Minnu, move over, Armidi’s got its finger on your place.
Question: With all these talented designers that we’ve loved and known over the grid for upwards of a year, or a year and a half…
…what happens when the only good store left in SL is Armidi? (I’ve heard a rumour that all new Armidi absorptions are no longer allowed to design under their previous avatar.)
Oh well, not like we need to fret. All this content theft and lack of interest from Linden Lab will do us in before we’ll ever have to worry about Armidi having a SL Fashionopoly.
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OH my GOSH! No wayyyy
(( Oiiii.. what is SL coming tooo???????
Sayyyy, aren’t you one those Armidi folks, Emma Gilmour??????? You seem familiar. <3
:O
<3 heheeee
bah, they aren’t absorbing the talent, they will just be designing under the name.
They’ll still be designing so you can still support them.
No difference, other than the name changes and being under the Armidi namebrand, they’re still the same old designders you grew to love over the last year or so.
P.S.
Whatever happened to the Surf Shack Co.?
I think it’s pretty brilliant, what they are doing. Those three designers are ones that I would consider to be very talented. Yet they aren’t as well-known as they could be in compared to others. With the backing of the Armidi name, their creations have a new platform, and thus are certain to reach a broader audience than they might have previously.
I don’t know the details of their new partnerships, but from reading their respective blog pieces it doesn’t seem like any of them are overly sad about the change and indeed seem pretty excited about it, regardless of what it means for the future of their former labels. So I can’t see this as being a bad thing per se.
Too funny! I was talking to a friend about this issue earlier today and mentioned that i was waiting for this very post from you! You always deliver Tenshi
I must admit i was surprised to learn the identities behind the new Armidi names (i just assumed they were an army of alts) but hopefully this will mean more frequent updates and a faster hair release without homogenizing the fashion world too much.
I’m sad about this. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but before, each of these stores had their own personality. I would shop there excited to see new items that were unique to their lines and feels. I don’t like the idea of going to Armidi for everything.
Supermarkets are for RL.
I think it’s really sad when you see all your top fav designers’ move to another ‘brand’. I remember you made a post about how we have too many ‘department’ stores in SL. This is a good example. When another company {I guess I should call them that} comes into play in the fashion world of SL and then starts to buy out all the little GREAT talented designers to place under their so called wing just to make a few more dollars. It’s sad! I mean… What is the point of going with armidi! Because they are the new ‘it’ place to shop. I mean their quality is AMAZING, but at the time we didn’t know who the REAL designers were. For all we knew (my assumption) the investors were just Lola and Nicole… and The real designers were just paid to keep quiet. That bothers me! I would rather pay the designers… than the company. The designers who worked their asses off! I am happy to see that we know the actual armidi crew is and now we can bow down and say in a peachy voice “Great job!” to those who actually worked on their designs rather than the three ‘girls’ who had their names on the creations, if you know what I mean. I just remember that I would look at the forums and sit there in ah to see all the selections of choices I had. Not… “ARMIDI COMING OUT WITH YET ANOTHER LINE” Or Just to see all the purdy creations. Now it’s like… Hmm… Let’s go to armidi cause that’s the only place that has stuff… because they bought out all the other designers.
I am sorry to vent… this topic really annoys me and I guess I am mostly upset because I am going to miss these designers! They are TRULY amazing… and I hope to see them return when the devil takes his or hers claws outta their backs. Also! NO ONE ELSE GO! You guys are too worthy to go under some ‘it’ name! Be original! Stay fresh and cool! That’s why we love you!
What happened to the good ole days!
Honestly? I liked the quirkiness of each individual brand. I’ve picked up things I like from all of the new Armidis, but I ADORE Savvy? and am fairly distressed by this change. I’m also expecting to take a larger hit to my virtual pocketbook now as well. I know I’m paying as much for the brand as I am for the product.
Will be interesting to see how this develops it will be impossible to maintain the same level of quality across so many designers. I think its overkill, people want diversity and you will end up seeing designers individuality sucked up into the machine with thier creations lost in a crowd of general noise. Also its difficult for so many personalities to work long term together without having alot of conflict.
I have to agree with you. It’s all becoming way too corporate for me. It is indeed really nice going to all these little shops and ARMIDI is beginning to remind me of the big companies that just swoop down and absorb all the little people. Now it doesn’t seem fresh, it seems I dunno, kinda assembly linish. On the other hand big name rl companies do that all the time so, meh.
Good luck to the designers involved, I know you are all excited about this project and I can’t wait to see what else you bring us. It’s a great opportunity to have your work recognised by a wider audience.
We can complain about “department store” marketing all we like, but let’s face it, most of us shop at Armidi anyway. I am looking forward to these new faces adding a little diversity to the brand, and I know that they were chosen for the creative vision they can offer and not as some kind of “photoshop slaves”.
These are all designers we know and love, how about giving them a little bit of support?
I have been thinking about this for a while and it’s been bothering me. I dont know what to make up of it as far as if its a “Moral” thing or not. On one hand I’m excited and thrilled for Juliette, Emma, and Dakota (and others) they’re all wonderful and talented people that I would consider acquantiances and even friends. Howver, they are now being paid to design under their Armidi alter egos and from what I’ve heard, they’re not permitted to design anything under their own label for a certain about of time (Could be a rumor… probably true though) . Thats what gets me, Emma and Miwako had so much potential with Caribe and I was thrilled to be asked to join the Caribe crew but now I really doubt that Caribe will go on for much longer, it could have been an amazing shopping sim, the same with with Juliette and Dakota, what happens with Tres Blah, and Savvy? Dead? No more updates? No more creativity?
But I can’t judge them for accepting to wanting to join I’m pretty sure if a “average” designer of second life got the oppourtunity to work for an “elite” store or company they would take it. I know Id probably accepted if asked, so it would be wrong for me to say I’d be disapointed in them because that would make me a hypocrite.
Second life used to be so simple back in the day and everyone used to express their own idea of fashion and art by themselves. Not by being limited by companies to make certain products look a certain way.
WE’RE BECOMING COMMUNIST! (just kidding) anywho…
Never the less I’ll be excited to see what “Armidi” will be putting out.
p.s. no drama is really intended I’m not trying to slander or ruin anyones reputation just putting out whats on my mind.
I just wanted to congratulate Emma Gilmour, Dakota Buck, Julliette Westerburg and Kat Palmer for being recognized as the talented designers that they are in their own right and look forward to seeing how they each put their own personal touch on Armidi products. I can’t help but be a little sad that they can’t keep their own stores, but understand why it’s necessary. WTG ladies!
I guess my only bitch about this is the lag factor, which we already experience full-force at Armidi. Though I suppose their upcoming online shopping site will help alleviate the stress of waiting 30 minutes to rez enough to move or see anything lol (note: NOT blaming the designers, it’s just SL and we know that!!) Maybe a call for mirror sims is in order? I personally prefer to do my shopping in-world as opposed to a website, though being able to browse all first via the web would be helpful, particularly with direct SLurls to products (is that going to be part of it? I have only skimmed the posts on it).
Other than that, I think the concept is kind of cool as long as the designers involved still have artistic freedom to create what they want.
Interested to see how this goes over once in full swing.
~QQ~
Armidi has a very specific style. You recognize their things for afar. Now what worries me is that I did actually notice there are more of them because I tend to look at the name who I’m paying. By the look of it, I bought pants made by Emma. Worrying is the fact that they look like Armidi more then the unique style of Emma which I have loved for so long. In this light, I’m sad for myself really, egoistically. Because the amazing artistic uniqueness of all of these amazing creators (oh man, Tres Blah was my favorite shop) is gone. They’re now in the Armidi style. Which isn’t bad for them. In fact, yay for great opportunities and congratulations girls. However the trend is worrying. What will become of all this, only time will tell. I do hope it goes really well for them and nobody gets hurt in the process so good luck:)
Just in case there are people who like to grab at every comma missing and so on – no, I am not sure the pants were made by Emma but I am sure it wasn’t one of the two main Armidi girls:) In any case, still goes with the point.
I’m sure it was a lucrative offer and impossible to turn down, but what a shame. I shop at all the little shops because it’s unique and you get people asking “Where did you get that?” because not many other people have it. These designers are EXTREMELY talented, and Armidi is going to be making some sweet cash. But everyone’s going to shop there and everyone’s going to look similar. It also bothers me that the owners of Armidi had to hire other people to do their work to make them cash, but that’s how the business world works. Yeah, they’ll still be making clothes, but much of their personal style that brought diversity to the fashion world has gone out the window. Either way, grats to you ladies and you deserve such a nice opportunity.
I’m not quite sure how I feel about this. True.. it’s a great oppurtunity for them. Those designers now have the freedom to JUST create, not deal with the business end of everything. On the other hand, after watching Project Runway and seeing designers that have been under other brands, and hearing that they want to showcase their own style. What does it mean to be just another Armidi girl? What about those quirky things that might not fit the ideal for Armidi? Are we losing our creativity to mass merchandising? Is there a HEAD Armidi that approves every article of clothing or every hair piece? How will this effect the rest of the designers on the grid, when the answer to every question is “Armidi”? And WHY not let them still have their own brands? Let them keep their own artistic ideas, maybe pieces that just don’t fit into the Armidi brand, but are still good pieces.
I AM grateful that we KNOW who is behind the Armidi brand though. This is keep the amount of gossip down. And, truthfully, I prefer to know who I’m paying. Anon alts with years worth of experience in worlds… hmmm
I am sad this has happened… Armidi is amazing but anonymous. I never knew who the designers were (and still don’t know.. WHO ARE THEY???) and I never had any feelings for or about them. Unlike for instance for Emma Gilmour <3 With fashion you don’t only buy clothing but also emotion and I’m afraid this will now be absorbed by the perfect, cool, we are the best store in SL attitude of Armidi… Also no more freebies of those designers and higher prizes. /me shakes head…
armidi = starbucks – chained corporation sorta.
hoo!
First off Congrats to all the Girls and to also the Original Elephant Outfitters team that have turned Armidi into something so incredible.
My thoughts on this was shock at first definitely, but I find that the reactions by others is very interesting, I think for the most part it isn’t that they have offered incredibly talented people a place in their company…I think it is more a case of “Who” have been offered and accepted.
All these women that make up all these unique stores, have always represented themselves as individuals, Designers who didnt conform and didnt take on the opinions of others, but stood up to the masses and created their own style that was easily embraced by everyone.
That I think is what has everyone so shocked and maybe feeling a bit let down by it- In my opinion only- and that is so normal a reaction, and totaly understandable….anyway again Congrats to all involved and for the love of all that is holy PLEASE MAKE ARMIDI STORES BIGGER! if you are going to enlarge your company please enlarge the layouts of those tiny stores, its like being in a porta potty looking for gold *sobs*
xoxo Sasy xoxo
congratulations…hell I am soo going to miss tres blah…but i’d do the same thing… if armidi asked me, I’d go. I can’t begrudge anyone for the same decision I’d make. Good luck in your endeavors all….
Hey everyone, I just wanted to post a little note here after reading all the comments.. I’m really just speaking for myself (maybe some of the other girls who have taken this new project on with me: juju, kat, kota), but since I first joined SL and first opened Surf Co., my goal was to create a style that was all my own so that I could connect with other players in that unique way.. of having that style and form of expression in common, and LORDDD the excitement when someone would come buy something!!! (I would hide in the bushes after a new release and almost faint as I saw the little green dots appearing on my mini-map
) But even more than the clothing and the prospect of expressing myself, I loveeeed my customers, some of the sweetest people I ever met in my entire life (both RL and SL)… Knowing this.. knowing how many AMAZING individuals exist inside this world, I could never take a position where I would be cut off from that.. Designing is designing, I love to do it, and I will continue to use my Surf Co. style and flavaa to produce whatever clothing I make, for whatever brand.. but the most important thing to me is to keep those relationships with all the AMAZING and WONDERFUL people I’ve met in the last year and a half… and to reassure them that even though I’m designing under a diff. label (which really is a greatt opportunity for me), I am still the same Emma, and I’ll still be hootin and hollerin and hugging and <3333-ing, and doing my best to keep the style and originality coming. If this aspect of myself were threatened in any way at any point, believe me I never would have accepted the position. There is sooo much amazing talent in SL, and no matter who they design for, what they design, how much they design, we’re all just a bunch of excited artists sitting at our computers trying to put little parts of ourselves into this world with our creations, and that will neverrr change. I appreciate SO much that some people loved Surf Co. to the point that they would be sad over this transition.. it makes me wanna cry… and I am DEEPLY DEEPLY touched by it.. So I hope not to disappoint with my upcoming releases under Armidi… and to communicate that I am also really sad that Surf Co. will be taking this hibernation period, but on the flip side, I am really excited about what is to come, so I just wanna thank you guys again for all the support and encouragement, and PLEASE don’t be strangers… <3
I’m a shopper, not a designer, and I love reading your blog Tenshi. When I saw 3 postings in a row from some of my favorite designers stating they were going to design for Armidi now, my first thought was “Damn!”. Now I won’t be able to see their work anymore since I’ve never been able to shop at Armidi due to the lag there.
However, I’m more disappointed because the tone of the notices makes me think that they won’t be designing at all for their previous labels. One notice mentioned the old store staying opened, but that was all.
Now I’m wondering which batch of great unique designers is the next to go?
It’s *seriously* awesome that you guys are all moving over to Armidi, but we’ll miss you all under your own labels. Will those shops close down? Or will you just stop designing for them?
Also, how often will Armidi be absorbing talent?
I almost make a piont of avoiding armidi (i love having stuff other people dont, yes im a pretentouse art student sue me)
I really cant see that the four are going to be able to keep there orignal style, if everything has to fit under the armidi “brand”.
The thing that just smells bad to me is the fact that the designers can keep there shops open but clearly arnt allowed to update them? Surly that is personal prefrence if a designer feals they still have the time to update?
I am curouse to see the results of this hub of talent and how it merges…..
The only other thing to add is that armidi really should tryed and get ride of all this smoke and mirror act, no doubt releaseing the new designers true identities was to combat this in a small way.
I think the whole “you can’t update your shop” thing stems from Armidi wanting all of their creativity and ideas, and I can’t blame them – I wouldn’t want a half-assed idea while they used their “better” idea for their main shop.
But hell, who has all the time to do THAT much designing anyway?
Smoke and mirrors are fine. Hell, Second Life is all smoke and mirrors, Marni. If that IS your real name…
Hellooo!
I just wanted to add my voice to Emma’s so maybe everyone can see what it has been like as a new member of the Armidi design team.
This new experience in SL has been extremely rewarding, inspiring and a lot of FUN! I loved designing for Immortelle – I put a lot of time and heart & soul into my store and designs. However it was lonely – whenever I was online, I was always working alone in my studio. I was so focused on creating that I really didn’t have a chance to socialize and meet people interested in the same things. Bouncing around new ideas, working together, chatting on voice and just acting goofy with the other designers has made me enjoy SL and designing even more.
As far as losing our own original styles – before I was frustrated in some ways with my lack of designing skills. There were so many things I wanted to try but I just couldn’t figure it out on my own. Now, I am gaining the basics I need to be able to translate what I want to create for SL. It is wonderful to be able to play with different styles and try new things. As time goes on, I believe each designers personal style will start to show through more and more.
Thanks to all of you that have sent supportive messages and IMs – it makes me want to work even harder! This change has been extremely exciting & rewarding!
Hi Kat <3 Thanks.
/me is still waiting for answers to her questions.
Hush up T
well al know im not called marni the name is from the hero worship of the brand marni.
Its not just the name with armidi its werid i dont trust the brand (i dont know if that makes sense)
I guess it might be diffrent now there people we know involved
I also think its possible to have enough ideas to go round, pfft.
I comon designing isnt THAT hard.
I can understand kats lonely thing actuly, it can kinda suck and i barly update.
LMAO @ People we know.
Sorry thats just funny, Lola and Nicole have been in SL since 2005 they are not some up and comers who walked in built Armidi and are reaping the rewards of it, they had Elephant Outfitters for some time, and then closed it to I assume learn better skills (cant even assume on that) they were Released on SL at Hair Fair last year and again that was months and months in preparation, so the organisers of the fair knew full well who they were.
You make it sound like Armidi is a big bad scary monster, when all it is; is three people who aspired to improve on a business they already had, and to rebrand it in a different direction, and have done an incredible job in the process.
Also back to Elephant outfitters I bought Rummage items by Tray Calamari in that original store early last year, so to have had other designers in their own store back then shows that this isnt a NEW thing to them at all, and I’m guessing that means many many know who they are, their original names etc as the Armidi last names is only a recent thing.
Sorry had to put that out there again
xoxo Sasy xoxo
Armidi has shops inside, so can’t be that this new designers maybe they will put their own shops in the new sim they are building? I mean Armidi has gisaci, elphant outfiters, etc. So maybe this new designers will create a new brand like these mixing their styles with armidi. Is not the most logic? But well who knows.
For other part I understand them, it’s always more pleaseant work in team than alone and even more with people that really knows design, lot of times u are working on something but u need opinion to continue like how u would put this shadow? u would ad some thing? U would change color? u would do less satured? etc
And well friends can help you but is not the same, I know they try their best, but there are things that they just don’t see.
Now what I really think that pisses people is that since now u saw everybody wearing Armidi and all blogs posting Armidi things now will be the double. And well also the feeling that now will be more impersonal, happened me with Maitreya, I knew the shop when alsmot nobody knew and i bought alsmot all hairs and shoes and people were asking me where i bought that shoes, etc. Since she did the new shop in GLAM I think I haven’t bought anything, but I am sure lot of people is buying and she is making more money. And well we can’t blame their, if u wanna live of SL u really need sell lot of things, about 1000 pieces per month, is what have SL, people seems afraid to waste 300L maybe they have in their concious that 300L are 300$ but is just 1$, 1$ for lot of hours of work that u need sell lot and lot of pieces to amortize. So the options is work for love to art or to make money and live for it, so u really can’t blame they.
And finishing the other feeling I think is scaring people is that every time SL is becoming another capitalist world, since now was the money but now people is seeing how big companies are appearing, making fusions, creating monopolies, etc. But hey this is what the comunity is creating.
Armidi is my guilty pleasure… I ended up buying underwear for two of my avatars a few days ago because they were one of the few places which offered just plain, normal underwear. I don’t think that Armidi adsorbing designers is all that big of a deal, as there is plenty of room still for smaller designers with smaller lines.
I don’t see a need to get all bent over this.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for the designers involved (congrats to you all), it brings the consumers a level of quality they can count on, and for those who don’t like the idea of supporting a big ‘corporation’, they have the option to show their voices by not shopping there.
Don’t make it a ‘guilty pleasure’. If you have a stance, then stand behind it and don’t support it. If you enjoy the work these ladies are going to do, then embrace it openly. Either way though I really don’t think it’s the end of the world or anything here.
Armidi? Answers to my questions, please? That would rock.
The designers are obviously getting a good deal for them, otherwise they wouldn’t have taken it. That doesn’t necessary mean just cash, although I’m sure that’s part of it, but now they can devote their efforts entirely towards creating new things, as well as being in a community with like minded individuals, which also gives a lot of room for growth and innovation, as you inspire each other.
Many of the individual shop owners have already addressed whether they will be closing or not (one, I distinctly recall, explicitly stated that her shop wasn’t going away, but she wouldn’t be creating new content for it- they’ve all made it pretty clear that currently they will be designing exclusively for Armidi). It will be sad to see that part of them go, but on the other hand, it isn’t as if they are leaving SL entirely, and now they have other people dealing with the boring aspects that steal time away from creation, like rent and advertisement. Yes, they will now be somewhat directed in what to make, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, either.
On Armidi’s side, this just massively increased the number of people working under the name, which takes a lot of adjustment. They will expand further if expansion is necessary, I’m sure- they depends a great deal on how this group meshes and the way in which they move. They may not decide to expand beyond this ever, or, once the adjustment period has passed and everyone is comfortable with the group, they may approach other designers to join them. Once you start getting into larger groups of people you have to deal with personal egos and personalities, and that in of itself can limit the amount you can expand, you need a team that meshes together well, or it will eventually fall apart. I think it’s a bit early to be asking whether they’re going to be expanding further. They may well have plans in that direction, but those plans may need to be adjusted based on how things work in practice. At this point I don’t think even any statements from them would be anything other than speculation, until they’ve had time to discover realistically how everything is going to function.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t want to simply be hands off on the press here, do their press releases and never respond to any of the speculation surrounding. Aside from all of the other very good reasons to do that, hunting down and responding to these things takes a lot of time that could be better spent building the brand, which is their focus right now.
I’m sure there are a lot of designers out there that Armidi wouldn’t be able to absorb, period- they simply wouldn’t take the deal and sign the contract, because they wouldn’t find the offer to be something that they really wanted. While a community of designers and collaboration is good for some, it isn’t something everyone wants to that degree.
Additionally, in regards to content theft, they’re creating a design house that will have enough invested, and enough money to back it up, to actually play the hard line with LL when/if it happens to them. They may not choose to, but I would not be surprised if they were up on the front lines forcing LL to take content theft seriously, and making them change their policy of ineffectual enforcement.
While preventing content theft is impossible, LL is not doing all in their power to deal with the problem.
This is mostly in reply to Sasy Scarborough
I am on my laptop so bare with my shitty typing. I would like to say I was with EO back when they were building their sim. They didn’t hire me to be apart of their team… it was an agreement nicole (old friend) and I had made. The fact isnt that people think armidi is a horrible or terrible idea… we think it is a very sad picture to see four Great! designers have to stop updating our favorite stores just so they can work under another name. I think it is great for those girls and I wish them all the best of luck! As far as this being a big deal… it’s not it’s just the latest gossip right now.
As for Emma and Juju! you guys know how much I love and worship your skill I am truly happy for you both! this is very exciting and it’s going to well worth it! Please please don’t forget your shops. Hopefully you will come back with more store. You both know how much I love your work!
As for Armidi… It’s just another huge ass store that is taking it’s competition on it’s side… if this was a game of chess… they would call this play “Checkmate” (I am not bashing or calling them down. I love their clothes and hair… and shoes drools. Just saying… if this was real life… they would own us all by this move. Very smart)
I obviously worded that wrong, I knew that Tray and others werent part of EO at all, I just meant in reference to Marni’s comment that Nicole and Lola werent NEW or unknown individuals to many older residents, and reason for pointing out Tray was because it was an item I knew off the top of my head that I got in that store not her own store. I agree its not great to loose all that talent in their own stores it will be a huge loss, was only commenting that people were making out like Armidi as I said was this big bad monster, not two girls that rebranded. No offence intended or meant to mislead with the stores that were in EO back then.
xoxo Sasy xxoxo
I’d just like to make the comment that all of these designers were picked because of their talent and individuality, as I think was stated before. While all the details are not fully public a lot of people trusted these designers because they put their personality into their clothing. You could tell alot of time, effort and love had gone into what they had made and that meant the items were that much more special. For this reason I trust that they will continue creating items with their own unique flair, just in a more community-exchange-of-ideas kind of way.
I’m not sure if this makes sense, but all these women have shown their integrity and independance in their separate labels, I believe we should all show a bit of support for them as they seem very excited and optimistic about their new venture and as a customer of all of their individual stores I very much look forward to seeing what comes out now they all share ideas and their already well-developed skills grow further.
If you’ve visited the sim you can tell mostly who has made what as their personality comes through on what they create. I wish them all the best and look forward to seeing what comes next.
It bothers me. I have bought one single thing at Armidi since it started. I hardly think it will be any difference now.
For one, I love Sand Shack Surf. And when Emma’s designing for Armidi it’s not the same.
Wow, you sure know how to poke the brainz Tenshi! lol.
I have a huge loyalty complex, RL and SL. It’s hard for me to shake or adjust to, but sometimes I manage to get over it. As soon as I read the news from the designers about their plans, my first reaction was “Oh noe…” because it struck my loyalty button really hard. Loyalty to the small guy, the little people, that is.
I have no problems with Armidi, I go there when I have to (I say that only because of lag), but the styles usually aren’t …Dove, at all. I think I own a guy’s hair from there, a men’s tie and maybe some socks or stockings? Dunno.
I can understand that this has got to be an amazing opportunity for the designers and I’m all-for collaborations, I just think it’s also a little sad.
Anyway, good luck!