Meet ‘n Greet Mondays: Introducing Bublee Bing

While I am a day late in publishing this article (a long and silly story), it certainly is never too late to discover fresh and new creative talents in fashion design, and it is my pleasure to introduce to you a name you might not have heard before, but are likely to hear a lot in the future. Bublee Bing brings her real life graphic design experience into SL, and her clothing is of an exquisite quality – the textures and prim details are simply amazing. Specialising in dresses and gowns, as well as casual wear and accessories which can easily be mixed and matched to create your own favourite looks, Bublee’s designs were first presented on the runway this summer, and she currently has two stores in SL – we met at her main store at the IBIZARRE Fashion District, where I had the opportunity to interview her. Please read on:)

RP: How did you discover Second Life?

BB: My husband has been in SL for a while and told me about it a lot of times. I kept refusing to make myself an avatar, because it all sounded so strange – but after he almost “forced me”, I immediately loved it!

RP: What was the one aspect of SL that convinced you to stay?

BB: Since my husband had made some friends already, I was sort of dropped into a big group of people who were all really lovely from the beginning on. This family feeling was immediately there. And I found out that it was a brilliant way of contact to people around the world (a colourful and lively world with all opportunities you can think of). I’m working as a freelancer in my own little office at home, so it’s just brilliant for me to keep in contact to people this way. It’s far nicer than just mails or chats (MSN, Skype etc.) – and for me as a RL graphic designer it’s wonderful to discover a world which is growing from day to day and to instantly see what other people are doing and creating.

Bublee chatting about herself

RP: That explains the high quality of your virtual clothing line, then! I can say that the textures, as well as the prim work, are amazing…What made you start designing in SL, and how long have you been doing it?

BB: Oh, thank you very much :–) I started with a Dirndl last year in October. I tried it, because I was just given this Dirndl by my husband, and couldn’t find any of this kind in SL. So, I thought: “OK, I’ll make it myself.” That was it. Don’t ask me why, but suddenly, I thought, it would be nice to continue. That was in June this year. I’ve seen so many nice things in sl, had observed the changes in quality and thought, I would love to do it as well!

RP: So the dirndl dress was your very first creation?

BB: Yes, it was. It was of an older style and this year I unpacked it from the bottom of my inventory and worked it over. It’s the black one with the green apron, which I have in RL – exactly the same :–)

RP: Tell me what your favourite design to date is, and why?

BB: Oh, that’s really difficult to say – OK, let’s put it that way: I put the biggest effort into the dirndls, because they are my “babies” (the pieces I started with). And since I am Bavarian, I could build in some little extras which are “genuine”, like the apron: If you are married you wear the bow on the right side, if you are unmarried you wear it on the left. It was important to me that all the parts are separate, so that you can wear it like in RL. So, the Dirndl packages are just stuffed [with options]. I think, that makes them be my favorites. Even though I love the work I do, I mean, I love MAKING it – all of it :–) It’s just fun for me, because there isn’t too much PhotoShop work for me to do in RL (too expensive, I’m afraid ;–))

RP: How does it make you feel when you see your designs in a fashion show on the runway, or when you see other avatars wearing your clothes?

BB: It’s just unbelievable. Can’t say much more about it. It just makes me so happy :–) People I absolutely don’t know – never met before – are wearing the things I made. That’s just … wow to me :–)

RP: What is your inspiration for the designs you create in SL? How would you describe your style?

BB: I would describe my style as casual – easy to wear every day, easy to mix and match. It’s the style I would wear in RL as well.

RP: And from the looks of it, very feminine and a little bit romantic as well:)

BB: Hehe – you are looking onto the wall with the rose gowns :–) It was funny, I head over heels signed in to the Glamour Expo – without having a single piece of Glamour clothing. So, suddenly I was forced to make it :–) The inspiration comes from everywhere – magazines that I receive, people I see on the streets, from my mind, etc.

RP: Amazing:)

BB: Sometimes it happes that I see a wonderful pair of trousers and think: Oh, a top like this-and-that could fit to it. I haven’t made pants so far – as you can see ;–)

RP: As a professional designer in SL, what do you believe is the key to being successful?

BB: I’m convinced that you are successful in everything you LOVE to do. As long as there is a sort of passion behind what you do, there’s a potential key to success, do you know what I mean?

RP: That is a wonderful answer:) And what are your future goals for your SL career?

BB: I don’t have any goals for the further future. I do everything from day to day. If I’ve got an idea, I make it. Certain goals ask for concentration on them, and this again keeps you a little bit from looking left and right. I let life surprise me, what’s gonna happen tomorrow :–) That takes the pressure from what I do. And as long as there’s no pressure, I can do my work with joy :–)

Bublee and Rhonda. In the background: the Drape Gown and Rose Gown in various colours.

RP: Tell me a little bit about yourself…for instance, what are some of your favourite things to do in your spare time in SL?

BB: Chatting :–))))

RP: (laughs)

BB: I’m a passionate chatter, in SL as well as in RL by the way ;–) You see, people have so many intentions why they are coming in world again and again: gambling, scripting, chatting, sex, role plays etc. – my intention is talking to others :–)

RP: Are you wearing one of your own creations today?

BB: The jeans is not my creation. I’m wearing one of my knit pullovers combined with a shirt I made. Yes, my fall fashion is almost finished: coats and pullovers are all out in the store. And I made a very old friend of mine join in – she’s got her stuff on the upper floor and covers the street wear part – also with cardigans for the fall.

RP: Oh wow! I was under the impression that the street wear was also your creation, since the vendors have your name on them.

BB: Well, we have known each other for many years and meet on weekends in RL, so we do work together a little ;–) And since she is more in fashion which isn’t that brave, I thought it would be a good idea to combine it.

RP: Then you admit that someone else actually is doing all of the work? I am joking, of course;)

BB: LOOOOL. No – hehe – she’s more into Internet work – I’m the designer.

RP: Is there anything else you would like to share?

BB: You really covered a lot, so that the only thing I would love to say is thank you for the interview, for choosing me as your interview partner, and thank you to all who share the joy of SL fashion with me :–)

RP: Thank you so much for your time with me today:)

It is at this point that Bublee and I trail off into random topics such as knitting, time zones, Galileo, and even Terry Pratchett’s Disc World, before we go our separate ways…and it occurs to me that we will see and hear a lot from her in the future. Bublee’s designs are simply beautiful and will make you feel fabulous – but why should you take my word for it? Visit Bublee Bing today and find out for yourself:)

——

Main store: Bublee Bing at IBIZARRE

Second store: Bublee Bing at Onyx Noir

All photography by Rhonda Pennell