Torrid Midnight is the owner and creator of TorridWear, a line of stylish fashion for avs of all types, genders, and dispositions. She was kind enough to sit with me recently to talk a little about herself and her work. I tried not to gush too much, though it's difficult, as a wolfie, to not drool. It's only because I've heard her speak on both Secondcast and The Goods, and am smitten by her voice and accent. I'm no stalker, though, so don't worry, Torrid, you're safe! I'll just pine from a distance...

SLI: How did you come to SL?

Torrid Midnight: I was playing The Sims Online at the time, back in May of 2003 and I was very bored. I was up late one night just playing around and I overheard someone mention Second Life and that it was in open Beta. So, I went and created account, checked it out and was hooked from there :)

SLI: How did you come up with 'Torrid'?

Torrid Midnight: Well, I went through the last names and loved Midnight, I was trying to be clever but when that didn't work out I went with something sort of "cheesy romance novel". *laughs*

More conversation and photos after the break!SLI: When did you start designing clothing?

Torrid Midnight: Well, I met Mistress Midnight a few days after I came to SL. She was designing clothing and I was amazed by that. I had no knowledge of Photoshop before SL, I'd never even heard of it. It was around 4 or 5 months later I finally learned how to make a basic t-shirt! I was happy and just tried to learn everything I could with plenty of help from Mistress and Nephilaine Protagonist later on.

SLI: And you got more and more popular?

Torrid Midnight: Yes, Mistress and I sort of partnered up and that was when our popularity grew. I just kept at designing and as I got better my clothing became more popular. We learned to advertise and market better as well.

SLI: Are you two still partners?

Torrid Midnight: No, we still work together on special items now and then but we have our own lines and businesses now.

SLI: Do you manage to make actual money from your line?

Torrid Midnight: Yes I do now, in the beginning it wasn't about making real money because it wasn't something we could do or really knew about. It's still not all about money for me, I manage to make a part time income from it but I love doing it.

SLI: Excellent... from where do you draw inspiration?

Torrid Midnight: Anywhere really, magazines, television, out on the street, you name it. Sometimes I just have a dream and see something in my head. I have a very eclectic style.

SLI: Dreams, really?

Torrid Midnight: Yes, it's funny really. I have dreams all the time where I see flashes of designs or ideas and other times they just run like a movie.

SLI: Wow... has that always been the case, or is it mostly from designing all the time, do you think?

Torrid Midnight: I think it's from learning how to design. I always had ideas for fashion and I've never been one to go by the book. I've had people come up to me in real life at stores and ask where I got my outfit, it's crazy. When I was able to bring things to life that I saw in my head, those images started flowing more. I'd like to be able to design everything I imagine but I'm not *quite* where I need to be skill wise to do so. I'm getting there!



SLI: Are you interested in Building at all?

Torrid Midnight: Ahh, building and I have a love hate relationship. I'd love to be able to build well but I hate the process! I build when I have to and I manage to do okay but it's definitely not a strength for me.

SLI: When have you had to?

Torrid Midnight: Well, I built some furniture when I started working on poses and I had to build a store for Midnight City. I'm at a point now though where I'd rather hire a talented person or group to build for me :)

SLI: I hear you... It's a daunting process.

Torrid Midnight: I just know my limitations!

SLI: And it's not like you need to.

Torrid Midnight: Right, I'd be in trouble if I did!

SLI: Can you tell me about how Secondcast got started, and how you got involved?

Torrid Midnight: Well, I'm not entirely sure how Secondcast began, I don't think Johnny (Ming) has really explained the history of that to me. I saw a post from him in the forums one day, I guess it was back in March. He was asking for people interested in being on the show and I listened to the first episodes. At the time I really felt the need to spread my wings and try new things so I thought I'd e-mail him and ask about the show.

The first time I was on, it was pretty funny. We still joke about it now, Johnny had no clue who I was!

SLI: Really?

Torrid Midnight: I figured he'd look me up at least and maybe try to find out what I do or what I'm about in SL.

SLI: That would be wise, yes.

Torrid Midnight: Yeah, he stumbled over the intro and then started by saying I was the inventor of the "alt click camera". I said what??

SLI: laughing

Torrid Midnight: I knew I was in trouble then!

SLI: And it's been a love affair ever since!

Torrid Midnight: I believe that part got cut out but it was hilarious to say the least and the rest of the show was pretty uncomfortable, everyone was very quiet.

SLI: That's incredible! They should have kept it.

Torrid Midnight: I came back though, obviously, and I've loved it and the crew ever since. Yes they should have kept it, I think we need a good blooper episode.

SLI: Totally! I'd love that. I listen all the time.

Torrid Midnight: I'm glad you listen! I'm always so honored to know that people listen and enjoy the show.

SLI: I do indeed; I'd like to interview Cristiano soon.

Torrid Midnight: He'd be a good interview!

SLI: He always has some great things to say.

Torrid Midnight: He does indeed, he's very smart and always has the interesting questions. I usually end up asking the off the wall stuff!

SLI: So I hear! Tell me about The Goods.

Torrid Midnight: Well, The Goods is still very much a process and in its early stages. I wanted to have a fashion podcast with one or two other people and I had discussed it with Lo Jacobs because she had launched pixelpinuponline.com. She was very interested at the time and shortly after Launa joined us and we met to discuss it. We didn't want a critic's show or anything too heavy with interviews.

SLI: Is the process similar to how Secondcast is done?

Torrid Midnight: It's a lot like Secondcast, though it's more laid back I would say. I hope to move into a more organized process and a schedule with The Goods in the near future, as for now we're just doing it when we can.

SLI: It sounds great so far... I'm not a fashionista, but I like hearing about the process, and the dishing!

Torrid Midnight: Well, I'm more than pleased people seem to like it, I know we definitely digress a lot but that's part of the fun I think.

SLI: What have you got planned for the future, clothing-wise, cast-wise, and other?

Torrid Midnight: Clothing-wise, I'm working on a long-term project. It's going to be a large line of casual clothing but something very different than I've done before. I'm working with another designer on it and I'm very excited about it, it will be awhile before folks get a peek, though!

I plan to be part of Secondcast as long as they can put up with me and The Goods will continue, even if a bit slow at first.

SLI: And where is your shop?

Torrid Midnight: I have two shops, one in Midnight City and one in Chartreuse.



SLI: Do they have different items?

Torrid Midnight: No, although Chartreuse tends to be more up to date. I put new releases there first and it has all of my animation products. Midnight City is about to undergo a transformation though, so that will probably change.

SLI: Oh?

Torrid Midnight: Yes, as Aimee put it, Midnight City 2, although it's more like Midnight City 3 at this point. It's going to be less of a shopping sim and more centered around events and community with just a few main shops.

SLI: How do you create animations? Is it all in Poser?

Torrid Midnight: Yes, I create all of them in Poser.

SLI: Frame by frame, or do you use capture data?

Torrid Midnight: Frame by frame, I don't create any animations that use a lot of motion, I would pull my hair out! I try to create natural poses and movement if at all possible. I'm not very fond of the "vogue" like poses outside of modeling.



SLI: Okay, let's wind this down: What would you like to see Implemented in SL?

Torrid Midnight: Wow, good question. Right now, I'd prefer they stop with new features and just focus on the bugs and exploits. I would however like to see some sort of well organized and active BBB or rating system for businesses. I think we need something like that.

SLI: Hmm... that's an interesting proposition... do you have any ideas on how they could implement that?

Torrid Midnight: I'm not really sure, I'm almost certain it would require LL involvement, though I'm sure they'd prefer it be done by a third party. I just think with all the theft and problems right now, consumers and creators alike need a way to be informed about reputations, reviews, complaints, etc. It's just a wish I suppose, it might be asking the impossible.

SLI: I don't see why it couldn't work... is there any interest from LL about it, or is it still just in your mind?

Torrid Midnight: It's just in my mind really, I've discussed with a few other residents. I think LL has their hands full with controlling exploits and bugs at the moment.

SLI: What in your mind is the single worst bug they should work on?

Torrid Midnight: Another tough question, I think anything that involves exploits where people can get around permissions, make theft easier, etc., are extremely important. Like the recent unpleasantness... which, as I recall, is still a problem. I know of a few things right now that I can't really mention but I'm hoping LL will get a fix in ASAP.

SLI: Aww, mention, mention!

Torrid Midnight: (laughing) I can't! I would be sent to the cornfield!!

SLI: Would you like to say any last words on anything? Shout outs to anyone?

Torrid Midnight: Let's see, there would be so many people to mention. I'd definitely like to say thank you to Mistress Midnight and all the City Girls for their continued support, to Nephilaine Protagonist for being a great mentor, to my fellow Secondcasters for all the fun, and to everyone that's a part of Second Life, I love you all!

SLI: Excellent! Torrid, thank you so much for your patience and time! I'm happy to finally have met you!

Torrid Midnight: It's been great talking with you Akela, and nice to meet you too! :)