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.
