tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50080180325636424252024-03-05T19:55:53.461-08:00SL - Fashion Critique~~~Walk the walk, talk the talk~~~Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-31836314586507461172017-04-23T01:22:00.002-07:002017-04-23T01:25:38.856-07:00Ferosh copying Modavia Fashion DirectoryAnd finally, the entire SL fashion community - especially those who have been around long enough to read Modavia Fashion Directory - we all got it.<br />
<br />
Ferosh has been trying to be a copy of MDF - the word 'Directory' added to their latest magazine issue says it all. <br />
They have been trying to work with only 'a few' designers - the ones they associate with somewhat haute couture in SL. It didn't work well. Ferosh almost closed doors, especially because their CEO sometime is online, others she isn't. It's kinda of a ping-pong CEO.<br />
<br />
This time, in their latest issue - not directory, sorry that ship has passed with Modavia Fashion DIRECTORY - they dedicated to some more 'down to earth' and amazing designers, that previously Ferosh would have never taken a look at.<br />
Strange enough, now they do, like BENDER or GHEE, who have been great designers, but never in Ferosh's list of 'couture enough to be in Ferosh type of thing'. <br />
<br />
But not only are they copying Modavia in terms of print, they want to have an academy of some sorts, to teach models, with 'mentors' . In this case, copying MVW Academy style. <br />
<br />
So, actually, nothing Ferosh does is new or is a continuum of something, because the whole thing is ran by an avatar who is quite recent to SL fashion.<br />
The only fashion virtual reality sinontherocks knows was AVENUE and that was because she went to bed with AVENUE CEO. She held no special position at AVENUE, as far as I can remember, other than being in Ms Raymaker's partner box's name. That's all.<br />
<br />
This is what justifies her ignorance - and her staff - in relation to Modavia Fashion Directory. NONE of them was ever in Modavia Fashion Directory.<br />
MDF was clearly a print ONLY company, created by Dea Mills - who claimed to be a RL model , I personally don't believe so - and then passed on to Poptart Lilliehook and her team.<br />
<br />
Modavia did yearly castings, they did have Models and Supermodels and they were the first to organize Fashion Weeks in SL; held usually in September, at the exact same time - days - of NYMB Fashion Week. <br />
Here we are, at a time when Modavia is gone, AVENUE is gone too, Poptart vanished, so did Rusch Raymaker (with this avatar) and here is this group of people that publish something once in a while and don't actually present a steady work,<br />
<br />
Ah, but now, finally, they present themselves now adding the word 'directory', assuming that the magazine Ferosh publishes has always intended to be a copy of MDF, being arrogant enough to think they would so the same type of work Modavia did. <br />
<br />
Sorry to inform, not possible. It has already been done before your time.<br />
This is the problem: most of Ferosh's team weren't even in SL back then. How would they even know how to put together a fashion directory, like Modavia did? <br />
They don't know and here is the result. Just a very boring magazine in SL, pretending to be something else, some sort of ' fashion directory' that can never be copied.<br />
So, nothing new on Ferosh's horizon.<br />
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<br />Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-91824430711587452552017-04-09T10:18:00.001-07:002017-04-09T10:26:36.952-07:00I'm alive!Oh yes, I'm alive.<br />
I just thought of posting something I got by email.<br />
<br />
A youtube video of a RL documentary regarding homossexuality in Singapure, shot in 2006.<br />
And who's in it?<br />
<br />
Someone the entire SL Fashion Community knows as <b>Rusch Raymaker</b>.<br />
<br />
This is not meant to bully Ms Raymaker; I was informed by the person who sent me the email - who didn't identify himself or herself - that Rusch has never hidden her sexuality and was always very open about it.<br />
<br />
So, here she is, the person behind <b>Rusch Raymaker</b> and after that, the alt Rusch created - <b>Stephan</b> (Ana Markova's previous partner)<br />
<br />
<b>Rusch starts on minute 2:39</b><br />
The documentary is long. You will hear her talk several times, through the entire footage.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bAGuHQHjaUs?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="480"></iframe></div>
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It's nice to have a real face connected to the SL avatar isn't it?<br />
I'm still around.Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-81128301365917111722015-01-01T02:31:00.000-08:002015-01-01T02:44:40.602-08:00Pros and amateurs - in SL© modelingI've been in SL© since 2009 and I got very interested in the fashion scene, especially how SL models performed.<br />
<br />
It's in this blog's archives, everything I've observed, the many shows I've watched, some difficulties along the way at first, when I only took photos and didn't realize that some 'models' mistakes' , like prim editing were on my end. My viewer showed them looking 'weird' - I later learned people call that weirdness as 'ruthed avatars'.<br />
<br />
Long time has passed and I'm ready to leave SL.<br />
<br />
My main focus was always on modeling and their performance on SL runways.<br />
<br />
To some new models, I'd like to ask? Are you familiar with the following names?<br />
<br />
Dea Mills<br />
Poptart Lilliehook<br />
Kay Fairey<br />
Mavi Beck<br />
Dahlia Joubert<br />
Jesika Contepomi<br />
Kryptonia Paperdoll<br />
Vixie Rayna<br />
July Raymaker<br />
Seashell Dench<br />
<br />
Some of them you may know, others you have no idea who they are or were.<br />
Several generations of new female avatars have started working as 'models' since I discovered SL in 2009 and they have no idea who some of the above people were and what they represented in SL's history of modeling with extreme quality, representing fashion as many of us see it in RL, portrayed in SL .<br />
<br />
I'm about to retire from blogging, mainly because in all these years, what I have written here, my words, my photos and lately my videos, haven't produced any effect in improving new models' performance in SL.<br />
<br />
There will always be avatars looking for 5 minutes' fame, so they join all sorts of pageant contests. This will go on forever. <br />
<br />
There will always be 'models' posing like crazy , with no idea whatsoever of what elegance means in a SL avatar, just like they don't in RL , through their own real bodies,<br />
<br />
Elegance is wearing a gown for them. Not true.<br />
Fashion, ah that's a completely different thing, as is art.<br />
<br />
One of the new generation models is sinontherocks. She was trained at Avenue Academy and now she owns Feroshsl [I hope I'm spelling it right ]. <br />
<br />
They had a runway show some time ago that was really pleasant and good to watch, because of the chosen models who actually walked. <br />
Apparently, sinontherocks decided to give them the tag of 'supermodels'. I totally disagree with this for a specific reason.<br />
<br />
If somebody gives somebody a 'supermodel' tag , that means they are professional models, I assume. Meaning, they are good at what they do. So, basically, they are models. They are supposed to be good. Period.<br />
<br />
The rest, even with a model tag over their heads, that doesn't mean they are really modeling. It all comes up about how they perform on a runway. They can be in all sorts of 'model' contests, that doesn't make them professional models. They just want to be known in SL, which says a lot about their poor real lives.<br />
<br />
I also mixed in the video you're about to see, another runway show with some avatars who obviously think that posing with a gown, without any elegance is a good job.<br />
<br />
Eventually, it will be terrible for the client they are representing.<br />
<br />
Nobody will want to buy those gowns, just because of a few female avatars calling themselves models, organizing some kind of 'fashion show' , walk and pose. They are not models, trust me on that! <br />
In SL, designers and creators should really pay a lot of attention to whom they hire as models or model agencies to represent them on the runway. <br />
<br />
Comparing the two runway events will show you why it makes no sense giving professional models the tag of 'supermodels'. There are models and there are those who aren't. That's pretty much it.<br />
<br />
In the group of female avatars wearing gowns - I can't call them models, because they aren't - there is one that almost got to be MVW this year. Understandable, indeed.<br />
<br />
This only speaks of the quality of MVW Organization and the panel of judges who looked at those girls, through a period of several weeks. I won't say her name, because she isn't a model at all. She is absolutely terrible at posing, walking, she has a regular pretty avatar. Nothing special about her.<br />
<br />
How low can the modeling scene get, when a beauty pageant almost selects a regular pretty face to be the winner of a beauty pageant?<br />
<br />
Anyway, moving on to wishing you all a New Year full of professionalism and fun, responsability in your jobs as models.<br />
<br />
Some things will never change in SL, I can see that now.<br />
<br />
At least, I hope new and aspiring models get proper training, new 'modeling schools', are popping up like crazy in SL, lately. Watch out for the training you chose as a model. There is only ONE model's academy these days, that can teach models the right way. Remember , I said MODELS, not pageant girls. It's totally different. <br />
If you don't know which one it is, find it.<br />
<br />
So, this is probably going to be my last post. <br />
Through all these years, I've seen that whatever I post is not worth it. It improved nothing, it made no change in SL modeling scene.<br />
<br />
The same atrocious female avatars keep thinking this is a game. It's not. Creators and designers spend hours and days of their real life time to present something, that is going to be showcased in SL.<br />
<br />
A hint? SL models, if you think fashion is all about you. you have it the wrong way. It's about the clients you represent. It's about designers, collections, creations.<br />
<br />
If you don't feel this, if you don't see this, then pageantry is really your thing. But don't say you are a SL model, cause you are not.<br />
<br />
In this video, I added the names of several models that deserve their names published. Others, like I said, they are just pretty avatars in gowns, giving terrible examples of how a SL model's performance should be on the runway.<br />
<br />
I bid you all farewell. Maybe one day, we will all meet. Or not!<br />
I'm moving to other ventures.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ytPADgUPAew?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br />
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<br />Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-2444307864572395892014-10-07T13:14:00.001-07:002014-10-07T13:20:15.919-07:00SL fashion weeks decliningI've had the opportunity to watch a recent fashion week in SL. I took some footage of some shows and below you can watch the last show, before the final one.<br />
<br />
There are several aspects to consider here: I've stated over and over again that it's my true belief that the closer to RL, the better a fashion event will be inworld - obviously considering SL limitations.<br />
In RL, all new collections from many designers are released in fashion weeks all over the world, for the first time.<br />
<br />
In SL, there have been fashion weeks since the time Modavia was still an active modeling agency. They used to do their fashion weeks at the same time as NYC Fashion week - around September, at least, I had the opportunity of watching them two years in a row.<br />
<br />
Then Avenue did two fashion weeks as well, within a year period.<br />
<br />
This latest fashion week I watched was a wreck. Total flop.<br />
What I saw was an agency that is screaming to the entire SL modeling and fashion scene - we are here, we are alive, we never stop.<br />
Eventually, in this urge to show themselves as a very active agency, the results could be seen, not only in this latest fashion week, but also in the previous one this same agency organized.<br />
<br />
Both sets were terrible, in my opinion.<br />
This latest one was some kind of cathedral. What is the problem with a cathedral as a fashion set for a fashion week? In itself, none.<br />
<br />
However, the way the building was texturized took all the attention away from the clothes. After all, thinking from the perspective of a designer, you would want your collection to shine. It was visually impossible. All colors, details, materials were outshined by the whole building's textures. No matter what those models wore, the outfits didn't shine at all.<br />
<br />
In the audience area, the place was packed with logos of all designers represented in this 'fashion week', piled up without any consideration of space and basic aesthethics.<br />
<br />
Then, the performance of some models on the runway brought me back to why I decided in 2009 to create a quite opinionated blog. How is it possible that after all these years, models keep repeating the same mistakes, over and over again?<br />
<br />
Again, I observe this craving for 'fame', instead of working models, like a regular job, just as it is in RL. What is most unfortunate is that the more ´famous´ the model is, the worst she performs on the runway. I have to say that the male models I watched did a very good job, though.<br />
<br />
This time, there were situations that we simply cannot blame on lag or other circumstances; circumstances depending only on SL viewers. <br />
<br />
Pose repetition - it's not lag.<br />
Arms up and pointing - it's not lag.<br />
Empty runway for about five minutes (!!!) - that is not lag!<br />
<br />
As soon as you have the opportunity to watch the video of the whole show, you'll see what I mean. This show took about an hour (!!!) in a fashion week! The runway was empty several times and that's not lag. It only speaks of the poor organization of this ´fashion event´. <br />
<br />
I did my best to edit the video in real time. You will be able to see time go by and nobody on the runway at least on two different occasions.<br />
<br />
As usual, I write my comments on the video. It was very sad to watch this show, situations repeating themselves, after all the years I've been writing this blog.<br />
<br />
There are no names in the video. I name no models. <br />
Just watch, if you have the time and the patience. <br />
<br />
I have the complete footage of the final show of this 'fashion week', too. I just wondered for some time if it was worth it to spend my time editing it. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that it wasn't worth it. <br />
<br />
If you didn't watch the final show of this 'fashion event', in the end, they brought to the runway all the staff that was backstage, naming who did what. <br />
I was flabbergasted! That isn't important! Only in SL this seems to be accepted as a 'regular thing to do' after a fashion show!<br />
<br />
Every fashion week for real, by the end of the show , will bring to the runway THE DESIGNER! Not the staff that was backstage! I mean, was this for real? <br />
<br />
Have you ever seen a real life fashion show where they actually bring out the show manager - yes, the guy who is wearing a headset and sending models out? All backstage people, in a real life fashion show - especially the stylists that are prepping models - are wearing a hearing device that will allow them to listen to what the manager is saying and how much time they have to completely set up a model, ready to go out! <br />
Then, models go out and in the end the designer goes out too.<br />
<br />
But not here, no! Let's bring up all the agency's staff! Sad, truly sad to have such a distorted vision of what a fashion show really is! It's not about the agency! It's about the DESIGNERS!<br />
<br />
Here's the video, forgive some of my slippy fingers ( yes, typos) sometimes on the comments.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bn_ig71pJkU?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br />
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I've been informed there are more 'fashion weeks' coming up in SL. <br />
<br />
One of them will have all shows at 10am SLT. All shows? Do they mean that they will have several shows, during a whole week ( that's why these are called Fashion Weeks), in several locations - meaning several shows each day, always at 10am?<br />
<br />
Or do they mean they will do a fashion week with ONE show per day? THAT is NOT a fashion week. It won't be!<br />
<br />
Another modeling agency in SL in desperate need to show some activity? Looks like it!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-22403342897016527022014-03-04T19:37:00.000-08:002014-03-04T19:37:00.132-08:00How NOT to be a 'supermodel' in SL©I was appalled by a 'fashion show' I watched last month.<br />
<br />
That was a huge big thing, excuse my repetition. It was a show with 'supermodels'(!!!)<br />
Guess what? <br />
<br />
Full of mistakes an avatar that is a model in SL© CANNOT do, even less if these avatars wear a 'supermodel' tag over their (many of them) regular heads.<br />
<br />
A 'supermodel' cannot be regular.<br />
A 'supermodel' cannot make ANY mistake that depends on her/him. NONE.<br />
<br />
I found an environment that was 'famous people' friendly. The place was packed to watch a bunch of names. Yes, names. All those people couldn't be there for the quality of the models, you'll see what I mean in the video I recorded. Besides some editting I did, you can watch it close to the real time of the whole thing [it took more than an hour].<br />
<br />
The question remains: why was the place so packed? The 'new generation' of 'supermodels' was going to walk in this show. Simple, anytime you want, create your group, create the supermodel, ubermodel, crackamodel, whatevermodel tag and that's it. <br />
<br />
From severe posing mistakes that I simply cannot accept a 'supermodel' would do, they did.<br />
From the disorganization of the whole set, which allowed several new avatars<br />
(noobs, yes) to actually get closer to the models. <br />
From the length of the show - it was too long and boring.<br />
From the regular avatars that nobody knows who they are, without seeing their names - I mean regular 'beauty avatars'.<br />
Everything screamed 'popular people' not 'quality models'. Is this the new generation of supermodels? <br />
This exact same thing keeps repeating itself, I've seen this happen since I started blogging. It was exactly for this reason that I started this blog, years ago.<br />
<br />
There were so many mistakes on the runways all over SL©, that the so called 'supermodels' even back in 2009, 2010, needed a wake up call.<br />
<br />
Life repeats itself. Even the Second.<br />
<br />
Avatars with regular faces, posing insanely with formal gowns, pose repetition, old walks that are really so old, that they shouldn't be used currently, posing with hands inside prims (!!!); their hands moving through their body structure [as if this were even possible for real, our hands don't go through the flesh and bones!]. <br />
<br />
I insist, these were 'supermodels'. The only 'male' model in the show, walked three times with the exact same walk; the irony of all this? His hands were always inside prims with this walk and this male 'supermodel' repeated the walk, every single time he went out to the stage! Why did he do this? Lazyness? Why do people even cheered all this? Because they are all popular names out there.<br />
<br />
I really wanted to show all new models out there what NOT to do. These aren't 'supermodels'. This was just a bunch of people that got together, put up what they think a fashion show is and that's it! <br />
<br />
If you don't fall asleep before the end of the video, try to watch it. My comments are there. <br />
It was just insane to watch this. Insane and extremely sad to think that someone - new models perhaps? -may actually look at these avatars and consider them 'supermodels' and applaud them. Sad, sad, sad!<br />
<br />
There were exceptions, though. At least three female models did well - under the category of the 'supermodel' thing.<br />
But the rest? They were lazy in finding good poses, the male model was lazy to find [at least] one walk that would have his hand off the jacket or the shirt.<br />
<br />
Mistakes a regular model shouldn't do were done , repeatedly. Here's is the answer, right here, these were regular models. Don't look at the tag, look at their behavior, their posing, their walking.<br />
<br />
Years of watching 'fashion shows' in SL© and the same thing keeps happening, year after year; people cheer the names that are in the show, and among them all, maybe two or three models stood out in terms of quality [they too made some minor mistakes, but stood out]: <b>Carley Benazzi, Meimei Shiu and Taylor Wassep</b>.<br />
<br />
In general, all of this was terrible! Terrible! <br />
Only three female models were quite good, the rest were simply 'names'.<br />
Tags don't matter. They never did! Just watch for yourselves.<br />
<br />
[Oh and you're welcome, you have a full video of your 'show']<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rNNgDZG14r0?rel=0" width="500"></iframe>Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-71783333291038811232014-02-09T14:58:00.000-08:002014-03-03T21:28:45.967-08:00Another Fashion Show - new 'models', same mistakesI've been following fashion shows for years; some of them , I managed to record in real time. They were too long and boring; recording the shows in real time showed exactly that.<br />
<br />
I managed to record another fashion show recently. It wasn't as long as they used to be, but still you'll see how models take a long time to pose. <br />
That is needed, you may say. There are other models trying to put their outfits on, there is lag, the model that is on the runway needs to wait, for the next model to be ready to come out. So far, so good.<br />
<br />
What I noticed in this particular fashion show, was that the model that was on the runway, posing for quite a substantial period of time, would just stand there, using the same pose. You'll see what I mean.<br />
<br />
Since I remember, it's painful to watch the way so many models walk and pose in SL©. Showing the movements live may help new models to understand that the way the audience sees the show.<br />
<br />
Long time posing can be necessary. Why keep the same pose and just stand there?<br />
I noticed these were inexperienced models in this show, as opposed to more experienced and trained ones, who know how many poses they need, to keep the audience pleased and nor bored.<br />
<br />
The video is self explanatory and I wrote my comments in it.<br />
The quality of the video edition isn't very good, although enough for everybody to see what I mean. <br />
<br />
I won't tell who the models are, nor which 'agency' this is. If you haven't been in the audience that day, it'll be interesting to see if there are any 'recognizable' faces.<br />
<br />
If not, right there, these models failed to do their jobs. Any avatar in SL© can look pretty. It's just a matter of spending some bucks in a nice shape and good skin, good hair, etc. Anybody can do that! However, I expect so much more from a model in SL©.<br />
Some shapes were quite bad; poses, well, some were nice, others were really bad and seeing some of those models on the runway clearly wearing their AOs, only shows what I have been saying for years. These 'model' avatars need training, training, training. I researched a little about this group of people, including some 'models' in this show and it seems they TEACH models themselves (!!!).<br />
Moving on.<br />
<br />
A fashion show is exactly that- it's about fashion.<br />
<br />
Some may agree, some may not about what I'm going to say next; I'm not writing about designers, however to keep the 'fashion' always present, I expect to see a show that blows me away, in terms of great SL© Models, the outfits they wear [it's about fashion, therefore, something new that we haven't seen before] and not a presentation of dresses and gowns made of flexiprims. That's completely outdated, even in SL©. I do, however, understand that if a designer pays, his/her items need to be presented. The best way possible, obviously.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here is the 'fashion' show. Besides some editing, it keeps the duration of the event, once it started on the runway. Excuse my terrible machinima skills. <br />
Some of my comments are written along the movie.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SrzL-LzeaVY?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br />
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<br />Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-79342483574187833402014-01-29T06:00:00.000-08:002014-01-29T09:09:27.292-08:00SL Fashion Magazines going down - Style Kingdom is a Kingdom with no styleIt's very clear the great changes that have been going on in SL©, regarding fashion magazines. <br />
To make it simple, they are outdated, part of the past. <br />
<br />
Still, some people see fashion magazines like a money making machine, because there are ads and it's part of an economy.<br />
<br />
However, the quality of those magazines is very questionable. Print modeling in SL is changing into another directions and that is definitely not through the 'old sames old' magazines, then hosted on the website Issuu.<br />
<br />
Here's a good one to take a look at: Style Kingdom.<br />
First of all, what is Style Kingdom? How does this 'magazine' reach the next level in SL© fashion?<br />
It simply doesn't.<br />
<br />
Some of their photographers are the same old photographers. Nothing new there. So, what's new? Nothing, actually. The layout of the magazine is not updated, every RL fashion magazine has the best staff to keep the layout renewed, always taking into consideration that they are fashion magazines, with a very specific target.<br />
<br />
With major changes going on in SL© Fashion, Style Kingdom set up a model casting some time ago and I was informed they are actively looking for more staff. What for, I wonder?<br />
<br />
What I wanted to show you is a huge mistake that cannot happen, if we are talking of a fashion magazine. This would never happen in RL.<br />
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<b>I hereby declare the original work of the cropped image I'm about to show you belongs to Style Kingdom Magazine and the full photo is the work of Pam Astonia as a photographer. No copyright infringement intended, as a blogger. This photo doesn't belong to me and I'm using just a portion of it according to DCMA Fair Use (the explanatory legal aspect can be consulted on the web and also in some of my previous posts) to express my opinion about it. The link to original work is provided <a href="http://issuu.com/style_kingdom/docs/stylekingdommagazine-jan2014" target="_blank">here</a>.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBr1tw52bGoSFB2-7iI9mwmiDIXlqMhhfumKsmRNnNrS1EMcr4ggy-WMNBk5exrBImv1k5GUMQqpHWyAM2J_-xMk3UkQA5q0Np7gJupVsNkQRX7mT9DcrpaaXVlpkSNhufhzkxXLoKRq0/s1600/Style+Kingdom+work.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBr1tw52bGoSFB2-7iI9mwmiDIXlqMhhfumKsmRNnNrS1EMcr4ggy-WMNBk5exrBImv1k5GUMQqpHWyAM2J_-xMk3UkQA5q0Np7gJupVsNkQRX7mT9DcrpaaXVlpkSNhufhzkxXLoKRq0/s1600/Style+Kingdom+work.png" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This type of mistake shouldn't happen in a quality fashion magazine. Do you see it?<br />
<br />
The Style Credits aren't right.<br />
Shall we see?<br />
<br />
- Dress Into the White and Fur Shawl - where is the shawl in the photo?<br />
- Palma bracelet with hud - where is the bracelet?<br />
- Hair - B429 in grey - is it grey?<br />
<br />
Where is the reference to the bag the model is wearing in the original photo [they were so detailed about the complete look, us readers, we are missing the bag] . Where is the reference to the ring?<br />
<br />
This only shows what the panorama in the so called 'fashion magazines' in SL© is like. Sad, outdated, not at all fashion related.<br />
<br />
I guess this SL© magazine is more concerned about 'showing work' very quickly, as if this meant success; it doesn't.<br />
It only shows the entire fashion and modeling community in SL© who to not work for, especially if models and photographers are after quality. <br />
This particular release was a photographers mini special, according to the owner. <br />
<br />
And that's it. Nothing new, mistakes in several aspects of the magazine, one of them being the so very outdated layout and this humongous mistake in style credits that should never happen - not even once, in a magazine that wants to take SL© by surprise, as in the next big thing.<br />
<br />
It's not and I doubt it will ever be.Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-44379903803813871672014-01-28T07:04:00.002-08:002014-01-29T09:09:51.624-08:00Scala - the phoenix emerging from the ashes<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I must say I was quite impressed [ and excited too, a breath of fresh air] when I knew that some of the previous staff members from Avenue started their own Academy and Models Agency - <b><a href="http://www.scala-sl.com/" target="_blank">Scala. </a></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those of you who have been reading me for years, know I'm going after SL fashion shows and focus greatly on runway walking and posing. As the fashion community and activities started to change, I started to follow print work too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scala Models Academy is run by one of the best SL professional models [with an extensive career, that I have followed] - <b>Seashell Dench</b> and by the well recognized and reputable Model Trainer <b>Kryptonia Paperdoll</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fact that Scala started their activities with teaching, speaks highly to me. Training is the most important thing for a SL model and these two highly respected members of the fashion community in SL started right where SL models most need right now. What to do, where to start, when everything in modeling is changing so fast? Training, obviously. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were extremely smart and cleaver to start giving to models what they most need right now. This only shows me that they mean to help new models to have their careers going, as opposed to some egotistic activities or self-centered 'famous' models that , I believe have started something connected to "luxury", this week, I believe? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another Model's Agency that didn't really impress me, that much. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trying to see what's going on among the professional model's community, I can't help wondering: this new Agency that sent out their press release this week, is full of 'famous' (?) models as members of their staff. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really don't want to mention their names here, they don't need publicity - they made sure by their professional activities that it's all about them, not helping others. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can give the example of one of them, Anna Saphire - I wrote about her before, regarding the work she was doing at Avenue Magazine. From a certain moment on, there was Anna Saphire all over the magazine, month after month after month. Boring! That's when Avenue Magazine started to go down. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People don't change easily, so, I'm guessing this new 'Agency' run by Anna Saphire will also be all about herself. They released a website, where their models will be able to post, it doesn't seem like a blog, but more of a website. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They also mention in their press release they are a 'boutique-style agency' and that brings me back in time when another 'famous' SL model created a 'boutique' group of models that went down as fast as it came up. It has been done before, this 'boutique' concept.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In opposition, Scala emerged focusing on other models, not on the owners of the Agency and Academy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's going to be interesting to see how this goes, because all this means the end of Avenue, as these two groups of people came from Avenue - now dead and buried. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scala, however, surfaced as extremely humble [with no 'luxury' or 'boutique' concept attached to it] in their press release, efficient in their communication - first, they started teaching. Well done! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, I was able to read a note on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SCALA.SL" target="_blank">Scala FB page</a>, by Seashell Dench. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mindset of Scala seems to be a total refreshment in the fashion industry. First business target - create jobs and pay people for the jobs they do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She mentions Scala won't give people tags, unless there is actually a job connected to it. So, these people from Scala, have a clear goal: change mentalities [according to Ms Dench's words]. Models and people that want to work in the fashion industry must be payed and not invited to SL Groups, to get a tag - if I read it correctly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This stunned me, really. This is a complete twist in the way models see their careers in SL. I too see may tags in fashion events and believe me, I know that so many times, a tag is the result of nothing. It's just a tag, not a job. The way Ms Dench put it, I think SL professional models are going to experience how this amazing perspective unravels. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw people being sad, because Avenue ended; now I say, I can't wait to see how Scala is able to relate to a community that has been based on fake jobs, egotistic attitudes - when models just love to be the next 'it-girl'. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a toxic environment, where words like 'luxury'and 'boutique' sound fashionable, I really want to see this shift of mindset in SL modeling, that seems to be Scala's main focus - models work, they get payed; creation of jobs, not tags. To impress by the work done, focus on improving professional SL models' careers and also seems like they are giving away the 'luxury' and 'boutique' ideas to those who are really after showcasing themselves, just like Anna Saphire did when she took over Avenue Magazine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just one minor detail I saw at Anna Saphire's new 'project's release and I quote:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<i>(...) models will stand out as they are the most skilled, talented and unique models in the industry, ready to work with the designers and ensure they are extremely well represented.</i>" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This needs a clarification: a Model's Agency represents Models, not designers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But again, this was probably written in the wrong way and conveyed the idea that Model Agencies represent designers. They don't. They represent models and then have contracts with designers [as it is done on SL - in RL it's different]. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not a very good marketing strategy, conveying the wrong idea right from the start: Model Agencies 'representing' designers. Strange, to say the least. Model Agencies represent models to then, be hired by designers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But well, we will see where all this will go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, Scala really got my positive attention. I'll be around, as usual. </span>Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-84074485130725217652013-12-28T12:29:00.001-08:002013-12-28T12:29:38.939-08:00Frolic Mills says farewell to BOSL and MVW OrganizationFashion in SL© is now poorer.<br />
<br />
I was always one of the people that thinks beauty pageants aren't connected to any sort of modeling, in both lives. So MVW Organization was always absolutely ridiculous for me, since my goal, all along, has been to focus on fashion and models in SL©.<br />
<br />
Everything is changing so fast in SL © fashion!<br />
Frolic Mills is no longer the owner of BOSL and MVW Organization. No matter my worst critiques towards beauty pageants, this man - Frolic Mills - has been a force, a character, a personality; wether we like him or not.<br />
<br />
He clearly focused more on beauty pageants in SL, which was always terrible, in my personal opinion. <br />
However, what he did, was good - beauty pageants once a year, usually in a place full of glitz, lights, all big, all looking sumptuous, totally the opposite of what fashion shows in RL are all about, but quite similar to the sets that are used in RL beauty pageants - he created 'names'; but MVW was never quite successful after Miaa Rebane started to work for Avenue, just like Anna Saphire did. These two SL© models, through the years, took all the attention from MVW and brought that same attention to fashion, fortunately.<br />
<br />
Again, I do think there is a huge difference between beauty pageants and fashion. After Miaa and Anna, MVW was never the same. Only one 'Miss' remains, old and outdated, so outdated that I'm not even going to say her name here - she is NOT a role model to follow. If you know who I'm talking about, take a look at her Flickr photos, terrible quality photos, the only print work that has quality has been done by SL © photographers. But the poor woman insists on taking photos herself, unfortunately for the rest of the SL© models who still look up to her and get trained at her 'academy', so to speak.<br />
<br />
<br />
And now, that Frolic Mills is no longer the owner of BOSL and MVW Organization, I am sorry. He ran his own thing, he has a character of his own and he was a force to reckon. <br />
BOSL and MVW now belong to Reign Congrejo and her followers. This is the photo Reign has in her RL tab.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxojztYnHHDtN_CQhzJgMispgxo0OVC3aajguje6kHyzKvjHaTbGbdYkZ9q6naZvTJ7LD4kHTCgdgYn3za3nlargHR7-SxP12WrIGvpFuZIeneC-mTb2rD-XnFkeT-fhIOVvPb1h4ju4/s1600/Reign.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxojztYnHHDtN_CQhzJgMispgxo0OVC3aajguje6kHyzKvjHaTbGbdYkZ9q6naZvTJ7LD4kHTCgdgYn3za3nlargHR7-SxP12WrIGvpFuZIeneC-mTb2rD-XnFkeT-fhIOVvPb1h4ju4/s320/Reign.png" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
This was Color of Couture Competition 2013 , organized my Reign. Note the extreme low quality, in styling, and especially posing! I can't wait to see what she is going to do with the entire Organization that she now owns.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Yg2tucdBHUU" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
Then, MVW Academy is ran by a woman whose name I'm not even going to pronounce here, I don't want to bring attention to people who deserve none. The same woman that has her profile photo morphed in SL©. Our profiles inworld say everything about us and this MVW Academy CEO profile is so bad that is only laughable. <br />
It's public, so take a look. So sad, isn't it?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHLSAU5p7dHKmgLNTLhTyu1dsL5JF7hD4itnVAq5ZGdvW4Epq4PZHbIKTAFU1jmNRRq7n0KwOul0kWimXA4A29qXTtOV4xRJhvIcqYTIYo5cEFmyFoNX2lK6-1e7SPZ8aJxUKMkVu3rU/s1600/MVW+CEO.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHLSAU5p7dHKmgLNTLhTyu1dsL5JF7hD4itnVAq5ZGdvW4Epq4PZHbIKTAFU1jmNRRq7n0KwOul0kWimXA4A29qXTtOV4xRJhvIcqYTIYo5cEFmyFoNX2lK6-1e7SPZ8aJxUKMkVu3rU/s320/MVW+CEO.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Following SL© model for so long, I wonder, what does this woman actually know about modeling that she can teach new models (poor new models)? Besides being closely involved with Frolic Mills, what else does she know, how cultured is she to be able to actually teach new models how to use SL© tools for them to become good at what they do? <br />
<br />
Some time ago, she explained to her 'students' what beauty was, giving as a bad example, the face of one of the unique print models in SL©, trained at Avenue Models Academy. So, it seems that even with Frolic leaving, the same perspective remains in all that organization. Everybody should look the same, all girls looking 'pretty' and that's it. And of course, the best way to learn bad posing is going to MVW Academy. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, things are getting worse again, for those new models who are looking for a good model academy to train. Without Frolic there, BOSL and MVW , the entire thing will go down quick. <br />
<br />
Even if I didn't like what he did, as a fashion critique, I have to recognize his strength, his personality and he, himself, was one of a kind.<br />
<br />
Now with Reign Congrejo as owner, and this woman as MVW Academy CEO, I can only be so sorry for everybody involved with BOSL and MVW Organization. Actually, I can't wait to see a fashion show organized by these people. <br />
<br />
Last time a friend of mine spotted this woman in SL©, she was looking like this, in a public event. Take a look at the way her necklace is edited and the great quality of the hair(!!!), the styling in general . How can she even teach?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFuxiLpRQrfi-XsxLiO5H9HDVqqr6MQRDF2ZcnIa13gJxKhxP74CN1lTUX4HOkDsXI6Chfgq6Gu9v8nPVOOl8S9EmiLQMu5mDrvzbAO5whLqYwr6vJCsakZDZPHoQxeaQuOakrJaMdmQ/s1600/MVW+Academy+CEO.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFuxiLpRQrfi-XsxLiO5H9HDVqqr6MQRDF2ZcnIa13gJxKhxP74CN1lTUX4HOkDsXI6Chfgq6Gu9v8nPVOOl8S9EmiLQMu5mDrvzbAO5whLqYwr6vJCsakZDZPHoQxeaQuOakrJaMdmQ/s320/MVW+Academy+CEO.png" width="313" /></a></div>
<br />
To have a better picture of the whole low quality thing, take a look at this woman's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50689840@N02/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>; again how can she even teach what she herself cannot deliver? As we all know, in SL© modeling, Flickr is the best way to network with the best models that are, some of them, amazing photographers too. Poor woman!<br />
<br />
Here is how things are right now, with Frolic Mills out of the picture, this is the announced death of BOSL and MVW Organization.Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-2388813213230377862013-08-29T03:15:00.000-07:002013-08-29T03:15:35.788-07:00The new beautifulLong time without writing a word about fashion, magazines or models.<br />
<br />
However, I'm not dead and burried yet.<br />
Some things I noticed have been happening to some SL® Models.<br />
<br />
A
need, a kind of crave to look unique. I've said this often before: it
should be the ultimate goal for a SL® model - to have a recognizable avatar in a simple
snapshot, with no name on it.<br />
<br />
And a new generation of unique models has arisen. <br />
Some
time ago, it came to my knowledge that a blogger who isn't very active inworld modeling or someone connected to her,
claimed that a very active and known SL® model 'stole' her image,
meaning copied her look.<br />
<br />
Let's go back a little in time and see what happened, regading the type of look that we are talking about. <br />
<br />
I'm
also going to post some images taken from some Flickr accounts to
explain my point of view and I obviously state that the photos you are
about to see aren't mine, the link to the rightful owners' Flickr
accounts will be included.<br />
I, therefore, do not own the rights to the images you're about to see, but I use portions of them, according to DCMA Fair Use (the explanatory legal aspect can be read at the end of this post). <br />
<br />
To
have a 'different' avatar in SL isn't easy or better said, a
recognizable avatar, without the name tag over it's head. In photos that
is even more evident and clear.<br />
<br />
The first SL® model I remember being very different and unique was <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesikacontepomi/7504461624/" target="_blank">Jesika Contepomi</a>.<br />
<br />
In the beginning of 2010, Jesika's face was already extremely recognizable; original image can be seen in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesikacontepomi/4297064336/" target="_blank">owner's Flickr. </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoh981ytbt9EIv7odIsOwedqIBdePpundZ8RZPKwOK0Ad5hv99i2MPYi9MU-s2EJB1y28Pm_I_ssW_D7j7smRqSLhboU21hQeqjq2BwzjcqvNWfkgMR2ATQ-gt4qoJMntY1X_cFhcaQg/s1600/Jesika2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoh981ytbt9EIv7odIsOwedqIBdePpundZ8RZPKwOK0Ad5hv99i2MPYi9MU-s2EJB1y28Pm_I_ssW_D7j7smRqSLhboU21hQeqjq2BwzjcqvNWfkgMR2ATQ-gt4qoJMntY1X_cFhcaQg/s320/Jesika2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A very square jaw and full lips, ears more to the the outer part of the skull ,
that she developped as her image until 2012. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId6RTaULXu6-myOCvcjdGCsSgp4q4YdvIxBBnbx-D2FtyKVUftjF4lTjgGOrK6sC2XecANve2QYF4QN8ZM4_EmC9MEyoQdfrV1fsdoYuUkPODZf4Y1I1Ehb16C4ulhTfL4XFVKAkoipc/s1600/Jesika.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId6RTaULXu6-myOCvcjdGCsSgp4q4YdvIxBBnbx-D2FtyKVUftjF4lTjgGOrK6sC2XecANve2QYF4QN8ZM4_EmC9MEyoQdfrV1fsdoYuUkPODZf4Y1I1Ehb16C4ulhTfL4XFVKAkoipc/s320/Jesika.png" width="283" /></a></div>
Full original image on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesikacontepomi/" target="_blank">Jesika's Flickr photostream</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
Another SL® model, emerged with a very similar facial structure as Jesika: Anna Saphire. Let's go back to 2011, this is how Anna Saphire looked like. This photo belongs to her and is used here for explanatory purposes only - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/annasapphire/6140572624/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"> original image</a> on Anna's Flickr photostream. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEPo8PJDvt2STP5aTXRE-keO-ncNtf_kqHxloPCxSyoteARFyweM_g92Zvp32MpvYdbJb13qLC6HvqDoShF-AtCmC_dOiyIF8Da3lG7YXFEXcFpLBD8ljr3mW_5khyphenhyphenr2lW0CBYHNSbHI/s1600/Anna+Saphire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEPo8PJDvt2STP5aTXRE-keO-ncNtf_kqHxloPCxSyoteARFyweM_g92Zvp32MpvYdbJb13qLC6HvqDoShF-AtCmC_dOiyIF8Da3lG7YXFEXcFpLBD8ljr3mW_5khyphenhyphenr2lW0CBYHNSbHI/s320/Anna+Saphire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In 2012, Anna Saphire won MVW with a face shape similar to Jesika's. The photo next is published in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/annasapphire/6844081348/" target="_blank">Anna's Flickr </a>and the photographer was<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="character-name-holder" id="yui_3_7_3_4_1377742235760_1215"> Daniele Eberhardt. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcbk9hQDMtTajl0u_S75sRJCZy6_SLtIkhjoMZb1NVoJEGq51KgdaJi3_kMGIlJqiPVnIGkLyxVsoBpR4CoER0cKKTuNnvqJknCuGsomSpAgrAQHGrDR1bHz_hFUxKzFeSFcM4axt0Go/s1600/Anna+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcbk9hQDMtTajl0u_S75sRJCZy6_SLtIkhjoMZb1NVoJEGq51KgdaJi3_kMGIlJqiPVnIGkLyxVsoBpR4CoER0cKKTuNnvqJknCuGsomSpAgrAQHGrDR1bHz_hFUxKzFeSFcM4axt0Go/s320/Anna+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's only natural that, with time, SL® models work on their avatars; after all, it's their jobs if they don't want to be 'look-a-likes'.<br />
<br />
Anna's face remain unique, one of a kind; a work in progress since that first photo we see from 2011.<br />
Here is a photo cropped by me, taken by Falballa Fairey, published in Anna's Flickr, this year, last May. Please, check the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/annasapphire/8774086196/" target="_blank">original photo</a>.<br />
All credits to the owners of these images. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoYpkxFCZkdgCaGZeMUX3lX6Hcgm_e6r-B0PfA_091-vXPvcwbmHga0RiRnTFpW7Au76XcP9UGgfY29j-bfmbFsqpK_IwDKQp48Ckpw3x0oudnr5xeWr3gOJiZ8T297XQLQ83NS8us3o/s1600/Anna+2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoYpkxFCZkdgCaGZeMUX3lX6Hcgm_e6r-B0PfA_091-vXPvcwbmHga0RiRnTFpW7Au76XcP9UGgfY29j-bfmbFsqpK_IwDKQp48Ckpw3x0oudnr5xeWr3gOJiZ8T297XQLQ83NS8us3o/s320/Anna+2013.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Going back to the beginning of this post, I've heard that someone related to a blogger that takes photos and publishes her work on Flickr, claims that Anna Saphire 'stole' her look, or better, copied her look.<br />
<br />
It's extremely important to see the original photos and see the dates when the images were published.<br />
<br />
This photo you are about to see, from that blogger I mentioned above, was published in March this year. Does Anna's avatar even look remotely like this? To see the original image, please <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/asshlley/8516560737/" target="_blank">click here.</a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwUN3qpYS033h2MANQ9kCxI-O8MM8hgc0ztvZBV2kTZfXokjN9Vk6A7xMgVKW7_y9VtCqpysANCQrYDjA7Zi8xVdrWbdefWrTqXdSzUkWOlCx4Lu4juaFOdbJjeM6cxSbawd_szB9Lgo/s1600/Asshhley+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwUN3qpYS033h2MANQ9kCxI-O8MM8hgc0ztvZBV2kTZfXokjN9Vk6A7xMgVKW7_y9VtCqpysANCQrYDjA7Zi8xVdrWbdefWrTqXdSzUkWOlCx4Lu4juaFOdbJjeM6cxSbawd_szB9Lgo/s320/Asshhley+2013.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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From March until July this year, as you can see, some facial aspects of this avatar were modified - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/asshlley/9181512519/" target="_blank">original work here</a> - and some photos of this blogger suggest that she may look like another very distinctive SL models's avatar, not Anna's , nor Jesika's. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8sG51kKRRi0_iTAC1PnsIKXWRDdczRMalN-Jf9MD66gVkUC2dfagOkcGrVBj4LAqNAkWfteGzaFMBAQzkEiVDwGqORjR1N0H9qpY7-3dKib6i4lUBdJuEADAwc8zZtJxZkwTE0E8414/s1600/looking+like+Absinthe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8sG51kKRRi0_iTAC1PnsIKXWRDdczRMalN-Jf9MD66gVkUC2dfagOkcGrVBj4LAqNAkWfteGzaFMBAQzkEiVDwGqORjR1N0H9qpY7-3dKib6i4lUBdJuEADAwc8zZtJxZkwTE0E8414/s320/looking+like+Absinthe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It obvisouly depends on the skins that are used with certain shapes and with the growing illegal activities in SL®, such as copybotting, anybody can have a distinctive look in less than six months. All that is needed is to work with a shape for some time and there we have it: a distinctive look a unique avatar's shape, however strangely similar to some very known SL® models. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Just by following the timeline, it's really easy to see who actually copied who. </b></span><br />
It was brought to my attention later that the person who had accused Anna Saphire of copying this look eventually apologized.<br />
<br />
A good thing to do, surely. But the attitude of accusing in the first place is nothing more than a call for dramatic situations. These situations should be ignored.<br />
<br />
These accusations, the copybotting, illegal activities in SL®, all these point not only to harrassment, but also trolling. Either way, they should be ignored and all models that have worked years to come up with a different look should just ignore any type of accusations.<br />
<br />
The reason to ignore and move on is simple: most trolls* and content thieves in SL® are after some kind of recognition and if possible, extreme attention. To stop it, every illegal copy of a shape, skin or outfit, should not be revealed and should be dealt legally. So far, LL® have failed to protect creators who pay to be in Second Life®, which means so far they have failed to protect their own customers. Nothing that a good group of lawyers can't fix. All this should be dealt in silence, in a legal manner and it has to be done in the USA.<br />
<br />
In SL®'s fashion scene, it's important that most successful models know they will be eventually harrassed; they just need to be very aware of this: let all accusations fall into silence. No answer, no reply. If necessary, in terms of Flickr, users can report or flag content published by others that belongs to them. In SL®, however, it's not that effective. Stealing creator's authorship has been regular for years and so far LL® hasn't dealt with it in any way, shape or manner. <br />
<br />
<i>*Trolls : online slang to define people who - very fond of large audiences - stir up drama abusing their online anonimity. To stop them, the first step is to publicly ignore them, not making one simple comment or answering to any provocation. Trolls reveal sociapathic tendencies because they show no remorse, therefore they are imune to any common reasoning or logic argument, which means there is no point in even answering to them once. Trolls usually thrive in online forums or public chat places, or websites where people can add comments. They have adapted to SL, in this case it's called 'harrassment'; we can stop this harrassment just by ignoring any contact made by any of them, wether it's on open chat or in a private message. Next step is to mute them. Each and every one of them. They are relentless and gain energy every time they get an answer to one of their comments. The only way to stop them is to completely ignore them. Not one single word. </i><br />
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<b>** The images I used here belong to their rightful owners, with links provided to the original body of work. This is not a copyright enfringementent according to DCMA Fair Use - Title 17 › Chapter 1 › § 107.</b><br />
<br />Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-70802093747698962642013-07-01T10:46:00.003-07:002013-07-01T10:46:23.965-07:00L'Homme Magazine - The authority in SL's men's fashion (?!?!)<i>'The Authority in SL's Men's Fashion'</i><br />
<br />
This is the subtitle of L'Homme Magazine for June 2013.<br />
Let me write it again: <i>'The Authority in SL's Men's Fashion' </i>(?????)<br />
<br />
Whose authority, may I ask?<br />
<br />Zachary something [I forgot his last name] 's authority?<br />
Are we talking about SL fashion regarding a boy in his twenties who pulled together a magazine he thinks it's focused on male fashion?<br />
<br />
I'm not even going to have link to the magazine; for sure you'll find it and take a look at it if you haven't already. <br />
<br />
Good news is that Zachary states in the first page of the magazine he's going to step down as Editor-in-Chief. Last thing the fashion community in SL needs is a kid to run a fashion magazine in SL.<br />
<br />
In graphic terms, imagery is regular; this Zachary person is well connected. He got some 'famous' SL photographers to pull the magazine together; again, I'm not going to say some names, because these 'famous' SL photographers are extremely popular, yet that doesn't mean they are very good in fashion photography. They can be good at PS, sure!<br />
<br />
These photographers have created quite a reputation in their Flickr accounts; liking their photos or not is a personal opinion. Maybe one is worth mentioning - Marcopol Oh who is actually a visionnaire and more artistic in creating his imagery. <br />
<br />
There is a section in the magazine that is quite childish, fashionwise, called Paparazzi. The paparazzi 'victims' are a couple of models in SL , that, again, may be considered popular; however, this particular section, the way I see it, has nothing to do with fashion. It's a SL couple with their SL child. The outfits' description is there, indeed; here, the photo quality decreases greatly.<br />
<br />
There is also a spread called Road Trip. The photos were taken by a SL male model that has achieved quite a good professional reputation in male fashion and is, in RL, a woman - Hikaru Enimo. Personally, I have no problems with that. In the first pages of the magazine, the SL photographer Petra Messioptra [who we all think is a woman in RL, but we can't tell] poses with her male avatar. <br />
<br />
And finally, I'd like to mention Marcopol's vision on a fashion spread that is really editorial; photos taken with a white or black background, focused on the model and his style. Here is what we could easily see in a RL fashion magazine - the concept of an editorial spread.<br />
<br />
Basically, this edition of L'Homme magazine is this person's goodbye - Zachary, I mean. Being focused greatly on SL fashion for years, having attended myself many fashion shows, having read several SL fashion magazines, I don't even know who this Zachary character is.<br />
<br />
He may have been Mister Virtual something. I'm done even considering pageants as part of the fashion scene in SL. If he was, that explains me not knowing who Zachary is. <br />
Indeed I mentioned his age - he is around his twenties, that I was told - just like most of you I'm well connected among the fashion/modeling world in SL and people talk. Nevertheles, I have never met or seen any fashion show with this male Zachary ' model'.<br />
<br />
It's a very good decision of his to just go away. Being so young, it's unlikely he has the personal and professional maturity to do a good job and there would be a good chance that he could get the 'Editorial Clarity' disease (another one that is in his twenties) - 'I'm a nobody in RL; but hey, people know my SL name'. Laughable, of course! <br />
<br />
To read L'Homme magazine this month, is like going through Flickr. Some photos are average - considering that more and more SL fashion photographers are raising the bar - always taking into consideration that I'm talking about fashion and fashion magazines, not talking about PS effects. <br />
<br />
Farewell, Zachary! Take your time to mature and eventually be good at what you want to do. Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-4067934046137392402013-04-22T02:48:00.001-07:002013-04-22T03:07:15.799-07:00A fashion limbo on SL MagazinesFashion has evolved very much in SL over the past couple of years. Fashion shows and designers' showcases have become more realistic - apart from one or two Agencies that keep on providing low quality services.<br />
<br />
I do believe that the closer it is to RL, the more quality both client and seller will have in SL.<br />
Lately, many SL Models have created their own fashion blogs, fortunately for the rest of us, because in general SL Fashion Magazines are now in a limbo - nothing really new or stands out.<br />
<br />
Print work is done by SL Models themselves. Some are very good at it, others are not but we do have a good range of fashion blogs to chose from, to read and to enjoy their aesthetics.<br />
This situation - I believe - has been putting SL Fashion Magazines in a place where we almost don't need them. The importance of a magazine in RL fashion is huge. Magazines make trends, their staff is carefully selected in order to provide services that no other magazine has.<br />
<br />
What I see happening now in almost all SL Magazines is that models are actually promoting themselves, instead of being just a model. Meaning what?<br />
<br />
In every RL Magazine staff the role of Fashion Editor is pretty much what everybody wants and only a selected few get. That's the person who has that catchy eye and finds designers, models and photographers that make trends. One 'simple' editorial article changes a model's life, a photographers' life, the magazine's success. That's the person who isn't obviously a model, but has to know everything in the fashion industry and move extremely well in all social circles. <br />
<br />
In SL this so important role in every fashion magazine doesn't exist, per se. It's portrayed by SL models.<br />
<br />
As an example, Leah McCullough is working very actively in print, both with her own magazine - <a href="http://hautesl.com/latest-issue/" target="_blank">Haute</a> - and being the Creative Director of <a href="http://issuu.com/avenue/docs/avenue.april2013" target="_blank">Avenue Magazine</a>. <br />
On the other hand, Avenue Magazine has now Anna Saphire as fashion editor, as far as I could see in their latest issue. <br />
<br />
There are several problems here, one of them being Anna Saphire isn't really a fashion editor. She is actually promoting herself as a model in the magazine. Try to go through the latest Avenue Magazines; it's becoming extremely boring to see the same print female models: wether we see Anna or Absinthe or Leah or Miaa. Avenue Magazine is becoming a nitch of a few, the same featured models over and over and lastly, there is a boring aesthetic to it: every photo, every editorial looks the same as the last one. We don't really know which month we are looking at. It all looks the same. And why? Because they are all the same, same models, taking their own photos. It's not even a matter of finding a design that is cohesive. There has to be variety!<br />
<br />
And here is where the role of fashion editor takes over. To provide a secure and professional attitude, the fashion editor shouldn't be one of the models at all or remove herself from that position. The fashion editor moves always in the background, stays backstage and finds the best models, the best photographers for the magazine. That's the person with that eye that no one else has, the fashion editor has a vision that isn't obviously centered in herself. <br />
<br />
Another example - this one being exactly how it's supposed to be - is Avenue's Lifestyle Editor, Umberto Giano. We go through the magazine and we read all the lifestyle articles, with a quite good variety of topics. Where is Umberto? In the background. That's his job, his place.<br />
When it comes to fashion, things are different and many of us, readers, are now wondering why. One of the reasons for this boredom can be the fact that the models featured at Avenue Mag take their own photos, which saves time, true. But this is not good for the overall magazine.<br />
<br />
Anna Saphire should excuse herself from being in the magazine as a model, month after month. As fashion editor, she should find new paths for Avenue Magazine that don't include photos of her, nor Absinthe's nor Leah's or Miaa's. Avenue has had a recent casting for new models, so what is going on that only three or four of them are actually in the magazine, featured month after month after month? How come? Where is that Avenue mag that used to have several models featured each month? All different? It almost makes us go back to the times of Modavia Fashion Directory in which one of the models featured was the owner herself, Poptart. That was never Dea Mills' idea for Modavia. Poptart used to give a very diplomatic excuse for this 'designers ask for me, so I model'. Now Avenue is doing the exact same thing. Promoting a few that are obviously part of their staff members. Does this look good for you? Not for me. Does this happen because designers - who pay for their articles - ask for Anna or Absinthe or Leah? I don't think they do; even so, there can be exceptions, of course. But to have the same models featured over and over and over again, this sounds more like a comfort zone than a 'designer's request'. <br />
<br />
I know SL isn't exactly RL, but for sure, Avenue Magazine has had better days. There used to be a variety of imagery that would keep us interested in reading more, next month and the next. Somewhere, Avenue has lost it's track and right now, even before the Magazine is out, we all wonder, in which style are we going to see Anna Saphire in, or Absinthe or Leah, or Miaa in the next magazine?<br />
It's very unfortunate that this is happening with a magazine that was the best fashion magazine inworld. Was, past tense. <br />
<br />
Not to mention that , in my opinion, there is a clear conflict of interests in Leah McCullough's case; she has her own magazine, as she is now hiring staff, so I assume that Haute Mag is moving up. Where does that leave Leah as Avenue's magazine Creative Director?<br />
<br />
What will happen to Avenue as soon as Leah has her own team formed and ready to print? <br />
<br />
Maybe we're watching a new era arising in the fashion print panorama.<br />
Is Avenue going down because of their own choice of staff members? Probably. Feeding egos has never been a good business choice. <br />
Let's see which magazine is going to be the next big thing, That's fashion, indeed. One day we're up, next day, we're gone! Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-42444097607405476862012-12-20T13:33:00.000-08:002012-12-20T13:39:03.799-08:00Scrips kids all over the gridMost of you know that I've been steady posting about SL models and runway shows. This time, I'll address something important. <br />
<br />
I've been informed about all copybotting that has been going on and the constant sim crashing during fashion shows caused by a group of people in SL. <br />
<br />
About copybotting, there's nothing you can do, it's up to Linden Lab to solve this. Creators in SL can only report abuse, all the nine yards and then wait. It's understandable the feeling of frustration regarding these situations. <br />
<br />
SL Model's shapes have been copybotted and again, nothing we can do about it, unless keep filing reports, opening tickets. <br />
<br />
However, there are lots of things we all can do to prevent our SL accounts from being cracked. <br />
Let me start by telling you this: this group of people are NOT hackers. A true hacker would resent what this group of people are doing. A hacker can access websites, email accounts, whatever. He will take a look, and leave without touching anything. This IS a hacker. That's why the most famous hackers have been hired by several government departments all over the world, to keep their websites safe. No one better than a hacker to do that, because a hacker knows how to catch traces that have been left behind by another hacker. And actually track his/her physical location in the planet. <br />
<br />
This group of people that are copybotting in SL are just script kids. We cannot stop them from copybotting or crashing sims. <br />
But we sure can do our best<b> </b>protect ourselves, our SL accounts. <br />
<br />
First thing and this is very important: <br />
- they operate by instigating fear. It looks that they can do it all, but actually, <b>they can't</b>. <br />
<br />
And now you're asking: how did they crack SL accounts and even withdraw money from several SL residents' bank accounts?<br />
Simply by social networking and social engineering. It's simple, but it takes time, lots of time. This is a huge group of people, sitting in front of their pcs doing absolutely nothing but this, for years. <br />
<br />
<i>Just as an example , in real life, you all probably remember a guy that cracked actress Scarlett Johansson's email and published several of her private photos. I read an interview with him and he was very clear: he was just the regular guy, unemployed, sitting in front of his pc all day long. And just by chance, he started to look for celebrities' emails, using their names and searching all he could about their personal lives. Celebrities are extremely exposed, publicly. Eventually, the easiest email for him to crack was Scarlet's. He just found out her email address and kept trying different passwords until he managed to get the right one. All done by social engineering - he just tried a couple of her private life info, as password, and he got the right one - and this took him a lot of time, according to him. From then on, once he opened the actress' email, there were tons of other celebrities emails there; people she contacted with and so he did the same with some others. And why did this happen? Because he could. He had everything: time, access to the actress private info - which we all can just by googling it - and kept trying passwords with her private info. </i><br />
<br />
Lesson here? Never use any of your private info as password; no pet's names, no birthdays, no mother's maiden name, nothing of this sort. <br />
<br />
About this group of kids that are operating<i>g</i> in SL, many of them are among the groups they're targetting. If they attack SL models, you can be sure that you know some of them very well, probably trust them enough to just talk about your private lives. And this is where social engineering becomes important; they know that most people use easy-to-memorize passwords, usually connected to their private lives, things they like, birthday dates and so on. <br />
First step is NOT to trust anybody and I mean nobody! Don't share your SL password or your private life with anyone in SL. <br />
Remember, this group has been in SL - some of them - more than the most of us have. You probably got used to seeing them around for years, so you trust. DON'T! <br />
<br />
Follow me here: some time ago, a member of this scrip kids' group managed to send out several models' shapes through a well know SL Group. Everybody thought how did he do that? He didn't have permission to even send notices in the group, so he must be able to change any group abilities and permissions in SL, true? False! They simply can't! <br />
<br />
How did he do it? So simple!<br />
One of the group managers invited the avatar for a couple of minutes and gave him the ability to send out notices. And then, after doing what he wanted, the kid left the group. Quietly. It looks like he is so powerful that he can even change things in SL groups. NO, he can't. Neither of them can. They were enabled to do that.<br />
<br />
What they do have in 'friends in high places'. Yes, they are among you, SL Models and Designers. You have seen some of them for so long in SL that you got to trust some of them and this is how they do it. <br />
<br />
Bear with me here: if they really could do everything in SL, why don't they do the same in other SL Groups? Why did they do it only this once or twice? <br />
Because they could! Because someone inside that Group (or Groups) gave the avatar permission to send out notices for a couple of minutes. Simple! <br />
<br />
The question remains - how do they crack SL accounts, crack email addresses and even withdraw real money from several people's bank accounts?<br />
<br />
Social engineering: think about this - how many of you have your SL email addresses with your SL name? Let's say your SL name is Marie Claire; they will try every email account related to this name; they will do it in several email providers - marieclaire@hotmail.com, marieclaire@gmail.com, marieclaire@yahoo.com and the list goes on. Why not doing it? They have time and nothing else to do!<br />
<br />
Don't you wonder why they are doing this exactly now? <br />
Why not before? <br />
Simply because it took them years to have some of them inside the groups they target, trustable people, people you have been dealing with in your SL; it took them years to make some of you trust some of them. <br />
<br />
Why do they attack some people and don't attack others? <br />
Same reason, because they can. <br />
<br />
<b>How to make them work hard to attack you?</b><br />
- Change your passwords frequently. SL password, your email password, everything that connects you to SL. <br />
- NEVER use the same password twice. Your SL password should be one and your email account should have another password. If you blog, the password should be different too. If you can, change email addresses frequently, as well. <br />
- Protect your private lives. Those of you who have been attacked think! Who did you give personal info to? Who do you trust enough in SL to actually talk about your personal information? <br />
- Get in touch to your bank NOW! Ask your bank NOT to allow any transaction with your credit card without your pemission. NONE! Not even 5 bucks! The bank must ask you personally if there is a transaction going on. <br />
<br />
All of these suggestions will not stop them, but believe me, they will work harder to attack you. We all can make them work double time! If they spend, let's say, 12 hours sitting by their pcs, they will have to be there for 24 hours non stop to actually manage to attack you or withdraw money from you. It's a huge group of people we're taking about and some of them are among you, for years.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"><b>Now to another topic. If you see my blog's name - Fashion Critique - in any other website than this one, I can assure you that it's not me. As I stated before, I only posted in another website once and it was years ago. From then on, I only write here and nowhere else.</b></span> <br />
<br />
Back to the subject,<b> </b>I hope this helps, really! Protection on the web is never enough. <br />
What would be great was to just ignore them. Let them do what they want, and just ignore. Take all measures to report, over and over. Then, proceed to mute, if you're contacted privately and move on. Let them fall into oblivion! They're just kids, they may throw a temper tantrum, but they'll get over it. <br />
<br />Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-45522044970741996172012-08-22T00:28:00.007-07:002012-08-22T01:55:04.070-07:00Another SL Fashion Show - is this really fashion?One more fashion show I watched. <br />And recorded in real time. <br /><br />Even though a SL fashion show is an event - unless it's a big time event - it should be a short event. <br /><br />I've written repeatedly about the more SL fashion comes closer to RL, the more quality there is in it. In RL, a fashion show takes around 12 to 15 minutes. It's a showcase of clothes. <br />In SL, we all have accepted naturally that if a fashion show isn't long, it's not good. Not true. Long fashion shows are boring, unless there is a wow factor in it that makes us enjoy the full experience.<br /><br />In this show, the runway was huge, it was a stairway and models had to stop several times along the stairs. There were long periods of time when the 'stairs' were empty and by the end of the show, more than half the people had already left. <br /><br />It was really boring. <br /><br />To start with, this particular fashion show was organized by a SL model that also manages a latino blog - El Diablo Viste Second Life.<br /><br />In the beginning of the show, the hostess informed us all who the models were going to be - she provided a kind of info of every model in the show; I don't understand why the audience had to know all about the contests the models won or those they participated in. A fashion show is never about models! <br /><br />In SL, it seems to be frequent creators just provide the outfits for a fashion show for models to shine or just because a SL model agency wants to put up a fashion show. But fashion is not about models; in SL many people get this wrong. <br /><br />It's never about models, it's about designers and their creations. <br />Only after giving us a no need 'story' of all the models, did the hostess tell the audience about who the designers were. In this case, I'm guessing that all SL designers provided the outfits for free, just for one person to put a fashion show together and have models shine. <br /><br />These situations should stop in SL. To take it to another level, SL designers should create their collections, just like RL and then yes, have fashion shows to showcase them. Pay SL Model Agencies to hire their own models and all the expenses that come along show producing. <br /><br />At the same time, there is Sydney Fashion Week going on in SL. Short shows, exactly how they are supposed to be, showcasing several designers creations that were created (or should be) for this season or the next and showcased during a fashion week. This is as close as we can get to RL fashion. Not long boring shows, produced with free outfits from several SL designers, put together only to have some SL models shine. <br /><br />In the best case scenario, a fashion show in SL should showcase one designer and be short. SL clothes creators should pay to have their creations showcased and models should be very well paid, as well. In RL, fashion involves an entire economy. Model Agencies hire the best models they can have and models are paid big time! <br /><br />I'm in favor of SL fashion weeks. Let's keep it real, this is how it works in RL. <br />I perfectly recall AVENUE Mesh fashion week; short shows showcasing the latest creations done with mesh - a whole new concept for creators in SL. Modavia used to hold their fashion week at the same time as NYC Mercedes- Benz was happening in RL. <br /><br />Long fashion shows are extremely boring. Like this one I recorded - Goddesses of Olympus. What was the idea behind it? Is this a fashion trend that nobody is aware of? This is the game inside the game. Personally, I'm completely against this. This isn't fashion at all. <br /><br />Mercedez-Benz NYC Fashion Week 2013 Spring collections is starting on September 6th. Plus the several European Fashion Shows that are scheduled to September as well. Do we have SL designers ready to create an entire collection for 2013 Spring/Summer season? Because by now, if we do it correctly in SL, autumn/winter collections 2012/2013 should already be out there and released!<br />I guess this is only me dreaming of having the best of the best in SL fashion. <br /><br />Here is the video of this 'Goddesses' show [I wouldn't call it fashion, because all outfits are already out of date, fashionwise in SL]. <br /><br />Apart form some cut and editting I did, this is a recording in real time. Boring, so boring!<br /><br />I also wrote my own comments along the video, should you have the patience to watch it fully. And I actually stopped recording before SL models last walk. 50% of the audience had left by then. <br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z35iQ6yhspA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-56988034168087243892012-07-16T01:33:00.008-07:002012-08-01T05:44:24.563-07:00Not classic, no styleI have been trying to avoid writing about this particular group of people. I don't know what to call it but they say they train SL models, so it should be like a 'model academy'? Actually, it's a University of Models!!<br /><br />I hear people complain about paying lots of money and being treated unfairly and by now you must have guessed that I'm talking about Classic With Style.<br /><br />There is a SL mentality thing going on like forever; at least people talk about a lot about it which is 'making money in SL'. Making money or have an income in SL is as valid as making money in RL. There's nothing wrong about it.<br /><br />However, the whole purpose of me writing this blog was always about <span style="font-weight: bold;">quality</span>. Making things better in terms of SL modeling.<br /><br />I ended up watching several videos on Youtube from this 'Classic With Style' thing. I still don't know what it is. It's not clear and transparent publicly.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is this?</span><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/svOHEXXyMdw?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="490"></iframe><br /><br />The classiest idea I have of women wearing classic night gowns is NOT club music and having them club dancing. I don't know about you but all I feel is this weirdness. I keep thinking of RL fashion shows and this is not even close. Once you watch this video, you all can see how 'famous' all these models are on SL. I personaly haven't heard of any of them.<br /><br />Fashionwise, I do believe that the closest SL gets to RL, the more quality lies in it, especially since there are RL designers investing in SL, creating in SL.<br /><br />The big issue seems to be new SL models - or SL models wannabes - pay too much to join this Classic With Style thing.<br />The rough truth is that people need to invest in themselves to learn. This happens everywhere in RL, from high school to college. Even in RL, we all have to pay for some kind of training we may need. I don't quite understand why people complain about paying.<br /><br />But, but - and this must be taken into consideration - payment must be fair in relation to what kind of training you're going to get!<br /><br />The marketing strategy behind Classic With Style is extremely unprofessional, to say the least!<br />In their blog - they call it <a href="http://classicwstyleuniversityofmodeling.blogspot.pt/">Modeling University</a> - they clearly state that you will be famous after graduating as a model. (!!!)<br /><br />I mean, really? How long has Classic With Style been around and how many of their 'graduates' have been famous models in SL?<br />This is something nobody can promise or even promote! No company, no model agency, nobody can, because 'being famous' is hard individual work, no matter how good SL models are.<br /><br />The whole concept of their blog, the videos on Youtube, everything Classic With Style shows is everything but stylish and classic.<br /><br />When we open their blog, we see their CEOs photos. The quality of the photos is terrible and the avatars take me back to my first year in SL. I mean, are you serious about this?<br /><br />I don't know about you but I'd love to watch a fashion show produced and executed by Classic With Style, a graduation show maybe? Something that's really related to the work real models do.<br /><br />For dancing, there are groups in SL that do that, they don't pretend to be models, they're dancers. It's fun , I know, but maybe take the gowns out and do a well produced video of your dancers (not models).<br /><br />And another thing is professional fashion models aren't 'hot', no matter how beautiful they are or how curvy they may be. Doing the 'hot contest of something' is to lower the models to the quality of a low life dancer, with swimwear, prim hair and old basic skins (some of them oily skins!!!).<br /><br />We all know that in RL there are more comercial models and high fashion models. Depending always on what the designers are after to showcase their visions and creations.<br />Again, I don't see high fashion designers in SL connected in any way with Classic With Style.<br />And no, wearing a gown doesn't make you stylish nor classic. It takes so much more than that.<br />Style is from head to toe. Starts from hair to the tip of your big toe. It's in the attitude, too.<br /><br />Remember, not everybody can be a model, just like not everybody can be a doctor or a teacher.<br /><br />I took the time of going to Classic With Style several places and it's public, so here is their application for eventual 'alumni':<br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><i>Now Accepting Enrollment Applications<br />Classes starting soon. If you have a love for great art and a passion for modeling—why not consider a career in modeling.<br />University of Classic W/ Style have it all for you.<br /><br />Professionals can choose from a variety of career paths in:<br />If you desire to pursue a career in modeling, the University of Classic W/ Style can teach you the skills you need to get started.<br /><br />➤~ Modeling<br />➤~ Photography<br />➤~ Blogging<br /><br />Fee for 3 weeks class: 10,000 linden, to be paid directly to Anrol Anthiny.<br /><br />Fill in Application below and send in to Anrol Anthony:<br /><br />Don't miss your opportunity to get UCWS training.<br />Don’t settle for anything less.<br /> * Hands on<br /> * Taught by professional executive instructors<br /> * A recognized name in the modeling, owner is the guru in fashion.<br /> * Available in several tracks<br /> * Real world experience –in modeling<br /> * Guided by a support system of faculty, networks, and alumni<br /> * Succesful and Established Fashion Business since 2008<br />Located in 2 Sims<br /> * Weekly Fashion shows.<br /><br />We hope you will all understand that this is a business - however, it is also our goal to make modeling fun and something you will all enjoy.</i></span><br /><br />Very well. Let's see. I'm usually on top of the latest news regarding modeling in SL and I have never watched a fashion show produced, organized or put together by this group of people. Have you? It's clearly stated in this application:<br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><i> * Weekly Fashion shows.<br /></i></span><br />How does Classic With Style advertise their fashion shows, because the information is not as public as it should be. I mean every fashion show in SL is advertised in several ways, through some public fashion and modeling related SL groups. How come we don't see any of these weekly fashion shows? Perhaps it's just me. Have you seen any?<br /><br />Not to mention their blog, website and Youtube channel. I haven't seen any fashion show from this group of people on Youtube (nor inworld , for that matter). Yes, the girls sure dance on video, but a full fashion show?<br /><br />I'd like to have an invitation from Classic With Style to watch one of your fashion shows. I'll be there, for sure. And of course, I'm guessing all models in SL would like to watch it too. Can we all have an invitation? That'd be nice!Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-57482108294831751502012-05-16T08:38:00.005-07:002012-05-16T09:28:46.329-07:00A RL treat for all SL modelsMy last post was about the first MVW 2013 photos and how the first pre-finalists are going to be chosen.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />So here you have an example of one of <a href="http://models.fordmodels.com/models/437/talents/30044">Ford Models - Anna J</a>. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Clients start looking for a certain type of model and the agency will send them the polaroids they have of that model. <br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />How could we ever have this in SL? It's such a different 'world'. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br />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. <br /><br />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. <br />Applying to beauty pageants is a choice. But be sure that's the second life you want for yourself. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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?<br /><br />I'm guessing no SL model googles Miss Universe pageant. That really doesn't matter for a RL model nor for a SL model. <br /><br />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'? <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br /><iframe width="490" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3jgbbhDkPAU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-609438403572526002012-05-13T03:25:00.011-07:002012-05-13T14:02:05.374-07:00MVW 2013 and SL photographersThe announcement is out. MVW 2013 has the first entries' photos at <a href="http://www.missvirtualworld.info/miss-virtual-world/miss-virtual-world-entries-2013/">BOSL blog</a>.<br /><br />I read the press release and public announcement. The document also explains how to apply and the kind of photos the candidates must submit.<br /><br />I particularly like point 9.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">9. Photoshop is allowed, but please keep photographs realistic so that it reflects how you actually look in Second Life.</span><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br />What matters is <span style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> the skill of the photographer , but the<span style="font-weight: bold;"> face</span> of the female avatar.<br /><br />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 .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Photos by Elle Ahren</span> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missahren/http://">(view her work)</a><br /></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6jOykTuDMCfRw3MYKiHrSoIv6qo0JFprat9QouwWow5Aw0n2mQy-rGbWXk3siyB7nmYBt4vhZ16V5RwSG5Rdc5y8bInXa2kXvnT-ezkdcFCVpIYNLnbf5qOaHVUcktaT2SPmjf-CKV8/s1600/9.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6jOykTuDMCfRw3MYKiHrSoIv6qo0JFprat9QouwWow5Aw0n2mQy-rGbWXk3siyB7nmYBt4vhZ16V5RwSG5Rdc5y8bInXa2kXvnT-ezkdcFCVpIYNLnbf5qOaHVUcktaT2SPmjf-CKV8/s320/9.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5741970929988382018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dOlYcrz4SA_CVPYPsrCxtiopNWE2_F3UylL2vk6ZLcTGR096UPBwx9iRM9ptU6qxxKUH0AgrNyz1duQwvp46hqjqrVtdSGy9PiMSIbEbyH4tOUHAOIfFLFUlN7jfEyIWVQg2Wi3aADY/s1600/7.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dOlYcrz4SA_CVPYPsrCxtiopNWE2_F3UylL2vk6ZLcTGR096UPBwx9iRM9ptU6qxxKUH0AgrNyz1duQwvp46hqjqrVtdSGy9PiMSIbEbyH4tOUHAOIfFLFUlN7jfEyIWVQg2Wi3aADY/s320/7.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5741971192353271362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Photos by Julie Hastings</span> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliehastings/http://">(view her work)</a><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQWi_myF-bk_pjGdOwwMfOkFkw_BIFyNFox8WuDCKLPRhAKa1_z0GzcEcDSbYEEfAsWQqJ2Twe5FED3U2jz4cI6BvwpgpuYYRFzJdzBAJR37S8lQUsFGyXJ_QPfqViXhLcAV-aDGZbog/s1600/1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQWi_myF-bk_pjGdOwwMfOkFkw_BIFyNFox8WuDCKLPRhAKa1_z0GzcEcDSbYEEfAsWQqJ2Twe5FED3U2jz4cI6BvwpgpuYYRFzJdzBAJR37S8lQUsFGyXJ_QPfqViXhLcAV-aDGZbog/s320/1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5741971487680386674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYDljLmHMUJVVTqTWjZ0oc0RIlDO6MD8Ly2nKkgci5Bzr5PDZLcr21TxCLDVv5qR6yEyJokqQycqVKwTDepvmUmjJvZOU9TLTouPZGSqW4P7ukM2rLglXKUlBBwF0oALXQhQ7gwDmIiQ/s1600/4.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYDljLmHMUJVVTqTWjZ0oc0RIlDO6MD8Ly2nKkgci5Bzr5PDZLcr21TxCLDVv5qR6yEyJokqQycqVKwTDepvmUmjJvZOU9TLTouPZGSqW4P7ukM2rLglXKUlBBwF0oALXQhQ7gwDmIiQ/s320/4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5741971824377852018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Photos by Skip Staheli</span> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37690108@N05/">(view his work)</a><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcAvpZwK0GZzN8RE11F1_vM_8VJ71t2oFu0I4PySqAtmsACUm303SXwhn9iDdazT-crplNtQ6wTcJ3odW5UtpG50vetYnnXtSAhOrFsNd0CUQHtTftSXZ1mRXwwf13viAJuDv2UMrhRI/s1600/2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcAvpZwK0GZzN8RE11F1_vM_8VJ71t2oFu0I4PySqAtmsACUm303SXwhn9iDdazT-crplNtQ6wTcJ3odW5UtpG50vetYnnXtSAhOrFsNd0CUQHtTftSXZ1mRXwwf13viAJuDv2UMrhRI/s320/2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5741972112504943554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqt9cmBSS4Kf_dR1_KXx-zRldHOyThwsJX2gJm39hYCurHYKiI6FZfxE7kcDfAu9e_1Z0SfuhScxCt0OOCjdWJo8kVOffLsS_jG0D-II1dOeXY4CzyGVVjUhpekDW0hITjPUlpmNXec8/s1600/5.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqt9cmBSS4Kf_dR1_KXx-zRldHOyThwsJX2gJm39hYCurHYKiI6FZfxE7kcDfAu9e_1Z0SfuhScxCt0OOCjdWJo8kVOffLsS_jG0D-II1dOeXY4CzyGVVjUhpekDW0hITjPUlpmNXec8/s320/5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5741972385271819122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0GPIcJsTSH6H_-ZKu1NS4S_-qbAO20mqBYCWjhKUj8JF7qjeOJ9pojjV02ZgOeUiBhfdGl8ephCN95m_muOaBRstNVRne96d5KjHHu_xumVbKRiaQb05OmW_tVgp2q1ULHkTI2bFOE8/s1600/6.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0GPIcJsTSH6H_-ZKu1NS4S_-qbAO20mqBYCWjhKUj8JF7qjeOJ9pojjV02ZgOeUiBhfdGl8ephCN95m_muOaBRstNVRne96d5KjHHu_xumVbKRiaQb05OmW_tVgp2q1ULHkTI2bFOE8/s320/6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5741972570928607858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Even though the photos are very well done, they are heavily editted and we don't actualy see the real avatar behind it.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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?<br /><br />Another year, another round at MVW. I'll be watching, as usual ;)Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-38299032408802781092012-05-05T16:53:00.005-07:002012-05-12T15:40:34.013-07:00A full fashion show in SL in real time - Video is onI watched a fashion show this week that was below reasonable, in terms of quality.<br /><br />This time, I decided to have my camera roll and really recorded in video the whole show.<br /><br />The link to Youtube is only here. If you click on it , you can see it in Youtube, as well.<br /><br />It's an entire fashion show; no editting. No pauses, no making things beautiful.<br />I just let the show go on and never stopped recording.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 <b>last year's MVW finalists (!!!) </b>and others were unfamiliar names, at least to me.<br /><br />The show was set to start at 3:30pm SLT and started more than 30 minutes late.<br />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.<br />You'll see the oufits rezzing slowly - from my viewer.<br /><br />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:<br /><br />- 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.<br />- 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.<br />- probably only two of these 'models' had quality skins and were well shaped.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7JBLxpxWaoo?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />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.Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-53629923284090073042012-04-24T09:34:00.000-07:002012-04-26T05:15:12.182-07:00A closer look at SL® Fashion MagazinesEvery 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. <br />
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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'. <br />
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I guess all of us are being more and more demanding regarding Fashion Magazines in SL: their layout, their graphic design, their image quality.<br />
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Lately, I read several SL Fashion Magazines. Some are starting, others are already established.<br />
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I will publish here their Issuu url so that everybody may read.<br />
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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. <br />
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.<br />
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Every professional model dreams of being in the cover of any of these magazines.<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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Again, I'm going after quality.<br />
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One of the most recent fashion magazines I read in SL is <a href="http://asymetriques.net/haute/" target="_blank">Haute</a>. Haute's first magazine is entirely dedicated to white. The same company that publishes Haute - <b>Asymetrique</b> - also publishes <a href="http://asymetriques.net/lhomme/" target="_blank">L'Homme</a> .<br />
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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.<br />
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.<br />
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<a href="http://issuu.com/agtaopecarterlane/docs/bestylemagazineapril2012" target="_blank">BeStyle</a> Magazine has been around in SL for quite some time. <br />
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.<br />
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I also read <a href="http://issuu.com/inworldlifestylemagz/docs/inworld_magz_vol_10_april_2012_-_shower_your_love_" target="_blank">InWorld Lifestyle Magazine</a>.<br />
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.<br />
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There is also <a href="http://www.issuu.com/modavia_fashion_directory/docs/mfd22" target="_blank">Modavia Fashion Directory</a> 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.<br />
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Published periodically, in this case, every month is <a href="http://issuu.com/avenue/docs/avenue.april2012/1" target="_blank">AVENUE Magazine</a>.<br />
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.<br />
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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 ;)<br />
<br />Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-82454011425146578462012-03-04T09:46:00.007-08:002012-03-04T10:26:49.410-08:00Androgyny - a man or a woman?Both I'd say.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />It's very hard for me to see in SL®, people <span style="font-style: italic;">trying</span> to be androgynous, especially in the fashion and model industry. It's not about trying; wether you are or you aren't androgynous.<br /><br />Taking a look at RL androgynous models, you'll understand what I mean.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ0QC2uOIo02hg1FcJsQDvz3Y4NVBxvINXZ0JJ4_t9cpGsy-3sTih6-m8nffGnmd_4kwX51JtCMdsjNkJvQfGmYvFOdDtMtiJuQSEs37wsHq2th_k9mHm-eWbfzJs0W_reDxLq7Qgc7U/s1600/O1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ0QC2uOIo02hg1FcJsQDvz3Y4NVBxvINXZ0JJ4_t9cpGsy-3sTih6-m8nffGnmd_4kwX51JtCMdsjNkJvQfGmYvFOdDtMtiJuQSEs37wsHq2th_k9mHm-eWbfzJs0W_reDxLq7Qgc7U/s320/O1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716102970285744242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb9TCkdAsHA_Q8SAVr-KRdLBx7YsOqZJkEgYHiWfEutTMefNCdgykpASLt9T8bHYvb6Xqp8wnldRo6KY3q9N3eK8HDsjjxWH651s4SsTZIl0aX5AP-VfdrIMUU3QjTBmUtUIyv5S0YAM/s1600/b1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb9TCkdAsHA_Q8SAVr-KRdLBx7YsOqZJkEgYHiWfEutTMefNCdgykpASLt9T8bHYvb6Xqp8wnldRo6KY3q9N3eK8HDsjjxWH651s4SsTZIl0aX5AP-VfdrIMUU3QjTBmUtUIyv5S0YAM/s320/b1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716102966242426962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjjXp1yIog6H6rtm5ZXj2u-62SFuAySckfOIb3sUXlRcNRDtXAkiMaIkNVMXX7363io_PptoUD_DACgC0G7d_hUW39f1d8JJ9NEAzqKHvfSy0PuacWHv2nYPmELf2FPlkprB6836C-PQ/s1600/A1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjjXp1yIog6H6rtm5ZXj2u-62SFuAySckfOIb3sUXlRcNRDtXAkiMaIkNVMXX7363io_PptoUD_DACgC0G7d_hUW39f1d8JJ9NEAzqKHvfSy0PuacWHv2nYPmELf2FPlkprB6836C-PQ/s320/A1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716102962747550802" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHj0CnkozXaocvWFQtKN7AcjIOha5UKfsRTMynB1sVCt6vFc9hB3d5UhdvvpmDGTuCSNuVUwnCv_GdbQRoYuD1dRwF4x9TB-y-qegFpYYqG1VzBYXfvUgytP8L0SrGDshZlmML4AnS0Q/s1600/O1.jpg"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzoodIFUf3JAwgpjtquUjCixUgbzYu5i4Oo94FmLgwPsiguL8-34yiaLuiVjkHxGBreJfXHaeqU59oZIhcUH4o7DTenvO27dwPVSjepxKAtzZ_AgDVt8Nk6UeGRJ114E5xoj1iaWZfyw/s1600/M1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzoodIFUf3JAwgpjtquUjCixUgbzYu5i4Oo94FmLgwPsiguL8-34yiaLuiVjkHxGBreJfXHaeqU59oZIhcUH4o7DTenvO27dwPVSjepxKAtzZ_AgDVt8Nk6UeGRJ114E5xoj1iaWZfyw/s320/M1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716103361449727746" border="0" /></a><br />Now, take a look at one issue of <a href="http://issuu.com/tymonalexander/docs/androgenius__magazine__issuu_1">AndroGenius Magazine</a>.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />That's not androgyny at all.<br />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!<br />Androgyny is a way of life, natural, easy.<br /><br />In most asian countries, being androgynous comes naturally. In that sense, they are way ahead of western countries.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />I applaude the idea, but cannot applaude the result so far. Hopefully, with time, this magazine makes a statement in SL® fashion.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">NOTE: RL models in the photos above:</span><br style="font-style: italic;"><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo 1: Omayara Mota</span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo2: Brittani Kline</span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo 3: Andrej Pejic</span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo 4: Martin Core</span><br style="font-style: italic;"><!--Photo 1 - [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> 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priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="line-height:115%; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:PT;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" ><br style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-23137504352718364082012-01-20T11:27:00.000-08:002012-01-20T15:38:10.384-08:00Modavia Fashion DirectoryThis time, I'm not focusing on any SL fashion show.<br /><br />I usually follow the best SL Fashion Magazines, Avenue and Modavia. I'm aware that recently Modavia did an open casting for new models.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />This is what I call a conflict of interests.<br /><br />Modavia constantly features, as one of the Directories model [or supermodel], Poptart Lilliehook.<br />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.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNzTxhNS-A_j5ZYNgspCLbvPy_ynEqAJM5rzQ9P9nOyy7xI3vXRQWoHNVH6GeDWqWEJcwn3MTGUuUoicd5n5aKMeTatO4wf_kvaYshhGfagYtH3xUFPpA7m9dFt7GBDILBHWsAghxR_g/s1600/MDF22.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNzTxhNS-A_j5ZYNgspCLbvPy_ynEqAJM5rzQ9P9nOyy7xI3vXRQWoHNVH6GeDWqWEJcwn3MTGUuUoicd5n5aKMeTatO4wf_kvaYshhGfagYtH3xUFPpA7m9dFt7GBDILBHWsAghxR_g/s320/MDF22.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699854552684260002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Let's make it clear. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Let's see Avenue Magazine.<br />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!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRA0H2Ver_IFJq-vr_845DIVEsbhKmmoi_oeSMNrIEMLR68urWAmwYh5LJFgx4WLfcISVlkla4z_zwwPHdPfgUpJRCMo7AVB4MFixtO6wEFCbPuxE2sTOK5JfR9K_wIQxKkU8yDqxYhE/s1600/Avenue+Magazine.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRA0H2Ver_IFJq-vr_845DIVEsbhKmmoi_oeSMNrIEMLR68urWAmwYh5LJFgx4WLfcISVlkla4z_zwwPHdPfgUpJRCMo7AVB4MFixtO6wEFCbPuxE2sTOK5JfR9K_wIQxKkU8yDqxYhE/s320/Avenue+Magazine.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699855905104433410" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />It's time to step it up. To go after excellence, professionalism and make sure there are no misunderstandings for the Directory readers.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />On the other hand, one may question: it's Poptarts's magazine, she can do what she wants. Absolutely!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />The same applies to Modavia's Creative Director, Dahlia Joubert and Queen Watanabe - who happens to be partnered to Modavia's graphic designer.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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?<br /><br />I'm pretty sure lots of people related to the fashion industry in SL wonder the same.<br /><br />For a better look and for all of you to see what I mean, here are the links to both Magazines on Issuu.<br /><br /><a href="http://issuu.com/modavia_fashion_directory/docs/mfd22">Modavia Fashion Directory 22</a><br /><a href="http://issuu.com/avenue/docs/avenue.december2011"><br />Avenue Magazine December 2011</a><br /><br />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.Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-29254275469144679502011-10-02T01:50:00.001-07:002011-10-02T02:25:58.908-07:00A good exercise with OGlam Models<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: normal;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Around the middle of September, I was able to take some raw snapshots of a fashion show by OGlam Models. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">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. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>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:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">- How did they style themselves? Was the outfit the best to showcase the jewelry sets properly?</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">- How did they pose? Were the poses good to enhance the showcased jewelry and also to enhance elegance?</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">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.</span> <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Black and white tones seemed to be a requirement as all models were wearing these two tones in their outfits. </span><br /></div></div><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">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. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>Model 1<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJG-pvqOZtyqBM_CKONXDWCSaaYhQuZXnfWwx7G3KaIOkNR30c_VI0sIQAqaN8e7tBW4OA83lZejTOKjHlXCKl7YWuiMVza-0qT56X8_O6u-dHiF7LkU_CZPsNxngRJaZHBRrjun38Anc/s1600/Model+1A+%25281%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJG-pvqOZtyqBM_CKONXDWCSaaYhQuZXnfWwx7G3KaIOkNR30c_VI0sIQAqaN8e7tBW4OA83lZejTOKjHlXCKl7YWuiMVza-0qT56X8_O6u-dHiF7LkU_CZPsNxngRJaZHBRrjun38Anc/s320/Model+1A+%25281%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658816024720357010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrybdLIKC1TEGjvTdo9w17RvyiOdctzkzmFCdutk3wy7Cv3a23orU_ttlTkULWFHAAdsSuD2anFVZEBgQ6xiTY3AF3IVa8d3TCAq5flGSjuLQpC0-rrv8IgTOfDApYDEIjk_o2gTWbG5o/s1600/Model+1A+%25282%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrybdLIKC1TEGjvTdo9w17RvyiOdctzkzmFCdutk3wy7Cv3a23orU_ttlTkULWFHAAdsSuD2anFVZEBgQ6xiTY3AF3IVa8d3TCAq5flGSjuLQpC0-rrv8IgTOfDApYDEIjk_o2gTWbG5o/s320/Model+1A+%25282%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658816020094242882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GcFdSokRnPaRtrs6hAvd8EuvH8DjAUMjsCj34GlMF-DQwM8nTDRZdn2fKFDOYZTzBE9M_mhqLYqiBY8f79Hu9DeNMfTEtDIkuOmNO9mq85JGTABE7ErMqH2F4maxyl5qtDW9BZ0mSY8/s1600/Model+1A+%25283%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GcFdSokRnPaRtrs6hAvd8EuvH8DjAUMjsCj34GlMF-DQwM8nTDRZdn2fKFDOYZTzBE9M_mhqLYqiBY8f79Hu9DeNMfTEtDIkuOmNO9mq85JGTABE7ErMqH2F4maxyl5qtDW9BZ0mSY8/s320/Model+1A+%25283%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658816022314280370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCz227wdunbzdZeZUXocZ7Nk8lTYaAo4347VYNYI2R3o1wHdpAZikvlM6Byg58Cqd-s4l95OrvwqiEDqZ5DwPyof3fSamiJ14jjpQgqBIXI9AZNuFEHknfl3LNUTmyHs4bQLm6Vuukp9k/s1600/Model+1A+%25284%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCz227wdunbzdZeZUXocZ7Nk8lTYaAo4347VYNYI2R3o1wHdpAZikvlM6Byg58Cqd-s4l95OrvwqiEDqZ5DwPyof3fSamiJ14jjpQgqBIXI9AZNuFEHknfl3LNUTmyHs4bQLm6Vuukp9k/s320/Model+1A+%25284%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658816016060120258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Model 2<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPmwEppHNaB2gdZFg2Cq_qJxeP7DVN06T6gfxsJzKfWFBL8GmoGwcf4npSCYAIDWqIupQ62OjGtuHvyw3IJ_rMwr_Caj65p0tB13TV6QLjaJD_nGAbqlyrGzkkUwj8XeIXkX-ONSggZ4/s1600/Model2+%25281%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPmwEppHNaB2gdZFg2Cq_qJxeP7DVN06T6gfxsJzKfWFBL8GmoGwcf4npSCYAIDWqIupQ62OjGtuHvyw3IJ_rMwr_Caj65p0tB13TV6QLjaJD_nGAbqlyrGzkkUwj8XeIXkX-ONSggZ4/s320/Model2+%25281%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815792496442002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtaf3OWb5TF0sf3AIxlAZPYqrwAkr7RPDKuDAc-yRMnXC1nk4rE3ySvaoiLbFX-rKWWUtge0IfXR67jQwH6lFroWwt2pktOqr8Ogu9FbU-cZHJ8LngokDlkrq0JI4_AVSivJfU_ZXTp4/s1600/Model2+%25282%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtaf3OWb5TF0sf3AIxlAZPYqrwAkr7RPDKuDAc-yRMnXC1nk4rE3ySvaoiLbFX-rKWWUtge0IfXR67jQwH6lFroWwt2pktOqr8Ogu9FbU-cZHJ8LngokDlkrq0JI4_AVSivJfU_ZXTp4/s320/Model2+%25282%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815791800262498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmfd5X2ULmktB8p6KIRpqdavmtnVVX-oDw3acS5XGV1_rG6gxhEfCaUcFCTr2CLrYkiP339DdXJJAQhVOOTPRbR9hS-SyZjIVI7y3UpdSzFT-SiNp1bY5Xh0H_2cIHlEbdSF7zfExC0U/s1600/Model2+%25283%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmfd5X2ULmktB8p6KIRpqdavmtnVVX-oDw3acS5XGV1_rG6gxhEfCaUcFCTr2CLrYkiP339DdXJJAQhVOOTPRbR9hS-SyZjIVI7y3UpdSzFT-SiNp1bY5Xh0H_2cIHlEbdSF7zfExC0U/s320/Model2+%25283%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815787205772370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Model 3</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatSS0jP2bgSYT0oYGggChPX-UbaUZGxsC88DFrp41Rz8FTp5bCVMoxWq_RMDiuQT5VcD-qb88-BcKrTEqmeF_d8OeRPIUj2ulUl4_TMzrg2xgdutYnm5WL9NnCPtPKanSUYTvJl7N_WA/s1600/Model3+%25281%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatSS0jP2bgSYT0oYGggChPX-UbaUZGxsC88DFrp41Rz8FTp5bCVMoxWq_RMDiuQT5VcD-qb88-BcKrTEqmeF_d8OeRPIUj2ulUl4_TMzrg2xgdutYnm5WL9NnCPtPKanSUYTvJl7N_WA/s320/Model3+%25281%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815576616495202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22_LwDWYjrB-vH8AvaZCBBY1ZxheZTRYcwdVqGbT6Ze-1oXbnM9CETK6gMOZDm7cUkulUmX5F1af3BFhaPrRz7DzE3LAKSTJc4tjXt3ot27RtTWQzeMLMbK7mo7V_p6PHLYHtVIAnnXM/s1600/Model3+%25282%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22_LwDWYjrB-vH8AvaZCBBY1ZxheZTRYcwdVqGbT6Ze-1oXbnM9CETK6gMOZDm7cUkulUmX5F1af3BFhaPrRz7DzE3LAKSTJc4tjXt3ot27RtTWQzeMLMbK7mo7V_p6PHLYHtVIAnnXM/s320/Model3+%25282%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815574168443074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRvCa2q98ZmjrC2RiekaaXevVqG6KmiVk-rTcEyOHs3mU18JTZQ_j1wUBQszmjmBCeIc-5XoQoepk4YRKQD1lLrB4SshhD-sv-mvd69I4DU6xtPfHBnNKzfG_O9yuMltvYATFNcsSqIo/s1600/Model3+%25283%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRvCa2q98ZmjrC2RiekaaXevVqG6KmiVk-rTcEyOHs3mU18JTZQ_j1wUBQszmjmBCeIc-5XoQoepk4YRKQD1lLrB4SshhD-sv-mvd69I4DU6xtPfHBnNKzfG_O9yuMltvYATFNcsSqIo/s320/Model3+%25283%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815576123573394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1NJ9eJLMD8gddLcC4MSpixsX1MyhIgbDSbmTD-PVzZs99SO3WXuORli2YvltGIH2QXmQdO3uIMmZZqi8TOjJU7eBCx9qSyThnMK1u3UxgBQlUwgVobGrIk9_PkTZuYLPM35CZWAtRMQ/s1600/Model3+%25284%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1NJ9eJLMD8gddLcC4MSpixsX1MyhIgbDSbmTD-PVzZs99SO3WXuORli2YvltGIH2QXmQdO3uIMmZZqi8TOjJU7eBCx9qSyThnMK1u3UxgBQlUwgVobGrIk9_PkTZuYLPM35CZWAtRMQ/s320/Model3+%25284%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815568059276578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Model 4</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVYfonIYHCVuHVTQIVk-TQWFTOoz3MEVcjeniIaxFqYQGguxDuoLQH0jff6KOzn1u5ofQmm1z6Y3MuBrh9-XgdEigoXg_AZVMSsOiR5G8ueX2sFe0FvJ_hvRHvvBXjT8b2qPk20yJOCY/s1600/Model4+%25281%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVYfonIYHCVuHVTQIVk-TQWFTOoz3MEVcjeniIaxFqYQGguxDuoLQH0jff6KOzn1u5ofQmm1z6Y3MuBrh9-XgdEigoXg_AZVMSsOiR5G8ueX2sFe0FvJ_hvRHvvBXjT8b2qPk20yJOCY/s320/Model4+%25281%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815323399198050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Nrwp0rose7k0bTWsU6J7Y1H0GfPFt832NaxNJ2jZinO483X-GilM_7mKbu_vP-bvO_L5934UZkPClHUWikkfu5eamatF18QMkZKIXcEudYulVBMRBCA_xEiTjtOv2BIMLNwqdqmhdEI/s1600/Model4+%25282%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Nrwp0rose7k0bTWsU6J7Y1H0GfPFt832NaxNJ2jZinO483X-GilM_7mKbu_vP-bvO_L5934UZkPClHUWikkfu5eamatF18QMkZKIXcEudYulVBMRBCA_xEiTjtOv2BIMLNwqdqmhdEI/s320/Model4+%25282%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815321422574578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7eW8WlYdBU5BH-cc2v74-2Xf3QKcZS_cb3Y6tl2cX_MKU7_3mpa1FfVYTpvy51bUfYvgmWcNbiqHapDtm7C1wbU5FjOMJr_VIPdcEF1TQMsSsHsLMXVUEkCrTOujKB0ZBaM2TY7D45c/s1600/Model4+%25283%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7eW8WlYdBU5BH-cc2v74-2Xf3QKcZS_cb3Y6tl2cX_MKU7_3mpa1FfVYTpvy51bUfYvgmWcNbiqHapDtm7C1wbU5FjOMJr_VIPdcEF1TQMsSsHsLMXVUEkCrTOujKB0ZBaM2TY7D45c/s320/Model4+%25283%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815321577802066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg1Fv1TeRMJWaAYG8Oetxwv4P5bdwjNUaXMvQAcB8m9ysVlyXoJYoeHqIbqhp28ILdIhGp_PvsnuBpm8c41fObw2UG6JABELNGuyLL9gQ8nBaaUl7wBy0Lo3Mw6xOGZLErWf-nzWM_e8/s1600/Model4+%25284%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg1Fv1TeRMJWaAYG8Oetxwv4P5bdwjNUaXMvQAcB8m9ysVlyXoJYoeHqIbqhp28ILdIhGp_PvsnuBpm8c41fObw2UG6JABELNGuyLL9gQ8nBaaUl7wBy0Lo3Mw6xOGZLErWf-nzWM_e8/s320/Model4+%25284%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815318558809138" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Model 5</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HwJFq58vZEc2J54xLA9pNwEDzFTvfdC5IO9EwMAmnCIHp2sf0HA4d676KFUl_bI77ns5Gs26u8F1qLYTN7Y_w7dC6iXYUI5e1q8CHWCfDIHBfnyRMwBpgv3ixQxTQQxQlBqg8TVXCWQ/s1600/Model5+%25281%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HwJFq58vZEc2J54xLA9pNwEDzFTvfdC5IO9EwMAmnCIHp2sf0HA4d676KFUl_bI77ns5Gs26u8F1qLYTN7Y_w7dC6iXYUI5e1q8CHWCfDIHBfnyRMwBpgv3ixQxTQQxQlBqg8TVXCWQ/s320/Model5+%25281%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815049198463618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYyeM96Tr2QQT0pJfphiWGL3vnBYp2dv5N1NUHtoQP1XYENxSQk4bkQFC0nhr0l0l2SAKsliiloPjaJIAgopx1SvRABFrUkwdcjPkaQjOCrGNY3fJsmDm99LOIRATHx5begJbGgeVAOY/s1600/Model5+%25282%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYyeM96Tr2QQT0pJfphiWGL3vnBYp2dv5N1NUHtoQP1XYENxSQk4bkQFC0nhr0l0l2SAKsliiloPjaJIAgopx1SvRABFrUkwdcjPkaQjOCrGNY3fJsmDm99LOIRATHx5begJbGgeVAOY/s320/Model5+%25282%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815047859155442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hGLQO4BsQj95eJsW2vhaeAowmyUro7Z-O4cBl6mxOtNEfDJrEVyzYDZPGg03mYaaPmDrbVgZvVxD66C8Blf5Ur0XSzpMtvmPXz5BWYUrJ35or8OZfVyQTRVz2flaGjH-EGJwzUqd4sc/s1600/Model5+%25283%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hGLQO4BsQj95eJsW2vhaeAowmyUro7Z-O4cBl6mxOtNEfDJrEVyzYDZPGg03mYaaPmDrbVgZvVxD66C8Blf5Ur0XSzpMtvmPXz5BWYUrJ35or8OZfVyQTRVz2flaGjH-EGJwzUqd4sc/s320/Model5+%25283%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658815039773595410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Model 6</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgzvDNya94f-PYJAUK7BooUwWsCrEmUmVzIOfrQGpbD7zUduxqf6BoSDbkxv0T1d6y6pmF9UHBj8sEQSvQFaMGjKHLJUhZpQnr7Ho9iLDbk0tDzHtBi7BNnxfAI5ik8NkWoUcEU1b3_M/s1600/Model6.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgzvDNya94f-PYJAUK7BooUwWsCrEmUmVzIOfrQGpbD7zUduxqf6BoSDbkxv0T1d6y6pmF9UHBj8sEQSvQFaMGjKHLJUhZpQnr7Ho9iLDbk0tDzHtBi7BNnxfAI5ik8NkWoUcEU1b3_M/s320/Model6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658814754624998018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBRFZy8_46YN_LnIQn1et1zQOMxv7bN4jHv0fcEuZxQZtEtbWJaupsMeUedq3wElL8_1m9c2191h0Y6MNBmeHwOkNAyWO40DMM71kOlMwD0R-1j0lVANrPWteOVlpjBWE0peqKHfsy4A/s1600/Model6+%25282%2529.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBRFZy8_46YN_LnIQn1et1zQOMxv7bN4jHv0fcEuZxQZtEtbWJaupsMeUedq3wElL8_1m9c2191h0Y6MNBmeHwOkNAyWO40DMM71kOlMwD0R-1j0lVANrPWteOVlpjBWE0peqKHfsy4A/s320/Model6+%25282%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658814755557290658" border="0" /></a><br />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.Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-87418963392519646062011-09-29T11:35:00.001-07:002011-09-30T07:20:39.947-07:00Fashion Weeks in RLIt's always interesting to keep up to date with RL Fashion. From Milan to Paris - where Fashion week is going on as I type.<br /><br />Just take a look - as an example at Trussardi's show at Milan, last week.<br /><br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dR5dHy8hvUE?rel=0&hd=1" frameborder="0" width="315" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Or Dolce & Gabbana's<br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eiq_aiMHlRU?rel=0&hd=1" frameborder="0" width="315" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />There is no particular highlight of red color. So, what I've heard in SL, from some self nominated 'fashion experts', red is not particularly trendy. Especially if we think that fashion is always two seasons ahead.<br /><br />What actresses wear at some ceremonies - like the Emmys - is one thing. Another, completely different, is the work done by designers, as part of their creations, that are being showcased at this precise moment in the best European cities. Red is included in the collections and so are other colors, with a clear tendence to flowery patters; black is also trendy for 2012 Spring/Summer Collections, as you can see. Nude colors are some of the favorites, too.<br /><br />Paris is now on it's fashion week.<br /><br />Yesterday, September 28th, was Gareth Pugh's Show. Worth to watch!<br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/geyKt8-UJ7g?rel=0&hd=1" frameborder="0" width="315" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Fashion experts in SL are just a few.<br />All of those involved in the fashion industry in SL should really take a good look at RL fashion and how it's going. Probably if some 'experts' did this, they wouldn't try to start their own color fashion trends, based on--- the Emmy's Awards (????!!!).<br /><br />Let's see who in SL will follow the 'red trend' that, simply came from an egomaniac mind, that likes to watch actresses on the screen, instead of real models and fashion shows.<br /><br />As usual, I'll be around ;)Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-71628250250123980662011-09-22T01:48:00.000-07:002011-09-22T02:08:27.230-07:00Modavia did it again!Modavia Fashion Week 2011 was a huge event! <br />Being able to pull up a week of fashion shows, four SL designers a day is outstanding!<br /><br />I won't be showing you photos, you can see them in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/modavia/collections/72157627290524863/">Modavia's Flickr page</a>.<br />Plus, since I am a dedicated anonymous, I didn't have access to the VIP area, and it was hard to take photos from the audience sim.<br /><br />Done in SL in the same time period as RL New York Fashion Week, this event must have had a great team behind it.<br /><br />To have a fashion week with one show a day is easier, for sure.<br /><br />Modavia had amazing sets, simple as a fashion show set usually is, and yet very well set up: the runway, the set colors, the models, the designers' creations, the music.<br /><br />Again, it was really extraordinaire! To recreate a RL fashion week in SL is quite an accomplishment! <br /><br />Modavia did it two years in a row. Last year was very good too, this year was even better!<br /><br />A company that manages to do this in SL - with all SL's restrictions that we're all aware of - is something!<br /><br />Known as being sharp in my critiques, this time, I have nothing negative to say.<br />It was done in such a professional way that it really looked like we were in a RL fashion event. In my personal opinion, this is what SL is about, in terms of all that surrounds the fashion industry. It mimics RL as it should be.<br /><br />No wonder so many SL models want to be represented by Modavia. Quality work is the word any model should aspire to.<br /><br />Congratulations Modavia for a work well done, well executed, representing with dignity and respect [and I bet lots of hard work and dedication] all SL fashion creators and designers!<br /><br />==============<br />I'm preparing a post - coming up next - of a fashion show I photographed. It's going to be a styling and pose exercise to all SL models. Again, I look for quality and I'm very harsh on pedantic and 'know it all' kind of people. As usual, I'll be around ;)Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008018032563642425.post-71006588468018958642011-07-03T11:28:00.001-07:002011-07-03T12:11:21.074-07:00Miss and Mister Virtual World 2012Yes, you all thought I had vanished ;) no! I'm always here, watching.<br /><br />SL Models have been improving, that's why I don't feel the need to write as much as I used to; until these two events came up, again. Still, for some reason beyond my comprehension, SL Models aim at these two beauty pageants.<br /><br />I'm making Mr Frolic Mills happy, because I'm talking about his things again. I'm glad I make him feel so important.<br /><br />Now, to the point. I just watched one of MrVirtual World challenges, which was to style according to some samples that were provided to the candidates. These samples are public, they were provided in the NC sent out in the Group's invitation to the event. That's why I'm publishing them.<br /><br />I didn't take photos of the candidates, but I'm showing you the samples that were supposed to inspire them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrISo-pEBlJs7xLtPLV6AnV7Req3GE6kslsJku8vg8QlwGbn_3DXOP7aDf9hAfaW901lcD6TxeXXg1hEbIviKZILAEThqySUrv0OksyLBedLzGK-Oi9Al3DzGdumhpDZMFZR5r6WPEMw/s1600/sample1.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrISo-pEBlJs7xLtPLV6AnV7Req3GE6kslsJku8vg8QlwGbn_3DXOP7aDf9hAfaW901lcD6TxeXXg1hEbIviKZILAEThqySUrv0OksyLBedLzGK-Oi9Al3DzGdumhpDZMFZR5r6WPEMw/s320/sample1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625197488341509986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF-DqxiD46NTicOM9UsBLYfZXhx3gZXgirbyLCK57Hf9D7MGOAdK_iI572QPr-rQMaVkBwQoO0tIa_q_5_vgLPQ8ug5ej3s-Ecam3BwHabDKTWK6r3hwwL_HnwuHE3l71EDVGOlj08GM/s1600/sample2.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF-DqxiD46NTicOM9UsBLYfZXhx3gZXgirbyLCK57Hf9D7MGOAdK_iI572QPr-rQMaVkBwQoO0tIa_q_5_vgLPQ8ug5ej3s-Ecam3BwHabDKTWK6r3hwwL_HnwuHE3l71EDVGOlj08GM/s320/sample2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625197469066380898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-T_nzjIAsobmXcGMtqrcRfxZqXEIgBZM1UwIcmnTP2rpm-NmhAu9cwC6wgNhcZk5dQwp7z8gqEwtNhjAUUyQv12_LtoCqaOzpGeVkpM8Uognq8b-rrpx1REvlWRiOWL4uh8CXDC_SMNc/s1600/sample3.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-T_nzjIAsobmXcGMtqrcRfxZqXEIgBZM1UwIcmnTP2rpm-NmhAu9cwC6wgNhcZk5dQwp7z8gqEwtNhjAUUyQv12_LtoCqaOzpGeVkpM8Uognq8b-rrpx1REvlWRiOWL4uh8CXDC_SMNc/s320/sample3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625197461107940514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w20RBT73-p4tCIee76KD0ijRix5IlaywZ1XDSyLQLWFMN7NhyaOBSIV7TlO0YnpgsLLg-nLJnCuWpqRIdaPzeZjCnqDt1kkreRmqozbf7uFqsorOjqN_dQe9ORlqM4QcGnEM5xAZEoc/s1600/sample4.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w20RBT73-p4tCIee76KD0ijRix5IlaywZ1XDSyLQLWFMN7NhyaOBSIV7TlO0YnpgsLLg-nLJnCuWpqRIdaPzeZjCnqDt1kkreRmqozbf7uFqsorOjqN_dQe9ORlqM4QcGnEM5xAZEoc/s320/sample4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625197458442250786" border="0" /></a><br />Personally, I think this was an excellent challenge. To style this isn't easy and only some people can do it right. As you can see, there's a lot of black.<br /><br />That was what most candidates did: they styled themselves in black. However, it was tough to see, because only a few, maybe one or two candidates really grasped this casual/high fashion style.<br /><br />To wear black doesn't mean they really understood the challenge. Almost all of them wore black boots, just like the samples.<br /><br />One of the candidates decided to style fantasy and wore a white dress, not walking on the runway but floating. I don't think that this was the idea of this styling challenge. He completely missed it. He stood out, yes, but for ther wrong reasons.<br /><br />Obviously, everybody is intitled to their opinion, but, come on!!! The male candidates for Mr Virtual World need to step it up!!<br /><br />Probably one or two really grasped the styling concept of this challenge. The rest of the candidates, didn't stand out for styling this impeccably. Actually, the two best candidates in this challenge were quite discrete and styled as real models, not fantasy. Exactly applying these samples they were given to their own style.<br /><br />It was a disappoitment for me; it was quite a challenge indeed! Not many people have the skill to style that.<br /><br />_______________________<br /><br />Now, to Miss Virtual World Candidates. It's time for selections and live auditions and they will go on, still.<br /><br />This weekend was one of the live castings; the second, I believe.<br />As a Fashion Critique, observing SL Models for quite some time and also observing these beauty pageants, the live casting for the female candidates was probably the worst I have ever watched in SL!<br /><br />It's obvious that I know that some of those candidates are already modeling in SL. Let me tell you, it was hard to watch; I remember clearly one of the candidates in particular; she went to a live audition for MVW wearing a full leather black bodysuit with long boots!!! Then, she posed! I almost lost my temper there! This candidate to Miss Virtual World (these female avatars are supposed to be the most beautiful and elegant and so on and so on) used an old pose, the poses that were used like three years ago, that are very quick and have the two fingers pointed - you know what I mean, right?. She posed like that! I almost lost it!<br /><br />Oh she stood out alright!! As the worst avatar I've seen in my SL, on a runway!!! Here is where I thought to myself 'probably, if the female candidates keep being like this, SL professional models will understand that this is not a contest for them, but for those who look for fame; not professionalism, but fame. '<br /><br />I hope I really hope that SL Models understand that a modeling career in SL comes from hard work and not really fame - this kind of fame, that's what I mean.<br /><br />There is something going on in SL - regarding shapes, skins, styling skills - cause the quality in these two beauty pageants is decreasing rapidly.Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979539614915459842noreply@blogger.com4