In 2014, Darkylicious von Savage (darkmatter.wizardly) took
her chance on proposing an event idea to Nicii Nitely, owner of Fantasy Gacha
Carnival, who offered to sponsor an event. Nicii was convinced about the
concept and the name, and so the story of a today well-known and popular event
began: Totally Top Shelf.
Originally, Totally Top Shelf was located on a gorean
roleplay sim. But as the event began to grow, Darkylicious wanted to expanse
from the focus on gorean fantasy fashion to fantasy fashion in general. They
would also need a bigger location, and it was Duchess Flux who invited her to
join the Ippos Community. „I thought it would be perfect. And like you mentioned
the key word ‚community‘: I don’t like the way events are portrayed such as
competition. Most of the same designers are in the same events across the
board. Here we help each other to gain as much publicity for our designers
involved. As I say to anyone here from The Secret Affair to The Fantasy
Collective: If i can help any way with getting the word across to as many
people as possible, I will. Here we are all like a extended family!“
The fact that a lot of designers have been with Totally Top
Shelf from the start is just one proof for this statement. Like for every other
project’s start, she confesses though: „It hasn’t always been easy. But I am so
happy to see to what our little event has grown. It’s really the designers, the
bloggers, and the buying public of Second Life who make the event what it is
today.“ Today, that is one year later, and the first round after their
1-year-anniversary is about to start. And it’s also a special round because one
of the most popular events of the year awaits us, Halloween.
„A Halloween-themed event was obvious for a round in
October. So we decided to have a spooky event but with a twist“, Darkylicious reveals.
„The new series of The Walking Dead is coming. We just had to do zombies! But I
wanted more. I am a big fan of Wes Craven and his horror films. It was such a
shock when he recently passed away. So I decided why not bring one of his best
creation to life in Second Life, so to speak: his famous figure Fred Kruger.“
She laughs and adds: „I think it comes across as that well. At least, I hope.“
With so many events on the grid, it is a big challenge to bring
originality, and to offer a theme which hasn’t been done yet, and where all
designers can come up with an idea for an item. But since I have had the chance
to visit the location already and could take a few sneak peeks of the upcoming
offers, I am sure that people will like this round and its setting. Especially
with activated windlights, the event location provides an atmosphere that
indeed could give you some nightmares on the street. I myself felt like I have
stumbled in the midth of an apocalypse. The set up of the event location was a
joint effort by Darkylicious and her partner Jon. Jon, by the way, is currently
also working on a gorean roleplay sim project. Of course, I had to take
advantage of that by interviewing him about it so that I may introduce you to
him with an upcoming interview within the next few days.
Darkylicious, Jon and Heatherfury are the hard working management
team behind Totally Top Shelf. Their declared goal is to to make the event as
fun as possible for everyone involved. „We work busy in the background to
relieve the stress that can be caused in events. I myself believe it shouldn‘t
be stressful but fun! Because if you have a real life job already you wouldn’t
want to have a second one as soon as you log on.“ Another tool to support
designers is Pinterest. „I have just recently started to use Pinterest. It helps
a lot with themes as we can share ideas for inspiration. Its functionality is
perfect for this purpose.“ They also ask their staff about their ideas and what
they would like to see. Their xmas round which was like a seelie and unseelie
court winter wonderland was actually a suggestion by one of their designers. „It
made it a fantastic event! I really like to listen to our designers and
bloggers, and to take their ideas on board.“
Totally Top Shelf has developed a lot within a year, and its
popularity also shows in the number of designers and bloggers who regularly
apply. I am curious what she would recommend on a personal level to people who
would love to become a team member. „Have fun!“, she states first. „And don’t
take things to heart if it doesn’t go the way you visioned. And always work
well with the people you intend on working with.“ She points out again how
important it is for her that it feels familiar for everyone: „I look at each
and everyone in our event group as an individual, not as a number in a group.
For me, it is a family.“
Last but not least, I have to ask her one last personal
question: „What will be your costume for Halloween this year?“ Darkylicious
bursts out in laughter: „Oh my God! I haven’t any ideas really. But…“, she then
thinks out loud with a cheeky grin, „I was thinking of lots of liquid latex,
special effects make up and black wear.“ We’re looking forward to that! A big
thank you to Darkylicious for taking her time and telling us more about the
Totally Top Shelf event.
All pictures were taken on the current event location of Totally Top Shelf.
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| At the end of the interview, Darkylicious (left) posed for a picture with me. Aren't we cute? |
SKIN: 7 Deadly s{K}ins Esmee. Pineapple tone (appliers: Lola's Tango, PhatAzz, SLink hands/feet)
tyvm!
