MFA 2008 Nominee "Best Female Fashion Label" - Serene Sensations

Designer: Soraya Blachere- Born 3/31/07 Boutique: Serene Sensations at SkyIsland NW (118,127,21)

HD: Where in the great RL universe are you living?
SB: I live in Southern California.

HD: When and why did you join SL?
SB: I joined Second Life in March of 2007 because of all the bizarre stories I had heard and out of curiosity to see how SL would be visually.

HD: How long have you been designing in SL?
SB: I started designing around July and opened my first shop in September.

HD: What prompted you to start designing?
SB: When I saw Second Life, I was fascinated by all the content created by the residents, and I felt that I wanted to make this world look better.  I was struggling to find clothes that presented the look I wanted, so with the encouragement of my friends, I started designing.

HD: How would you describe your style?
SB: Classy and elegant with a good nuance of sex appeal and lace.  I love working with the lace designs because it gives my clients elegance and a sexy innocence.  I enjoy the duality of what lace represents.

HD: When SL residents wear your clothes, what do you want them to feel?
SB: I want them to feel like their personality is represented well, but also that they look extraordinary.  I want them to feel sexy, classy and elegant.

HD: Tell us about your latest designs?
SB: With my latest designs, I am going back to where I started - back to lace patterns. Smiles*

HD: What advice would you give an up and coming SL designer?
SB: Only do creations you love yourself.  Move the pixels as many times as necessary until it all looks the the very best you can imagine.  Don't hesitate to throw things away if they don't make you feel proud when you look at them.

HD: What do you know now that you wish you had known when you started?
SB: Laughs* I believe if I would have known how much I would get to love Serene Sensations and how much time I spend here, I might have done it.  It's been a huge learning curve not only in creating but also in all the little things that is involved in having a business in Second Life which is basically the same as in RL; it is a mix of great designs, seeing your customers happy and lots of PR!

HD: Please tell us one or two notes about you as a fashion designer that you would like to share with the SL world?
SB: I think I have said too much already.

Best of luck to Soraya Blachere!

Spotlight on Serene Sensations

I was so thrilled when MODA CEO Jujudoll Dancer announced that Serene Sensations was the featured design fashion house for the MODA Spotlight of March 17th. Soraya Blachere opened her boutique Serene Sensations in September of 2007 and I remember meeting her in the early days of her new boutique. I could tell at that time that Soraya was really enjoying the interaction with the visitors to her shop.

In her first life, Soraya is a film editor living in Venice Beach, California. What a great ocean location to find inspiration. We are almost neighbors as I live about forty-five minutes south of her. I am imagining that maybe our paths have actually crossed as I have walked the Venice boardwalk in these past months. Her designs are fresh, elegant and sexy in some sophisticated way, reflecting the beauty of Southern California trendy females. As you walk, wearing a Serene Sensations creation, the flow of the skirts is just incredible!

Soraya Blachere is wearing "Provocateur"

I asked Soraya if she had any advice for young designers. She replied: "So many little things in SL can make you successful. Mainly though, do what you like to do the most. Move pixels as many times as they need it to make it special and pleasing to your own eye." I also wanted to know if there was a place in SL that felt totally magical to her. Her answer came as no surprise: "For me, it's always more the combination of people around me, music, colors like the green of Starry Night (Vincent's Second Life) or Svarga ... or my own little beach."

Little know facts about Soraya Blachere:
1. "I love good looking girls wearing my creations"
2. "My favorite ice cream is Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia"
3. "I just went earlier to Fred Siegel in Santa Monica... it was good for my eyes" (and she smiled)
Second Life residents, be prepared for many more sophisticated designs from Serene Sensations!

I am wearing the "Romantic Adore Noir" style. The lace skirt comes with three different length styles. The delicate lace wraps this outfit and adorns the bust area. Stockings are also included.