So there’s something that I wanted to discuss today and it seems like I’m not the only one with this issue and topic on the brain. If you haven’t heard yet let me be one of the first to fill you in right here, right now. Linden Labs has reported that they will be disabling the search in V1 based viewers. What does this mean to you as a user and resident? Well it’s quite simple, this will, in effect, cause all V1 viewers of LL or third party viewers to become pretty much useless and unusable. Why is LL forcing these changes on the residents when it has become clear that people are still not happy with the upgrades or satisfied with all the new changes even after a year of it’s initial release? One of the many reasons is that they are planning to introduce MESH into the grid in the coming months in rolling phases.

What is Mesh and how is it an improvement to your second life experience? Well this will not only cut down on the usage of prims and as a consequence the lag that we go through daily, it is also much friendlier to those with lower graphics cards. Take a look at the youtube video and it’s brief introduction on Mesh in second life.

A Brief Look at Second Life Mesh Support

So to those that have refused to go to team V2, it soon looks like you’ll have no choice. But wait! There have been some people that refuse to bow to low to these new changes and the Phoenix team is one of them as they recently have released their new Firestorm 2 Beta which is so good that it could be an official release. In my personal opinion Firestorm is a combination of everything I loved about v1 in phoenix and the old LL viewer along with v2. While you can’t change the look (although skins are available to change even if they are not stable at the moment) you can adjust and customize the interface much more than you could with the LL V2 viewer. Below I took a picture to give you a glimpse into the Firestorm Viewer.

Outfit Credits:

Dress: Crissy Designs – *Sonya* Denim
Shoes: P10 – Serenity Heels Denim (free)
Hair: Exile – Kumiko
Skin: [Al Vulo!] – Ninni Shine cocoa
Tattoo: [AvB] – Night Fever
Bracelets: BND – Black Ethnik bangles
Ring: [Mandala] – Milky Way ring & nail (ring only)

I liked the interface of the LL V2 viewer but I hated how it looked cluttered with the sidebar that would not go away. With the firestorm you still have the option of keeping the sidebar and the options can pup out at the sides or you can completely undock them like in the phoenix viewer. My favorite aspect of the 2.0 viewer is that the notices aren’t so noticeable! I always hated how it they would pop up and there was no way to hide them but not with the V2. The buttons below are customizable as well which is another thing to note. I can move them around or hide them with a simple click of the mouse as well as resize the chat bar however I want depending on how much I use it.

Another thing you may have noticed if you were looking closely enough was that Firestorm has an embedded Animation Override. Below you’ll find a tutorial on how to customize it however you need. I found that there were a few bugs when I sat down because it didn’t automatically switch to my sitting animation. Or it would switch to it and then pop back to my standing animation which annoyed the hell out of me and I’m starting to think it’s more trouble than it’s worth to even use it. Hopefully with the next release they will have fixed this problem.

Be sure to take a look a the videos below to get a better idea of all the different aspects they are offering in this release. I think this offers the best of both worlds in the V2 and V1 viewers. I also want to make a note that this is probably the most stable I have been in second life, especially compared with my previous use of the LL 2.0 viewer. I probably crash about 3 times a week, if that, and I’m definitely not using a high powered computer. It works so well that I actually run smoothly even when I move my graphic setting is moved to ultra for more than 15 minutes.

Firestorm Public Beta Video Tutorial/Orientation

Firestorm AO – Part 1 Importing

Firestorm AO – Part 2 Customization

Well second life is up to it’s old tricks of implementing new “improvements” to our sl experiences. What’s it this time? Have they decided to just dump all the adult triple X griders off the map into some alternate grid or universe like they do with youngsters on the teen grid? Nope! They’ve chosen to introduce to wonderful and creative world of Display Names. Can you just hear the sarcasm dripping like honey? I’m personally on the fence about this new “improvement” until i see how it would affect our lives so I’m cautious. Now if you’re scratching your head and wondering what the heck I’m talking about then you need to get better informed and I’m happy to help you out in that department. You can also view the video created by Torley Linden that goes on to explain how the Display Name feature can be used.

The Display Name feature basically allows you to change your name to anything that you wish up to 31 characters for whatever reason that you choose- whether it be to change or hyphenate your name after marriage, role playing, business purposes, or just on a whim. The only draw back- maybe they’re doing this to cut back on information overload- is that you can only change it once a week as I understand it. Now older residents are probably trying to pick their jaw off the floor and also wonder how that will work overall for the new and old. Well let me do a bit of explaining. The new residents will go about the registration and choose a username (which for older residents is the name that you signed on with (first name.last name)) and then when they log in they can create their display names. You won’t need your unique last name for your username so it’s entirely optional. Your display name will be shown in chat, IMs, build menus, overhead tag above your username, in the profile, during transactions, in Friends lists, and the CHOOSE RESIDENT window (also used when reporting abuse).

Some may be wondering why in the world the Lindens decided to go with this so called “improvement” now and some may already have their own thoughts on this particular subject. Their official reason was that “selecting a Second Life name is one of the biggest hurdles in the new Resident registration process” and is the most common reason that they abandon the entire registration. Long time residents are saying that this is Linden’s way of applying “correction tape” to the demand and request of being able to change your second life names. Maybe it’s a bit of both in the overall scheme of things- who knows? This nifty new feature will be implemented after careful and extensive testing on the test grid Aditi before it’s released and officially introduced to the Beta Grid for the 2.0 Beta Viewer. What does this mean for those that are running an older version of the official second life viewer or even the third party viewers? To put it simply nothing really changes and you won’t even see the display names so you may not even have to worry about it. Third party viewers are subject to change when the creators and scripters of that viewer decides to put that feature in so it has no bearing on the official 2.0 viewer and it’s changes. Also when logging into second life on the 2.0 viewer you can still use your second life name (user name) with the period or space. An expample would be if your name is Laura Lilibrook then you would enter Laura.Lilibrook or Laura Lilibrook to log in.

For business owners this could potentially be something great to use or something even more confusing depending on the way that you think and function. In the edit tab or the build menu when you click on your creations it will show both your display name and your username, which wouldn’t be visible if you used all 31 characters for your display name.

Now I personally have a few issues with this and I’m sure it’s probably been on the minds of a few others as well. Here’s what I’m thinking…

They say that it will be easier to find friends and recognize them with display names but I have to question them on this one. If you’re allowed to change it once per week after the launch- although while it’s still in beta you can change it multiple times- then what if they choose something entirely different from their user name- a username that you have identified with this person for all your time of knowing them? And what if they change it every single week to something different? How does that make it easier to find them or recognize them if you’re looking in your friends list? Sure you could scroll or hover your mouse over their name or check profiles to see their usernames but doesn’t it make it more troublesome, not less? I like being able to find my friends on my list at a simple glance with a hit of my tab button. Maybe you should think about this LL because I’m not sure where you got the idea it would be easier. Also what does this do for businesses or careers? If a model changes their name every week how do we identify her/him- with their username or their display names?

What if I find someone walking around with my exact name as their display name? They can chat with others, use that name for business purposes perhaps and even impersonate someone me or someone else! While it’s true that you can quickly find out of they are legitimately the person their display name claims them to be by checking their profile or inspecting them to find their usernames who wants to go through all this trouble and have to wonder all the time whether they are the real deal or not? This also makes me wonder about whether we will continue to keep and retain the unique identities that we have created and cultivated in second life.

Now there are some cool things that come with the name change that I can’t deny or overlook so I won’t even try.

You’ve probably seen so many people strutting their stuff with those huge titlers and sometimes it just made you go blind looking at them or confused you with all the text that blended in with the background or their bodies. Titlers are used for many purposes whether it’s just to be goofy and announce a preference, a nickname, or for business and advertising purposes. The display name feature eliminates titlers in a way and cuts down on some lag I suppose. So if you owned a business you could change your display name to Kookie Crumble of Kookie-Land Designs for example. Which is a nifty feature to have on hand although I wouldn’t say it was so dire in need that the display name feature should be created just for this.

Let’s say that when you first registered you thought it would be really cool to have a goofy and weird name but as you grew in second life you realized that it wasn’t so great to have a name with 20 characters or all numbers but you couldn’t change it. With the display name feature that is taken care of because while your username may remain all numbers you can quickly change it to whatever your heart desires.

What if you get married and want to take on the last name of your new beaux of the week like you would do in real life- for some people? The display name feature takes care of this as well and you’re quickly back in business with a new last name to reflect your new relationship and connections.

Linden Labs is working on putting in any feature that would make the display name feature convienient for the residents of second life to retain their current identities and to lose them if they so choose by not displaying them. While I’m not jumping for joy at this new feature and still have a few doubts on it I guess I’ll just have to wait and see how it will effect my overall quality of SLife. I personally use Emerald Viewer and unless they decide to change with the times like the 2.0 viewer I doubt that anything will be changing for me since I won’t even see the display names. But it’s something to keep in mind the next time you log in.

Want to have your voice heard then maybe you should vote on this new impending improvement launch. You can add your voice Here.

I’ve also included the video tutorial and introduction to the Display Name feature created by Torley Linden. Enjoy and let us know what you think or feel about this!

I recently had the awesome chance to sit down and have a chat with a pretty cool designer, GryphElyse, who specializes in comfortable high quality clothing for women and also has selections for men as well. I was lucky enough that she replied to my letter of inquiry for an interview after she finally managed to get her shop up and situated. It was a pretty interesting conversation and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I believe that you all will to! She gave some insight to her designs, lines, what it took to get where she is, and how she got started. She also gave some great tips to aspiring designers! Be sure to check this out and run, don’t walk, to her store to take a peek at her latest designs! You can check out here store HERE. You can also check out a sneak peek of some of her designs after the interview. Enjoy!

KaylenaMaria Destiny: Thank you again for agreeing to do the interview with me. I really appreciate it. -smile-
GryphElyse Wingtips: I really appreciate you taking the time to interview me! =D
GryphElyse Wingtips: I am always enthusiastic to let people know about my designs >.>
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Well from what I saw they are really nice. =D
GryphElyse Wingtips: Aww, thank you <3 *blushes*
KaylenaMaria Destiny: What made you start designing?
GryphElyse Wingtips: Hmm that actually goes back to before Second Life
GryphElyse Wingtips: If you’ve ever heard of There, it’s a platform that was sort of SL’s runty little sibling.It’s long closed now, but that was where I started out.But my motivations There were really the same as here. I saw a lot of clothing that I didn’t want to wear xD so I decided to make some for myself.
KaylenaMaria Destiny laughs, “That’s usually the way of it I think. Hehe.Which I can completely understand. I’d be designing clothes myself if I had the patience. Hehe”
GryphElyse Wingtips: My very first design was a pair of boots – the Stomp boots, actually – they’re quite old now, but they’re in the Legacy section for sentimental purposes… all I could find for women were stilleto heels and bling… that was really how it went for a long time, was just me trying to fill the gap of clothes for SL residents who didn’t want to look… how do I say this tactfully… *cough* streetwalker-ish.
KaylenaMaria Destiny grins, “I hear you on that one.”
GryphElyse Wingtips: I’d still like to think my stuff is pretty sexy ^^; but that remains one of my main motivations, is to stay classy
GryphElyse Wingtips: …am I getting ahead of myself? >.>’
GryphElyse Wingtips: you were probably going to ask that xD
KaylenaMaria Destiny: LOL
KaylenaMaria Destiny: It’s fine. =)
KaylenaMaria Destiny: I love hearing about the inspiration behind a designers line and whatnot.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: I think that it can be inspiring to others that have the same view.
GryphElyse Wingtips: :3 I have one other motivation that’s very related to that.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Oh? do tell! :3
GryphElyse Wingtips: Well of course several other motivations including paying the rent xD but what I was referring to was that I want to make something a little different, something you can’t find if you just step into a random botique.
GryphElyse Wingtips: And of course that’s related to the, excuse my tactless…. I call them “Slutwear Emporia”… they’re everywhere.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: That’s certainly true from what I’ve seen. Your designs seem to have a bit of an outdoorsy and comfortable feel but they certainly don’t put aside femininity!
GryphElyse Wingtips: Thank you! That’s what I was going for. <3 Well not always outdoorsy, that’s actually just the Altitude series
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Ah I see. So you have more themes available for different styles?
GryphElyse Wingtips: Yus, one of my favorite series that’s just starting is the Dawn collection…. inspiration from all over Asia… China, Thailand, India… that’s in the works, but you can see it in the Arum tunic.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: That sounds great! I’ve always loved cultural influences. They can bring something new to outfits :3
GryphElyse Wingtips: Yus! I’ve always been very interested in Asia, I even visited Thailand once… that’s where I got some of my inspiration for that series.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Oh now I’ll definitely have to check that line out! :3
GryphElyse Wingtips: There’s going to be silk involved, Mandarin collars, frog buttons… and I’m planning some sculpted harem pants!
GryphElyse Wingtips: But that’s not out yet so shhh >.>
KaylenaMaria Destiny grins, “Hehe. Your secret is safe. lol!”
GryphElyse Wingtips: Except to your readers! xD
GryphElyse Wingtips: *waves to everyone*
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Yup and I’m sure it will have them anticipating and salivating for it to come. haha
GryphElyse Wingtips: Exactly *wink*
KaylenaMaria Destiny: So I’m always wondering, did you come in with a graphical background to become a designer?
GryphElyse Wingtips: Yes, actually
GryphElyse Wingtips: I have a ton of RL art background
GryphElyse Wingtips: Even went to an arts-focused high school GryphElyse Wingtips: I love drawing… I have a few comics that I started… people are my favorite things to draw
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Oh cool. Your clothing really has an air of quality that I’ve seen takes some skill and knowledge behind it.
GryphElyse Wingtips: It was designing that really got me into digital art, though… I learned Photoshop as I went along.
GryphElyse Wingtips: Oh, thank you.
GryphElyse Wingtips: It’s taken me a long, long time to build up these mad skillz. xD But yes, I would definitely say that the RL art background has been invaluable. Knowing how to shade, knowing what cloth folds look like, etc.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: I say that because I tried to design clothing with no knowledge or previous experience and well……they didn’t turn out so great. lol! So I definitely say kudos to you!
GryphElyse Wingtips: Awww, don’t feel bad xD
GryphElyse Wingtips: Everyone has different talents!
KaylenaMaria Destiny: lol. Oh I don’t anymore. My job now is to get designers’s names out there and help spread the fashion. :3
GryphElyse Wingtips: And you’re fantastic at that.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Thank you! I do try. *tries to look modest but fails miserably* lmao!
GryphElyse Wingtips: Haha Speaking of modest, have you heard the news? I’ve got the best jeans in SL. It’s official. *polishes fingernails modestly*
KaylenaMaria Destiny laughs, “Oh I can believe it! And you have clothing for men as well right?”
GryphElyse Wingtips: *nod* I try to do something for guys as often as possible, cause I know how hard it is to find decent stuff for men. All my jeans are unisex, there’s that.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: God yes. I try shopping for my male friends and want to tear my hair out. lol
GryphElyse Wingtips: And as often as I can I make a male version of a release. I can’t do it for most stuff, like this Theta top, but I do have a couple items planned that are just for guys.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Oh that’s a part of your line? I was admiring it. Gonna have to go pick one up. hehe
GryphElyse Wingtips: Everything I’m wearing is from my store ^^; Even the boots, as you’ll note their lack of stilletto heel
KaylenaMaria Destiny: better for not tripping and breaking your ankles in. *laughs*
GryphElyse Wingtips: and easier to sculpt *grin* that was my first sculpt, I was just learning the program. They came out awesome though. xD I tend to be kind of a perfectionist when it comes to… well, everything.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: So yo’d say it was easy to get into sculpting?
GryphElyse Wingtips: Uhhhh that would be a NO. xD
KaylenaMaria Destiny laughs
GryphElyse Wingtips: It still takes me days to make a sculpt. This knot on my shoulder, for example… tricky as heck.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Well they all came out beautifully I can say that
GryphElyse Wingtips: Really my fault; if I were less of a perfectionist things would be much easier. I won’t upload something if I haven’t spent at least 20 hours tweaking >.<’ it makes for slower releases, but I consider it worth it for the little quality things like matched seams
KaylenaMaria Destiny: But being a perfectionist just brings the quality of your work to a higher level and people recognize that.
GryphElyse Wingtips: I hope they do! :3
KaylenaMaria Destiny: I know I have. Now I want to go get a pair of those shoes. lol!
GryphElyse Wingtips: they’re boots akshly… let me show you the rest. These are the Altitude boots, from *dingdingding* the Altitude series xD They’re from a few months ago… big customer favorite. Kind of a wintry look.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Wow. I didn’t even notice that! They looked like normal shoes. That’s clever and they look great. Makes me want to go somewhere snowy to wear them. lolz
GryphElyse Wingtips: You can’t see the laces too well, but I was thinking of eskimo moccasins xD
GryphElyse Wingtips: I spent hours getting the leather to look raw and worn and natural
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Yeah. That was the feel I got from them too. ^_^
KaylenaMaria Destiny: You succeeded!
GryphElyse Wingtips: Yay!
GryphElyse Wingtips: I think they go great with jeans *nudge nudge wink wink* especially jeans with a Seat Shaper >.>
KaylenaMaria Destiny: When I saw the photos you sent me I really marveled over them because while some would say they are simple I’ve seen enough clothing to recognize the workmanship. The textures looked really soft and natural
KaylenaMaria Destiny: *laughs*
GryphElyse Wingtips: Nothing in my store is simple xD
GryphElyse Wingtips: well, not in terms of how much time goes into it
KaylenaMaria Destiny: And I know there are plenty of women (and men) that enjoy dressing down in SL but want to keep their style. That looks like you’re not even trying.
GryphElyse Wingtips: Oh, yeah… and want to stay classy but still wear something that is unique, maybe a little unusual, attracts a second glance…. that’s what I’m going for
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Well you certainly did at that. I was actually going to inspect you to see wheree it came from but didn’t want to look obvious with my edit beams tagging you. LOL XD
GryphElyse Wingtips: O nooooes I’m being molestered by particle beams *writhes*
KaylenaMaria Destiny: lmfao!!!
GryphElyse Wingtips: Just a shoutout to anyone reading this… if you don’t like that crack in your SL av mesh, seriously, check out the jeans… you’ve never seen jeans like this >:D
KaylenaMaria Destiny: lol!!!!!!
GryphElyse Wingtips: *forcefully shuts off advertising mode* Shush, Gryph!
KaylenaMaria Destiny: you’re a riot! lol
GryphElyse Wingtips: I gotta pay the rent! xD
KaylenaMaria Destiny: oh trust me I know that feeling. XD
GryphElyse Wingtips: ;_; Still trying to get a big enough customer base to break even on my massive rent
GryphElyse Wingtips: but my shop is oh so pretty D:
GryphElyse Wingtips: *waves arms wildly* I’m over heeeere! Throw money at meeee!
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Well I’m going to see what I can do about getting more to ya.
GryphElyse Wingtips: …you can edit that out >.>
KaylenaMaria Destiny: lmfao!!!
GryphElyse Wingtips: xD Thank youuu <3
GryphElyse Wingtips: I’m also saving up for a scripted vendor and gift card system…. I know the current system is a tad annoying
GryphElyse Wingtips: Still got $5k to go, but it’ll be worth it if I can make things easier for my customers <3
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Well they do say improvements take time and have to start with what you have. ^_^
GryphElyse Wingtips: Indeed!
KaylenaMaria Destiny: o.o wow being a designer is expensive
GryphElyse Wingtips: I started SL without a single cent >.>
GryphElyse Wingtips: I still haven’t bought any L$ in the entire time I’m here, I’m making it a game to see how long I can go.
GryphElyse Wingtips: (I’m a few years old now)
GryphElyse Wingtips: I camped to get enough money for my first texture uploads xDDD
KaylenaMaria Destiny: WOW
KaylenaMaria Destiny: I’m doubly impressed now
GryphElyse Wingtips: Xstreet SL has been a major help for me, although it doesn’t have my latest stuff…. I’m looking forward to the Marketplace
GryphElyse Wingtips: as soon as they take it out of beta… *grumble grr missing features argh*
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Well that’s an inspiration to anyone thinking they need to bring in big bucks from outside SL. It can be done.
KaylenaMaria Destiny: lol
GryphElyse Wingtips: Haha… oh yeah… but those people should know that it took me two years to even get enough L$ to rent a tiny parcel!
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Hey rome wasn’t built in a day. lol
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Do you have a website perchance?
GryphElyse Wingtips: Yups! Gryphon Wings Home Page
KaylenaMaria Destiny: oh i love wix. XD
GryphElyse Wingtips: It’s a lovely site…. I even have a page with a “sketchbook” of my designer process and some ideas I have for upcoming designs
GryphElyse Wingtips: I love showing people my process
GryphElyse Wingtips: I’m just so excited whenever I start a new design I want to share it xD
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Oh and I’m sure that they find that invaluable…especially aspiring designers and those interested in the thought behind the work
GryphElyse Wingtips: *nod* I try to take time to give tips to aspiring designers
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Do you have any last minute tips for them?
GryphElyse Wingtips: I’m also conducting a survey over a period of time, whenver I can find a successful designer, I have a notecard that asks things about their process… getting tips for me and for all the other up-and-comings… gonna put it on my site someday….
GryphElyse Wingtips: oh! Eheh sorry got carried away
GryphElyse Wingtips: Hmmm…. the most important thing when you design is that you understand shading and clothing folds… so I advise designers to study RL art… maybe do some figure drawing… learn to draw the clothes first, then paint them on an avatar
GryphElyse Wingtips: you don’t have to know proportions or anything, it’s all about shading and knowing how light falls
KaylenaMaria Destiny: Do you use any special tools? I know some people like to use tablets when they draw in pc programs
GryphElyse Wingtips: Oh heck yeah, I would not be able to LIVE without my Wacom tablet… I’m using a really fancy Intuos4, but you can get by with a $50 Graphire or Bamboo Fun tablet as long as it’s pressure sensitive
GryphElyse Wingtips: My dream one day is that I’ll be big, like people-know-my-name Big, like Maitreya or League… because then I’ll be able to afford a Cintiq tablet where you draw right on the screen
KaylenaMaria Destiny: That’s probably best for those serious designers. You have to have the right tools to create great work.

GryphElyse Wingtips: Yup, and patience out the wazoo xD
KaylenaMaria Destiny: I hear ya!

KaylenaMaria Destiny: Thank you again so much for interviewing with me. I’m sure MPI readers and models will love your designs! and you’ll have more customers than you can handle!

I know that I’ve been terribly neglectful of our counterparts out there which I deeply apologize for. It seems that fashion is more geared and aimed toward women consumers rather than males and that’s a shame since I know plenty of men that take a lot of time to look good and keep up with trends and stay in style. Fashion is not exclusive to females and I’m here to help those men that may not really have that mindset for fashion or the time to take lessons but really do want to look good. Here are some tips for the average man to keep in mind when shopping for clothes or when getting dressed to begin their day instead of being lazy and staying in the same outfit for weeks on end (yes I’ve seen it and it was so sad).

1. Fit, fit, fit!

Most men will go to extremes- either too tight or too big. If you find clothes that hug your curves but doesn’t squeeze the life out of you then you’ll see a dramatic improvement. If you wear your clothes too tightly then you’ll give off the image that you’re trying to be some tough guy to show off your body way to hard and that annoys everyone around you. If you have clothes that are way too big then it just makes you look sloppy and unkept- not a good way to present yourself.

2. Keep it simple.

You want to look great but that doesn’t mean you have to overdo it to get that effect. That means don’t wear more than two or three pieces of jewelry at one time. Bling is NOT hot and just looks blinding and is for noobs. Layering is great but too much makes you look heavy and the outfit too busy. You can spice up your outfit wearing a striped button down shirt slightly open and a dark blazer with a hat or messy bed-head. A little can go a long way for males.

3. Change your perception of casual.

Times are changing and men are coming to understand the power of casual fashion and how to truly master it so why can’t you? Casual no longer means dressing down in the conventional sense. So take advantage of layering your outfits- add a jacket, sweater, or vest! Take a chance and mix up your wardrobe. There are no truly set in stone rules to fashion but it’s only judged by your fashion eye! Accents are in now so take it to the next level! You can wear almost all black but throw in a hot new color like red, white, blue, etc.

4. Never go shopping by yourself.

You can never really trust a sales associate because they are paid to make you buy the clothing so it’s always good to have a second opinion although you never want it to go against your gut instinct. Ask them about discounts or what will go on sale and before you go shopping be sure to take a look at what is already in your closet and go from there! And let’s not forget accessories as they can add just as much paunch for a guy as any female!

5. Never underestimate supporting pieces and the power of details.

Don’t ever underestimate the power of a scarf or a great watch and hat! They can bring that outfit to the next level!

6. Invest in some quality shoes.

Now I can tell you from experience and from my own point of view as a woman that one of the very first things I notice about a man are what he’s wearing on his feet. You can tell a lot about a guy when you look at his shoes. If you go cheap and low quality it shows that you aren’t really investing that much in your appearance but if you invest in one or two really great looking shoes it really can impress!

7. Brand names don’t mean jack.

Brand names are great if you want to name drop but in the thick of things all they mean is taking more money out of your wallet. Your clothing should suit you, not the other way around and there are tons of clothing out there that look great that cost way less. Also if you’re just buying the brand for no other reason than because you can then it’ll probably end up showing that you are trying way to hard.

8. And undershirt is just that- and undershirt.

One of the things that always annoys me in second life and in real life is seeing a man wear an undershirt like it was any other button down shirt or something. Undershirts are meant to be worn under your clothes to absorb sweat. Wearing an undershirt might be comfortable but it is not cute to wear along with just some jeans no matter how much it shows off your muscles.

You’d be surprised at the type of fashion mistakes that most women make and at how easily they can be prevented but we’re here to help you with that and to get you back on the right track. Some of these tips can help with your real life fashion problems as well and I hope that they are of some use to you in the future. Enjoy!

1. People rely way too much on the fashion media.
I’m one of the first people to say that I love to read all the fashion magazines and soak it all up like a sponge but there are times when you see something that looks fabulous on various celebrities and models and you go- “I just have to have that!” You’d think that logic would work and make sense when put into reality and practice but it rarely does. When you see those celebrity fashions they are something to aspire to not copy-cat. You could end up getting something completely overpriced and then having it not fit you correctly or look completely wrong with your shape, body type or face. There are many ways to make a style work for you but you need to make it your own by putting your own spin on it. A square neckline and empire waist may work for some but maybe you’ll need to go with a V-neck and an A-line outfit. It all depends on your body and personal style. So enjoy the magazines and the new trends but let it inspire you to be creative on your own and become your own fashionista- not a fashion victim.

2. Buying clothes that don’t fit.
You would think that this is an obvious one but many people overlook the other aspects of this. There is much more to fit than just being able to zip the darn thing up or have it look decent on you. The length of your sleeves or hem can make or break an outfit so take a look at the following tips. (Note: I’ve added a few other tips that may be helpful in your real life as well. -smile-)

• Long sleeved garments should hit just below the wrist bone with just a little ease
  
• A button-front blouse should never gap open at the bustline. If the garment seems to fit, the problem may just be wide-spaced buttons. Attach a snap.
• A slim or pencil skirt should fit without bunching or wrinkling up. Do the sit-down test.
• Hemline correction — skirts should be completely straight all the way around. If that’s not the case (because of hips or tummy) have it rehemmed.
• Tailored pants should fall to the top of your instep.
• Long, formal gowns should fall to about an inch off the ground.

3.Creating a mish-mash wardrobe by buying odds and ends.
Buying up odds and ends on sale may seem to make sense. After all, the easy availability of off-price merchandise has lulled us into thinking that minor purchases won’t blow our wardrobe concept or budget. It’s really the little pieces that can completely destroy an outfit if you’re not careful. Take a look at the below tips on how to get on the right track.

• Stop impulse buying. Every L$ 10 mistake you would have picked up in a bargain bin goes to a really great wardrobe.
• In the first step of cleaning out your closet, eliminate everything that doesn’t fit or that you haven’t worn in a year.
• A few weeks later, go back and get rid of all the stuff you fudged on the first time around.
• With what’s left, begin identifying a theme to your wardrobe, relying on favorite looks, colors and lifestyle pieces.
• Decide on three colors that either match or will coordinate with what you own and buy only those three colors for apparel.
• Establish a workable budget.
• Make a list of all the items you need in your wardrobe.
• Set aside an hour of time each week or day to shop – online or off.
• Avoid trendy items.
• Buy clothing that will span two or three seasons – like wool crepe or matte jersey
• Purchase only clothes that work with something you already own.
• Pass on anything that doesn’t fit – no matter how great a buy.
• Try to add only one or two well-thought out items per day or week. (depends on RL or SL)
• Add punchy color and trendiness with accessories, shoes, handbags.
• Continually eliminate and replace essential wardrobe pieces once it is built up so that you are never caught without a necessary item.

4. Getting stuck in a style rut.
Sticking with classics has been conventional style wisdom for ages, and for women with full lives and limited resources this is still a sure way to investment dressing. The problem is that as we grow older, we sometimes become a little too comfortable wearing our old standbys (or just doing “replenishment” shopping each season). Sometimes all it takes is tweaking the basics that you already own to look fabulous.

• Pick up a women’s magazine you normally wouldn’t buy (hint: should have more fashion than recipes on the cover). Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and W are good starters.
• Go to a different store (online or physical) and try on new labels, even if the style is similar to what you already own. You may be surprised what you’re missing if you rely on certain set merchants and brands.
• Slip in some punchy color. Every season there’s a trendy color palette, and it’s usually not too hard to figure out what it is. Use color as accent pieces — a bright scarf, a camisole under a suit.
• Accessories are the easiest ways to update a look. Choose a new handbag, sexy sandals or a new necklace. If you’re not sure what’s modern, ask a sales associate (or instore models) to point you to what’s hot — they usually know what others are asking for.

As a model in second life having a good and high quality portfolio is a big part of the business and getting yourself out there to get more work. There have been a huge influx of new photographers on the scene lately if the increase of notices sent out in groups for advertisement is anything to go by. And how are these photographers increasing competing with the older, veteran industry photographers? They are charging so much less! Now the question you really need to ask yourself, is a lower cost going to bring you a great photo or a mediocre one?

Now I’m not going to name any photographers because we all have our personal opinions and tastes on who we prefer and who has the better quality photos. I think that every photographer has their own strong points and has their own level of quality and knowledge in their skills. Now new models may wonder how do they find the good photographers and how do they go about having a successful encounter and end up with a wonderful portfolio? That’s what I’m here to help with.

1. It’s easy to find a photographer on the grid with a little bit of skill and a low price and it’s natural to be hesitant to go with a photographer that charges a higher rate because then you wonder is it truly worth it. But is it worth it to pay and get a photograph that is lower quality than others? It’s not a bad thing to pay for quality. It takes time to discover those great photograhers out there and you will have to do some searching. So check out the classifieds and places in the search tab for photographers or photography. Teleport to the locations and check out their work, rates, what services they offer and whatnot. Take your time and scout them out. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and tired of doing it so you end up rushing. This is definitely the wrong tact to take. I always suggest to new models and even veteran models to have photographers that they like or end up considering for work later on in a notecard in their inventory listing their name, rates, services, and a note or two on what you particularly liked about that photographer to job your memory later on.

2. Now you may wonder how to have a successful photo shoot. You may think, “Well don’t I just have to show up in the outfit, say what type of pose I want and then have them make the shot? Is there really anymore to it?” The answer to that is there definitely is. It’s always good to have a clear visual and idea of the picture you want in your mind’s eye so you can better be able to describe your vision to the photographer. They are a tool to be used and like any tool they can’t work successfully without being directed on what to do. If you give you them a real and clear idea of what you want you’re going to get it. So be sure to IM the photographer and talk to them about what you want, write it down in a notecard and send it to them (properly named so they can find it) so they can look back on what you want. I always say, be as descriptive as you possibly can to get your point of view across. You want them to be able to see it as clearly as you do.

3. If you do not like it, change it. Now if you did step two properly then you really shouldn’t have a problem with step three. Now for a quick explanation. You are a paying customer and as they always say, “the customer is always right.” and that’s a motto that most businesspersons tend to follow. So if you gave them some direction and are not satisified and feel that you want a change here and there, ask for it it. But be specific. Don’t just say, “Oh I don’t like this.” What don’t you like about it? What could be changed? What would you rather be changed? You have the right to get your money’s worth.

4. Select versatile outfits and views of your look. Modeling is about variety and being able to fit any role that is thrown your way in a job so mae sure that when you give your portfolio to a client that they are able to see you in a many number of looks, themes, and styles- basically see you in any role.

5. Be sure that your photograph makes sense and the idea you were going for translates off the page. Why would you be laying down in a swimsuit if you really need to be able to see your body and the design of your outfit? Why would you wear a couture gown with an irrelevant background that doesn’t make any sense. The viewer should be able to see that outfit on themselves and understand what it is trying to convey.

6. Choose your poses carefully. People can usually photoshop anything but a truly bad pose is not something you can smudge away. So take consideration of your prims, how you are looking, and if anything is sticking out. You never want to see your hands going inside your body or clothing.

Well yesterday you heard of my harrowing tale with those women that could model for women on steroids but today I wanted to talk about another journey I had while visiting zombieland. Well it’s not really zombieland as one would know it but it certainly was an interesting vacation that’s for sure. As you can see by my pictures, it’s taking me a while to heal from the wounds and so have been out of commission on any modeling jobs or fashion shows. [sniffles sadly as she thinks about her dwindling career before squealing as one of her eyeballs pop out and hang down her face. She starts emitting tiny squeaks and chants of "ew", "gross", and "oh my god!" as she valiantly tries to stuff it back in the socket without getting too much eyeball juice on her fingers.]

Okay…well…it seems that you are all lucky enough to see me in a new light! But as I was saying I had gotten an invitation to check out Bailers Outfitters and their new Halloween attraction. They promised that it would be scary beyond belief and to bring a few of my friends in case I passed out from the shock. Needless to say I’m one that likes to live dangerously and decided to brave the untested waters and haunted lands by my lonesome and I’m glad to say that I’m still standing. It seems when you first teleport in you end up at the mainstore and will have to walk down the stairs to the UFO sighting to get to the truly spooky part of the attraction. Beware of that staircase! That fall could be a killer! Fortunately I had duct tape and reinforced staples holding me together so I didn’t have to worry overmuch. [Grins]

There were a few people shrieking and crying as the zombies chased them around the graveyard. It seems looking like Freddy Krugar’s construction paper project can open a lot of doors for you and keep your butt alive in some pretty sticky situations! It seemed like my look became my automatic pass and I was taking full advantage of it, sitting down at the local Bait & Burgers shop as I watched the ghosts and ghoulies scare the residents. I have to say that despite the disgusting and misleading name they had some awesome rare meat which is something I normally stay away from considering the calories but as I said- I like to live dangerously!

Now even looking like death personified I had to dress up for the occassion and what better way than to go through my gothic dresses and outfits. This is one of those times of the year that you get to go all out and pretty is just overrated and disdained. It’s time for the ugly ducklings to take back their crown for one week of the year and rock it out! The outfit I decided to don tonight was a cute little sassy number by She Wants Revenge. I will note that there have been a few rumors about this particular designer but as I do not have all the facts I’m not going to be one to speculate and instead just enjoy! I think the red of the dress really brought out the blood seeping from my stitched wounds don’t you? [smiles sweetly]

Be sure to join the Starwalkers and Best of SL groups for more information on upcoming attractions for the coming Halloween night. It’s a great way to get out with your friends and enjoy all the scary ghoulies!

Well I’ve been getting a lot of questions for people that are looking to get into this industry and even heard a few horror stories that would’ve put me off of modeling for life if I had been in that person’s jimmy choo’s! It’s so hard to know what’s real and what’s not in second life when you’re just starting out so I’m going to answer a few questions that I know many have asked time and time again.

1. I want to be a model so badly but I don’t have any L to get a high quality skin or clothes. What should I do?

That can be a tough one and has many possible answers really. You’re not going to get by in the professional world of modeling off of freebies- sorry it’s a fact. You will have to spend lindens and if you are wary of purchasing lindens through market exchange then the only other option is to get an SL job. Now as a new second life resident the pickings for jobs are slim as some places only allow you to apply if you are a certain age- been in sl for X of days/weeks/months. But there are those that don’t require it so you might want to check out the classifieds for more information. Now while you may not reach any top of the food chains with freebies it is a great way to start so you’re not walking around in an avatar that you got on your rez day. Get a modifiable skin (if it’s copy even better) and start experiementing with your look. Make it your own!

2. I have the shape and clothes now how do I get a job as a model??

Another question with several possible avenues to explore. There are different types of jobs out there for models such as print, runway and live/in-store modeling, or commercial/television. The easiest would probably be an in-store model and it’s not a very hard job. I think a few good models started off this way. It’s a great way to get clothes and extra cash. Another way is to sign with an agency. This can sometimes be expensive depending on your budget but it’s definitely a perferred method for many models. Being represented sends a message to all designers that you are serious about your work and aspirations in this field. Agencies usually send out notices on contests, set up fashion shows, castings, job opportunities with various designers, etc. so it is definitely something you may want to look into.

3. Modeling Academies are so expensive! Do I really need it?!

Formal training is not neccessarily required but it’s definitely perferred by agencies that you sign with. Some agencies- like MPI Model Management- actually provide training for their signed models once they are accepted into the agency and cannot accept work or begin working officially until they meet the specified requirements of that particular agency. Having an academy name in your resume is nice and adds to the prestige of things but no it’s not neccessary. Most of what I have learned has been outside of the classroom from actually doing it and speaking with others. If you are not up to investing into academy training feel free to drop by the Model Workshops- free weekly seminars for models and aspiring models where the industry, tips, information, news is discussed or lectures given by the established working models and agency owners- to get information and to learn more on this career. Attend fashion shows, read SL fashion magazines to stay abreast on the news within the fashion world. Also join the Best of SL readers group and Starwalkers- two awesome groups for anyone that wishes to make it here.

4. I want to join an academy to get formal training but how do I make sure that they are not a scam that will run off with my money?

Gawd that’s the worst. There are so many scams in SL because everyone wants a quick buck and it’s hard to know the legitimate companies out there but it’s not impossible! If you have a school or schools in mind be sure to drop by their location to check out the grounds. Take a look at their application (don’t fill it out yet) and the classes they are offering and the topics that it covers. Talk to the owners and/or instructors about the course and how intensive it is, how does the scheduling go, do they have any post graduate help, etc. Another good idea is to ask for a few alumni of their academy and/or current students to get their take on things and their experience with it. Agency Report is also a great resource tool to see reviews of that school or program to make sure you are getting your money’s worth.

5. I’m looking for an agency to sign with, how do I know what to look for or which ones are the right ones to join?

This is actually a very simply answered question albeit a long one. As I said above talk to the staff and models that are signed with that agency. Take a look at Agency Report to get reviews, things can be quite revealing on that site and it’s a gold mine of information. Be sure to check out how long they have been open but also how active they have been. What have they done recently- shows that they have put on, jobs that they have gotten models, etc. Visit their agency in-world to take a look around- a lot can be said to how much care is put into their building and location.

6. Do models make a lot of money in SL?

Hmm…how best to answer this question of yours…How about I get all the rest of the models to say it with me: No Way in Hell! You’ve heard me say it before and I’ll say it for those in the back with cotton in their ears, you will not make a ton of money being a model in second life- it’s a fact of life. Whether you get paid in L or items depends on the agency and their budget and revenue. It can take quite a bit to run an agency- paying staff, tier fees, advertising, (maybe models). And well established models will tell you that you can get paid anywhere from 0 (the outfits that you wear) to 1K per show, photo shoot, or in-store modeling.

7. Why do we need tons of skin to be a good model?

I’m assuming that if you asked this question then you are REALLY to not only this industry but SL as well. If you haven’t noticed by now, skin in SL comes in varying shades and make up options- facial hair for men- so you have to choose several skins to get a variety of make up to fit the outfits that you wear. For instance, you do not want to wear a sunny yellow dress with a pale-as-computer-paper goth skin. That may be your every day look but it won’t work for that particular outfit so you have to change things up. It’s just like wearing your hair up with an elegant gown- it accentuates the design you’re wearing. So it’s necessary to have at least 5 skins in your inventory 10 to 20 is better. But we all know how expensive those things can be so buy wisely and I suggest buying ones that you can use for many different outfits and save the eccentric looks for later when you actually need them if you are on a budget.

7. Is there really a big deal with using AO poses and static poses on the runway?

Okay…Ao poses are cute for the runway but bad for photos which is why a lot of models choose to use static poses instead. There are always photographers at runway shows snapping pictures so you don’t want to get caught in the middle of your AO pose doing something very awkward that ruins the photo. I tend to use AO poses rarely or very discreetly, choosing posses with a lot of time between transitions. My advice is: Choose wisely!

Well I hope that these questions have cleared up a few misconceptions for those that are looking to be a model or had some confusion over this industry or even how to begin their career. I wish you all the best of luck!

As a female in the modeling and fashion industry, I’m not amazed at the amount of choices and the variety of styles there are to choose from and the number of jobs available for us out there. It comes as no particular surprise to me that there are so many designers that cater to the female customers of second life. It also, sadly enough, comes of no surprise to me that there are not just as many high quality designers for males as well. Now, that doesn’t mean I wish it wouldn’t change, because I do. I’ve shopped with many male friends to update their looks and I’m saddened by the lack of diverse and varying choices there are out there.

Now please do not think I’m detracting from those designers that do cater to men or design clothing for the average male of second life, because I’m certainly not doing that. I have a deep respect for any designer out there because they are able to do something that I have never had the skill or patience to learn and do. Shopping for men out there can be a pain. I can’t tell you the amount of stores I’ve had to walk around just to find ONE decent hairstyle that would fit their avatar or clothes that were something a bit more than just jeans and a T-shirt. And the funny thing is that as much as this frustrates me, I’m not a man! I wonder exactly how actual men out there feel about this. Are they as frustrated and saddened as I am?

Now to continue our discussion about men in the fashion world, let’s move onto something that hits very close to home for many men that may read this article and blog, the male model of second life. Now I’ve talked to plenty of males in the industry and interviewed them for various articles and whatnot and they’ve all said the same thing. They wished there was more. Let me ask you this…as a female you have TONS of jobs rolling in wherever you go. There’s always something out there and someone in need of a female model to showcase their designs but what of the males?? Now we’ve already established that there are not that many high quality designers out there that make clothing for the average male. Maybe designing for women is a lot easier and more fun for them- who knows. But I know that it must be a lot harder for males to find work in the industry than that of their counterparts.

Does this embitter some males? Do they resent us females because of this, maybe just a little?? I’ve constantly wondered about that, and it’s just become more nagging to me as I’ve become more involved in this industry. Do male models receive just as much work as the female? What type of experiences have they had with the industry and designers? Oh a good question I’ve always wondered- do men really like to shop as much as women?? Please feel free to give your feedback and share your experiences! Curious minds want to know- namely mine! [Laughs]