Archive for November, 2009

I’m aglow. Here’s hoping all enjoyed an incredible Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends; or at least had as good a time as legally allowed by your state or country this weekend. Today’s interview is with Chalice Carling’s favorite finalist!

Miss United Kingdom, Ella Quinsette

Ella: I’m a very down to earth, caring person that will help anyone with anything if it’s within my capabilities and I love to do so. I am kind and have a good sense of humor. I love fashion and am in my element when styling outfits. I love to mix and match clothes from various designers to achieve the look I want. I like to rise to any challenges set.

Kate: How do you spend your time in SL, any hobbies?
Ella: I usually spend my free time shopping, I am a true shopaholic. I also like to visit new places in Second Life. There are so many beautiful sims. I find it very relaxing going roaming about exploring. I also love to go dancing with friends. Lately I have wanted to learn more about SL photography. It is something I would love to learn more about. Other than that I spend a lot of time styling outfits. I also love all of my jobs in SL they rarely feel like work as I usually have great fun.
Kate: I bet working for Lion is very interesting. (I love the dollhouse and forbidden skins, btw)
Ella: Working for Lion is amazing, she is sooo much fun, but what I love most about Lion is that she’s honest and genuine and very approachable, she’s always thinking of ways to involve her members and listens to their choices, and usually incorporates their ideas into her future plans. She’s crazy and maybe I am wrong for saying that, lol, but normal is boring and I adore her, she knows this. I am also a huge fan of her work. I love all of her skins, each new skin series gets better and better. She truly amazes me.
Kate: Ha, she shocked me… I was dithering over what skin to buy and she came to me and dropped three on me, lol. That was my introduction to Lion.
Ella: Yes, nearly everyone I speak to says Lion has given them skins. lol I keep telling her you’re too kind to run a business lol but she’s fantastic and I think it’s nice she’s generous to everyone.
Kate: I see that you are involved in model education! It must be fun to interact with the new eager, fresh faces.
Ella: Yes, that is one of my favorite jobs, I love seeing the students come all fresh faced, nervous and eager to learn, and then watching them blossom throughout the two week course we run. Finally seeing them in their graduation show is always such a proud moment for me and the other instructors. It’s great when they love to keep in touch and you see how their career grows, there is no feeling quite like it and what I love more is sometimes they teach me too, you’re never too old to learn new tricks. I’m so very proud of all our graduates.
Kate: I find I have to slightly tune how I walk every time SL issues a new client. And it seems like someone is always innovating with poses and AO’s… and now there are several different client viewers…how do you keep up?
Ella: I have exactly the same problems, for shows I always revert back to the main Second Life Viewer; I find that I have the least problems with that, though lately SL seems to be getting laggier than ever before. I use different client viewers for different reasons for example the Emerald Viewer has some beautiful sky options which are fantastic for photography and it has the added feature of having double attachment points which can be really handy and as I say I use the main client viewer for shows. I love going pose shopping, there are so many different pose creators available now and it’s nice to have a wide variety to suit all my needs for photography or runway. I love that everything is always evolving and I am looking forward to the future of AO’s, poses, walks etc. I keep up to date with all the latest places to shop, through friends and groups I am in, everyone is always so helpful to one another.
Kate: Yes… it keeps modeling exciting! Lovely picture in your Lionskin profile picture!

Ella: Yes it does keep modeling exciting. Awww thank you! My good friend Amerique took it Actually that picture was my Miss Virtual World application photo
Kate: So… with the grand finale only a short time away… are you ready? Are you excited? What are your thoughts?
Ella: I am sooo excited, but also very nervous, I know it’s a huge event. I am not ready for it yet no, I still have a few things to prepare, and my fabulous designers are still working their magic from some of my ideas. I can’t wait to see what they come up.  I remember last years finalist and all the amazing clothes that the designers had made, it blew my mind I can’t wait to see what all the designers come up with this year for everyone. I will definitely be going shopping the day after the finals lol. I never thought for a moment I would be up there this year with such an amazing group of models, who each in their own right deserve to win I am so glad I am not a judge lol. I would also like to wish each of them the best of luck.
Kate: Well, this year, you ladies have taken it to a completely new level. It amazes me how hard you all are working on this!
Ella: Everyone has truly amazed me and the challenges this year have really been something for us all too really rises to the challenge. Everyone is so helpful to one another even though it’s a contest it rarely feels like it. It’s been great fun. I love it.
Kate: So is there anything we missed…. anything you would like to speak to before we close?
Ella: I would just like to take the chance to say thank you to the judges for choosing me as a finalist and also to everyone that has helped, supported and  encouraged me before, and during this contest it really means the world to me. So thank you. Thank you to you too Kate for this fantastic opportunity to talk with you and let people know more about me.
Kate: Oh! You are very welcome!!!! One last question…
Ella: Sure ask away
Kate: Any advice you would give an applicant to MVW next year?
Ella: Yes, my main advice would be to never give up. I applied to MVW in 2008 and did not even make it to pre-finals stage, but this was something I dreamed of and with the support of my friends I tried again and amazingly I was chosen as a finalist. So yes my main advice is never give up, if you want something bad enough give it all you have and then a little bit more. Dreams can come true.

The Grand Finals for the Miss Virtual World will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a senior staff writer for Best of Second Life Magazine, a retired SL Mentor and a Miss Virtual World Organization executive. She was last year’s Miss Sweden and winner of Miss Congeniality.

Thanksgiving is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in North America. 38.4 million will travel fifty or more miles from home to consume over 675 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday,  marks the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season when retailer’s profits go from red  (loss) to black (gain).

Miss Costa Rica, Nisa Constantine

Nisa: I am a very down to earth, friendly, unassuming person who is actually quite shy believe it or not.  I do love to meet new people and I am always eager to have new experiences.  I think that natural curiosity and love of learning new things has gone a long way to helping me overcome that shyness.  In fact, that combination of qualities is what has ultimately led me to the MVW finals.  A friend of mine who models contacted me to participate in a photo shoot for a designer.  The designer loved my look and asked me to pose for a number of ads and walk in a fashion show.  I knew nothing of modeling and the thought of being front and center on a runway terrified me.  However, she needed me and I would have a chance to learn and experience something new.  So I enrolled in modeling school and 4 months later here I am!

Kate: Do you have other hobbies or interests in SL? What do you do in your spare time?
Nisa: I love music so I learned how to deejay and I do live broadcasts for 2 internet radio stations.  I love to explore so I spend time traveling the grid, finding beautiful places and collecting LM’s.  I’m now also a chicken farmer thanks to Digit Darkes LOL!  I was shopping in her store a couple of weeks ago and she had a gift out for her customers.  I got it home and it was a Sion chicken egg!  I hatched it and now I’m hooked!
Kate: Can you give the stream URLs for the radio stations? Is there a regular time you broadcast?
Nisa: Oh I sure can.
 
Black Soul Rhythms Radio: 
Saturday 5pm – 7pm SLT
RL:  http://bit.ly/3IMCB6
SL: http://BlackSoulRhythms.neostreams.info:8000

KHNY – HONEY 103:
Wednesday 8am -10am SLT
Friday 6pm-8pm SLT
RL: http://bit.ly/xaYvT
SL: http://apple.neostreams.info:12634

Kate: Tell me more about the styles of music you like. What makes your heart sing and body move? Who are some of your favorite groups or recording artists?
Nisa: I truly love music of all types so I would have to say that music period makes my heart sing and body move.  I listen to just about any and everything.  R&B, NeoSoul, HipHop, World Music, Pop, Rock, Classical there’s even some Country music I like!  Any type of music can make my heart sing especially if I can relate to the lyrics.  I am such a lyrics person!!  Those people who know me best in and out of SL can gauge my mood by the music I play.

Kate: So… let’s switch gears back to the pageant…. you and I have talked about this before, but I think the fans would be interested in your thoughts and feelings about being relatively new to modeling yet thrown into the fast stream and deep currents of MVW!
Nisa: Well to say that this has been a whirlwind would be a huge understatement. It has been challenging to say the least and at times overwhelming. Yet, it has helped me learn so much about myself and I’ve grown as a person due to those challenges
Kate: Yes, I imagine someone on the outside might be very envious of your opportunity without ever understanding how hard you have had to work!
Nisa: Things always seem easier from the outside looking in.  I also think there is a tendency to look at the modeling industry and assume that there’s nothing to it.  I’ve had people ask me how hard it is to dress up in pretty clothes and walk down a runway and back. However, it isn’t as easy as it may appear.  I think we have to be mindful that most things appear easy to do when they are done very well. That is a testament to the skill of the individual walking the runway, taking the photo, writing the article, etc. I think the hardest part of all this was knowing that there were people who had already written me off because I wasn’t well known or as experienced as the other contestants.
Kate:  They were doing you a favor… motivating you!
Nisa: That’s it. It did motivate me.
Kate: So with the finals just a short time away… how do you feel? Have you caught up? Are you ready?
Nisa: I’m very excited about the finals and very happy that the end is near.  I don’t believe that it is ever possible to be “caught up.”  I’m an educator from a family of educators so I’ve always been taught that there is always something to be learned.  There is always room for improvement.  Have my skills improved? Yes, definitely!  Am I the best I can possibly be?  No, absolutely not.  I don’t ever plan to get complacent or rest on my laurels.  There is a poem called “Good, Better, Best” that my parents taught me and that I always teach my students.  My good is better, now I’m working on making my better best which is a lifelong process.
Kate: My music teacher always said perfect practice makes better.
Nisa: lol, exactly.
Kate: Yours is one of the most interesting stories of the finalists to me… what advice would you give to an applicant next year, who is considering entering… but maybe on the fence for one reason or another…
Nisa: Experience is important, but it is not the single most important factor in determining success or failure. I would advise any applicant to follow her dream and her heart.  However, what she lacks in experience she must make up for with her work ethic and willingness to learn.

The Grand Finals for the Miss Virtual World will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a senior staff writer for Best of Second Life Magazine, a retired SL Mentor and a Miss Virtual World Organization executive. She was last year’s Miss Sweden and winner of Miss Congeniality.

Words escape me.  With joy this jaded heart warms again to an in-world performance of original music. Thank you motimotimoti Campese. Today on Up Close and Personal, we meet a finalist who will do something on the blog that has never been done before. Enjoy!

Miss Holland, Melanie Sautereau

Melanie: I’m representing Holland and Holland is the country I was born and raised. I was raised in a loving family, who always was helping others in need and showed me and others the definition of respect. There was a time my mother and me were alone for a few years due several circumstances. I was 8 at that time. I will always remember that time, because we were very poor and sometimes my mother didn’t eat because she had to feed me. She always thought about everyone else, to make them happy. Many things happened in those years and its a detailed story, it makes me stronger and it gave me other and even better standards and values I believe. I really look up to my mother; she’s a very strong, caring and loving woman. She’s a fighter, and so am I. I will never pretend like some one else. What you see is what you get. I’m very reliable and committed with my modeling work and I have an unprecedented perseverance. Every achievement or disappointment makes me even stronger and more energetic. And I always feel it’s like something to learn from. I take my SL very serious and I live this life like it would be my RL. That means that I care about everyone and I have respect for every human being.  I might have a sweet and cute appearance, but I have a strong personality and I know my standards and values. I’m very open minded, always willing to help and my heart is open to everyone…. Many hugs to the fans and thank you! (And I’m kinda nervous about this interview, haha)

Kate: WOW, that’s a first! An RL picture! How do you spend your time on SL? Any hobbies?
Melanie: When I’m on SL I am very busy with modeling most of the time.. Not only walking fashion shows or photo shoots, but I also spend a lot of time with finding the right outfit to show myself off. I lovveee to mix and match different designs and find a perfect combination. I believe that’s one hobby Besides modeling, I also teach. It’s great to learn people everything you know, and when people come to me afterwards and saying “thank you Mel, for your help”. It always gives me a smile, I’m glad to help others. Another hobby is to chat with my friends here. We don’t see each other very often, but I speak with them every day via IM mostly. My friends are very, very important to me.
Kate: Your matching of the copper accessories with the peach gown in the designer challenge II last week was brilliant!
Melanie: Thank you so much Kate! When I saw that outfit, I was like WOW! Dezi Jarvinen did an amazing job with this dress. It has a great texture and it’s very well detailed. I wanted to create a natural look. Normally I go for unusual like big hair or big attachments. But this time I felt the need to keep it simple. And again, it took me a few hours to find this combination. I’m such a perfectionist and it drives me crazy sometimes, lol. But, I enjoy it so much
Kate: Yes, I think that is what impressed me so much, the simplicity, the shoe color and texture matched the jewelry. And I love understated hair. I went out and bought that style right after the show!
Melanie: I heard many people did. Well, W&Y has really great hair for every occasion. You really should check them all!

Kate: Is your teaching informal or are you part of an academy?
Melanie: Both, sometimes people are coming to me and ask me for advice, tips, etc about modeling.. I really like that. At the EIMA agency, I teach other models about modeling and the runway routine EIMA has. The models there are already well trained, but It’s good to keep on practicing, improving your skills and watching others modeling. Opium recently opened their Fashion Academy, which is very advanced. You can learn about modeling, fashion design, show script writing, styling, etc… I’m going to be Opium’s stylist and I can’t wait to get started.
Kate: I just ran into Mallory the other day. I love her so much. It was so nice to see her again. Maybe it’s selfish of me, but Opium is her vision, I’m hoping she gets re-involved.
Melanie: I got hired at Opium the day Mallory left. So I didn’t get the chance to really get to know her. But you know Mallory is working with Opium again? She’s back, and we’re so glad to have her with us again.
Kate: That’s great! Great news!
Melanie: Yes, it certainly is
Kate: I love it when good things happen in SL.
Melanie: Yes, I agree It always makes me smile
Kate: Melanie, congratulations on being a finalist!
Melanie: Entering the MVW pageant was the best thing I could do in my SL life. MVW gives me the opportunity to be creative. The positive attention is great, and I thank every person who believes in me. I met really friendly girls and made new friends.
Kate: Melanie, your impressive series of challenge stylings for the Miss Virtual World contest have brought you a great deal of attention. One might even say you are among the front-runners. What are your feelings about this? Has the attention made your SL easier or harder?
Melanie: When I decided to enter the MVW I know it would be a tough contest and would be very demanding sometimes. It takes a lot from you as a person. You have to concentrate for 100% and keep your eyes and ears open. When it comes to a challenge, I always pick my outfits very carefully. Of course, I want to win a challenge, but more importantly is to feel comfortable with the outfit. I want to show my own style in every outfit. That’s why I often wear hats for example. I’m a hat-addict. LOL. It’s always hard to know what the judges are looking for. For example, last challenge theme was 1920’s. You can create many outfits matching that theme. So you never know I did my best again, but I didn’t make it. The judges must have had their reasons for not choosing me. I felt disappointed in myself, because I really spend much time on this outfit, finding the right combination again. I thought it would be good enough to make the top 5. But its OK, I’m really happy for the other girls. They really deserved it and their pictures were absolutely fantastic. Really awesome.

Kate: The grand finale is right around the corner… do you feel ready?
Melanie: Ohh Kate… the grand finale. I feel that I’m ready. I have my outfits, I only need to style them. I won’t tell much about it, Its all a secret, haha, but lets say that my evening gown will be a creation of a few designers. I want to show an outfit during the finale that everyone can buy in the shops of SL. And again, I can be creative! YAY! ) I feel very nervous, I don’t know what to expect. On the other side, I feel very excited and I can’t wait to the “big” day and to see all those lovely creations everyone made… And to find out who will be the next MVW. I understand it’s a tough job for the judges to decide who the next Miss Virtual World will be. Let me say that Mimmi Boa isn’t replacable in any way!!! What Mimmi did and who she is, is really a one of a kind. I hope the next Miss Virtual World will follow her steps, on a way how she thinks it’s the best. I want to thank the MVW organization for this beautiful chance they gave to me, to participate in the MVW pageant. Whether I will win or not, it certainly has been a great experience and I will never forget the great time I have so far and what I’ve learned. Also I would like to thank the people who are supporting and believing me. It’s really touching me and I wish I could do something in return. I also would like to thank the ladies, you all are truly wonderful and you all deserve to win. My heart is yours!
Kate: What advice would you have for an applicant next year?
Melanie: For anyone who would like to apply next year this is my advice.. Never change yourself as a person, make sure you stand out and be confident. Show yourself to the world but never become arrogant or disrespectful to others. Make sure you have your very own style… I’m sure everything will be all right then

The Grand Finals for the Miss Virtual World will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a senior staff writer for Best of Second Life Magazine, a retired SL Mentor and a Miss Virtual World Organization executive. She was last year’s Miss Sweden and winner of Miss Congeniality.

Have you seen the 2010 MVW Fan Contest? A grand prize of 10,000 lindens and at least ten of the couture collection from the evening gown competition? Now fans of the pageant can win, too! Click on the Fan Contests tab in the upper right hand corner of this web page to learn more!

Miss Germany, Wenadrenia Soderstrom

Wenadrenia: I want your blog readers to be able to open my book and see into my life. I am a very simple person. I love peeling away the layers wallowing in all the experiences that come to me. The biggest thrill for me is to hear someone say I made their day brighter. Finally, I enjoy catching someone off guard making them laugh so hard that they giggle for the rest of the day.

Wenadrenia: There is so much to Second Life that I could not possibly do every thing that interests me. I like participating in charity events, helping those around me. I share my art though my building and jewelry. Every texture I set or stone placed helps me bring fashion and beauty to everyone’s day. I like dressing up. I can be anything from a roaming alien to a chic modern catwalk diva. I enjoy many things. I place my building and Jewelry on top. I express myself through it and I get to be with my RL and SL husband, Jens.
Kate: Can you show the readers one of your favorite jewelry sets and describe what your inspiration was?

Wenadrenia: My most treasured jewelry collection is called the Mary Loise. I hold this close to my heart. It is not my most popular piece but it brings tears to my eyes every time I see it up on the wall. This set represents a strong woman that touched many lives including mine. This woman was a first in our family to go out into the work force in the early 40’s and achieve a professional status and in my eyes set the standard for every successful woman today. She was my grandmother. She cared for me when my own mother didn’t want me. Even though she worked full time in a man’s industry she always found time to teach me the finer things in life such as shopping and nails, knitting and tatting. I always felt as if she put me or anyone else around her who needed something ahead of herself. This set was made from a set of earrings that I still possess today. They are exactly like the earrings in the picture. This set is as great as she was. My grandmother was such a fashion smart woman but this was something in her wardrobe that didn’t really go… The stones are fire opal and yellow citrine. I used to sit and look at her, watching the colors sparkle as she talked or moved. Once in a great while I would get to play with her jewelry. I always picked this pair of earrings to wear. The fire opal reminds me of her personality. All of 5′4″, she was a spit fire working circles around at her job. The yellow citrine was so bright I used to hold them up to my eyes and look through them seeing the world in its sunshine haze.  She only wore them when she had a tough day ahead or if we where going out for that once a month dinner at a restaurant. My most vivid memories are of her power earrings. I will wear them on the final day of this pageant. Every girl needs a pair of earrings like these… winks.
Kate: It sounds like you and your grandmother were very close. She wore the earrings based on the challenges of the day rather than whether it matched her outfit?
Wenadrenia: I guess we all have the favorite item in our house or wardrobes that make us have a great feeling when worn.
Kate: Wow! Great story
Wenadrenia: Well she was a great lady. I wish I could of shared her with the world.
Kate: I’m sure you make her proud, too.
Wenadrenia: smiles… thank you I hope I do!
Kate: We are going to shift worlds to modeling.
Wenadrenia: ok
Kate: Do you have and advice for a new model? Styling, for instance… many new models have the general idea down… but seem to miss on the details.
Wenadrenia: I would first advise them to pack up one newbie outfit, skin, shoes, hair jewels and save it. Take a picture of you from the first days in modeling. Take that folder and pack it away… but don’t delete it. Then look around. There is so much fashion. They can experience it all. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. Modeling is not fast food… you can’t drive up … order a degree in modeling, slap on a great outfit and wing it on the runway. You have to take your time. Learn, watch, remember, work, and then lead. This is a fast growing industry. In the two years I have been here it has blown up. I always say take your time. It is not going to go away. Be happy with your growth and if you insist on being a DIVA pull out that folder I told you to build and put it on. That is where you started.  And remember to help others no matter if they like you or not. They will remember that you gave that helping hand once and pass it forward.
Kate: Is there anything about you we left out or you would like to say in closing?
Wenadrenia: Whether I win or lose I will be me. I am here to help anyone that needs it. I love to make a happy face. Making a difference is not that I am Miss Virtual World. Making a difference will continue long after that pageant is over.  Please remember to look at your monitors. Remember that you are a real person sitting there typing interacting and talking to others . It affects people’s real lives. I am so honored to be able to be a part of this Miss Virtual World event. I would like to thank the other ladies, Frolic and the judges for allowing me to participate. In my heart being a finalist is winning.

The Grand Finals for the Miss Virtual World will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a senior staff writer for Best of Second Life Magazine, a retired SL Mentor and a Miss Virtual World Organization executive. She was last year’s Miss Sweden and winner of Miss Congeniality.

I am issuing a consumer health warning on Haagen Dazs limited edition Peppermint Bark. White chocolate ice cream with crunchy dark chocolate and peppermint candy pieces. This ice cream is so good there ought to be a law against it.

Miss Brazil, Preciouss Metall

Kate: Preciouss, what drew you to the MVW contest? Why did you apply?
Preciouss: I didn’t know MVW existed, I had just heard about Miss Universe in SL, and when I saw the opportunity to join MVW I said to myself, well why not try it.
Kate: Did you hear from a friend? Read it in the BOSL group?
Preciouss: I believe it came out in a BOSL notice. I read over the notecard and I knew I had to try out.

Kate: I see that you are a very active model. What drew you to modeling in SL?
Preciouss: I was in a photo contest and one day the CEO of EnVogue Modeling Agency Cyberwarlock Writer saw me standing there at the voting place. He recruited me to join his agency, he said I had a very pretty avatar and said I could be a beautiful model. I attended classes with his academy where I got started in modeling and have been there ever since. He’s always praised me and has helped in my pursuit of becoming one of SL’s supermodels.
Kate: Do you have time for any other interests in SL?
Preciouss: Yes, indeed. I am very active in SL on a daily basis. I model, I train other models, I build, I do photography, I design Goth beds, I design clothes, I help out anyone who needs my services, I like to attend concerts, and most of all shop for clothes.
Kate: For the beds and clothes… are there places people can see your work?
Preciouss: At the moment I have my beds on Xstreet, and some clothing but not all, I have clothes made that still needs to be boxed. I am opening a shop soon where you can shop for my merchandise.
Kate: This year in Miss Virtual World is different from last year… there seem to be a lot more skill contests… a lot… how are you holding up?
Preciouss: I would like to think that I have scored some good points in these contests. I have a style all my own and my look is different from the other models, which I would like to say, makes me stand out .
Kate: Yes, I think you have something there… it seems important for each finalist to be unique.
Preciouss: Yes, I agree. We can’t all look the same, it’s our sense of style that makes us who we are.
Kate: So how would you define your unique sense of beauty and style… your personal approach?
Preciouss: I would like to think that my style is different from others, by the clothes I choose and what I feel comfortable in at the time, whether it be a skirt, a gown, or perhaps a pants set. I love the colors of white and black and red. I am somewhat picky when it comes to purchasing clothing. Sometimes I like to wear my hair long and wild. Sometimes I like an updo. I think overall it’s a casual but elegant look, similar to how I dress in RL.
Kate: The latest Miss Virtual World challenge is to style yourselves from the 20’s… very chic and elegant for the grand opening of the BOSL Express. How are you doing with this latest photo challenge?
Preciouss: I am just about done. I went to work on it immediately, purchasing what I needed. I looked around for the outfit and accessories. I didn’t want to waste time in doing so. I just need the hair and I’m done. I am happy with what I have chosen and in my opinion it is my own unique look.
Kate: I think you have the kind of attitude that will bring you in with a strong finish. Where do you get your energy and inspiration from?
Preciouss: I hope you’re right Kate. I have good mentors who help me out, who believe in me. They are strong, independent individuals. They encourage me and support me in everything I do. They have pushed me to be the model I have become, and for this I am grateful. My RL brother, who I look up to, encourages me to be who I am.
Kate: That’s nice that you acknowledge the people who support you and give you strength! Have we missed anything? Is there something else you would like people to know about you?
Preciouss: I would just like people to know who Preciouss Metall is, aside from being a model. I am the type of person who puts my friends, family, or just about anyone’s needs ahead of my own. I like to help anyone whom I can be of service to, whether its helping them build, giving them money, sharing of anything I have. I am a friendly person and I truly care about everyone’s feelings. I try to think of myself as a true and genuine friend always helping others.
Kate: Do you have any advice for a potential Miss Virtual World applicant?
Preciouss: Yes. I would like to tell all future models to try their hardest, set your self a goal and then do it. One thing to remember is, never let anyone tell you, you can’t do it, that you’re not good enough. It’s not about being good enough. It’s about hard work and dedication. Right before joining MVW I was unsure I would even make it as one of the semi finalists with so many Top Models in the running. This was my train of thought at the time. As you can see, I have proven myself wrong. I did make it, I am one of the finalists, a model amongst some of the most beautiful women in SL, and you too can do it, just believe in yourself and never be afraid to ask for help, there’s always so many models willing to help. Just be yourself, you can do anything you set your mind to.

The Grand Finale for the Miss Virtual World will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a senior staff writer for Best of Second Life Magazine and a Miss Virtual World Organization executive. She was last year’s Miss Sweden and winner of Miss Congeniality.

Yeay! It’s the weekend. America’s Next Top Model finale is next week. Project Runway has only one more week until Bryant Park. Never fear, Miss Virtual World is just hitting its stride!

Miss United States, Janina Scarmon

Janina: I am a very genuine person.  I love to meet people and I have a great sense of humor.  I try to help out anyone who needs it, even those I have just met.  I give advice tactfully and try to help the people that I give it to see a positive side as well as the things that may need to be changed. And I also want them to know that I actually am from the USA born and raised there all my life.

Kate: I love Emerson. Tell me about the quote you chose in your profile, “Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art.”
Janina: I chose that quote because I feel that we love to look at beauty in everything around us.  Even in our avatars and the clothes we wear.  To be able to create such beauty like the clothes and skins and shapes, as well as buildings we see here in SL, is truly the work of an artist. We avatars are the canvases for those artists’ creations.
Kate: Do you feel your avatar is your palette?
Janina: Yes.  I try to create something beautiful to add to the SL world.  Even the people who make the animations I chose to use are artists because they help me to move more gracefully and to get away from that newbie walk we all have when we are rezzed into this world.  Each of us is an artist of ourselves in some way. The skins and shape and clothing I chose to combine help to add beauty to the SL world. We are all in some way creators of who we are here. And we all strive to be unique from all the others around us
Kate: Yes, the avatar mesh could be an art from all to itself. Are there other ways you like to express your artistry in SL?
Janina: Yes.  I love to create environments which are enjoyable to the senses.  For instance on my island right now I have all the colors of fall.  The trees have the fire colors of fall in them.   And I have set it up so anyone can come and be there to dance or just relax.  Its part of what I give to all the SL community. I also do amateur photography although my skills are not as good as some of the wonderful photographers that are within the world of SL.  A lot of the pictures in my Flickr page are the ones I took myself.
Kate: Speaking of service… you belong to Guiding lights? Can you talk a little bit about that?
Janina: That is a training program for people who want to be peer support. We are taught basic helping skills so that we can support those who need help the right way. It’s like a mentor program in that we are there to learn to help others. So that we are better able to do it responsibly.
Kate: Interesting… not exactly the nuts and bolts of Second Life like the SL mentors, but more of an emotional expertise?
Janina: Yes, that’s correct.  We are given information and taught how to guide the people we help to the right resources
Kate: That’s really neat… SL can really do a number on your heart if you aren’t careful!
Janina: Yes it can. However it also provides a place for those who have not connected with someone to be able to talk to another human person at the keyboard.
Kate: I will admit, reading your profile, it was the first time I ever heard of Guiding Light, but it seems like a natural for SL. How did you become involved?
Janina: I was looking for a way to become a mentor here because I naturally seem to do that a lot.  I happened to be searching one day and found the place where they have the meetings.  You have to put in an application and have it screened before they let you enter the program. They look at things like SL age and things that show how committed you would be to the program. I find that getting in and getting involved in a positive way makes my time here more fulfilling.  I don’t feel like I am wasting it doing something else.
Kate: I completely agree. I do the same thing.
Janina: You are very good at it too, I imagine.
Kate: LOL… I dunno…
Janina: LOL   In all of us there is the capacity to do some good for others. We just have to find the way to do it that is right for each of us. It can be through a mentor program or through creating content to help make an avatar’s world more enjoyable.  I find that every time I am out I end up helping someone in some way.  It’s part of my nature.
Kate: Tell me your absolute favorite hair designer and style
Janina: Absolute favorite?   hmmmmmmm  It would have to be Truth Hawks.  I love his hair designs because he creates something for every occasion and the texture and colors are so realistic and dynamic
Kate: zomg! I LOVE Truth!
Janina: My favorite would be all of the ones I own  lol  but if I had to chose one it would be the one called Katherine. That is the one I wore in my MVW picture.
Kate: aha! Lovely updo! And blondes are so hard to do in SL since windlight.
Janina: Oh I know and he uses the low and highlights so well in the hair. It’s just not one shade if you look at it. I can add hair ornaments or flowers to it to dress it up even more. I have about 20 or so of his hairs. I have to fight the lag every time to get them.
Kate: Me too. Many of the finalists followed a road from modeling to MVW. Is this your path as well? Why did you apply?
Janina: Well I actually had just started modeling when I auditioned.  I was in the first group. I know there were many experienced models there that day, but I knew I wanted to try and do it. Just to make it through auditions. LOL  And I had just finished modeling academy.
Kate: The auditions are extremely stressful… were you nervous?
Janina: Yes! Some of the other women ahead of me fell off the stage.
Kate: Do you think the barriers were removed on purpose?
Janina: I am not sure.  LOL  I had learned a very valuable trick that helped me though.  I had learned to be in pose before I walked so when I stopped I would not do that newbie thing and that day my poser was not cooperating so I stayed in the same pose at the circle until Frolic told me to go.
Kate: So what advice would you give someone… who wanted to try to be a finalist… about how to choose clothes and a look for the audition?
Janina: As far as clothes, go for simple and elegant, even in your jewelry.  It will not only give you the image that is right but also help with the lag.  Also learn the trick I did so that you look lovely when you stop on the runway.  And think positively even when things don’t seem to cooperate, like the poser.
Kate: Is there anything you would like to talk about that we haven’t touched on up until now?
Janina: I would like to say that this whole MVW experience has been wonderful and I have met many lovely ladies from all over the world.  I now have friends from different countries that I didn’t have before I started this journey. That is one of the best rewards that I have gained from being a part of this pageant.

The Grand Finals for the Miss Virtual World will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a senior staff writer for Best of Second Life Magazine and a Miss Virtual World Organization executive. She was last year’s Miss Sweden and winner of Miss Congeniality.

I’ll be honest and say I was thinking of telling our friendly dissenter to go get bent. But the statistics on the blog are up. So instead, I am encouraging… “bring it on, Chica!” And please enjoy today’s interview!

 Miss Italy, Mavi Beck

Mavi: I am a down to earth person, I am not the typical fashion model I guess. I do like the clothes and the style and the glitz and glam of this world, but I am really someone who like to spend time with her friends above everything. I like the laughters and the fun, invite me to a dance party where there’s good indie music and you’ll make me happy. Friendship is very important to me and I am very loyal to my friends.

Kate: Wow! Stunning pictures! Is modeling your main activity in SL? Do you have other interests?
Mavi: Well yes at the moment modeling is my main activity in SL even if I keep one day of the week for myself where I dj at a friends’ club. You know, I entered SL to be part of a team of RL friend who had created a club here, it was called Korova Milk Bar. I started there as host, then I became Dj there, then manager and eventually owner. It was a great experience that lasted 2 years and that unfortunately I had to abandon because of lack of time. I was the last one standing here in SL from that original group and I couldn’t really do it anymore by myself, both financially and time-wise. It’s my dream, to be able one day to reopen Korova, it was a great meeting place for people of all countries in the world, to share the passion for music. Now modelling is my main job and I really love it, I started 2 years ago and I couldn’t live without it
Kate: Is indie your favorite type of music? What groups are you listening to right now?
Mavi: I am an indie kid. I was a goth in the 80s, but I don’t listen only to gloomy dark music. I like a bit of everyting. Right now I like Interpol, IAMX, Editors, Kings Leon, Sigur Ros and of course, Nine Inch Nails is my absolute favourite. I could go on forever listing band names really. I used to host a radio show in RL, music is a very important part of my life and I love finding new bands
Kate: I just started listening to indie for a change of pace. The music stands on its own… no record label hype, no lavish production, no rules.
Mavi: Yes, I don’t listen to the radio or watch MTV much, it’s not my genre really, it all sounds the same to me. I like music that says something, that when you put on the earphones you can hear the work behind it, layers and layers of different sounds….
Kate: I notice that you speak a lot of languages! Is that something that comes easy to you?
Mavi: Yes. it kinda is. I learnt English when I was 11 or 12 and all the grammar I use now is the same I learnt then. I am a grammar and typo tyrant in both Italian and English. It really pains me to see languages distorted badly just to make things simple, just because people are too lazy to stop and think. I took 3 foreign languages in high school, German, English and French and I had no problem with learning any of them.
Kate: But there are no rules to English!
Mavi: There are! OMG! Yes!
Kate: Well… for example… through, though, tough, trough
Mavi: It’s such a crazy language but I love it. I know I am not perfect, and I make grammar mistakes quite often, but I take pride in my spelling.
Kate: Let’s talk about modeling. I remember last year, you really were following closely what was going on with MVW.
Mavi: Well last year I was still very new to modelling and I didn’t know all the names and I didn’t know much of what was going on really, but I did try entering a few times. I remember reading your blog as well, it was very inspirational. I had just entered Runway back then and I was picked for one of the show with all the misses. And you girls were so beautiful and graceful and omg I was really looking up to you all.
Kate: I’m blushing! This year it seems like you all have taken MVW to a new level.
Mavi: It is amazing really, I really do love the ladies I am competing with, we often IM each other asking for suggestions, or exchanging comments and impressions, I thought it would be much more competitive you know? And to be honest I was very scared about this. So far I must say that it is all running so smoothly it’s almost unbelievable! It’s almost a zen experience! I am honoured to have been chosen and my wish has already been granted, being in MVW is a great accomplishment to me.
Kate: Yes!
Mavi: I use my modelling attitude for this, that is to be relaxed, to enjoy the rush and to keep it fun. That is my secret. I love the fact that SL gives me the opportunity of changing my character so much, I like to interpret the designer’s dream. I like to be the person they created their outfits for, I want to look the best and make their work look the best.
Kate: To be able to do that, to enhance the designers vision, yet still be Mavi… your personal interpretation of beauty… I think you have something there.
Mavi: Yes, those are the right words. Yes that’s what i meant exactly
Kate: Okies… what would you say to the fan closely following MVW this year? Maybe someone who may get called to be a finalist next year?
Mavi: My advice is, keep it real. Dream and dream big if you like but do realize that winning or not winning will not define you. It will not make you any better or worse than anybody else. I wish on everybody the luck that I am having now, because it is really an amazing experience, but be prepared to lose, because there can really be only one. Do your best, be the best person you can absolutely be, be empatic and keep your heart open, you’ll make wonderful friendships.

The Grand Finals for the Miss Virtual World will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a senior staff writer for Best of Second Life Magazine and a Miss Virtual World Organization executive. She was last year’s Miss Sweden and winner of Miss Congeniality.