In 2008 I saw a program by Michio Kaku about “virtual worlds”, and during the show he explored this new online world called Second Life. I was intrigued and had to go check it out for myself. Not long after, I learned there was going to be an in-world Burning Man event. Since I was a burner since 1996, I quickly signed on to build my own virtual theme camp. Of course, I had only just joined Second Life, and barely knew how to use the in-world tools, but that didn’t stop me. I built a fun space for people to explore, and in the true spirit of Burning Man, had to offer up some sort of gift that people could have for free. I decided to make an outfit that would be fun for dancing in at the event. And so began BlakOpal Designs as a virtual clothing business.

BlakOpal Designs in Second Life

In those early days, Second Life had very limited tools for making clothing. This was a long time before mesh models were available, so clothes were created using simple textures applied on the body in a limited number of layers, or by making attachments using the in-world ‘prims’, basic primitive shapes. Even with those limitations, I was still able to create a wide variety of outfits for men and women (and sometimes animals).

As a creator of avatar fashions in Steampunk, Pirate, and Fantasy genres for more than 10 years, I enjoyed the opportunity to create lots of fun outfits that people could purchase through the marketplace, and in-world shoppes that avatars could wander around in and try on things they were interested in. The business grew from selling a few items out boxes into having stores in several different regions throughout the virtual world. BlakOpal Designs became a popular brand.

I was a part of several steampunk and pirate communities within Second Life, and many of the outfits created were geared towards specific event themes. BlakOpal Designs also participated in several virtual fashion shows on occasion. The ball gowns I created for the ongoing monthly steampunk events were something people looked forward to seeing, and owning.

For gowns, I especially enjoyed taking advantage of ‘flexi-prims’ to create outfits that moved and flowed with an avatars movements.

Screen captures were used to create promo videos for new outfits to show off detailing.

Some outfits also had animated and illuminated parts or textures.

For each promo video, I scouted existing locations in world, looking for places that would show off and enhance the outfit being shown.