Archive for December, 2009

First rehearsal for the grand finale was Saturday and there is a rising sense of anticipation among the finalists. Twenty-two beautiful, stylish, graceful and motivated ladies… and there can only be one Miss Virtual World.

Miss China, Sora Tatham

Sora: I run Agata Model Agency in SL. I put a lot of effort into introducing non-Japanese brands to Japanese and introducing high quality Japanese brands to the non-Japanese residents in SL. Most of the regular fashion shows in SL are held when it’s very difficult for Japanese to go watch. For those brands that I work with, I also help developing vendor posters for their stores. I also train models who can address the above needs and also create poses and shapes.

Kate: What tools does do you use to create poses? Are eastern poses different from western poses?
Sora: I use Poser and Avimator (avimator is freeware – ks). All use the same programs. As far as arm pit poses are concerned, the Japanese culture never cared about that more or less for gowns. In Japan, we don’t wear formal much. Most fashion is casual. I learned that arm pit poses are a “no-no” now that I have more exchange with non-Japanese people.
Kate: Interesting! I was under the impression Eastern culture was much more formal than Western culture.
Sora: Well Japanese are nervous in some areas and strict but as far as formal western gown goes, we don’t have established customs to wear much formal wear (dresses) so we were not aware of the etiquettes for gowns.
Kate: The same way western models would not know the rules for wearing kimonos.
Sora: Yes, yes with kimonos we have very strict rules and we need to use completely different poses and walks. When it comes to kimonos, I think these things will be even more strict than what the Western culture has for gowns so maybe in that sense, kimonos for us is the same as dresses(gowns) in the West
Kate: And you are attempting to bridge the gap between East and West?
Sora: As I said in the first part, I am trying to introduce non-Japanese brands to Japanese residents in time zones that they can actually come to the shows. And the opposite to show Japanese brands, thru an attempt to show brands in time zones that each side can attend and I show Japanese brands in the shows too. The Agata Models have come to Kay’s classes at Mimmi’s academy where she had classes in Japanese, informing them what the West would like to see and how they could contribute as models from the East. The concepts of this East Meets West Show were developed here. My exposure and exchange with non-Japanese people has increased a lot since I became a Miss Virtual World finalist. So it has become easier for me to get more non-Japanese to attend my shows.
Kate: From one who has spent days wandering through Eastern sims, I can tell you easy access is important.
Sora: The show venue is made like a mini-mall. Vendors are set up for the guests to buy on the spot if they wish.

Kate: Congratulations on your splendid showing in the MVW Orient Express photo competition. Should Miss Virtual World be more inclusive of different cultures?
Sora: One thing I really felt strongly is…. in Japan, every citizen has to study English for 6 years. I can read, but I really felt the need to be able to speak the language better. I still have difficulty following what is said.
Kate: You are not alone; sometimes I have no clue what Frolic is saying…
Sora: Most Miss Virtual World events are in a time zone that is very hard for people in the East to attend. The time of the events is also something I would like to see changed. East is not just about Japan. If we can incorporate other countries in the East, that will be great, like India too, when events are being planned. Realistically, Japan is the total opposite when it comes to time. Europe and USA can handle this by shifting the time a bit, but Japan is half a world away, so hard it’s to be included. Japan is an isolated country surrounded by sea (and language and alphabet and time zone -ks). It’s always been isolated from way back in its history. It’s hard for Japanese to be open and outgoing; they are very shy as they have kept their isolation for so long.
Kate: Shy?
Sora: Yeah, maybe Japanese are more introverted its not that they think they shouldn’t self promote. I was very shy too until I became a finalist. The other girls in the pageant have helped me a lot and I have been able to come out more in public in Japan (in RL). We often think its not good to “stick out”.
Kate: Is this why computer translators don’t work on Japanese to English? The language is nuanced, where as English can be spoken with a hammer and tongs?
Sora: Japanese is much nuanced. For example, at Miss Virtual World events, there is so much I want to say but the only translation I can find is THANK YOU. So I keep saying ty ty ty all the time!! I am in fact, trying to say something slightly different. All the nuance is lost (different types of thank you that do not translate – thank you – hang in there, thank you – I will appreciate your help, thank you – I wish you good luck, etc. -kf).
Kate: In a way, Miss Virtual World is giving you an opportunity to express yourself without words in a nuanced, Japanese way, without words, with your style alone.
Sora: Aaah yes maybe that’s true. I put a LOT of effort in expressing my style in Miss Virtual World.
Kate: This Eastern perspective may be strength, an advantage over Western finalists who hope to find a way to influence the judges more directly.
Sora: Yes. There is one more thing Miss Virtual World has taught me. Japanese are so rigid in their thinking.  Not creative. We tend to think “inside a box”. I felt a BIG surprise to see how the other finalists were creative and “out of the box” in how they style and also the size of their thinking scale they can think in a much bigger scale than us Japanese. We tend to get “too small” or “too rigid” which may not translate on a big stage. For example, at the Halloween challenge, I thought you couldn’t be creative. I was thinking in line of what Halloween is from what we usually see. I was so surprised to see how the other finalists were so creative in their styling. And the same goes for everything we see.  We (eastern culture –ks) need to learn to be more dynamic!
Kate: What are your thoughts and feelings about the grand finale coming up; are you ready?
Sora: My preparation for the Grand Finale is moving along. I have my costumes ready, almost ready. On the inside, I’m still nervous and anxious. Japanese are SO bad at expressing themselves. It’s hard for them to say “I am so and so”. I think the Q&A part may be very hard for me. More so than my nervousness, I am looking forward to it.
Kate: Any advice to next year’s applicants?
Sora: Miss Virtual World is a pageant that looks at not just the beauty of avatars but it’s a difficult one to handle unless you are “polished” comprehensively such as being good in your styling sense, choice of pictures, posing. Although I have an agency, there is a lot that I am not yet good at myself and I have learned a lot over this past two months.  It has also been a great learning trigger for me to be with the other finalists and all this will help me in my modeling career in the future.

Special thanks to Kay Fairey who took time out of her busy schedule to provide her services as a translator and to Sora Tatham for her honesty and directness during the interview. I really felt that I gained something unique in sharing time with both of them.

The Grand Finale for MISS VIRTUAL WORLD 2010 will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday 11AM SLT. There is nothing else like this in Second Life. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a featured columnist 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.

TGIF! Thank (God/Goodness/Gollygosh) It’s Friday. This is an exclaimation, not only of relief at the end of the work week, but also in anticipation of the weekend! If I recall hearing it first in a movie starring disco goddess Donna Summer… does that age me?

Miss Turkey, Violette Weymann

Violette: I strongly believe that what we reflect here as the personality of a SL Supermodel… in our case a MVW Finalist … is much more than what reflects an avatar. I mean that even if we want to do so or not, our RL personalities are reflected in our avatars. I know to most people I seem a bit cold…distant…

Kate: Cold or shy or reserved?
Violette: Reserved, yes… this is the correct word… not shy… absolutely… but reserved. My way of living and seeing the things requires the respect of listening to others. I really don’t like to talk too much ? I prefer to listen. I would like people know that I’m listening to them actually. I’m not cold.
Kate: How does a reserved lady (such as your self) come to compete in the most famous the most extroverted pageant of virtual beauty events in all of SL?
Violette: My reserve maybe helped me to be chosen in this case, even if this is the most extroverted pageant. I really don’t think that being a finalist comes in one moment or by luck. The pre-finals are hard to succeed because you walk in front of judges that very probably know nothing about you. As in our Real Lives, the first 30 seconds counts a lot in front of someone who doesn’t know you. So there must be a sparkle that reflects us on the runway. I believe it’s just like in a Real Life Interview. Think about a business interview that you do what you do in the very 1st moments… what you pose… what you wear…  what is your avatars expression… I believe counts. And pretty much reflects the personality behind.
Kate: interesting
Violette: What distinguishes me from another to be chosen as a finalist? In this moment, I believe that we reflect parts of our personalities on the runway.
Kate: yes
Violette: The judges don’t know us in person… none of us so our real live experiences. Visions and esthetic conceptions count a lot at that moment.
Kate: No luck involved?
Violette: The luck also helps, but I don’t believe that it’s the pure luck that made us choose as Finalists among all those pre-finalists… all of us had very brief time to show ourselves in front of judges…  X person had 30 seconds… I had 30 seconds… and so on. What I mean to say is that we may have more success when we are able to express better who we are, in the correct moment… I tried the pre-finals three times, and I succeeded to be chosen as the finalist when I was like myself most; not in those times when I thought I would look good, but in that time I felt to look good ..
Kate: got it
Violette: So at the beginning you asked me what I want people know about me.
Kate: Yes I did. And what you want them to know is your belief that SL avatars represent a part of which we are or wish to be.
Violette: Actually, yes. Even in my case that I’m so reserved. Also this characteristic I believe that reflects ourselves in some way, if you want or not.  I’m also outgoing. My friends know how I am. They say that I’m too fun. It’s not how I look like at first approach. I would like that people know that I’m very friendly inside, although I seem too reserved at the beginning, which is for a reason as explained before. This is same in RL and SL.  There is no difference for me. I don’t see SL as a platform where I show myself as a different person.

Kate: Beyond modeling, do you have any other pursuits, hobbies, interests in SL?
Violette: At the very beginning, maybe like most of residents did, I used SL to listen to good music. But it lasted for very short time.   I’m also a model trainer. I love to have objectives.
Kate: So many ladies wish to be models. It must be rewarding to work with so many motivated individuals.
Violette: I don’t see it as a job. All I can teach the ladies are the techniques… the tips.  Modeling is a passion where you must have more than techniques. Strength, determination, the eye for fashion and the right attitude cannot be taught. Helping the ladies on their way is amazing. Since I was also a trainee not so long ago, seeing their enthusiasm makes me happy.
Kate: Yes!  Do you have to continually change teaching methods to keep up with the latest AO technology and LL client releases?
Violette: The new client is too problematic, I would say. But I haven’t had problems with my students so far. I try to teach with all alternatives.
Kate: That makes sense, always good to have a backup plan.
Violette: Yes, as trainers we have to know every different way. The ladies are using all different viewers. We have to be informed of all.
Kate: As you are approaching the end of the finalist journey, how are you feeling about the pageant?
Violette: The finals are so close and I feel a deep enthusiasm for it. On one hand, I’m very curious to see who will be the winner. On the other hand, I’m so curious to see where will I will be. It’s already great to be among 22 finalists, but its human nature to desire for more.
Kate: Do you feel ready and in control?
Violette: Ready, never… in control, always… I’m always this way.
Kate: smiles
Violette: The closer it comes the more I feel my heart beating inside my ears. I can hear it … but as I always said… I love that feeling
Kate: Yes. What advice would you give to an applicant next year?
Violette: Apart of the skills and a good looking avatar, it’s very important to be determined. They must have strength and self- confidence. They cannot improve themselves when the day comes; improvement is continuous. One must always desire success.

The Grand Finale for MISS VIRTUAL WORLD 2010 will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday 11AM SLT. There is nothing else like this in Second Life. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a featured columnist 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.

Thank you to everyone who is reading and supporting the blog. Additional, comprehensive coverage of the MISS VIRTUAL WORLD 2010 pageant and finalists can be found in the Best of SL Magazine. The staff works very hard to bring the reader a high quality, entertaining, informative and well… Best of SL magazine. After the December issue came out, Frolic Mills stated “In over 2 years I have never seen soo many GREAT comments even 5 hours AFTER publishing! Congrats guys and happy happy holidays!” (I’m sure he was congratulating us gals, too.)

Miss Singapore, Natasja Schumann

Natasja: I have a determined, stubborn and don’t give up kind of attitude. I will never back down in anything that I have set my mind on.  I’m also a caring person who cares for people who are dear and close to me. I am willing to make new friends and also help them whenever they need it. I love to shop, shop, shop and shop some more. I collect new stuff on SL that’s why my inventory has reach nearly up to 100k…oh boy… I love fashion, modeling plus photography. Plus I’m an independent photographer and also Photographer for AVENUE Magazine. I totally love art and history

Kate: Your interests really come through in your pictures. They are always editorial and full of interesting detail. I am looking at your winning picture for the BOSL Express contest (a photograph inspired by the chic and elegant style of the Orient Express). What was your inspiration for this winning picture? Congratulations on the well deserved recognition, as well.

Natasja: My first inspiration is the 1920, looking at pictures and also the fashion that I found on the internet inspired me a lot. Wondering how it would be like if I’m in that century, definitely I’m not going to smoke for sure…but on that time when I made that picture, all I think about is to make it almost the same atmosphere as in the 1920’s. TY for the congrats
Kate: Did you take the picture as well as style and pose or use a photographer?
Natasja: Pose and take the picture myself. Editing all by myself
Kate: You know how amazing that is, right? The other finalists are pulling out all the stops, using the best of everything and everyone…. shape and styling consultants, using three photographers for one shoot… and you are doing it all on your own? And competing at this high level?
Natasja: Yup I know…everyone is using other photographer to do it but naw…I do it myself because I trust in my judgment in making the picture on how I want it to be.
Kate: Well, I think that is your advantage… your strength.., your vision is clear and consistent. I also like very much the gown! So many thought 20’s and immediately went flapper. Yours is a more sophisticated period look. Did you shop for it with this vision in mind?
Natasja: Actually I have that vision in my mind and it takes a lot of time to look for the dress until one day I approached Elettra Gausman if she has any 1920’s outfit in her store. She gave me the picture and boom! This is the one that I’ve been looking for Actually a last minute thing… a few days before the deadline! hehe
Kate: Many of her clothes show that art deco influence.
Natasja: Yes!
Kate: You put a peacock in the picture!
Natasja: I wanted it to be something different. Something other than traditional pictures from the 1920’s: parties, people, dancing and stuff. I hardly saw any photographs with birds.
Kate: For people who would like to see more of your photography work… do you have a flickr page?
Natasja: Yes I do http://www.flickr.com/photos/natasja_schumann
Kate: Is there anything we missed talking about? Something more you would like to say?
Natasja: Nothing I can think of right now. Oh btw I won the OC Face photo contest recently.
Kate: Congratulations! You are on a roll!
Natasja:  Oh… should I say that I do blogging too so that they can take a look?
Kate: Yes yes yes!
Natasja: http://timelessagency.com/
http://opiumsim.wordpress.com/
http://atnami.blogspot.com/
Kate: Busy girl! Your journey as a Miss Virtual World finalist is almost complete. Do you have any advice for someone considering application next year?
Natasja: Never give up on the dream that you set your mind on try until you succeed

The Grand Finale for MISS VIRTUAL WORLD 2010 will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday 11AM SLT. There is nothing else like this in Second Life. See you there!

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