MFA 2008 Nominee "Best New Fashion Label" - Clio Pret-a-Porter

Designer: Clio Cardiff - Born 02/01/2007

Boutique: Clio Pret-a-Porter at Capelli Estates (41,172,25)

"I also care a lot for colors, they take nearly as much time as the designing itself! So I hope that can be seen as a 'signature mark' for my creations, too....well-thought-out colors."

PF: When and why did you join SL?
CC: I joined SL back in January 2007:) At that time I knew NOTHING of it, I was only told it was a cool kind of chat where you can move around with an avatar and talk to people that way... so I just joined to check it out :)

PF: How long have you been designing in SL?
CC: I uploaded my very first items (mainly tops) in February 2007. It was very little after my start, I still had no clue how businesses worked in SL, and I was only trying to have something to wear different from the freebies everyone had, and not too expensive. Then shortly after, I thought having a store would have been a nice idea. I only started being a bit more serious (ie: trying to design clothes with hand-drawn nice details and shadings) much later, about August/September 2007.


PF: What prompted you to start designing?
CC: Well, I have to thank a friend of mine, who allowed me, back in February/March 2007, to have a little shop on a portion of his land. If he didn't give me the opportunity, I would have probably kept designing for myself as a hobby, and nothing more. As time went by, selling very little in my tiny shop, I learned a bit more about designing, until I moved out and started renting. I could do it all only thanks to my customers. I always had the best people around me, complimenting, smiling.... that's definitely a VERY efficient 'fuel' for a designer!

PF: How would you describe your style?
CC: I hardly had a style of my own until the most recent times. I have always pushed myself wherever I thought there could be some kind of 'learning new designing tricks' for me. Nowadays I see my creations often getting a bit of retro style. Some delicate elegance, always keeping the item classy, even for my casual. I also care a lot for colors, they take nearly as much time as the designing itself! So I hope that can be seen as a 'signature mark' for my creations, too....well-thought-out colors.

PF: When Second Life residents wear your clothes, how/what do you want them to feel?
CC: Well, anything they see as a good feeling/sensation would certainly be nice. When I see them myself, I think they are aristocratic clothes, something elegant but not TOO heavily pompous. Something you can wear to feel comfortable and turn heads at the same time.


PF: Tell us about your latest designs?
CC: The very latest, as I am writing is a set of gowns. A design that comes with 2 different skirts, with the option to choose between large and tight fit. It is all hand painted, again with a lot of experimenting on shadings - to nicely draw the curves of the feminine body underneath the cloth...see the Angelica gowns picture.

Before this set, I released a line of 4 different outfits. It has 2 different formal gowns, plus a cocktail dress and a 'classy-casual' pants outfit. The 4 items all come from the same 'major pattern' of silky folds... took me quite some time to draw them all and make them match around the waist and on the sides....see Karol Line picture. Hopefully it came out good.

And lately, I have been reviewing some of my old items, because they will always be in my heart, and I want people to keep enjoying them now, as they were enjoyed in the past....see the revised Magnete, Evelyn and Natasha pictures.


PF: What advice would give an up and coming SL designer?
CC: Ehm... *coughs* "/me can still define herself an up and coming designer... lol". But well, let's say that after over 1 year of uploading, I can almost place myself a tiny step ahead of those who are now starting.

When I was just starting my designing, I used to work as a sales rep in a formals &s ilks boutique. The designer there was always very supportive towards me, gave me little advice, and always kept saying: "Don't expect to start making much money/being a big name in less than a year and a half or so". I knew back then that she was not wrong.

I was shocked when I found out some people have such successful SL businesses that they can actually pay for their RL with them. Now I am almost there, almost 1 year and a half of 'designing' (although less than a year of serious business, and of "Clio -pret a porter-" as a brand), and I will never be able to thank her enough for that advice back then. It saved me a lot of pain in maybe wondering 'why am I growing so slow?'


I know a few people who want to start, and who see me as 'the big designer' and as the one to ask for advice. And I have always passed on to them the message "1 year and a half at least"... it's always better being surprised by how fast it happens, than feeling frustrated by how slow it goes on.

PF: What do you know now that you wish you had known when you started?
CC: I am not too sure there's anything I regret not knowing. I knew absolutely nothing and I have learned it all by trying and looking around. It was a great way to learn, cause I am pretty sure I won't be making the same mistakes. But maybe having designing skills would have helped... would have saved me loads of uploads and would have taken me close to the point of 'making quality items'.


PF: Please tell us one or two notes about you as a fashion designer you would like to share with the SL world?
CC: Haha, first of all, never be afraid to say Hi! I remember when I was a noob, I was totally scared and embarrassed when I had the chance to talk to a designer, cause I thought 'wow, HIM/HER in PERSON! Now I am not one of those names people recognize as much... I am surprised myself when people tell me 'wow, you're the owner of Clio'!

But, as a general tip, I feel like saying - "always remember that designers are residents as you are. We're not gods, and if we have time, we enjoy a chat with our customers... also if it's about complaints!" Then, well, let's say I am not one of those who uses SL only for business (not yet, at least, phew!). I have my friends, I like to spend time with them, I like to go out dancing.... and I think SL should never lose this side of its potential.

PF: Where in the great RL universe are you currently living?
CC: I am in Italy.