Our girl won! CONGRATS Anya!

A shout out to all the TEAM ANYA SL supporters who showed up at the Project Runway Season 9 Finale show viewing party in Second Life.The party was held on the fabulous roof top of the Couture Chapeau store owned by Chigadee London.
Everyone had a great time and a special thank you to the coolest DJ in SL, Feleen Foxley, who spun the hottest Caribbean music as we watched the show.

A very special souvenir was given to all participants, a Team Anya SL TPS lounger compliments of Balthazar Fouroux of The Prop Shop. (A MUST visit to see the amazing range of puppeteer animated items.)

Anya tweeted a special thanks to all her Team Anya SL and to top it all... the RL Meiling (Anya's mentor) came in to say a hello to all the supporters on behalf of Anya!

It was really the place to be inworld last night!

Screen Capture of SL residents at Team Anya SL Party

Cool Dude at the Viewing Party

Feleen Foxley in her Team Anya SL DJ booth

Last Train to San Fernando is running on time!

The long awaited Second Life capsule collection of the real life Last Train to San Fernando Collection is now out in the Meiling Couture SL store.
Launch yesterday at the Best of Second Life (BOSL) Fashion Week, the five outfits shown in the Divas showcase of top designers in SL, stunned audiences with their glamourous wearability which Meiling is so well known for in real life.
We congratulate the BOSL team on their amazing set and a top class professionally run show.
We included the chat from show's outfit descriptions. Enjoy!

Amita Yorcliffe brings us ‘For Ladies Who Brunch’ a delightful cocktail dress in a stunning shade of green with contrasting gold belt. This is a dress that you can dress up or down and will prove a mainstay of any fashionistas wardrobe.

Arialee Mills in the aptly named Royal Botanical Gown in a bold foliage print of greens greys and black, and black & white polka dot bodice. The sweetheart neckline and puff sleeves make this dress a romantic vision.

Leeandra Breen brings us the delightfully named Crumpets & Cream Top and Handkerchief skirt, In ice cream shades of luxury satin with a striking vibrant orange sash.

And turning more heads is Chamonix Boudreaux in the Cocorite Fan Fair Silk Blouse & Tapestry Skirt. This cleverly designed outfit has an elegant pencil skirt in muted shades of pinks and greys with a kick pleat back, and an ingenious high front. The pink satin blouse has leg of Mutton sleeves and a delightful raised back to give a tasteful glimpse of flesh.

Our last but certainly not least design from Meiling is the ‘Waiting for the Last Train to Fernando’ modelled by Jaosi Odriscoll. Two contrasting gingham fabrics combine to bring us a western saloon look with a couture twist.

BOSL Set

MEILING Style Award Winner - July

Congrats to the sassiest Neko this side of the grid and our July MEILNG Style Award Winner, Pleiades Cafferelli.
This is the first time the RL Meiling has ever seen a Neko and she loved Pleiades' tail. She says she wants to be one too!

The RL Meiling viewing Pleiades

MSA Style Award Presentation

 L to R: June MSA winner, Tyra Eiren, Meiling Couturier,

July MSA Winner, Pleiades Cafferelli

 and MEILING Maven, Renee Parkes

Pleiades wearing her M- Perla Gown

Fabulous Video on Meiling Exhibition

RL really crosses with SL

We are thrilled to announce that a superbly slick video has been done by SL videographer Sophia Yates on the Crossing the Line: The Magic of Meiling exhibition at the Crimarizon Arts and Fashion Museum.
The Crossing the Line theme has truly converged with SL since in real life an extremely talented film maker called Sophie Mayers also did a documentary piece on the RL Meiling. Isn't that amazing the similarity in the names!
Here is the link to the video on You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geKEGsaOACs

The exhibition opening was a major success with Meiling Couturier meeting and greeting visitors, as well as, answering questions about the transition from RL to SL.
And as a special treat, there is a box on the table in the gallery with a MEILING 50 L gift certificate which expires at the end of August when the exhibition closes.  Drop in to pick up yours - only one per visitor.

A thank you to Sinergy Flux, gallery manager for inviting the MEILING brand to showcase and also to Balthazar Fouroux and Chigadee London who designed and set up the exhibition.

MEILING display in prestigious SL Gallery

The curator from the prestigious Crimarizon Arts and Fashion Gallery saw our SL8B exhibition and invited us to show at their gallery!
We are thrilled to announce that the display will be far more complex and detailed due to an almost limitless prim allowance!
The theme will be the same, Crossing the Line: The Magic of Meiling but there will be new photographs of the RL Creative process and 3 D mannequins similar to our BOSL Trunk Show when we launched the MEILING brand in SL.
The exhibition opens officially on FRIDAY July 29, 3 PM SLT and will run for about a month.
Please drop in to see this unique exhibition which gives a glimpse into an RL Designer's atelier.

L' Innocence Gown

Inspired by the women in the  18th Century Jean Michel Cazabon Paintings, L' Innocence Gown is the quintessential summer romance gown. Harkening back to gentler days when men tipped their hats to women, this ensemble includes a delicate Peter Pan Collar, detailed tucked blouse, mother of pearl buttons and lace on the full skirt. This is Grand Riviere at its very best.
Read all about this special collection in this month's issue of BEST OF SECOND LIFE.

Sea Foam is stirring up SL

We did not even expect the stir the Seafoam Ruffle Top Dress has caused in SL!
The comments coming in from customers include:
"This is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen in SL".
"Keep up the great work you are doing"
"This is just gorgeous!"

And if you wondered why everyone is thrilled about it, even the reigning Miss Trinidad & Tobago is wearing it on the cover of a local magazine!

This outfit is part of the Grand Riviere Collection showcased in this month's BEST OF SECOND LIFE MAGAZINE!

WE MADE THE COVER OF BEST OF SECOND LIFE MAGAZINE

Just incase you didn't see it, here are screen grabs of the FRONT COVER article on MEILING Couture in SL.

A big thank you to Frolic Mills (owner of BOSL) and Kay Fairey (writer/fashionista extraordinaire) who have been supportive and encouraging from the 'get go' of the MEILING brand into SL.
The article can be read on the web at:
http://www.thebosl.com/en/latest-magazine-issue

Photo credits: Laura Feriera & Infuzion

MEILING@SL8B

THE MAGIC OF MEILING - CROSSING THE LINE
I am thrilled to announce that my proposal to exhibit at SL8B was accepted and my team has set up a wonderful display based on the article written in the May issue of BOSL Magazine. I invite you to visit this display titled THE MAGIC OF MEILING - CROSSING THE LINE
Meiling

Press Release 
The Magic Of Meiling - Crossing the Line at SL8B takes the visitor through the creation process of an outfit in her latest collection called Grand Riviere which just premiered at Caribbean Fashion Week 2011.
We not only see photographs of the outfit made in RL and a fitting with a RL model, but also the parallel production in SL of the Meiling Couturier avatar creating and preparing the prims.
It is an exhibition which reveals the magic behind the creative genius of the RL designs and the superb technical execution of the SL renditions.
Please visit this rare glimpse into a fashion designer's RL and SL atelier. http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Dazzle/56/195/23

The outfit, M - Wind Song Dress is available for sale at the Main Store since we are not allowed to sell any items at the SL8B.

SL8B Schedule

June 20—10:00 a.m. SLT: Gates open to the public!
June 23—The Birthday! Special ceremonies included!
June 26—Last day of entertainment.
July 2—Gates close at 11:59 p.m. SLT

You Have Been MEILINGed!

MEILING Style Award
In RL,  a MEILING Style Award  is given out at events to someone I think looks fabulous. It includes a discount coupon to buy an item in my boutique. I will be doing something similar in SL!

A select group of fashion mavens in SL will be combing the grid for entrants for a monthly MEILING Style Award. They will swoop down on an unsuspecting but gorgeous avs and after asking permission, take their photo and invite them to join the MEILING Couture Group as a MEILING▪Finalist.

These MEILING▪Finalists will get a discount card of 20 % off of their next purchase of ONE item which will be valid for 30 days after the card is issued. As long as they continue to stay in the group, they will receive exclusive offers and gifts.Their photos will be posted to http://www.flickr.com/photos/meiling_sl/ and at the end of the month,  the RL Meiling will choose a winner.

The MEILING Style Winner will receive a special tag of MEILING Style Winner,  be featured on the Meiling Blog, get an exclusive Meiling Style Award Statuette Souvenir and a FREE outfit named after them.  As long as they stay in the group, they will receive other exclusive discount offers, gifts from Meiling and keep the title.

This is a chance for anyone with great style to get the award and there is no friend's voting or paying to vote schemes. It's simple and the RL Meiling has the final word.

MEILING Couture  Group
If you can spare a group slot, I invite you to join this my exciting new group MEILING Couture at
secondlife:///app/group/34d22e65-fbe6-2e23-848d-6f99c56ba55e/about
You will be the first to know about all the ground breaking developments of the MEILING brand in SL, as well as, get offers of discounts and special gifts.
Plus I will pop in occasionally to say hi to everyone since as in RL, you are all part of the MEILING "Family SL".
xoxo
Meiling

Meiling SL Fashion Show at BOSL sim

May 7 marked a momentous occasion for MEILING with the fashion show of the brand's debut capsule collection at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on the BOSL sim.

The show was attended by over 100 avatars which even tested the processing of the four sims and surprisingly the presentation was clearly visible for most people. It was definitely the place to see and be seen!

The model line up read as the whos who A listers of SL models including Miss Virtual World 2011, Serene Faith.

We can't thank Kay Fairey (model and show coordinator) and Frolic Mills (owner of BOSL) for all their support and professionalism in pulling off an event of this magnitude.

*We want to share a little inside joke with everyone.The Meiling Couturier avatar walked down the ramp in the grand finale manoueverd by Chigadee London and as Meiling herself looked on , she said, "they would never get me to walk down that ramp in real life!"
Special thanks to Serene who whispered to the Meiling Couturier av that she at one point was walking in the wrong direction! We could have kissed the ground when we reached to the bottom stage.

Meiling article in BOSL May Issue

MEILING FEATURE ARTICLE IN BOSL

Check out the feature article on the BEST OF SL MAGAZINE, May 2011 issue on Meiling's Inaugural Collection.
http://www.thebosl.com/en/latest-magazine-issue


or if it hasn't been uploaded, we have the pages here!
Better yet, pop into the store on Vade to get your issue on the centre table!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Vade%20Mecum/42/136/27

MEILING SL store launched with BOSL

On Sunday, May 1st, Meiling launched her SL store with a trunk show held at the BOSL country club.

The launch was a study in RL meets SL where Meiling herself chatted in voice to the audience and answered all questions.
The intimate crowd of selected bloggers, fashionistas and fashion mavens then moved to the innovative and beautiful new store on Vade Mecum. Meiling - Au Courant Style
 http://slurl.com/secondlife/Vade%20Mecum/42/136/27

These are some of the questions and answers.

1. What is your impression of SL so far?

Frankly, I am in thorough amazement over SL. The opportunities and creativity is boundless and I am extremely impressed with the people I have encountered so far. A few years ago when I heard about it, I never thought in my wildest dreams that today I would be launching a store here and collaborating with such the professional and experienced BOSL team from around the globe. I also want to say that couture fashion in SL is of such a high standard and our hope is that our designs will contribute to it.


2. How did you learn about SL and what made you interested in coming to a virtual world to introduce your designs?

Chigadee London, who has had one of the premier hat shops in SL for several years now introduced me to SL. When she first told me about it, I was the typical skeptic and couldn't wrap my head around the whole concept. However I did give her the go ahead to quietly test a few of my designs under another label. She also continued to send me articles from the media including the New York Times piece about fashion in SL and that was when the light bulb went on. I am indebted to Chigadee who has created and translated my RL designs to SL designs to make sure they are up to the high SL standards. I also could not have had a presence in SL without the master sculpty building skills of Balthazar Fouroux who also designed and built the dream store I wish I always had.


3. I understand that you yourself is pretty new to SL but having seen this world so far, do you think that fashion business is SL is similar to doing business in real life? If so, in what ways?

OMG.. the opportunities are boundless to reach an international audience in a unique but tangible way. The business process was not unlike RL. We had to find a location, design and build a store which encapsulated my brand, create the clothes for a collection which tells a story and embark on a marketing plan to get the word out. We have set budgets like any RL business and my SL presence is infact part of my RL advertising budget. The only difference to the SL way of doing business is that I dont' have to make the outfits over and over again from scratch!
I would also like to finally add that I am also impressed with the sense of community in SL. In the same way, I have a community in RL which I call the Meiling Family made up of loyal customers, models, photographers, artists, media folk - you name it. I could not have been as successful as I am today without their unwavering support. My hope in SL is to also replicate the Meiling Family SL where I am accessible and approachable to residents.


4. Do you think being a designer in SL will help your business in real life? If so how?

Yes we thoroughly believe that our presence in SL can only enhance my RL business. Even before we have officially launched in SL, my RL website's traffic has increased dramatically as people from all over the world are now seeing my work for the first time. The feedback has been nothing but complimentary and encouraging. Here is the website address
http://www.meilinginc.com/
As a designer I am always up to date on the latest innovations and trends internationally and regionally. My SL entry is literally 'keeping ahead of the game' as a fashion innovator and cutting edge designer especially in the Caribbean.
I am also preparing to enter new markets in Europe with my export lines and SL offers an opportunity to 'set the stage' for my RL business. The Meiling brand will have already been out there on the avatars of the vicarious fashionistas, so when the real thing finally arrives, they are familiar with it and know what it stands for.I hope my entry to SL will encourage more RL designers to make a commitment to SL as we have.

Meiling on BOSL stage with slide show behind her

Part of the stellar BOSL team, (L to R)Kay Fairey, Umberto Giano & Viola Rookswook

The Meiling SL dream team of content builders, Balthazar Fouroux & Chigadee London

After party with gifts and shopping at the innovative new store  Meiling - Au Courant Style on Vade Mecum.

* A shout out to the Avalon Estates sim management team who made sure everything ran smoothly as the sims were invaded with fashionistas from all over the grid