My last post was about the first MVW 2013 photos and how the first pre-finalists are going to be chosen.
We all know that SL can be a separate reality, the one we want to create, although in terms of fashion and modeling, in my opinion, it should be as closest to RL as possible.
So here you have an example of one of Ford Models - Anna J.
You'll see her portfolio, as a print model and also take a look at her polaroids. Polaroids are the very raw photos the agency takes when a model casts. From those polaroids, as simple as they are, a RL model starts developing.
Clients start looking for a certain type of model and the agency will send them the polaroids they have of that model.
And this is the beauty of RL modeling. It takes a very good eye to chose a real good model from such a simple snapshot. That's why in RL there are model scouters; they scout models for a living, young girls who have all the possibilities of becoming professional models.
The first thing they do is, they just have a glipmse of the girl. They spend lots of time looking at her, observing her and then contact her, directly. On the spot.
This is how it happens in RL to so many models that were just 'found' at the mall, supermarket or having a drink with some friends.
How could we ever have this in SL? It's such a different 'world'.
And here is the thing about MVW, now that a new search is about to begin. MVW organization isn't looking for 'THE' model. They are looking for a beautiful avatar, that can already be a SL model or not. That's the concept of any beauty pageant.
I've written about this over and over and SL models don't seem to learn. MVW is a beauty pageant - like RL Miss Universe. It's not a search for a high fashion model, even though there are several styling challenges throughout the pageant itself.
In RL, a model doesn't style herself. There are stylists, makeup artists and designers that prepare everything for them. They just have to put their personalities into everything. And the outfit shines through, or the jewelry, or the shoes.
SL is, by definition, a world where we can recreate ourselves. So, it's only fair that people behind MVW organization play it by their rules. Just keep in mind that even in SL, there are beauty pageants and there are model agencies. And both are very very different.
Just like RL, a SL model is exactly that - a model. Not necessarily a pretty face but sometbody that can somehow put an outfit on and convey emotions with it.
This is the hardest thing for a SL model to understand - models can be 'ugly' in the classic meaning of the term. Actually, they should if they want to be different and stand out among so many lookalike avatars.
If you're a SL model and you want to work inworld, you really have to stand out and I don't mean be 'beautiful'. Be yourself. One of a kind.
Applying to beauty pageants is a choice. But be sure that's the second life you want for yourself.
If you have that sense of style in you and you want to become a model, go to castings. Apply to several SL model agencies, send your books, send notecards to SL model agencies' owners.
Look at what SL designers do: they have an insight, an idea, they know what the next season's looks are in RL, the next trends and they apply that idea to their creations. They do research a lot! Why don't SL models do the same thing?
I'm guessing no SL model googles Miss Universe pageant. That really doesn't matter for a RL model nor for a SL model.
Here's some food for thought. Why do SL models want to be in a beauty pageant? Just ask yourselves that question. For fame? To have a 'name'?
And watch how a RL model lives and works. How modeling is a job, like any other. It requires that you have something special, or else, in SL, anybody could get a great shape, a good skin, have the most outstanding avatar and be a terrible model. That something 'special' can be seen in SL, it can be felt by those who have a catchy eye for fashion.
Fashion, even in SL, is an art. Not many people can model high fashion in SL. If you can, then do it and forget about beauty pageants.
Immerse yourselves in RL fashion and modeling. Forget about winning or losing. Modeling is extremely competitive as it is, already. And that happens in both lives.
MVW 2013 and SL photographers
The announcement is out. MVW 2013 has the first entries' photos at BOSL blog.
I read the press release and public announcement. The document also explains how to apply and the kind of photos the candidates must submit.
I particularly like point 9.
9. Photoshop is allowed, but please keep photographs realistic so that it reflects how you actually look in Second Life.
And if you take a good look at all entries, you'll see that most of the photos have been heavily editted in PS. Some entries are just SL photos - quite unprofessional, I must say - others are skewed and twisted. Bottom line, if the idea is to actually see the avatar's face, heavily editted photos make their all faces look alike. So, we have several entries with avatars looking 'similar', sometimes because the photographer is the same.
Don't get me wrong, some of the photos have been taken and worked by SL photographers that are considered to be the best. But, in a case like this, a simple, tasteful photo, showing the avatar's face should suffice.
What matters is not the skill of the photographer , but the face of the female avatar.
Let's see some? I do declare, hereby, that I do not own any rights over the photos below. The names of the photographers are clearly stated on top of each row of photos and are used here, to illustrate my opinion .
Even though the photos are very well done, they are heavily editted and we don't actualy see the real avatar behind it.
In RL, a model that goes to several agencies for castings takes her own book, however frequently, the agency they cast for takes a quick snapshot of their faces, as they are. No makeup, simple hair, etc.
To be eligible for MVW, these ladies hired some good photoshop editors in SL. It's quite frustrating, because we actually love the quality of the photo, but how's the avatar really like?
You may say, that's what live auditions are for. That's a fact, but before the live auditions, the first pre-finalists are going to be chosen among this group of photos. Are they going to consider the quality of the photographer or the beauty of the avatar? Because in the photos you see above, they all look 'the same'. Different eye color or hair color, but they all look so much alike!
There are very good photos though. Photos that really show the avatar's face, they stand out for me, because they are so simply worked, that 'what you see is what you get' and this should be the whole point, right?
Another year, another round at MVW. I'll be watching, as usual ;)
I read the press release and public announcement. The document also explains how to apply and the kind of photos the candidates must submit.
I particularly like point 9.
9. Photoshop is allowed, but please keep photographs realistic so that it reflects how you actually look in Second Life.
And if you take a good look at all entries, you'll see that most of the photos have been heavily editted in PS. Some entries are just SL photos - quite unprofessional, I must say - others are skewed and twisted. Bottom line, if the idea is to actually see the avatar's face, heavily editted photos make their all faces look alike. So, we have several entries with avatars looking 'similar', sometimes because the photographer is the same.
Don't get me wrong, some of the photos have been taken and worked by SL photographers that are considered to be the best. But, in a case like this, a simple, tasteful photo, showing the avatar's face should suffice.
What matters is not the skill of the photographer , but the face of the female avatar.
Let's see some? I do declare, hereby, that I do not own any rights over the photos below. The names of the photographers are clearly stated on top of each row of photos and are used here, to illustrate my opinion .
Even though the photos are very well done, they are heavily editted and we don't actualy see the real avatar behind it.
In RL, a model that goes to several agencies for castings takes her own book, however frequently, the agency they cast for takes a quick snapshot of their faces, as they are. No makeup, simple hair, etc.
To be eligible for MVW, these ladies hired some good photoshop editors in SL. It's quite frustrating, because we actually love the quality of the photo, but how's the avatar really like?
You may say, that's what live auditions are for. That's a fact, but before the live auditions, the first pre-finalists are going to be chosen among this group of photos. Are they going to consider the quality of the photographer or the beauty of the avatar? Because in the photos you see above, they all look 'the same'. Different eye color or hair color, but they all look so much alike!
There are very good photos though. Photos that really show the avatar's face, they stand out for me, because they are so simply worked, that 'what you see is what you get' and this should be the whole point, right?
Another year, another round at MVW. I'll be watching, as usual ;)
A full fashion show in SL in real time - Video is on
I watched a fashion show this week that was below reasonable, in terms of quality.
This time, I decided to have my camera roll and really recorded in video the whole show.
The link to Youtube is only here. If you click on it , you can see it in Youtube, as well.
It's an entire fashion show; no editting. No pauses, no making things beautiful.
I just let the show go on and never stopped recording.
You'll see what I saw; some skins and outfits not rezzing, ruthed avatars - sometimes - but the most important thing is that through video, you can all see models posing and walking.
It was laughable to see that these 'models' had different tags on - Elite Model and Top Model. I won't tell you the names of the SL models; however, I can tell you that some of them were last year's MVW finalists (!!!) and others were unfamiliar names, at least to me.
The show was set to start at 3:30pm SLT and started more than 30 minutes late.
You'll see lag - in real time, obviously this cannot be controled by the 'models'. Lag is natural under these circumstances and so are crashes.
You'll see the oufits rezzing slowly - from my viewer.
Other things were controlable, or better said, they should have been more organized. Watching a video of a SL fashion show in real time, shows clearly several severe mistakes, in terms of runway production:
- the runway was empty several times. This simply isn't professional. Period. Not only was it empty, it was empty for long periods. The video will show.
- the so called 'Elite Models' were poor on posing; walking can be questioned and one of them had the tag of 'Top Model' and did a terrible job, posing and styling.
- probably only two of these 'models' had quality skins and were well shaped.
But posing. Posing was a complete disaster in general. I won't tell you the 'models' names; I don't want them to be known for the wrong reasons.
And guys, especially the management of this event, before you say anything else, you're welcome. Here you have your entire fashion show on video.
This time, I decided to have my camera roll and really recorded in video the whole show.
The link to Youtube is only here. If you click on it , you can see it in Youtube, as well.
It's an entire fashion show; no editting. No pauses, no making things beautiful.
I just let the show go on and never stopped recording.
You'll see what I saw; some skins and outfits not rezzing, ruthed avatars - sometimes - but the most important thing is that through video, you can all see models posing and walking.
It was laughable to see that these 'models' had different tags on - Elite Model and Top Model. I won't tell you the names of the SL models; however, I can tell you that some of them were last year's MVW finalists (!!!) and others were unfamiliar names, at least to me.
The show was set to start at 3:30pm SLT and started more than 30 minutes late.
You'll see lag - in real time, obviously this cannot be controled by the 'models'. Lag is natural under these circumstances and so are crashes.
You'll see the oufits rezzing slowly - from my viewer.
Other things were controlable, or better said, they should have been more organized. Watching a video of a SL fashion show in real time, shows clearly several severe mistakes, in terms of runway production:
- the runway was empty several times. This simply isn't professional. Period. Not only was it empty, it was empty for long periods. The video will show.
- the so called 'Elite Models' were poor on posing; walking can be questioned and one of them had the tag of 'Top Model' and did a terrible job, posing and styling.
- probably only two of these 'models' had quality skins and were well shaped.
But posing. Posing was a complete disaster in general. I won't tell you the 'models' names; I don't want them to be known for the wrong reasons.
And guys, especially the management of this event, before you say anything else, you're welcome. Here you have your entire fashion show on video.
A closer look at SL® Fashion Magazines
Every model's work covers several areas of fashion: from the catwalk, to fashion magazines, to commercial adds. Print work is a part of a profissional model's work.
The same happens in SL - fortunately, I must say. The closer SL fashion and modeling activities are to RL, the best, in my opinion. To be a model is not the kind of SL's typical 'roleplay'.
I guess all of us are being more and more demanding regarding Fashion Magazines in SL: their layout, their graphic design, their image quality.
Lately, I read several SL Fashion Magazines. Some are starting, others are already established.
I will publish here their Issuu url so that everybody may read.
The best fashion magazines in RL are very eclectic when it comes to styling and showcasing several RL designers. However, one thing is common to all of them: an extreme care in the layout and graphic design, especially in their more editorial pieces.
Filled with ads, RL Fashion Magazines are a very successful business. Every professional model buys Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, especially the italian edition, Elle, Vanity Fair.
Every professional model dreams of being in the cover of any of these magazines.
In SL, the same thing should happen. Fashion Magazines should be a huge business in the fashion industry. Fortunately, some magazines in SL manage to do that. Let's not forget that SL - which some people call 'just a game', is not 'just a game'. It has an economy of its own. So, every fashion magazine should be extremely profitable to the company that publishes them. Profitable for every model that does his/her print work. To achieve this, quality must be high at all levels. SL Magazines must also live from commercial ads. The more the quality, the more creators will want to have their ads printed.
Every magazine has a staff; besides what the readers see, there is a group of people behind it. Those people take care of several aspects of every magazine. It has to be profitable to pay all the staff, all the models and photographers that work for the magazine. Same thing should happen in SL.
Only those who see SL® as a 'game' ignore all these aspects. There has to be money involved in publishing a SL Magazine. It's imperative for the quality of fashion and modeling industry in SL that models featured in fashion magazines are well payed; photographers are well payed, the staff is well paid. Just like RL. After paying all the staff, models and photographers, the company that runs the magazine must have economical profit. That's how any business is run - SL or RL.
Again, I'm going after quality.
One of the most recent fashion magazines I read in SL is Haute. Haute's first magazine is entirely dedicated to white. The same company that publishes Haute - Asymetrique - also publishes L'Homme .
Both magazines have a good image layout. I found it strange though, that in L'Homme's 2nd edition, on the cover, there is a reference to the love relationship between two SL Models. That really isn't the point of a fashion magazine, especially in the cover. Let's keep it real. There's much to explore in L'Homme magazine; one of the weakest points in SL fashion is the lack of good designers for men - there is an ongoing effort to improve this aspect. So L'Homme may well become a reference to all men in SL. Being the image layout quite good, I'm guessing this magazine will grow and will be successful.
Haute Magazine seems to be starting; they are doing - as far as I could see - the same thing that Modavia Fashion Directory does: divide models into 'supermodels' and just 'models'. This is a mistake, in my opinion, but it's up to them.
BeStyle Magazine has been around in SL for quite some time.
There are parts of the magazine that have a good layout, but other's don't. It looks inconsistent, as a fashion magazine - imagewise. BeStyle doesn't have any reference to its models or supermodels, which is very good; that means every model in SL can be featured there. Good for the magazine and good for professional models that need to have print work done. To improve, I'd suggest a better cover. There is a full spread about a model's academy in SL, which I assume has to be bought (otherwise is not good for business) . Behind that model's academy is one model in SL that is still today an icon to some. This spread part of the magazine is very low quality, in terms of image. It can be improved as well.
I also read InWorld Lifestyle Magazine.
It's more a lifestyle magazine than a fashion one. With several articles, some with a better layout than others, the image editting could be improved. It doesn't strike me as a completely fashion magazine.
There is also Modavia Fashion Directory which is fashion oriented and very editorial. However, it hasn't been published for quite some time. About MFD, I wrote my opinion some time ago.
Published periodically, in this case, every month is AVENUE Magazine.
This is, in my opinion, the best fashion magazine in SL. It doesn't mention models or supermodels, the graphic design is very good and it seems to have improved. Easy thing to observe since the magazine is published monthly. Every fashion spread has its credits; the style card of what the model is wearing and featuring; the layout and photography are editorial. Every interview is done in a professional way, easy to read, with impeccable layout. It also covers several aspects of SL, business, art, new sims, art creators. All the articles are a pleasure to read.
I don't have any other fashion magazines to show you at this point. If there are more that I'm not aware of, please inform me and I'll be glad to take a look ;)
The same happens in SL - fortunately, I must say. The closer SL fashion and modeling activities are to RL, the best, in my opinion. To be a model is not the kind of SL's typical 'roleplay'.
I guess all of us are being more and more demanding regarding Fashion Magazines in SL: their layout, their graphic design, their image quality.
Lately, I read several SL Fashion Magazines. Some are starting, others are already established.
I will publish here their Issuu url so that everybody may read.
The best fashion magazines in RL are very eclectic when it comes to styling and showcasing several RL designers. However, one thing is common to all of them: an extreme care in the layout and graphic design, especially in their more editorial pieces.
Filled with ads, RL Fashion Magazines are a very successful business. Every professional model buys Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, especially the italian edition, Elle, Vanity Fair.
Every professional model dreams of being in the cover of any of these magazines.
In SL, the same thing should happen. Fashion Magazines should be a huge business in the fashion industry. Fortunately, some magazines in SL manage to do that. Let's not forget that SL - which some people call 'just a game', is not 'just a game'. It has an economy of its own. So, every fashion magazine should be extremely profitable to the company that publishes them. Profitable for every model that does his/her print work. To achieve this, quality must be high at all levels. SL Magazines must also live from commercial ads. The more the quality, the more creators will want to have their ads printed.
Every magazine has a staff; besides what the readers see, there is a group of people behind it. Those people take care of several aspects of every magazine. It has to be profitable to pay all the staff, all the models and photographers that work for the magazine. Same thing should happen in SL.
Only those who see SL® as a 'game' ignore all these aspects. There has to be money involved in publishing a SL Magazine. It's imperative for the quality of fashion and modeling industry in SL that models featured in fashion magazines are well payed; photographers are well payed, the staff is well paid. Just like RL. After paying all the staff, models and photographers, the company that runs the magazine must have economical profit. That's how any business is run - SL or RL.
Again, I'm going after quality.
One of the most recent fashion magazines I read in SL is Haute. Haute's first magazine is entirely dedicated to white. The same company that publishes Haute - Asymetrique - also publishes L'Homme .
Both magazines have a good image layout. I found it strange though, that in L'Homme's 2nd edition, on the cover, there is a reference to the love relationship between two SL Models. That really isn't the point of a fashion magazine, especially in the cover. Let's keep it real. There's much to explore in L'Homme magazine; one of the weakest points in SL fashion is the lack of good designers for men - there is an ongoing effort to improve this aspect. So L'Homme may well become a reference to all men in SL. Being the image layout quite good, I'm guessing this magazine will grow and will be successful.
Haute Magazine seems to be starting; they are doing - as far as I could see - the same thing that Modavia Fashion Directory does: divide models into 'supermodels' and just 'models'. This is a mistake, in my opinion, but it's up to them.
BeStyle Magazine has been around in SL for quite some time.
There are parts of the magazine that have a good layout, but other's don't. It looks inconsistent, as a fashion magazine - imagewise. BeStyle doesn't have any reference to its models or supermodels, which is very good; that means every model in SL can be featured there. Good for the magazine and good for professional models that need to have print work done. To improve, I'd suggest a better cover. There is a full spread about a model's academy in SL, which I assume has to be bought (otherwise is not good for business) . Behind that model's academy is one model in SL that is still today an icon to some. This spread part of the magazine is very low quality, in terms of image. It can be improved as well.
I also read InWorld Lifestyle Magazine.
It's more a lifestyle magazine than a fashion one. With several articles, some with a better layout than others, the image editting could be improved. It doesn't strike me as a completely fashion magazine.
There is also Modavia Fashion Directory which is fashion oriented and very editorial. However, it hasn't been published for quite some time. About MFD, I wrote my opinion some time ago.
Published periodically, in this case, every month is AVENUE Magazine.
This is, in my opinion, the best fashion magazine in SL. It doesn't mention models or supermodels, the graphic design is very good and it seems to have improved. Easy thing to observe since the magazine is published monthly. Every fashion spread has its credits; the style card of what the model is wearing and featuring; the layout and photography are editorial. Every interview is done in a professional way, easy to read, with impeccable layout. It also covers several aspects of SL, business, art, new sims, art creators. All the articles are a pleasure to read.
I don't have any other fashion magazines to show you at this point. If there are more that I'm not aware of, please inform me and I'll be glad to take a look ;)
Androgyny - a man or a woman?
Both I'd say.
I came across a SL® Magazine called AndroGenius. Can't explain, really, how I felt, when I read it. In the 1st issue of the Magazine the whole concept of androgyny is well explained and yet, as the 2nd issue came out, it was hard to read it, with Frolic Mills in the cover without any 'androgynous' sense into it.
I must say that it's not easy to portray such a concept. It starts with the image itself - it's a style, a conceptual way of life. An androgynous person styles himself or herself, easily. It's part of their personality, reflected in the way they dress, in the way they do their hair, skin, make up, everything, basically.
It's very hard for me to see in SL®, people trying to be androgynous, especially in the fashion and model industry. It's not about trying; wether you are or you aren't androgynous.
Taking a look at RL androgynous models, you'll understand what I mean.
Now, take a look at one issue of AndroGenius Magazine.
I do understand the idea, but it's not exactly what andogyny is. I was expecting a highly editorial magazine, not a male model wearing women's clothes - as shown in the articles inside the magazine.
That's not androgyny at all.
A man wearing long hair in not androgynous and a woman wearing short hair, a hat and a tie is not androgynous either. It's way past that!
Androgyny is a way of life, natural, easy.
In most asian countries, being androgynous comes naturally. In that sense, they are way ahead of western countries.
To have a SL® magazine entirely dedicated to androgyny is quite a bold and daring project. It requires the best quality in terms of image, layout of the magazine itself and the written articles.
I applaude the idea, but cannot applaude the result so far. Hopefully, with time, this magazine makes a statement in SL® fashion.
Unfortunately, most people don't fully understand the concept of androgyny; they don't understand that it's not about being a transgender nor a drag queen. There is a conceptual quality to it; it's stylish and very fashionable. As we all know, not many people in SL®'s fashion industry have the skills to fully understand it; I do think androgyny reaches the realm of the ultimate creativity and art , body and mindwise.
NOTE: RL models in the photos above:
Photo 1: Omayara Mota
Photo2: Brittani Kline
Photo 3: Andrej Pejic
Photo 4: Martin Core
I came across a SL® Magazine called AndroGenius. Can't explain, really, how I felt, when I read it. In the 1st issue of the Magazine the whole concept of androgyny is well explained and yet, as the 2nd issue came out, it was hard to read it, with Frolic Mills in the cover without any 'androgynous' sense into it.
I must say that it's not easy to portray such a concept. It starts with the image itself - it's a style, a conceptual way of life. An androgynous person styles himself or herself, easily. It's part of their personality, reflected in the way they dress, in the way they do their hair, skin, make up, everything, basically.
It's very hard for me to see in SL®, people trying to be androgynous, especially in the fashion and model industry. It's not about trying; wether you are or you aren't androgynous.
Taking a look at RL androgynous models, you'll understand what I mean.
Now, take a look at one issue of AndroGenius Magazine.
I do understand the idea, but it's not exactly what andogyny is. I was expecting a highly editorial magazine, not a male model wearing women's clothes - as shown in the articles inside the magazine.
That's not androgyny at all.
A man wearing long hair in not androgynous and a woman wearing short hair, a hat and a tie is not androgynous either. It's way past that!
Androgyny is a way of life, natural, easy.
In most asian countries, being androgynous comes naturally. In that sense, they are way ahead of western countries.
To have a SL® magazine entirely dedicated to androgyny is quite a bold and daring project. It requires the best quality in terms of image, layout of the magazine itself and the written articles.
I applaude the idea, but cannot applaude the result so far. Hopefully, with time, this magazine makes a statement in SL® fashion.
Unfortunately, most people don't fully understand the concept of androgyny; they don't understand that it's not about being a transgender nor a drag queen. There is a conceptual quality to it; it's stylish and very fashionable. As we all know, not many people in SL®'s fashion industry have the skills to fully understand it; I do think androgyny reaches the realm of the ultimate creativity and art , body and mindwise.
NOTE: RL models in the photos above:
Photo 1: Omayara Mota
Photo2: Brittani Kline
Photo 3: Andrej Pejic
Photo 4: Martin Core
Modavia Fashion Directory
This time, I'm not focusing on any SL fashion show.
I usually follow the best SL Fashion Magazines, Avenue and Modavia. I'm aware that recently Modavia did an open casting for new models.
However, I'm becoming more and more aware of something that has been happening in all Modavia Fashion Directories that has been catching my eye.
This is what I call a conflict of interests.
Modavia constantly features, as one of the Directories model [or supermodel], Poptart Lilliehook.
Once you open the Directory and check the credits page, Poptart Lilliehook is actually Editor-in-Chief, which, in my opinion, conflicts with her position as model in the Directories.
Let's make it clear.
Business wise, the client featured in an article may request a certain model to present their creations and obviously the Magazine must provide the client with what he or she wants.
What confuses me is that Poptart Lilliehook herself models in her own magazine. It'd be extremely professional of her to state to all clients that she is Editor-in-Chief of the Directory, therefore, she won't be available to model.
Modavia has many of the best SL Models on the grid. So, why does the Editor-in-Chief and owner of Modavia model in her own magazine? It's very unusual to do so in RL.
I still remember, back in the day, when Modavia was created by Dea Mills. I have no recollection of Dea Mills modeling in the Magazine.
Let's see Avenue Magazine.
The Publisher is Rusch Raymaker and she doesn't model in the magazine. The Editor-in-Chief is Sensuous Soulstar. As far as I see, Rusch Raymaker is the business woman behind all Avenue endeavors. She is not a model. She runs the company. Sensuous Soulstar doesn't model either. And this is how it's done, professionally!
Doing castings is a way to gather a very good group of professionals to provide potential clients with several models, several styles, different looks. It's very unprofessional of Miss Lilliehook to keep being a model in her own magazine.
It's time to step it up. To go after excellence, professionalism and make sure there are no misunderstandings for the Directory readers.
I want to add that Modavia Fashion Directories are really good as fashion magazines in SL and to keep the good reputation, to even go beyond and do better, things should be clear and plain.
On the other hand, one may question: it's Poptarts's magazine, she can do what she wants. Absolutely!
But bear in mind that this kind of situation creates some discomfort in the fashion community in SL. Soon, discredit may come, no matter how good the magazine is, readers get tired of watching the same models over and over and over again.
The same applies to Modavia's Creative Director, Dahlia Joubert and Queen Watanabe - who happens to be partnered to Modavia's graphic designer.
In fact, Graphic Dix has some guest appearences in the Magazine, since he started being their graphic designer. And we question, what's going on here? It's a good fashion magazine, indeed, but those who happen to be featured as models are pretty much the same? Even guest models, that are not models at all, like Graphic Dix?
And I finish like I started; why does Modavia have open castings, when we - the readers - keep seeing the same models and some that aren't even models at all?
I'm pretty sure lots of people related to the fashion industry in SL wonder the same.
For a better look and for all of you to see what I mean, here are the links to both Magazines on Issuu.
Modavia Fashion Directory 22
Avenue Magazine December 2011
Things have to be said. Both Magazines are graphically the best in SL, no doubt about it. Avenue comes across as a more professional fashion print work.
I usually follow the best SL Fashion Magazines, Avenue and Modavia. I'm aware that recently Modavia did an open casting for new models.
However, I'm becoming more and more aware of something that has been happening in all Modavia Fashion Directories that has been catching my eye.
This is what I call a conflict of interests.
Modavia constantly features, as one of the Directories model [or supermodel], Poptart Lilliehook.
Once you open the Directory and check the credits page, Poptart Lilliehook is actually Editor-in-Chief, which, in my opinion, conflicts with her position as model in the Directories.
Let's make it clear.
Business wise, the client featured in an article may request a certain model to present their creations and obviously the Magazine must provide the client with what he or she wants.
What confuses me is that Poptart Lilliehook herself models in her own magazine. It'd be extremely professional of her to state to all clients that she is Editor-in-Chief of the Directory, therefore, she won't be available to model.
Modavia has many of the best SL Models on the grid. So, why does the Editor-in-Chief and owner of Modavia model in her own magazine? It's very unusual to do so in RL.
I still remember, back in the day, when Modavia was created by Dea Mills. I have no recollection of Dea Mills modeling in the Magazine.
Let's see Avenue Magazine.
The Publisher is Rusch Raymaker and she doesn't model in the magazine. The Editor-in-Chief is Sensuous Soulstar. As far as I see, Rusch Raymaker is the business woman behind all Avenue endeavors. She is not a model. She runs the company. Sensuous Soulstar doesn't model either. And this is how it's done, professionally!
Doing castings is a way to gather a very good group of professionals to provide potential clients with several models, several styles, different looks. It's very unprofessional of Miss Lilliehook to keep being a model in her own magazine.
It's time to step it up. To go after excellence, professionalism and make sure there are no misunderstandings for the Directory readers.
I want to add that Modavia Fashion Directories are really good as fashion magazines in SL and to keep the good reputation, to even go beyond and do better, things should be clear and plain.
On the other hand, one may question: it's Poptarts's magazine, she can do what she wants. Absolutely!
But bear in mind that this kind of situation creates some discomfort in the fashion community in SL. Soon, discredit may come, no matter how good the magazine is, readers get tired of watching the same models over and over and over again.
The same applies to Modavia's Creative Director, Dahlia Joubert and Queen Watanabe - who happens to be partnered to Modavia's graphic designer.
In fact, Graphic Dix has some guest appearences in the Magazine, since he started being their graphic designer. And we question, what's going on here? It's a good fashion magazine, indeed, but those who happen to be featured as models are pretty much the same? Even guest models, that are not models at all, like Graphic Dix?
And I finish like I started; why does Modavia have open castings, when we - the readers - keep seeing the same models and some that aren't even models at all?
I'm pretty sure lots of people related to the fashion industry in SL wonder the same.
For a better look and for all of you to see what I mean, here are the links to both Magazines on Issuu.
Modavia Fashion Directory 22
Avenue Magazine December 2011
Things have to be said. Both Magazines are graphically the best in SL, no doubt about it. Avenue comes across as a more professional fashion print work.
A good exercise with OGlam Models
Around the middle of September, I was able to take some raw snapshots of a fashion show by OGlam Models.
As far as I could see, this was a showcase of a jewelry brand. I also noticed that it didn't seem to have any outfit designer showcased; all models were wearing outfits from several SL designers. I then assumed that models styled themselves. If this was the case, this is a good exercise for all SL Models to do. Without naming the models, and in no particular order, here are the six models that showcased the jewelry and we may have a couple of issues to address, when it comes to SL professional models:
Let's see your personal opinions. Were all these goals achieved by all models? Which of these models - shown in my non-editted photos (so, no effects at all) - did a good job, posing, styling, showcasing jewelry and being elegant while doing so? If you didn't watch this show, and without naming models, your opinions may be less biased and we can really know how you feel, professionally.
Model 1As far as I could see, this was a showcase of a jewelry brand. I also noticed that it didn't seem to have any outfit designer showcased; all models were wearing outfits from several SL designers. I then assumed that models styled themselves. If this was the case, this is a good exercise for all SL Models to do. Without naming the models, and in no particular order, here are the six models that showcased the jewelry and we may have a couple of issues to address, when it comes to SL professional models:
- How did they style themselves? Was the outfit the best to showcase the jewelry sets properly?
- How did they pose? Were the poses good to enhance the showcased jewelry and also to enhance elegance?
I couldn't take photos of all the models in all sets. There seemed to be 4 sets for each model to showcase, but SL limitations - like crashing and lag, which is natural - didn't allow me to photograph all sets of all the models. I did my best tough. What you'll see are the six models in the 4 sets of jewelry they showcased. The first photo of each model was more casual, then 'upgrading' to a more formal look - still showcasing jewelry. It was also vintage themed and the set was very well built, in my opinion. There was a tv, where all models posed and they came out of the tv screen to the runway.
Black and white tones seemed to be a requirement as all models were wearing these two tones in their outfits.
Let's see your personal opinions. Were all these goals achieved by all models? Which of these models - shown in my non-editted photos (so, no effects at all) - did a good job, posing, styling, showcasing jewelry and being elegant while doing so? If you didn't watch this show, and without naming models, your opinions may be less biased and we can really know how you feel, professionally.
Model 2
Model 3
Model 4
Model 5
Model 6
As I mentioned before, I couldn't take photos of the 4 sets of each model. These are the SL limitations, we can't do anything about. Even so, it's a good exercise to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)