading this (I doubt there are such filthy scum

among the fine readers of Retropolitan, but one

is never too careful !) I want to tell them they will

not be welcome, Officer Edenbaum is always

keeping an eye out.

Oh my goodness, tomorrow is the opening! I still

can't believe it. I am now enjoying some bits of

Berlin: A City's Symphony at our local theater,

scratching my head about what else to say to the

readers of this amazing magazine, but I guess

what is left is not what has passed but what will

pass... the future seems so bright now (unlike the

real 1920's Berlin) and we have so many ideas

when we can afford the big Berlin, from the El

Dorado club, a recreation of the real gay dancing

Page 12: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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club from that time, to building a theater and a

troupe so we can present a variety of shows

going from Ukulele players to Mime, but the

beauty of it I think is also how we have made

friends in our journey and how many friends we'll

make, what chances life presents to us... the

future seems bright right now...

[The Berlin 1920's Project held its Grand Opening on May

30th, and continues to hold Happy Hour gatherings each day

at 2 PM SLT. !You can be sure to meet someone there at that

time. !But be sure to stop by and see what they have to offer

anytime, it is quite the unique Sim. - Ed.]

Page 13: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

10

The Gent’s Look

-Firehorse Rearwin

Quality menswear has

always been harder to

find on Secondlife than

quality women’s wear.

It's a fact. In part

because of technical

considerations, the

"mesh" for the male

figure is, apparently, harder to work with than the

female mesh, and there is a perception that men

won't spend as much on good clothing as women

do.

Knowing this issue I still took on the challenge of

being gentleman’s stylist for Retropolitan

Magazine. Now I am deeply frustrated, because I

find myself having to adapt and play 'mix and

match' to get anything close to an authentic look,

and even then, don't look too closely, because

usually the best I can do is evoke a feel of a

period. There are fantastic gentleman’s designers

out there, Styles of Edo and SF designs stand out

head and shoulders above the average, but, I find

myself going around the same half dozen or so

designers every month.

So now I issue a challenge, designers, you do

wonders creating amazing pieces for the Second

Life ladies, it's time to spare a thought for the

gentlemen of Second Life and give us some

classic retro men’s fashion.

Page 14: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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Page 15: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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BellaStormi Constantine in…

Dress: Glorious Gloria by LemaniaShoes: Sascha Ogg Design (pumps inblack)Jewels : Elizabeth Earrings andNecklace in Platinum by VirtualImpressionsHair: FD Torta in Licorice

Page 16: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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Page 17: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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BellaStormi Constantine in…

(left)

Dress: Moonlight by Donna FloraHair: Curio Sleek Bob in BlackEarrings: Docsisle "Fleur de Lis'Shoes: Sascha Ogg Design (pumps in black)

BellaStormi Constantine in…

(right)

Dress: Cigarette Girl Outfit byThe French Farm (includingshoes)Hair: ETD Xaria in Black

Page 18: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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BellaStormi Constantine in…

Dress: 1912 by Lemania (including shoes)Hair: by Curio "Gertrude" in Black

Page 19: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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Ishtar Roux in…

Dress: Azul - Mia in redHair: Analog Dog Fleur in copper (custom hairJewels by Yukino Dassin)Shoes: Maitreya ChiChi in redJewels: Molly Alexander Alia in rubies

Page 20: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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Ishtar Roux in…

(left)

Dress: Azul (Edo) Ewe - black lace cocktail dressHair: Analog Dog Mia in copperShoes: CourtX in black

Ishtar Roux in…

(rght)

Dress: Pixel Passion - Isabell - RFL Limited Editionin purpleHair: Analog Dog Emma in copperShoes: Maitreya ChiChi in purple

Page 21: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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Ishtar Roux in…

Dress: Blaze - Chardonnay in blackHair: Analog Dog Embrace in copperShoes: Sylfie Minogue Essential inSlate/Black

Page 22: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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Ishtar Roux in…

Dress: Shai, Daphne in silverHair: Analog Dog Monday in copperShoes: Adam & Eve Incanti in silverJewels: Molly Alexander Tear Drop in

diamond/silver

Page 23: Retropolitan, June, 2009

Retropolitan June, 2009

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The Martini Shot

- Echo Underwood

I suck on the olive and wonder, “is it that time of

the month again?” It is of course, and I’m

finishing this issue up thinking of how things slip

and slide between SL and the “life outside”. So

much of SL is so surreal, and yet so much of it is

rooted in the very real notions we have of design

and style.

The photo to the right is a good example. That is,

dear reader, the production office of

Retropolitan. That desk is finally where the page

layout meets the screen. But notice one thing?

Notice that phone on the wall?

It’s not a reproduction, that’s a forty-year-old

Western Electric rotary-dial telephone, and yes, it

works. Works just grand in fact…

A lot of what Retropolitan is, really, is a blending

of what we can do in the present while still

appreciating the design sensibilities of the past.

So we meld the two together, and put a modern

spin on retro ideas, making us slaves neither to

the limits of the past, not the latest fads of the

present.

And on that note, I want to announce a new

development in Retropolitan… we’ve always

been, and will be committed to our in-world

publication, but beginning with this issue, we are

now on the web v ia Issuu at

http://issuu.com/retropolitan so, take us with

you - E