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

 

“Visionaries and dreamers have always been dusted with a little oddity.”

“The key to success is to risk thinking unconventional thoughts. Convention is the enemy of progress.”

[Trevor Baylis]

Today probably is the last chance to visit this incredible, awesome sim if you not yet did! Cica Ghost did it again… she amazed me with one of her installations and over exploring her newest built, I again forgot to take pictures and when she said it will only last a few more days, I really had to make something!

I really think that our RL affects our SL, especially in the creative department. I was kinda paralyzed the past few weeks. I never ever had experienced mobbing at one of my working places before and now, being over 40 I have to learn about that. I still have no clue what the motivation for those people can be, but to me it is just a senseless power game for no reason. Probably just because they can and they are bored in their own little life. A mixture of disappointment, anxiety and anger did really throw me out of place because of that and I had a hard time to be creative while all this bullshit was going on. Now that I do have holidays and started to sort myself again, some creativity seems to come back even if it is weird. Yesterday I already had those weird thoughts about that poor little octopus and today I had the strange vision about taking my goldfish out for a walk. Certain the “Dogwood by Cica Ghost” did parts of that too as I loved the idea, IF iI should take out goldfishes for a walk it does have to be in a super dry and dusted environment to make it even more surreal :p

Both of my quotes, the title and the one below the first picture are from Trevor Baylis. I recently discovered him and I do have to admit, many of his quotes hit right into my soul. He was an English inventor best known for the wind-up radio (LINK). With thinking a lot about myself and the world in general the past weeks, I read a lot of biographies and just let my mind flow over the world wide web finding some really interesting people that I never had heard of before. Reading some of their statements about certain things, really changed my personal visions and thoughts a little. Most of them were not actual celebrities but older ones or some that lived in past centuries, but still their visions do apply to the present tense. I feel weird saying it did help me but some of their thoughts really made me think about myself again and I was able to step out of that weird mood that RL and my work situation had put me in.

Clothing

Dress & Headpiece: Fellini Couture – “Yuko” (Maitreya)

Panty: Scandalize – “Nicole” (Maitreya)

Jacket: [Azuchi] – “Amber Jacket Black” (Maitreya)

Shoes: EQUAL – “Nixie Platforms” (Maitreya)

Accessories

Leg Bands: Gemini – “Sis Leg Bangles” (Maitreya)

Collar: CODEX – “Perception” (Maitreya)

Glasses: HAYSURIZA – “Eyewear Lawyer”

Rings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Thunderstrike” (Maitreya, Bento)

Nails: FORMANAILS – “Wedding” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: .shi – “Kuwn”

Makeup: Look At Me – “Submissibe Eyeshadows” (Omega Applier)

Lipstick: Izzie’s – “Spring Colors Lipgloss” (LeLutka Applier)

Hairbase: Mina Hair – “”Myla” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.3”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Ears: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Akasuna”

Tattoo (Leg): Redfish – “Masa” (Maitreya Applier)

Poses & Props

Poses: Poseidon

Fish Props: *[BB] – “The Friendly Fish Companion Set 04” (Gacha)

Location

Dogwood by Cica Ghost

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

Trend: “Uncovered” – Part II

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

Outfit & Accessories

Top & Suspender: I♥F & Co – “Caroline” (Maitreya)

Pants: RIOT – “Emma Denim Shorts” (Maitreya)

Shoes: RealEvil Industries – ” Jassy Boots” (Maitreya)

Gloves: L’Emporio – “Fingerless Gloves” (Bento, Maitreya)

Nails: Slackgirl – “CrossNails” (Bento, Maitreya)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: .Shi – “Binah”

Makeup:  alaskametro – “Cairo” (LeLutka Applier)

Lipstick: alaskametro – “Velvet” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

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

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

Poses & Props

Pose: Foxcity

Location: Virtual Decay

Model & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Through the Eyes of a Child

Through the Eyes of a Child

TUNES

Sweet innocent child with your open eyes.
You’ve seen us for who we really are.
And I know that there’ll be tomorrow.
So that hope can have it’s glory day.
And I wish that this world would embrace you
from magic stars and mystery.
My open heart …Why did we make it so hard, this life is so complicated
until we see it through the eyes of a child.
Why did we make it so hard, this life is so complicated
until we see it through the eyes of a child.

I know you, I’ve seen your face before
you brought me to this open door
afraid to walk through.
Please take my hand.I know that there will be tomorrow.
So that hope can have it’s glory day?
And I wish that this world embrace you
from magic stars and mystery.
My open heart …Why did we make it so hard, this life is so complicated
until we see it through the eyes of a child.
Why did we make it so hard, this life is so complicated
until we see it through the eyes of a child.


I see where we’ll go from here.
‘Cause love doesn’t break
with the right amount of care
in your hands is whom you’ve choosen to be.
Life is a freedom.
Now go out there and be free.
Why did we make it so hard, this life is so complicated
until we see it through the eyes of a child.
Why did we make it so hard, this life is so complicated
until we see it through the eyes of a child.
[Reamonn]

Outfit & Accessories

Dress & Headpiece: Fellini Couture – “Farfalla Gown” (Maitreya) – NEW @ SENSE Event
Eyedeco & Necklace: GizzA – “Papillon Set”
Gloves & Bag: Bauhaus Movement – “Audrey Gloves & Purse” (Maitreya, Bento)
Shoes: [Gos] – “Rihanna Boots” (Maitreya)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: lock&tuft – “Shane”
Makeup: Zibska – “Noir Pack 06” (LeLutka Applier)
Lipstick: je suis – “lelutka lips no. 005 – [yellows]” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoo

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”
Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”
Face: Izzie’s – “Pores & Blemishes” (LeLutka Applier)

Poses & Props

Balloons: anxiety – “Sorrowland Balloons” (color modified in PS)
Clouds: +Half-Deer+ – “Simple Cloud Set [Bright White]”
Poses: Poseidon – “Chasing Butterflies” (Bento)

Model & Photographer

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 #3 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: The Bomber by Seul
Shoulder left: Epaulets V2 by GizzA
Pants: Patent Skinnies by Seul
Bra: Rayka Top by Glitzz
Catsuit: Closed Catsuit by Opium`s Addiction
Hair: Ciss by  Discord Designs
Necklace: Hannya by Mandala
Collar: Skai Collar by Charm (store closed)
Eyeshadow: Orel by Zibska
Lipstick: Eve Set 3 by La Boheme

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

Model & Photographer: 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

Dark Victorian Princess for VERSUS Magazine

versus-magazine-dark-victorian-princess-look-02

Look 1

Read the VERSUS Magazine HERE

When Shena assigned me the trend for the current issue of the VERSUS magazine I was super happy. She said my trend would be ‘Dark Victorian Princess – but in an up-to-date look’ and she totally hit my heart with that 🙂

I always had an addiction to dark stylings… black always will be my favourite color 😉

The victorian princess merged into a more modern looking way was something quit interesting and as well challenging. My first step led me again to Google and I looked for Neo Baroque and New Baroque looks as well as for modern Victorian stylings.

versus-magazine-dark-victorian-princess-look-01

Look 2

I never tried to copy looks I found… more to find my own way of the styles I saw. When I look for a certain style, I try to find as many looks as possible to get the essence of the looks. To me styling a certain trend, theme or category does not mean to copy an existing look of a picture I found. I saw that so many times for challenges, contests or castings – People just open Google and get one of the first 10 pictures they see and try to find exactly that look in SecondLife. To me that is NOT really ‘styling’, it is just copying an existing look without any personal traits or edges, even if it can be a challenge to find all those items :p .

versus-magazine-dark-victorian-princess-look-04

Look 3

Copying looks to me never was fun and thank god I did not have to do that too often. But styling an assigned trend or style is the most fun challenge I can imagine, when I can try to put my own twist to something, but still cover a certain look. When you can bring something alive, that tells a general story about a look but as well a story about yourself… I do not know if that makes any sense but it is what I feel when I do those kind of stylings.

versus-magazine-dark-victorian-princess-look-03

Look 4

Thank you Shena, that I was again allowed to be part of your amazing VERSUS magazine. I always love the assignments you are giving to me, because you always think about, what would be fun for me or what would suit me. It is always an honor and pleasure to work with you and for you <3

Details

Look 1:

Dress: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Johanna Dress”
Shoulders: GizzA – “Spiky Fur” (part of the top)
Shoes: Dirty Princess – “Madame Butterfly Princess”
Hair: enVOGUE – “Cassandra”
Necklace: GizzA – “Pure Romance Pearl Necklace”
Mask: Illusions – “Le Fleur Mask”

Look 2:

Dress: B E N D E R  – “Broken Dress”
Leggings/Shoes: GizzA – “Lolita Dress Leggings with Heels”
Sleeves: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Anne Gown Sleeves” (part of the gown)
Hair: “”D!va”” Hair  – “Astralia”
Collar: :bijou: – “Couture Shirt Lacy Gathers”

Look 3:

Dress: Byrne – “DiamondDoll Dress”
Jacket: [SG*] – “4Minute Jacket”
Lipstick: L.Fauna – “Lipstick [Black]”
Shoes: MODA – “Lorna Laced Boots”
Hair: booN – “TYU321”
Earrings: Maxi Gossamer – “Little Tiny Dagger”

Look 4:

Dress: GizzA – “Desi Cocktail Dress”
Tights: LeeZu – “LaLun Tights”
Gloves: Likka House – “Carousel-West of the Moon”
Shoes: Miamai – “Karya Boots”
Hair: BURLEY – “Zia”
Hat: Xen’s Hats – “Danni”
Lipstick: Zibska – “Blacktop 14”
Makeup: Zibska – “Ltd Noir 18”

Look 1-4:

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