All of us at It’s Only Fashion are long-time fans of Betty Doyle with 166 posts (so far)  that feature items from Ingenue. It is a long love affair, but there is no seven-year-itch because Doyle makes customer satisfaction and convenience uppermost. For example, with the plethora of mesh attachments, some creators are throwing up their hands and presenting one option. Meanwhile, Doyle packages shoes for multiple mesh options as well as the old default foot. She is acutely aware that not all of her customers are following the newest, the latest, the trendiest and she makes sure they are happy, too.

The first time Ingenue was featured at It’s Only Fashion was in April 2008 – the Tricky Little Wicky dress.

It’s Only Fashion: What was your first day in Second Life like? What made you stick it out through the learning curve?

Betty Doyle: I think I spent something like my first four or five days on Orientation Island. For some reason, I thought I had to learn to do everything before I went over to the mainland. I finally decided that figuring out scripting just wasn’t going to happen, so made the jump! I was excited by the idea of being able to make things from the moment I read about Second Life. I’m not sure I would have stayed if you couldn’t do that.

IOF: What’s the craziest thing you ever did in Second Life? Most exciting? Silliest?

BD: Craziest and most exciting would be meeting my now RL husband in Caledon, and eventually leaving my job of 10 years and moving cross country.

IOF: When did you begin creating? What was the first thing you made. Did you save it? Did it work? 

BD: I started playing with creating from the first day. The first item I remember was my first clothing item, a leopard print dress with flexi skirt and hat. I was so proud of it! I took a peek, but if I still have it, it’s lost in the black hole that is my inventory.

IOF: How did you choose your store name? Does it have a special meaning for you? If your stores is named after yourself, how did you go about choosing your avatar name?

BD: I just like the word Ingenue, and I think it fits. It was between that and Starlet.

IOF: What is the most challenging part of being a creator in Second Life? What is most rewarding?

BD: The most challenging is possibly managing my calender of events.  At times I’m tempted to accept more than I can actually manage, because there are so many great ones. Most rewarding… That people actually want and enjoy my work! Part of me is still always surprised!

IOF: Where do you get inspiration for your designs? What is your process like?

BD: I get inspiration from all over, things I see walking around or looking around the internet. Sometimes, I have a clear picture of what I want to do before I begin, but many times the design evolves as I’m modeling.

IOF: How do your first and second life design aesthetics resemble and contrast with each other? How would you describe your design aesthetic? Who is your customer – the person you are thinking of when you design?

BD: In the beginning, I would say my SL designs were more similar to how I dressed in RL. Nowadays, I have a 5 year old to keep up with, and I dress much more casually on a day to day basis. I still design for myself for the most part, and am happy others seem to like it. That way I get to virtually wear some of the types of things I’d sometimes like to wear in RL, but I’d probably fall over if I had to keep up with my son in 4-inch heels! My designs are still influenced quite a bit by vintage fashions, but are more modern than they were in the beginning.

IOF: One of the challenges of creating is Second Life is dealing with IP theft and the DMCA process. Many of those problems are due to flaws in the DMCA legislation itself. What changes within the control of Linden Labs that you would like to see?

BD: I don’t feel like I am really qualified to comment on this. Luckily, I haven’t had to go through the process. The only stolen item I know of was years ago. I was able to talk to the person, and it was taken down.

Shoetopia 2013 Entry – Cindy Gedenspire

IOF: How has your second life changed your first life?

BD: See answer #2! Plus, I love working from home. It’s allowed me to be at home with my son and work at the same time.

IOF: Is there anything else you would like to share with readers?

BD: If you ever have a question about an item, don’t hesitate to ask. Sometimes when an issue is caused by SL being wonky, I may not know the answer, but I will do my best to help!