How do SL Models 'earn' popularity?

I have opened moderated comments here. One of the comments I have received is from a SL Model that thinks she is 'popular'.

Very well, then. From now on, I'll refrain from posting any photos of any SL Model that has this kind of attitude. Yes, I will not 'publicize' ladies that believe that winning SL Beauty Pageants or a few SL Photo Contests, will suddenly 'transform' them into 'Queens of Absolutely Nothing'.

Popularity is not the same as being a good professional in whatever we do. Beauty Pageants do not make a good SL Model. There has been a great misunderstanding regarding this in SL.

Again, popularity is like respect. Must be earned.
Most of the best SL Models I have seen on the runway are absolutely discrete about their activities. They just walk the runway with style and elegance. And that is something you just have or you don't.
Elegance and style include personality, even in a metaverse world such as SL.

By the way, I was paying attention to Modavia Autumn Casting. I'll post here the names of the chosen SL Models soon.

Kabuki Naughty and Nice Fashion Show

This was a well produced Fashion Show. The set was beautiful. This photo I took doesn't really show the beautiful set. It can give you an idea, if you missed it.



I took lots of snapshots, but for this show, I'll just show you a SL Model that really was fierce and outstanding. I don't think I have seen her before. She caught my attention from the beginning. She may be a SL Model to follow up and see what happens to her.

Let's see her.

blackLiquid Tokyoska

With an amazing image and unique style, blackLiquid really caught people's attention in this Show, even though there were other SL Models that have more 'popularity' in SL. Again, I really hope she keeps progressing as a SL Model with a humble attitude.

I caught her with a not do good pose , next. The hood covered her face.

In general, this was a great Fashion Show to watch, very well produced and an outstanding SL Model. She has my attention ;)

There is a Winter Fashion Week going on in SL

I managed to take a look at Eccentric Fashion Show.
These Shows are relatively simple, one SL Designer each day. Here are the SL Models in this Show.

This is Elyana Carver

Elyana showed some issues with her poses. What I mean is that there are so many pose makers in SL that there is no reason for a SL Model to keep making mistakes like armpit poses (out of a 'dramatic' production Fashion Show) or the usual hands inside primmed skirts. Poses need to be practiced, like shaping and chosing a good skin.

I caught Elyana with a smile, on the runway. It can be lag, or not.

This is Koffie Juniper

Besides the ruthed shape, which is a very common SL issue with lag (I know that) , I just want to show you Koffie's poses. And I will say no more ... just watch.

When Koffie changed outfit, think as if you were a SL Designer. Do these poses inspire you to buy this outfit?

Let's take a look at Lileaka Magic

Among the other SL Models , she did relatively well. In such a simple show, I'm sure there were mode poses to choose.

This is QueenBrat Bracket

The same SL issue, ruthed avatar. Again, looking only at the poses. QueenBrat had severe problems standing. Even with lag ( and it was laggy) we can tell that homework wasn't done, here.

This is Sazzy Oh

Sazzy chose the same pose, over and over again, with several outfits.

And finally, when she changed to a different pose, she chose a back pose, covering her face completely.

As I mentioned before, this was a simple Fashion Show, with some basic mistakes, related to poise and poses. Lileaka Magic was the SL Model that was ok, but still not outstanding.

Agency Report

A friend of mine warned me that someone was using the name of my blog in the Agency Report website, making believe it's me.

Unfortunately it was true. It is not me!

I left a comment there. In fact, I left in general maybe 2 comments.
There are quite a few, written with the name of this blog, which is not my blogger ID.

From now on, I'm opening moderated comments here.

I do not have any personal interest in offending any SL Model. I observe.
I realized that there are some "mistakes" I have pointed out that are due to SL issues, lag, glitches, etc.

However, I will continue to observe. Many issues, concerning professional attitudes of SL Models, come to my attention. Most of those I don't mention here. Others that I consider extreme, I do.

My bloggerID is Fifth Avenue, which I chose you all know why - one the most famous Fashion Avenues in the world, in Manhattan, New York.

Please, disregard any comment in AR coming supposedly from me.
Actually, if we think about it, a blog like this is not a SL Model Agency, so it shouldn't even be in AR.

I will accept and post polite comments; delete all rude or dramatic situations.
I don't have any intention, as I mentioned so many times here, of being a character critique. I may make a comment about professional attitudes that I know of. And believe me, I know a lot of situations that would increase the dramatic situations some of the Models (unfortunatelly in RL too) in SL love to display.

Every SL Model, experienced or not, should go to as many Fashion Shows as possible and see, behind frindship or loyalty, would I hire that particular SL Model if I were a Model Agency CEO? That is the question I ask all the time, when I watch a SL Fashion Show.

Let's talk about it. Moderated comments are possible from now on. Be polite.
Again, I remind that only here I make my coments of what I see and my opinion about SL Fashion Industry. Not anywhere else.

I'll be around, as always ;)

Modavia Fashion Week - Last Day

I had forgotten that I have in my archive some of the last day's Modavia Fashion Week Shows' photos.
In each Fashion Show, only three SL Models were on the catwalk, if I remember correctly. You will see photos of Modavia Models mixed, in no particular order, mixing the Shows too.

Just a good example of some of the best SL Models poise on the runway (and some of the, let's say, not so good Models).
Considering that Modavia is a Model Agency that has a strict casting for their Models, well, let's take a look at their Models.

This is Anessa Stine

Very "clean" and simple. Anessa is a good example of a Professional SL Model with a good attitude.

Great poise. Styles differently and well.

Let's take a look at Anessa's SL profile.
Simple profile, no "diva" attitudes. The Models' profiles tell their story and show what they are after in SL.Clean profile. Anessa gets personal in her picks. No reference to any training.

This is Barbarella Fuosing

Regular SL Model. Good choice of poses through the Show.

Barbarella's profile
Barbarella defines herself as a "supermodel" in her profile and she's back to modeling, after retiring. No model training mentioned.

This is Kay Fairey
Kay is one of the best SL Models, ever. She has poise, she has personality and character on the runway. Never goes unnoticed. Great work done on the runway! Outstanding!

Let's take a look at Kay's SL profile.
No model training mentioned. Kay's profile is all related to SL Fashion. No "diva" attitudes in her profile.

This is Mavi Beck
Regular SL Model in this Show. Since we're taking our stardards up high, being Modavia a very strict Model Agency. Mavi, here, was regular.

Mavi's SL profile

In her picks, she tells potential clients, to drop her a "notecar" (yes, there is a d missing) for modeling offers!! Only in SL would a Fashion client ask a Model "please, can I see your resume? I want to hire you!". This kind of attitude amazes me!

This is Payton Heron
Payton is a very versatile SL Model. She can adapt easily. Again, we are setting the standards higher, here. She did very good in this Show.

Payton's SL profile

She has quite a professional SL Model Profile. No training mentioned.

This is Poptart Lilliehook
Poptart is, like Kay Fairey, one of the best SL Models. Absolutely "clean"; no mistakes on the runway. Outstanding and very chic and fashionable!

Just kook at her face! Poptart has a unique look. No SL Model can copy such a personal look. Extremely well shaped and styled!

Looking at Poptart's SL profile
So far, the most professional SL profile I checked, regarding Fashion! No "diva" sayings, no contests won or beauty pageants to refer to. Excellent!

This is Risa Bright
Risa was below average in Fashion Shows like these. Not to mention the lack of poise and general fashionable style and shaping.

When I saw this pose in a SL professional Model I almost fell from the chair! Armpits in a gown like this???

Let's see Risa's SL Model profile

Her front page profile is not "styled"for a High Fashion SL Model. Her photo is kind of childish and not styled. No training mentioned. Just compare this profile with Poptart's.

This is Tiffany Dragonash

Tiffany is a versatile SL Model. She can walk the runway with several styles. However, when wearing formal, she could be a bit more styled.

Cheching Tiffany's SL Model profile

Quite good profile. Personally, I wouldn't mention beauty pageants, though, or any kind of contests won. They are no certificate for a good SL Model. A Model is not just a pretty face.

This is Wenadrenia Soderstrom

About Wenadrenia, I don't really know what to say. Just by looking at these three raw photos, we can see that there is something wrong about her shape (I'm not telling what, but I know what it is) . The use of the same old Glance skins make her look a lot like so many other avatars in SL. Wenadrenia is not "chic", not fashionable. Maybe good as a "catalogue Model". On the runway, she wore heel sounds in her shoes. Her poses were too dramatic and not elegant at all.

She looks like the girl next door. Not a Professional SL Model! She can move on the catwalk; in fact, she moves too much to show the new "poses" she has found. Even if they are not appropriate for the Show or outfit.

Here, with this hair, her shaping problem is clearer. Not fashionable and chic at all.

It has come to my knowledge, by reliable sources, that Wenadrenia dares to demand certain outfits when she is casted for a Fashion Show. If the Agency doesn't give her what she demands, she threatens to leave and not be in the Show. What an attitude!! I so wish this was RL, so that this kind of Models knew what Fashion World is all about!Wenadrenia brings a bad name to all SL professional Models.

Let's see her SL profile
As you see, she has so many Agencies she works for!! Why don't I see her more often in Fashion Shows? She mentions a beauty pageant in SL, in her profile. I guess that's her Glance skin and her pretty face that led her to a contest like this. Again, this does not make a good SL Model. No Model training is mentioned.

I loved the three Shows that Modavia provided us, in their Fashion Week. As I said, excellent professional SL Models worked well, and some didn't.
That's life! Even the Second ;)

KABUKI Models Fashion Show

Back to SL, after some weeks off, I took a look at KABUKI Models. The Show's Designer had very elegant and stylish outfits to "sell", as you will see, not many models were absolutely flawless. Again, let's take a look at their modeling techniques and this time, the way these SL Models styled themselves.

I remind that working in very laggy environments, SL Models must have some basic techniques to overcome it. One of them is their net connections. I understand that not all of us do have a good net connection, but in such a case, people shouldn't be modeling at all, unfortunately.

In this Show, I saw some mistakes that are pretty basic and do not have to do with lag at all.
Let's take a look at KABUKI Models. The photos you are about to see do not follow the walk order on the Show.

This is Arisia Ashmoot

Nicely styled, Arisia made here a very basic mistake: the pose. With the long skirt she's wearing, why choose a pose with crossed legs. It distorts the outfit completely.

Another mistake, here. The shoes - in this case sandals - Arisia chose to wear with this long dress. Not well chosen.

Fashion , both in RL and SL, is all about details. Take a closer look at her sandals.

This is ChloeRose Constantine.

Having been on SL runways for quite some time now, ChoeRose needs to be more physically styled as an avatar. I don't like her face.
She made some mistakes. One of them is so basic that I can't believe that any SL Model still does it: she used the "sexy walk" on the runway! You all know what I mean! Just take a look. She used it through the whole Show!! Not good for a Professional SL Model.

The same "sexy walk"again!

Finally, a huge basic mistake. ChloeRose walked the runway in one of her sets wearing a different tag. This is NOT supposed to happen with a professional SL Model.

This is Devlin Muircastle.

I dare to say that Devlin was the worst SL Model, because of the ammout of basic mistakes she made. First, yes, lag was affecting her, or she doesn't know what to do between poses. Here she is, just like a newbie ON THE RUNWAY!

And again! Something happened to her shape or was it my viewer? Maybe.

It could be lag affecting her, because - look closely at her shoes! There is the ankle part missing.

This was Devlin's pose for the Show Finale!!! Does it look good? NO! She is standing on the tip of hertoes. This is NOT a runway pose, AT ALL!

It's clearer here.

Moving on to Katherine Comet

Katherine's choice of poses can be questioned. This pose is very good for this kind of Show and outfit.

But then, what pose is this for such an elegant show and outstanding outfit? Take a look!

Katherine used this pose more than once. Terrible for this kind of Show!

This is Keira Tyles

Keira was the best SL Model in this Show. She did excellent: style, poses. Her face looks amazing!

How elegant can a simple pose be! Keira did very good!

This is LolaLove Lecker

LolaLove was below average, mainly because of a "tiny" detail: her shoes. Absolutely newbie shoes for a runway SL Model. Not good.

She managed to look like a newbie too. Lag? Maybe, yes.

This is Marienna Cortes

Marienna walked with this amazing ensemble. Bad choice of shoes, though. This sandals weren't a good choice.

Take a closer look.

Finally, let's take a look at Ida Boomhauer

In the beginning of the Show, Ida seemed to have lag issues; she got better though. Here is a very good pose for this outfit. Very well styled, too.

The following pose, is not so good for the outfit. The arched back hides the dress collar details. Could be better, with another pose.

Here is Ida at the beginning of the Show, not being able to pose.

And again.

It was an average Fashion Show, in general. Could have been much better.

Now, as I promised, let's take a look at these SL Models' profiles.
A SL Model's Profile is everything for a good Agency. They will check the model's profile, picks carefully. It was with amazement that I checked that a few of this SL Models have their SL Model training . None of them has the training as picks, and some even mention that "Resume is ready by request", which is a very arrogant thing to write in a Model's profile.
In RL, if a Model wants to work, she has to deliever her Portfolio Book herself! How is that so different in SL? A SL Model has her own Resume and it's "available" by request?
Outrageous!!! I, myself, wouldn't hire that Model.
Take a look at some of these ladies profiles. You may check them online, I chose the most important things I would like to check if I was to hire a SL Model.

This is Arisia's profile.

Her picks, in this case. In her Model Resume, she mentions her training.

ChloeRose's profile

Not a SL Professional Model profile, just by looking at the front page. You can see the groups, but there is no reference to any Model training, not even on her picks.

This is Devlin's profile.
She informs that is going to be away from SL and that is something good to know for a Model Agency. However, no training mentioned as well.

Ida's Profile

No Model training mentioned. I would disconsider her if I had a Model Agency.

Katherine's profile
This is what I call a "diva type" of profile. There are so many in SL!Crowded with awards and contests won and a small reference to her Model training. No matter how many contests a Model has won, that is NOT a reason to hire her. Training is, winning contests is NOT. Katherine is one of the SL Models that tells every potential client or Model Agency that her "resume is available by request". SL Fashion World has a new Diva!

Just take a look at all the awards Katherine has won. What about the work that she did in the Kabuki Fashion Show? Shouldn't she really stand out? And I mean REALLY? Katherine didn't stand out in this show, so what are the contests for? Popularity? It's a way to see the Fashion World, not mine though.

Keira's profile

Keira mentions her training in her Model Resume pick. This is not enough though. Every Academy the model trains at should have a pick in their profile, to be easier for a potential client to hire them.

LolaLove's profile

Same thing. No reference whatsoever to her Model training in SL.

Marienna's profile
Again, no reference to SL Model training. Moreover, her picks are rather personnal, more than professional.

A SL Model's profile is the best tool to be casted. However, a SL Model who has won lots of contests may be attractive to some Agencies, depending on what kind of Model the Agency is looking for. I, personally, would not hire Models out of popularity or contests won. As you can imagine, it would narrow down the number of SL Models who I would hire ;)

Be well. Walk well. Make SL Fashion World proud of you!

"Old School" vs "New School" in SL Modelling

I've been to Paris, London, Milan and New York these last two weeks. RL Modelling has always been an inspiration to me and I would really like to see that happen in SL as well.
Those of us who have never been to a RL Fashion Show cannot fully understand what I say in my blog.

Most of SL Models (not to say most part of them) haven't been to a RL Fashion Show. That worries me a lot, I must say. SL is a way to create, I know. We all can recreate ourselves in SL, be what we are not in RL. However, the main principles should remain the same.

I have been to several Shows in SL these last weeks, but honestly, weren't worth shooting, or because there were always the same "old " SL Models (which was the case of a very famous "Fashion week") ; or because there were no good conditions whatsoever for me to shoot a good shot (mostly because of SL issues) or even because there were so many "new" Models that the Show ... really wasn't good. There are some "runway vices" many of the new SL Models are picking up, I don't know where they got those "vices" from. No matter what, I won't be shooting more of that kind of Fashion Shows. I am there, I watch them , but I will not be publicizing them. There is no reason to publish a post about something that we didn't like to see, or if there are too many technical mistakes.

Now, let's see,: we all have been noticing for quite a while now, that there are so many SL Models that the job of becoming a Model is now ultra competitive in SL. Mostly, female SL Models pack up in a row just to be in a Contest or in a Casting. It's terrible to see.

It's a growing business in SL.

New Model Agencies have been popping up, they cast new Models and then... there is no work to do.

So, mostly, new Models in SL are being born in a "fake" environment: they must think that the idea is to get lots of SL Model Agency's tags; the more the better.

Well, let's say I'm an SL Model Agency CEO, I wouldn't hire a Model without checking carefully their profiles, their picks.

Too much Model Agencies in a SL Model Profile would make me NOT chose that Model. But, to have, let's say, three good Model Agencies, yes, that is good. Less Agencies but good ones!! I won't tell you which are good or not, just think that to enter certain Model Agencies , the SL Model has to be personally invited. It's not "open "to everybody nor to castings.

Next, let's take a look at some SL Models profiles.
If I take the Models's names off, you can tell which ones you would hire, if you were a Models Agency CEO, yourselves, just by looking at their profiles. It works like a portfolio. That's the first thing I do when I see a Model tag, in SL, I check that person's profile.

Some of them are "in store" Models, they prefer to wear the tag, outside their work, I really don't understand why. It's like being a dentist, being at the supermarket and wear a MD tag card on his lapel. What would be the use of that? Except maybe to show off his job? And why would that be necessary? Again, maybe because that person is insecure. The same thing happens in SL; a Model Tag must be worn in the shows, sure, but in a hair store or somewhere else in SL, why wear a Model tag, when people are not working?

Don't worry, cause everybody may check your profiles and see what you do!! No need to show off your jobs when you're not working. It's one of the most egotistic things I've seen Models do in SL.

I didn't see any RL Model in Paris or London Fashion Shows wearing a "Model Tag" or a "Model card" attached to their jackets. There is no need. We can guess that the person sitting next to you in a Madrid Fashion Show may be a Model , but it's just a guess. Maybe because the person is stylish, or has a particular quality that stands out. That would be the best reason to guess if a person is a Model.

Same in SL. No need to wear a Model Tag outside a runway. What for?

I'll check some SL Models profiles next time and remove the SL Model's name, not to be biased.
Then, think for yourselves. If you were a SL Model Agency CEO, would you hire that person? It's a good mental exercise to do.

Second Life is all about creation. What is the reason why you became a SL Model? The first reason? Think about that, because if the reason was to make good money, we all know that it's not going to happen in SL Modelling World. Why did you become a SL Model in the first place? Believe me or not, the reason why you became a SL Model is shown in your profile. We'll see about that, next time.