The artful Alchemy of Wicca Merlin – VERSUS Magazine Spring/Summer 2019

I had the great honor of being the cover and the cover story of the actual VERSUS Magazine. I do work with VERSUS as a model, stylist and photographer since the very first issue, the more I felt honored and happy about being asked if I would like to be on the cover!

I remember very well, how speechless and overwhelmed I was when Shena told me, that she planned me, my photography/blogging and our store for her next cover story – I nearly was fainting!

I was sent some wonderful questions for the interview by Sita Writer, in my opinion one of the most talented writers I met in SL (actually I do have  2 favorites only *grins*). Anyways, I was super happy when I saw, that Sita did not only pull the usual mainstream questions and it really was fun to answer them. If you want to see the full article you can find it HERE or you can pull an inworld Magazine at the entrance hall of our Mainstore!

And as if that would not have been enough already… Shena surprised me again and left me speechless! When I turned in my pictures for the Mother Nature theme I was assigned this issue, Shena went totally crazy about one picture and wanted to take that as the cover for the magazine… MY picture as cover for a magazine!?! that never happened before, I never was allowed to do a picture for a magazine cover!?!

I really have to say thank you for a wonderful article, as well as such a great honor, to Shena, Sita and the VERSUS Magazine staff for that incredible opportunity and experience! VERSUS always felt like home and family to me and that, even made that bond tighter than ever before.

Why I am posting this today, away from that I am so proud and honored, is that I got asked so often in IMs about the style I was wearing for the cover and so I will put my style credits below this post.

THANK YOU VERSUS FAMILY!!!

VERSUS Magazine Spring/Summer 2019 https://issuu.com/versus.sl.magazine/docs/versus_magazine_spring_summer_2019

Clothing

Dress: Legal Insanity – “Camila Dress” (Maitreya)

Cloack: Astralia – “Danaus Spring cloak” (Maitreya, Gacha, Rare)

Accessories

Headpiece: Astralia – “Danaus Spring Crown (orange)” (Gacha, Common)

Flower (mouth): Astralia – “Danaus Spring Flower (orange)” (Gacha, Common)

Bracelets: Gemini – “Sis Bracelets” (Maitreya)

Rings: *elise* – “Diana” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: [e] – “Juniper”

Makeup 1: Zibska – “Ventura Eyemakeup” (LeLutka Applier)

Makeup 2: Zibska – “Tamia Eyemakeup” (LeLutka Applier)

Lipstick: Zibska – “Flore” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.3”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Lashes: alaskametro<3 – “Slay” (LeLutka Applier)

Poses & Props

Pose: Foxcity – “Long Grass” (VIP Gift 6-17, Bento)

Wand: Astralia – “Danaus Spring Scepter” (gGacha, Special Prize)

Model & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

 

Golden Autumn

Picture Made for VERSUS Magazine Fall/Winter 2018 (https://issuu.com/versus.sl.magazine/docs/versus_magazine_fall_winter_2018)

Jewelry

Necklace: Kunglers – “Rosalia”

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No.Arrest”

Makeup: alaskametro<3 – “Molten Eyeshadow” (LeLutka Applier)

Lipstick: alaskametro<3 – “Fey Lipgloss” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Face: Izzie’s – “Pores & Blemishes (LeLutka Applier)

Poses & Props

Pose: Foxcity

Backdrop: Moon_Sha – “Wall Ivy 1 – Summer 1”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Punk’s not Dead!

Look 1

 

Punk fashion is the clothing, hairstyles, cosmetics, jewellery, and body modifications of the punk subculture. Punk fashion varies widely, ranging from Vivienne Westwood designs to styles modeled on bands like The Exploited to the dressed-down look of North American hardcore. The distinct social dress of other subcultures and art movements, including glam rock, skinheads, rude boys, greasers, and mods have influenced punk fashion. Punk fashion has likewise influenced the styles of these groups, as well as those of popular culture. Many punks use clothing as a way of making a statement.

Punk fashion has been extremely commercialized at various times, and many well-established fashion designers – such as Anna Sui, Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier – have used punk elements in their production. Punk clothing, which was initially handmade, became mass-produced and sold in record stores and some smaller specialty clothing stores by the 1980s. Many fashion magazines and other glamour-oriented media have featured classic punk hairstyles and punk-influenced clothing.

There is a wide range of punk fashion, in terms of clothing (including deliberately offensive T-shirts, leather jackets, Doc Marten boots, etc.), hairstyles (including brightly colored hair, spiked hair, mohawks, etc.), cosmetics, tattoos, jewelery and body modification. Early punk fashion adapted everyday objects for aesthetic effect, such as T-shirts, leather jackets (which are often decorated with painted band logos, pins and buttons, and metal studs or spikes), and footwear such as Converse sneakers, skate shoes, brothel creepers, or Dr. Martens boots. Hardcore punk fans adopted a dressed-down style of T-shirts, jeans, combat boots or sneakers and crewcut-style haircuts. Women in the hardcore scene typically wore masculine clothing.

One part of punk was creating explicitly outward identities of sexuality. Everything that was normally supposed to be hidden was brought to the front, both literally and figuratively.

[Wikipedia]

Look 2

When Shena gave me my trend for the last issue of the VERSUS Magazine, my heart jumped – Punk!!!

(Read the full Magazine HERE)

Being a punk myself and expressing that during my youth with cool and ‘weird’ clothing and all kind of colorful hair and crazy cuts, that was right along my alley. Certainly SL gives you even some more freedom to be crazy but in general punk is a certain lifestyle and even if you become more calm with your looks when you get older, the attitude will never completely vanish I guess – at least it never did for me.

But what does punk mean for the most of the people? For many it might only be a fashion trend but for some it goes way deeper and becomes a life philosophy.

Punk or Punkrock was born in the mid 70s in the UK. From there it started to grow over the USA and Germany and finally was known worldwide. It was kinda an offspring of the Glamrock and the opposite to the quixotic Progressive Rock. Later, genres like New Wave, independent and Post-Punk developed from it.

In the 70s, big bands like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd became unreachable and evicted from their audiences while the economy in the UK went more and more down. Many teenagers could not find work after school and there was no social care system to take care of them so they ended up on the streets. They developed hate against the system and the slogan “No Future” became their life motto.

They started to dress up shabby and their hair turned into colorful weird and funky art pieces as a provocation against the system and society and to shock their parents and grandparents.

Punk politics cover the entire political spectrum. Mostly they are concerned with individual freedom and anti-establishment views. They as well include anti-authoritarianism and non-conformity.

To break it down, Punk for the most people is some kind of revolution, provocation and rebellion against the mainstream or the actual situation and society they life in. They want to make a statement with their looks and get attention for their views, interests and desires.

Look 3

To me it was the music first, that brought me to the punk genre. When I was younger, round about 14, my older cousin heard all kind of punk rock music from the Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Clash, NOFX , Slime and some German ones. Influenced by that I started early changing my clothes towards my ‘idols’ and with 15 I was allowed to dye my hair. I remember very well my first red and blue streaks 😉 The more I did it the more my mom allowed me to ‘play’ with my hair and side – or under cuts were not far away :p

With growing up I started to understand the philosophy of punk and the more I did know the more I felt that is my genre. I never was a mainstream person and being called a freak or an ‘outsider’ because of my hair and looks, it was easy to turn more and more into being a punk and rebel. I really felt good to not look like anyone else and to provocate with my opinions and views about things. I never took anything as a given and questioned nearly everything what I was told. On one side it gave me a lot of knowledge about certain things but on the other side, it was hard to find friends especially in school. Outside of school it was never a problem, but the people in my class were all kids of doctors, lawyers and high society people. Probably that was the reason why I was getting in to the music scene very early and a long time I was the youngest. that had some advantages as well 😉 I finished my school and as well studied, to become a teacher myself but right after exams, I had the great opportunity to get a record label contract with one of my bands. I did not continue with becoming a teacher and decided to live a musicians life for over 20 years, before I went back to the roots and to teaching at a school 😉 I might have grown out of the uber shabby looks and the ultra colored hair, but there is a little punk, a sweet rebel still inside of me and that probably will never change. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed the styling for my VERSUS Magazine trends so much as they brought back good old times and memories 😉

Look 4

Details

Look 1:

Clothing & Accessories:

Dress: .:EC:. – “Norena” (Maitreya)

Jacket: Aleutia – “Nova” (Maitreya)

Tights: Nanika – “Alina” (Maitreya Applier)

Shoes: Ducknipple – “Docs vs1” (Maitreya)

Headphones: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Miwa Headphones”

Glasses: ANE – “Tehe Sunglasses”

Hair & Makeup:

Hair: KoKoLoReS – “Val”

Lipstick: [LB Lips] – “Eve Set 3” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoos:

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Poses & Props:

Background Prop: anxiety – “%83”

Pose: Foxcity

Look 2:

Clothing & Accessories:

Coat: [sys] – “Carmen” ( Maitreya)

Top: Eclipse Design – “Belial” (Maitreya)

Skirt: GizzA – “Tartan Mini Skirt”

Tights: Nanika – “Alina” (Maitreya Applier)

Septum: [Since1975] – “Horn Septum”

Rings: MEVA – “Victorian Bento Rings” (Maitreya)

Piercings (Hand & Cleavage): MEVA – “Bento Hand Piercing 2” (Maitreya) & “Cleavage & Collarbone Piercing”

Nail Polish: DMZ – “Vinyl” (Maitreya Applier)

Hair & Makeup:

Hair: KoKoLoReS – “Leighton”

Makeup: Zibska – “Hecate” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoos:

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Tattoo: [White~Widow] – “Inferno” (Maitreya Applier)

Poses & Props:

Background Prop: -VIXX- – “Mesh backdrop Harder”

Pose: Foxcity

Look 3:

Clothing & Accessories:

Top & Jacket: GizzA – “Vixie Leather Jacket Set” (Maitreya)

Skirt: Paperbag – “Red Tartan Skater Skirt” (Size 3)

Shoes: L&B – “Gothic Platforms”

Tights: Nanika – “Alina” (Maitreya Applier)

Collar: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Asema”

Rings: MEVA – “Bento Maitreya Rings Silver” (Maitreya)

Hair & Makeup:

Hair: RAW HOUSE – “Sice”

Makeup: Zibska – “Envy” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoos:

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Tattoo: [White~Widow] – “Vertigo” (Maitreya Applier)

Poses & Props:

Background Prop: anxiety – “%frostbite”

Pose: Foxity

Look 4:

Clothing & Accessories:

Coat: Asteria – “Anna” (Maitreya)

Top: Asteria – “Anna” (Maitreya)

Corset: Asteria – “Capretto” (Maitreya)

Skirt: [sys] – “Khan” (Maitreya)

Tights: Nanika – “Alina” (Maitreya Applier)

Shoes: **RE** – “Jassy Boots” (Maitreya)

Choker: [[RH]] – “Zipped”

Piercing – [CX] – “Drop Septum”

Hair & Makeup:

Hair: no.match – “No.More”

Makeup: alaskametro<3 – “Molten” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoos:

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Tattoo: [White +Widow] – “Spotlight”

Poses & Props:

Background Prop: anxiety – “%nightvision”

Pose: Wicca’s Wardrobe

Model, Stylist & Photographer on all 4:

Wicca Merlin

Metallics Punk Vol #2 for VERSUS Magazine

Metallics Punk for VERSUS Magazine // Spring/Summer 2017 // https://issuu.com/versus.sl.magazine/docs/versus_s_s_28a2017_af

Details

Jacket: Passion by Violator (store closed)
Top: Tigress Sliced Top by Apple May
Pants: Canel by [sYs]
Shoes: Elvira by EMPORIUM
Hair: Tari by EMO-tions
Rings: Simple Rings by Formanails
Collar: Trinity Collar by Wicca’s Wardrobe
Eyeshadow: Falkor by Zibska
Lipstick: Eve Set 3 by La Boheme
Tattoo: Metallic Arrow Tattoo by Izzie’s

Basics:
Head: LeLutka – “Simone 2.7”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V4.1”
Eyes: IKON – “Hope Eyes”
Shape: Selfmade

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

Leopard Print for Versus Magazine – Part 2

Read the Magazine:

Versus Magazine Spring/Summer 2016

Details

Top: GizzA – “Felicia Coat”
Pants: LeeZu – “Desert Jeans”
Shoes: [MODA] – “SAKARI STRAPPED BOOTS”
BackPack: [sYs] – “SKULL bag”
Hair: .Shi – “Introvert”

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

 

Leopard Print for Versus Magazine – Part 1

Read the Magazine:

Versus Magazine Spring/Summer 2016

Details

Pants: GizzA – “Ladies Cargo”

Top: LeeZu – “Loui Pullover”

Jacket: GizzA – “Petra Jacket”

Shoes: Garbaggio – “Pointed Booties”

Bag: [sys] – “Charley Bag”

Hair: no.match – “No.Border”

Handwrap: Pomposity – “Palm Wrap”

Pose: Del May

Locations: Baby’s Ear

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

Top Fetish for VERSUS Magazine Part II

Versus Magazine - Top Fetish 02

And that was my second style for the current issue of the amazing VERSUS Magazine.

(http://issuu.com/versus.sl.magazine/docs/versus_spring_summer_2015)

For this look the center of my staling was one of my all time favourite top from LeeZu. The “Deklannche Top”. Even if it is not a new release it is one of my most worn tops 😉 With the filigree work of the strings and chains and the wonderful textures.

To complete the look I just put my simple “Autumn Jeans” and that wonderful armor from DRD. For the hair I chose to go with, one my my personal favourites as well, from booN.

Details

Top: LeeZu – “Deklannche Top”

Pants: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Autumn Jeans”

Accessories: DRD – “Armor female”

Hair: booN – “MDR138”

Pose: Del May

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

Excentric in Black, White & Red

Versus Magazine - EXCENTRIC TREND - Wicca Merlin

Today’s picture was made for the latest VERSUS Magazine. (http://issuu.com/versus.sl.magazine/docs/versus_aw_2014)

The theme was “Excentric” and after doing some research for a excentric fashion trend I started to think about how to bring that to SL.

I know that red, black and white are a very popular color combination but first of all I saw it a lot when I did my research and second… I just love it 😉 .

I started with the “Madame Bovary” top from [AD] Creation. It is part of a full outfit but with the huge collar it was right the piece I wanted to start with. The deep neckline requested a bra, so I took the “Gothic Summer Bra” as well out of an  [AD] Creations outfit. I wanted not to use too much jewelry in that look so I decided to go with the huge “Dotty Hat” wich I made for my own store Wicca’s Wardrobe.

Now that I had a huge load of red at the top of my styling  I wanted to bring back some red at the bottom and so I put on one of my latest group gifts, a special version of the “Ripley Heels”, wich are made for the Slink high mesh feet.

Then the trouble started as I had to find some pants wich are not going over the “Ripley Heels”. I went through my whole inventory and either I had pants with way to wide legs going down on the ground, which were hiding the shoes completely or i found as well some wich just cut into the ankle part of the heels. In the end I ended up using one of my latest releases, the “Anakri” pants [B&W Edition]. The pants have a HUD wich lets you choose between 6 different black, black & white, and silver options.

The bag comes from LaGyo and is called “Desperado Bag”. It is not a new release but I really love that bag for such a long time, so I had to pull it out again and get the dust off it 😉 Like I was told so often ‘Oldies but Goldies’ and for this bag it really hits the nail on the head 😉 .

Like I said in the beginning, I did not want to put on too much jewelry so I just added a small necklace from Ticky Tacky, to not distract from the great red ribbon of the top too much.

Top: Madame Bovary by [AD] Creations
Pants: Anakri Pants by Wicca’s Wardrobe
Bra: Gothic Summer by [AD] Creations
Hat: Dotty Hat by Wicca’s Wardrobe
Bag: The Desperado by LaGyo
Necklace: Classy Lady by Ticky Tacky
 Shoes: Ripley Heels by Wicca’s Wardrobe
 
Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

Creme & Brown Tones with Wicca’s Wardrobe

Versus Magazine -  ACCESORIES SECTION

This picture was originally made for the actual issue of the VERSUS Magazine (http://issuu.com/versus.sl.magazine/docs/versus_aw_2014).

But I loved that picture so much that Í wanted to make a short post to it 😉

The main focus for the picture was on the accessories. With the actual autumn season I discovered my love for brown and creme tones. I started with the scenery and placed one of my favourite cupboards from LeeZu, the “Mellow Sideboard”. To match it I chose a carpet from Atelier Visconti from the “Vincent Set”.

The base was made now for some styling which I could lay on the carpet with 😉

First I remembered a jewelry set, wich I bought at Collabor88 a few ago from Mandala. The “Kyara” set had the perfect colors to start with for a picture centered around accessories in an autumn look 😉

The long necklace fell perfect over my “Captured Top”, one of my latest releases at Wicca’s Wardrobe. For the bag I remembered a huge brown/cremem colored bag with letters on it from PurpleMoon… but I did not remember the name… So I was jumping into my bag folder and tried out all the bags I have from PurpleMoon until I found the “Monogram Bag” again, that I was looking for!

While I was looking through my piercings (yes I love piercings!) I found a short necklace from Kosh that went very well even with the long necklace and my top lines that go around the neck.

To match the piercings in my face I wanted to add some cool hand jewelry and nails. The “Punk” set from Formanails was exactly what I was looking for. Some piercings at the hand, cool rings and awesome sharp nails – just awesome together. To not forget the time while shopping, I decided to put the “Asia” watch and bracelet by GizzA

The “Autumn Jeans” made to fit the “Captured Top” have a nice gradient from a dark to light brown and that again makes a very nice line to add the “Locked Heels” for Slink high feet, which you as well can find at the Wicca’s Wardrobe Mainstore now.

To keep the swag look, I wanted to add some hair with a cap and even if has some years on it’s back the “Irene” hair from Baiastice finished the style in a way I wanted it 😉

Ready for a nice window shopping trip to find more amazing items to showcase in my next blog posts 🙂

Details

Hair & Hat: Irene by Baiastice
Ears (incl Piercings & Tunnel) Omimi by Mandala
Piercing: Forever by Inflict
Necklace short: Multiplex Necklace by Kosh
Necklace Long: Kyara by Mandala
Bracelet: Asia Watch & Bracelet by GizzA
Nails & Rings: Punk by Formanails
Bag: Monogram Bag by Purple Moon
Shoes: Locked Heels by Wicca’s Wardrobe

Top: Captured Top by Wicca’s Wardrobe
Pants: Autumn Jeans by Wicca’s Wardrobe
Carpet: Vincent Carpet by Atelier Visconti
Sideboard: Mellow Sideboard by LeeZu

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin