questions about gowns

I have a few questions about gowns. But in RL, gowns are one solid piece and sold as such.
q1. without using the skirt mesh, do you use a prim? And if yes, its a hollow cylinder that is flexible? Or is there another way?
q2. If my avatar is male and I dont have an alt, how do I get the texture into an actual piece of clothing without losing my name on it?
( I dont want a female av, honestly.)
q3. Is this the type of gown ladies like? Really I am doing this as a hobby. So I am not sure as to what is currently popular and trendy translates in SL. And I actually enjoy watching the stuff (its that I love ladies so I enjoy it.) If I was making this, the top part I have no problem with and once I figure out the bottom it would be an issue either. But to sell it would I have to stick both in the same cube and then stick that cube into one that would be marked to sell?

Finally, of all you who sell, which do you perfer and why? a networked vendor system with a central server or individual prim sale objects. I know those of you who have high quantity of items use a server, so you what type.
The shop is empty, now all I have to do is fill it.
Thanks for your time.

Natalia Zelmanov has many posts on her blog regarding making flexi-prim skirts -- I don't know of a better set of tutorials: http://slnatalia.blogspot.com/

TUi used to have a class on flexi-prim skirt making as well, but I haven't seen it lately.

Disclosure: I wrote a freebie script and a commercial tool to help make flexi-prim skirts.

I can only speak for myself, but I use all of the different flexible prims. This offers different looks for the prim skirt. I do use mesh skirts for some gowns, and for others I use only the glitch pants. It completely depends upon the look I'm going for.

I use the Fashionetics prims skirt maker thingy. Very easy to use and you can make a lot of adjustments on the size of the skirt waist. I hate complicated machinery so if I can muster the patience to learn to use it, then anyone can. But I do recommend Ged Larsen's LoopRez. I use it to make necklaces and it's a great starting point to learn how to make prim skirts.


Sorry..too brain fried to figure out what you're asking.


Different ladies like different looks...hence the many different designers in SL. Personally I like contemporary clean lines and feminine. I've seen ball gowns that are so exquisite I can't help but admire them, but they're not me. I suggest you either choose a style that reflects what you as a designer enjoy creating, or choose a customer base you'd like to focus on. Or try a bit of everything and see which sells the best and suits your design tastes.

Again...I am lost regarding what you are asking when you're talking about sticking cubes into cubes and selling them. Are you referring to selling the pieces you've designed? I've put entire outfits including tops, skirt, flexi skirt, shoes, jewelry, LM and other stuff into one box to sell it.



I don't use vendors so I cannot offer any advice. They hate me. The feeling is quite mutual. Thankfully I have a high prim allowance...and until I run out I won't be using one

Enjoy your new venture!

~Ari

You will need a female *shape* to test out what the clothing would look like on a female avatar. You can do that with your main account. After all, in SL, a shape is no different than a pair of jeans.

Ged, already bought the looprez, and have seen natalias blog. So good. I figured i am right. As for the rest thanks. I figured as much on the female shape. Oh well.