Archive for November, 2009

This year Miss Virtual World Organization had over 1200 entries, 161 semi finalists and finally 22 Official candidates. I would like to thank all the judges who did a great job choosing some of the most talented combinations of virtual content creation represented by these 22 talented ladies. For the first official press presentation today, the finalists were all given the same cocktail dress designed by Callie Cline and the liberty to modify and accesorize as they wished. As is tradional at this presentation, the participating members of the press and the judges were requested to pick the top 5 based on overall look, styling and answers.

Miss Puerto Rico, Miaa Rebane

Kate: Hi Miaa! (I’m talking to Miaa as she stands on the runway awaiting her interview)
Miaa: I am standing here in vaccum
Kate: trust me, you are the most beautiful lady out there!
Miaa: \O/ wish you could see me grin ear to ear lol
Kate: Its kind of amazing… its like SL picked you today… you rezzed first… you are still the only finalist fully rezzed
Miaa: Really? I was thinking of upgrading my laptop
Kate: You did a MVW event on a LAPTOP??? I think there may be some crazy luck involved… but… do you think you did anything special today to make SL smile on you?
Miaa: I chose less laggy pieces. Like my shoes and fur and everything I am wearing — nothing is scripted
Kate: Your outfit is put together beautifully! Your jewelry matches the outfit
Miaa: Donna Flora rocks
Kate: I LOVE the BOW!!!!!
Miaa: Me too, lol, its from AnaLee Balut’s Dior collection.
Kate: And the purse just carries the bow shape further… it is a completely finished look
Miaa: Thank you Kate!!! Your comment really boosted my confidence! I was freaking out becasue I couldnt hear anything.
Kate: It doesn’t look like a contest outfit… you know… take an outfit and accessorize… it looks like a complete thought. One other question while you are standing there… maybe its just me… but is the spelling of your first name unusual? Is there inspiration behind the unique spelling?
Miaa: I wanted a simple “Mia”. I am a big fan of Mia Farrow in RL but the combination wasnt available. Didn’t want to let go of the name so I added an extra “a”.
Kate: Ooo its your turn! Break a pixel.
Kelli: (Leitner of Vibrations Roc Magazine) Hi Miss Puerto Rico I would like to ask musically who is your favorite band and how have they inspired you?
Miaa: Hi Kelli! There are few bands that I like to listen to and follow dpeending on my mood and state of mind. It varies from Deff Leppard to musicals by Yiruma. If I’m painting, I listen to instrumentals and when I need to pep my mood its a fast number. Music has influenced my art and art is what defines me. Thank you.
Miaa (offstage after the interview): I am the queen of typos :-/
Kate: How do you feel right now?
Miaa: I couldnt remember any bands all of a sudden lol. Feels like I need some fries.
Kate: curly or cajun? maybe waffle cut?
Miaa: lol dont tempt me
Kate: no eating until after the pageant!
Miaa: lol
Kate: I didn’t know you painted in RL! Do you think that helps you with your avatar and fashion in SL?
Miaa: defenitely..I struggle with completing a look much like my paintings. It has to come together. There should be harmony even in mismatched pieces. I think my art really helps me there
Kate: Is there some place where fans could see some of your RL artwork?
Miaa: I can show you one now. The others are all on my other laptop.
Kate: The girl has two laptops!
Miaa: I paint as a hobby. I am not a professional. It runs in my family Dad used to paint

Miaa: My mom is Indian and dad is American so my art is influenced a lot by India. My parents met here in US..in grad school..my Mom is a bharat natyam dancer (classical Indian dance form). They moved to India and I was born there
Kate: amazing!!!!!
Miaa: We moved back when I was 7-ish
Kate: What a cool story, Miaa… Thank you for sharing. I think you rocked this contest today!!
Miaa: Thank you Kate!

Congratulations to all the finalists and Miss Virtual World Organization for yet another amazing Miss Virtual World event! Frolic Mills had this to say “I’ve been looking at the results very very carefully and I must say that the TOP FIVE has been redefined. And I loved it because that means that what you have to say actually counts!” 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.

In the November issue of BOSL Magazine I asked the finalists if they could share their most scarey moments on the runway. The answers were funny, bizarre, touching.  I was, of course, very greatful to the finalists for sharing. I really enjoyed the article. It gave a lot of insight into the trials and challenges that formed these women into MVW finalists. Unfortunately, Agtaope Carter got real busy in both SL and RL and well, deadlines are deadlines. When I received it, Agy’s was such a great story and she obviously put a lot of care and effort into it. I wanted to make sure it was shared.

Miss Russia, Agatope Carter

My most scary experience in the fashion world was during a show for Dadina Dosei that I organised as Fashion Director for Bestyle Model Agency. Dadina is an incredible designer and I was so happy to manage this for her. 30 minutes before the start of the show I learned that my host for the show was off-line and will stay off for real problems. So no introduction speech 30 minutes before the show! And I was also missing a top model. On-line but AFK. I was feeling ill. The audience was already arriving (around 40 people) and no speech, no host and missing one top model. I was in the biggest mess ever !! Fortunately, I always ask for two folders for each outfit. In 5 minutes I found a backup top model. And I was saved by my  sweet wonderful Mimmi  Boa. She was in the show. While I was changing and managing for the top model she wrote the speech for the show ^^ We had a very bad start, but in the end,  we delivered a wonderfull show!! Now I am sure that nothing is impossible in SECOND LIFE.

The next Miss Virtual World event will be the first Press Presentation at 11AM on November 7th. 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 want to thank everyone who shared their thoughts on this ongoing blog. I applaud stepping forward. I encourage you all to do so again. It is so important for the MVW readers to see as many points of view as possible.

Miss Canada, Natalia Corvale

 
Natalia: I’m just a regular down to earth woman. I love to laugh, extremely creative and enjoy SL immensely. I’ve been in SL for over two years now and I can honestly tell you that I’ve never experienced anything else like it online. The human aspect of it never ceases to amaze me. The bonds that are formed here are just as real and tangible as any in real life. The beauty and creativity inspired by this virtual world often times leaves me awestruck. Everyone from artists and musicians, to the disabled or even the average Joe can come here and let their imagination soar. Anything and everything is possible here.
Kate: How do you express your creativity in SL?
Natalia: With my avatar, of course. I’m also a SL photographer. I’m a bit of a PS (photoshop) geek. I can spend hours in it with photographs. I also love to shoot raw SL. I love to explore for really beautiful and creative builds or sims.
Kate: Do you have flickr? I think people would like to see.
Natalia: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35499182@N08/4050431409/
Kate: Which would you say are your favorite flickr pictures?
Natalia: “Stone Cold”. I also like “No Fear”. “Still Yours” embodies me.
Kate: You gave your photos titles! What was the inspiration for “Stone Cold”?
Natalia: Actually…on that one, I took it in my home. It was a quick snapshot and it wasn’t until later that I dug it out and began to play around with it.. I guess that’s why I love it so much, because it was a spontaneous creative burst.
Kate: Tell me about “Still Yours”
Natalia: “Still Yours” is also raw SL. I was riding my bike in one of my favorite sims and stopped on a cliff. I played with my sky editor until I got a nice sunset. I love that shot, it reminds me of home. I grew up in California and spent alot of my time on the beach. I used to love to ride my motorcycle down the road along the beach. I love the smell of the salt water and sea air. When I took the shot, it brought it all back.
Kate: Zomg! A bike like the one in the picture?
Natalia: LOL, my boyfriend and I had a Nighthawk 650. We used to ride it everywhere. It wasn’t huge…but a decent size. At first I was scared to get on it, but after I did, lol, they’re fun! You could hardly get me off that thing.
Kate: Which leads in nicely to “No Fear”…
Natalia: Basically calm in the face of a storm. Like a rock, so calm, cool and collected even though all hell is breaking loose just behind me.
Kate: SL is always changing, RL is always more important. Sighs… it’s hard to stay calm.
Natalia: I have a really good friend in England that I met here about a month ago. They lost their job due to cutbacks and were really scared about how they were going to make ends meet. It’s been weeks since I’ve seen them online. So yeah, that can be hard. When someone you’re used to seeing here and talking with here on a day to day basis isn’t there anymore… you’ve formed this bond, so you miss them.
Kate: yes
Natalia: We all do it, talk about evertything, the weather….kids…families…jobs….movies….the fun stuff…and the heartbreaking things that happen in RL. We become connected, we’re human, how can we not?
Kate: One day you are telling someone about your life, the next day they become a part of your life.
Natalia: Exactly
Kate: Natalia, I don’t have any clue how much of this is gonna make it online… I mean, we were talking, but now we are talking…
Natalia: Don’t sweat it… use what ya can… the rest will just be our little secret, lol.
Kate: You really have a strength and a warm heart and wisdom… this should not be a secret!
Natalia: Well thanks, that’s a really nice compliment

The next Miss Virtual World event will be the first Press Presentation on November 7th. 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.