Queue Marlowe self portrait

Who has not gotten lost in the forests of hair at Analog Dog. From my first visit, I have found the quantity and diversity of hair overwhelming. This comes from a long history of creating hair and from the skill to create hair that stands up to the test of time, changing fads and changing technology.

Any hair lover will be able to recognize Analog Dog hair in an instant. Creator Queue Marlowe’s style is easily recognized in large part because her hair moves. Flexi has gone out of fashion in large part because it cannot be rigged and because people struggle with alpha glitches. Marlowe cannot avoid the rules of alpha layers, but she can stretch those rules and she can outwit them – as anyone who has tried on her hair can see. Analog Dog hair is unique, long may it wave…and bounce.

Analog Dog Psylocibin with additional curls add on.

It’s Only Fashion: What’s the craziest thing you ever did in Second Life? Most exciting? Silliest? Is there a story you can share that captures your Second Life experience?

Queue Marlowe: Craziest? let’s see… does making hair count? After I swore I’d never do such a silly thing?  Silliest would have to be thinking that making hair was a silly idea. That and spending a week as a ball with wings. Most exciting still goes to designing avant garde costume for a real life virtual museum exhibit.

Analog Dog Psylocibin at Hair Fair 2015 demonstrates Marlowe’s skill at  outwitting alpha glitches

IOF: What drew you to designing hair? When did you start? What are some of the changes that were most significant for you?

QM: I’ve been in SL for ten years and making hair for just about ten years:)

The day SL implimented flex, I happened to be reading release notes out of sheer boredom and decided to play around with flexi prims. I made a flag and a ponytail. I decided to sell the ponytail in six colors. I had no idea what was to come! What a ride! I guess it was all meant to be.

Analog Dog Sassafras and Dirty Princess Aristocratic Princess gown in red.

IOF: How did you choose your store name? Does it have a special meaning for you? How did you go choose your avatar name?

QM: This is great. Analog Dog was my old RL clothing line and Queue is my dog. I scoffed at the idea of putting any thought into my avatar’s name or the store name, thinking I’d get bored with SL within the month. Ha!

Analog Dog in SL actually started as a clothing store with odd designs and who cared? It was a fun way to pass time. I would never have believed then, that I’d still be doing this today.

Analog Dog Molly

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

QM: Staying focused and motivated can be a bit of a challenge. The artist’s brain is a fickle one and mine definitely needs multiple sources of stimulation. That being said, the most rewarding part of all of this is knowing that my art is appreciated. That any one of my creations has made someone happy, if even for a minute.

I don’t take much for granted and it really does mean a lot. When I get a note saying, “hey, I love what you do.” It ALWAYS smacks a smile right on my face. Even if I don’t get a chance to respond, I keep all of those notes and have since day one. It keeps me going and is most definitely the fuel to this crazy machine. Because of this, I will always tell a creator in SL and RL when I drool over their work.

Analog Dog Molly and Bangs that can be added separately.

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

QM: Ohhhhh, the process. Man. I have learned so much about creativity since starting this. Creative energy is its own entity and I fluctuate pretty steadily between wrangling the beast and just riding the wave.

Last week, I went see a friend’s band perform and the woman selling tickets had the cutest hairstyle, so I asked if I could snap a photo. Inspiration comes from all directions, from magazines to video games, to people choosing veggies at the market or even something purely conceptual. Many styles are personal hair fantasies. Ones, I usually cannot accomplish in RL lol.

Analog Dog Sassafras

IOF: What sets your hair styles apart from other hair designers, in your opinion? What is your style or aesthetic?

QM: I love realism and movement. And movement. Period.

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

QM: It influences  my other art ventures and it keeps me open minded.

It has also planted me in front of the computer for much longer than any human needs to be in front of a computer. So, I guess it enhances my RL in the sense that all other hours in my day are spent as far away from the computer as possible. Balance!

Analog Dog Sassafras and Kunglers Caroline Jewelry Set

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

QM: First and foremost, ENJOY YOUR SECOND LIFE and make every second of it exactly what you want it to be!

Be kind to each other. You never know what’s going on behind that other avatar:)

(Also, I love getting getting photos of hair suggestions. Keeps the blood flowing.)

IOF: What does Hair Fair mean to you?

QM: Reunions, inspiration, appreciation, Wigs for Kids!

I love struttin’ around in others’ hair designs. I love that others are doing what I do in their own world with their own process. It’s fun! It’s like bringing your favorite dish to a pot luck and then going straight for the dessert table.