Metro Virtual Fashion: volume 2, issue 4

vol 2 issue 4

covergirl: haruka kish

fall reflection 路 round the world on a shoestring oh my goth 路 a year of M E T RO 路 style your destiny

is a quarterly publication from METRO MODELS Contributors and models: Alaska Metropolitan Arabesque Baroque Haruka Kish Honey Bender r0bin Helsinki Sally Yachvili Valena Glushenko

from the editor

Publication date: December 2008/January 2009

T

here’s something about a new year that sparks change and renewal. It’s a time to revamp your wardrobe a little bit, re-evaluate your goals and priorities, and make changes as needed.

For METRO, the new year marks a change in ownership (yet to be disclosed.) The agency may be functioning differently in the future, but our commitment to quality will be maintained. METRO Virtual Fashion is planned to have continued production, but the format may be changed or adapted. It’s my sincere hope that new management of the Metro Models agency will give the business the attention and dedication it deserves. It’s been an amazing time for us and the agency has grown more successful and larger than I ever hoped or planned for. It’s most certainly larger than one person now!

I’ve documented the past year-and-a-bit of the agency as a retrospective of the engaging, unique, and fun events METRO has worked on.

This issue of the magazine also focuses on luxe fashion in Second Life with features on realism in fall style, a unique take on the Gothic subculture, and a spread on shoes: every woman’s favourite accessory. The final part of the Style Your Destiny series by Arabesque Baroque is also included.

I look forward to seeing the new direction Metro Models and Metro Virtual Fashion will take in the future, and I hope you’ll join us for the ride!

Alaska Metropolitan METRO Virtual Fashion vol 2 issue 4 | 4

Ad rates: Because of upcoming publication changes, ad rates may change for upcoming issues.

Please IM Alaska Metropolitan to find out more information about ad rates and future publication dates.

F E AT UR ES

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A RT ICL ES

fall reflection When the weather gets colder, comfort and warmth become part of style. In this feature, Sally shows some lovely fall/winter looks with realism and First Life flare.

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Photography: Sally Yachvili

a year of M E T RO This issue of METRO Virtual Fashion marks the one-year anniversary of the magazine, and the agency itself is now over a year old. This retrospective takes a look at some of the triumphs and inside workings of the agency.

by Alaska Metropolitan

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round the world on a shoestring Combining photographs from around the real world and diverse outfits from around Second Life, r0bin’s feature showcases some of her favourite pairs of shoes from SL’s designers.

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Photography: r0bin Helsinki

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style your destiny (pt. 3) This three part article series gives advice on your appearance and item management from a First Life image consultant, sure to help you manage a swamped inventory!

Part three covers all the little bits and bobs needed to pull your look together: your ao, poses, accessories, and personal lighting.

oh my goth This darker take on fashion reinterprets Gothic style and pairs it with luxe accessories, jewel tones, and fashionforward hair.

by Arabesque Baroque

By Honey Bender

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F E AT UR ED MOD EL covergirl: Haruka Kish Noted for her classy sense of style and lovely avatar, Haruka Kish shares who she credits with starting her modelling career, and some of her personal philosphy that’s gotten her sucess in SL’s modelling world.

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Round the World on a Shoe String Photography: r0bin Helsinki

Featuring r0bin as a guest model

One thing I have learnt in my time is SL is

that nice clothes can be found quite cheaply, but good shoes cost real money! So here is

a selection of the favourites I saved up for,

together with some nice clothes to match and locations from my travels round the world.

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Slinky Stilettos at the Torii Gates

Golden Gisaci between the Daffodils

Comfy Boots in the Winter Wonderland

Baba Yagas in the Souk

On Sadie’s to the Opera

Outfit Credits Slinky Stilettos at the Torii Gates Here I am posing by the Torii gates at the Himeji castle near Kyoto, wearing my wonderful Slinky Stilettos from Maitreya and Qi Pao dress by Bing Qunhua.

The castle itself appears on all the picture postcards from Japan, but these gates are hidden in the park, away from the crowds – perfect for a foto shoot.

Hair Bewitched, Cropped Dark Brown Earrings Chloe Alva, Diamond dangle earrings Bangles Zaara, Indian bangles Dress Qi Pao Chinese dress by Bing Qunhua Tights *Sheer*, Tights 31, Silk Black Shoes Maitreya, Slinky Stilettos

Golden Gisaci between the Daffodils Spring will soon be here again: these are last year’s first daffodils in the field behind our house in Holland. I am wearing the Gisaci Oxford Leather ankle boots from Armidi, which go perfectly with the yellow of the daffodils. The gold lamé skirt, silk stockings and stripy sweater all come from OPIUM, bought from my savings when I worked there as a live model.

Note I am careful to stand between the rows... though the farmer would prefer I stayed out of his field.

Earrings OPIUM Everyday, Vina Necklace OPIUM Everyday, black bead strand Bangles OPIUM Everyday, layered bangles Skirt OPIUM Everyday, gold lamé skirt Stockings OPIUM Everyday, fall silk stockings set Shoes Armidi Gisaci gold Oxford ankle boots

Comfy Boots in the Winter Wonderland It was -15 degrees C in the Winter Wonderland of Lapland when we did this session, but the Comfy Boots from Shiny Things and Colo sweater from ALB kept me nice and warm.

The strange shapes behind me are actually fir trees, buried in snow.

Earrings OPIUM Everyday, Maria Sweater ALB, Colo Jeans Morgana Luna, PS**36 Boots Shiny Things Comfy Boots in acid green

Baba Yagas in the Souk Out shopping in the souk in Fez, Morocco, I found these divine Baba Yaga Stheno heels from Enkythings. The Peacock Freespirit dress is from Zaara, and actually comes from India.

The souk is a shopper’s paradise, with amazing things on every street corner (though a mosaic tabletop is a bit heavy to carry home).

Earrings OPIUM Everyday, Vina Bangles Yak & Yeti, “Devdas” Indian Glass bangles Dress Zaara, Peacock Freespirit dress Tights *Sheer*, Nylon Waves, Black Shoes Enkythings, Baba Yaga Stheno

On Sadie’s to the Opera Here I am at Ripples Restaurant by the Sydney Bridge, ready for an evening at the Opera. I had my hair done especially and dressed up in my silver Sadie stilettos from ZHAO and the Mystic “Wings of a Dove” gown from *DG* ( I had to leave off the long skirt so you could still see the shoes).

The restaurant is a perfect location, with excellent food and a magnificent panorama view of the harbour and the Opera House. The ferry leaves from close by and sails right into the city centre.

Hair *C + C*, Yoko, Brunette Earrings OPIUM Everyday, Maria Gown *DG*, Mystic - Wings of a Dove Stockings OPIUM Everyday, white silk Shoes ZHAO, Sadie stilettos, silver

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a year of METRO

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A retrospectiv

left to right: Summer wearing an exclus

ve by Alaska Metropolitan, the original agency owner

sive RBZ gown for SHINE 2008, models at the 2008 Footwear Expo, Serenity in caLLie cLine at the Ignition event

FEATURED DESIGNERS Metro Models have shown items by the following designers on the runway and for print: Accessories by Eolande Alienbear Jewellery Designs AnnaH Couture Aphrodite Creations Babele Fashion Bossa Nova/Comme Il Faut Calla Callie Cline CKS Designs Common Thread Couture Bliss Cute K Dani’s Designers in Seclusion DK Design DP Serendity Footwear Expo 2008 GHOST! HEPS Hibiskus Indigo Ink Tattoos Ingenue International House of Style Jewelry by Lana Nichols Kaimi’s Normal Wear LogSpark International Luscious and Lords Maison de Zandra Matahari Style MichaMi Naive Nicky Ree OPIUM Everyday PERSONA PIN UPS RBZ Designs Shoe Fly Shoes Sweetest Goodbye Tesla Worldly Treasures METRO Virtual Fashion vol 2 issue 4 | 28

Above: Haruka backstage at the 2nd Fashion at the Cove event Right: A page from the Momento photo HUD, Kryptonia wearing Last Call at the Momento charity show

I have always loved fashion. That much is clear to anyone who knows me well; my first childish scribbings in crayon were of fashion designs and glamorous models. Upset with the numerous pink outfits for my Barbie dolls, I sewed my own to give the poor girl some variety in style. When I joined Second Life in 2005, it was obvious that I’d be involved with the virtual fashion industry in some way.

Though I’d always intended to start fashion show production to some degree early on, it wasn’t until the fall of 2007 that I announced I was forming a fashion agency. I invited friends and models I knew personally to join me, and expanded with the Second Style models group to produce our first show, New Shoots.

To give the models some more exposure and to help to build their portfolios, I launched this magazine (METRO Virtual Fashion) in December of 2007. This issue marks the one year anniversary of the publication.

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A Metro Models fashion show strives to be different from other agencies’. The runway is rebuilt and redecorated for each show, each show is carefully themed, and choreography is planned around the audience to give them the best chance to see the items.

The models themselves are picked for sense of style and unique look. The cookie-cutter principle doesn’t apply here; I tried hard to gather a model roster reflecting diversity and natural beauty.

There were no height requirements, no suggested body shapes or types, just great-looking avatars being themselves.

I lucked out; in an industry that often sees drama, Metro stayed on the sidelines most of the time and didn’t suffer from the rumour-mongering, griefing, or in-fighting that appears to go on elsewhere. Backstage, while always hectic, usually features models helping one another and giving pointers rather than sabotaging each other. It’s the friendly atmosphere and lack of drama that makes Metro an agency people want to work with, in my opinion.

Below: Francesca wearing Naive for Far left: Flyer for Summer Showers fea Right: MensPocky in PERSONA for N Bottom right: Sample composite card

New Shoots III aturing Logspark International New Shoots I d textures (Dendre)

INTERNAL OPERATIONS: CASTING Casting calls were usually sent out via group notice, with a deadline to respond through IM to say you were available for the event date. From there, composite card textures of the available models were collected into a notecard and sent to the client. From there the client would select which models would work the event.

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Producing shows for charity or non-profit was always part of the mandate at Metro. We worked on shows to benefit Medicins Sans Frontiers (Shine 2007 and 2008), Relay for Life (Momento) and the ASPCA (Footwear Expo 2008, with Hathor Models). The New Shoots shows were produced for designers under a certain age, to give newcomers more exposure.

These shows were free to the new designers and the models graciously donated their time on the runway.

SUCCESS STORY In fall of 2007, a new avatar named Payton Heron joined Metro Models and attended training workshops.

There, she impressed me with her dedication and determination to succeed as a fashion model. Payton was featured on the first cover of METRO Virtual Fashion. Since then, she’s been on the cover of other in-world fashion magazines, modelled in countless fashion shows, organized the MODA Spotlight series, was a finalist in several beauty pageants and modelling contests, and recently was announced female Model of the Year by Runway magazine.

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Above: Fireworks for the Ignition a Below: METRO Virtual Fashion spo St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin

agency re-opening onsored parade float for

NUMBERS Female models: (capped at) 45 Male models: (capped at) 15 Shows produced: 12 Live announcers used: 5 Blog posts: 89 New model applicants: 200+

Working with everyone at Metro has been an invaluable experience for me, and I’ve made so many friends along the way. I’m not sure what the future will bring for the agency, but I know that it’s been an amazing journey for me. Choosing to retire my ownership was not an easy choice for me, but I know the models and staff at Metro will continue to thrive in Second Life’s fashion industry no matter what.

Alaska Metropolitan January 2009

Following page: The complete model roster: Alyse, Ana, Anessa, Aradia, Blake, Byron, Caelen, Carissa, Carley, Celebrity, Cherie, Dendre, Ebony, Fann, Francesca, Gamp, Genna, Graciana, HarMonica, Haruka, Honey, Ikaria, Incolumis, Iustinian, Jhao, Kryptonia, Kyra, Leah, Lyra, Moisie, Mui, Mystique, Nemi, Payton, Queenie, Raven, Relax, Rvrphoenix, Sally, Salvo, Serenity, Steve, Summer, Valena, Valerie, Yenneffer Former Metro models: Tanya Book, MensPocky Kumaki, Arabesque Baroque, Callie Cline, Violet Xingjian, Anastascia Lusch, Lalaine Lafontaine, Candace Flossberg, Leisa DeCuir, Temptest Noland, Daphne Molinari, Webgoddess Mars, Zahara Rahja, Caliah Lyon, Scarlett Niven, Elise Mersereau, Gianni Broda, Delilah Karas Non-modelling Staff & Live MCs: Alaska Metropolitan, CronoCloud Creeggan, Cher Harrington, Duckyfresh Watanabe, Qualsha Nordberg

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covergirl: Haruka Kish Haruka is one of those models who has this great high fashion look, and always looks perfectly put together. It’s natural to assume by looking at her that she’d be the Diva Supermodel type, but Haruka’s proven time and time again that she’s friendly, approachable, and easy to work with. You may have seen her modelling for Muism, in the Miss Virtual World pageant, or on the runway for SL’s top designers.

How did you get your start in modelling in Second Life?

Haruka: That was about one year ago, I met Scarlett Niven (who was one of super models in SL and also released her great collections lately as you know!) at YSL SIM for their new perfume promotion. I couldn’t help speaking to her because I was one of her enthusiastic fans.

She was so gentle though my rudeness... and then she kindly recommended me to apply for the model draft for some modeling agency. Fortunately I was selected and my career started as a model from then. I never thought I would work as a model in SL till I met her. So I can say that I was not here where I am now, if I hadn’t met Scarlett! She changed my SL. I always thank her in my mind.

How would you describe your own personal style? Any favourite stores or designers?

Haruka: Actually I love all kinds of fashion and here in Second Life we are open to new things, so I love to try outfits I won’t

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wear in RL... from formal dresses to street wear. But I don’t want to forget that I am a lady! I always keep the word “classy” in my mind anytime I think of my style. I also believe it’s very important to improve my heart from within myself as a lady.

You’ve recently placed in the Miss Virtual World pagaent. How’s that experience been for you?

Haruka: First, I greatly appreciate everyone’s support: judges, BOSL staff, other finalists and precious friends. I had a lot of great opportunities to meet new people through this contest so far. Everyone has been not only professional, but also great people. Maybe SL is just a virtual world, of course some part of that is true, but people who are behind the avatars are certainly living persons who have warm hearts. They are not virtual. I really appreciate the opportunity to know them in SL.

Lastly, do you have any advice for newer players looking to break into modelling in Second Life?

Haruka: I’m often asked this “How can I be a model like you?” I answer, Do the work you are given, the best you can, in no hurry. We models always need to try big contests and auditions and I know it’s so hard to want to win very very much. But when you win, there is a certain reason why you are selected, but when you are not selected... it’s just an unlucky thing, that’s all.

So please keep enjoying trying, don’t give up! My motto is: A beautiful thing is born only from a beautiful mind.

Which do you like better, print modelling or runway? And why?

Haruka: With print modeling, I can feel photographer’s great sensitivities (through conversations with them) about what they want to express with my photo. On the other hand, runway modeling’s very fun for me... to walk runway to show the outfits, hair and everything... It’s a challenge since we models need to show the best, with thinking how prims move beautifully, how fabrics look wonderful, along with my shape, by trial and error. So I love every area of work I can do as a model.

Haruka’s cover shoot: bianca f 01realdress-back earrings by Cachet by Valena Glushenko Photograph by Valena Glushenko

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Oh My Goth!

by Honey Bender

I love everything that goes bump in the night, and contemporary Gothic fashion gets even more fun if you do a more personal take on things by choosing daring combinations over more traditional Gothic looks.

Indulge in the dark, dramatic designs of the season, mix sequins and gold, rich fabrics in vibrant colors, with the wildest hairstyles and makeups. It’s bound to bring out the rockin’ glampire in you.

Vamps have never been so glam.

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Left: Baby Vam

Necklace: Violet Crown: Alienbea Bolero: Digit Da Bra: Insolance Sequin pants: M Hair: Aoharu Skin: Minnu Ha

Right: Femm

Dress and access Hair: Minnu Skin: Minnu Ha

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mp

t Voltaire “Queen of Hearts” ar Gupte arkes

Mimikri

alloween skin 1

me Fatale

sories: Cachet by Thora Charron

alloween skin 1

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Succubus Hair: Nonna Hedges Pasties: Le Burlesque by OPIUM Girdle and stockings: Ingenue Opera gloves: Masks & Feathers Skin: Minnu Hong Kong light makeup 7 METRO Virtual Fashion vol 2 issue 4 | 42

Glampire Bubble gown with waist cincher: Cachet by Thora Charron Earrings: Ume Mode Hair: Damselfly Skin: Minnu Halloween skin 1

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Golden Ghostess Dress: Baiastice “Wonky” in gold Skin: Nomine ultralight vamp blood red Hair: Curio “Gertrude” by Rita Groshomme

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style your destiny PART THREE

by Arabesque Baroque In a 3-part article series, METRO is pleased to bring you advice on inventory management and style notes from a First Life image consultant and Second Life model, Arabesque.

A MODEL INVENTORY, PART THREE: FINISHING TOUCHES

So far, we’ve helped you create a distinctive look for your avatar and organise her (or his) closet. Now it’s time for the finishing touches – those things that will bring your avatar to life and that can ultimately make all the difference when it comes to a Second life modelling career.

First and foremost let me give you my three big no-nos: • Intrusive gestures – nobody wants their social event or personal space to be invaded with howlz accompanied by predictable chat diagrams • Particles – poofers and bling really just scream try-hard • Facelighting rigs – remember any SL environment can only render 6 individual lights so most people around you simply won’t see any difference Less is definitely more. Here’s what I recommend you make into priorities for your kitbag: Animation Override Move on from the default animations as soon as you can, but don’t be tempted to buy a full

ao kit straight out. Most reputable pose shops will offer a free HUD (usually ZHAO comlete with simple instructions) for you to load poses into. It’s really not that hard and you will probably only need 3 standing poses, a walk and a sit to start off with.

I recommend you shop around for smooth ease-in poses. Snap-in poses are OK for photography but are much easier to make so there are truly some shockers out there. I have only ever found two or three decent freebie poses.

My long-term favourites are Reel Expression and Persona for ao poses.

Animated poses are the latest development.

For me some of these are very fidgety and unless you buy a lot of them, the cycling through the poses is rather obvious. I don’t think you can beat a handful of natural and smooooth ease in poses timed to cycle every 15-20 seconds. I throw in the odd animated pose into the mix but aim to keep everything very subtle and classic. Look for poses that suit a variety of clothing types. Legs spread out tend to stick through skirts.

Once you have your basic ao, collecting extra poses is a must for the aspiring SL model. For me you can’t beat Luth Brodie for specialised

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"Look for poses that suit a variety of ao sets, but both Torrid Midnight and Dove Swanson also have a sensational selection of photographic poses, some based around props.

• AO poses

You will have a big head-start for photographic modelling assignments if you come equipped with a range of poses from sexy to cute to quirky and I find shopping for poses a really enjoyable pursuit!

• Dances

For runway work, there is nothing quite like a specialised HUD that allows you to load in specific runway poses plus your runway walk, to select and toggle poses in the high stress climate of the show and to maintain an eyesforward appearance whilst doing so. I really do suggest that you suss these gadgets out and learn how to use one.

Talking of eyes forward, to optimise your photography results, try setting up a gaze point using a strategically positioned basic prim.

You can even make it transparent before taking your shot using the free full transparency texture available at Natalia Zelmanov’s Sirena store inworld. Other HUD objects such as Huddles allow for more complex management of your poses and animations. Luth Brodie’s store also has a HUD that allows you to reposition your avatar if a sitting pose does not work for your proportions. Shop around – when it comes to poses, there’s lots out there.

Within your inventory, create separate folders within Animations for: • Photographic poses • Runway poses METRO Virtual Fashion vol 2 issue 4 | 46

• Sits • Walks

• Etc. I tend to file most HUDs in a folder called Gadgets within the Objects category.

Personal Lighting If you insist, it is definitely best to stick to a very subtle single light especially designed for Windlight. The best I have found is that made by Caliah Lyon and available free together with a handy notecard at her flagship Muse Fine Jewelry store. But I know there are other good versions out there. I think Torley made one!

Another work-around is to simple fiddle with your windlight settings, especially for photographing your avie. Sasy Scarborough offers some great advice at her blog.

Accessories Quality accessories, fitted well, are an essential part of any model inventory. Just as in real life, mix it up and do a regular purge of items that seem tired or dated or just don’t inspire you anymore. Every great inventory should include the following folders: • Gloves • Socks and legwear • Bags – ideally with accompanying poses

f clothing types."

• Hats and hairpieces (make modified versions of you fave hairstyles to fit) • Jewelry – plenty of it from classic big-ticket items to the budget funky type • Watches • Belts • Eyewear • Scarves, collars and ties • Dress-ups: Yes we all need an eye-patch, feather boa or sword now and again!

Overall, remember this is a chance to have fun and to express yourself! Enjoy!

Arabesque Baroque has been in Second Life for over two years (if you include a previous incarnation *winks*). She spent time on the writing staff of Second Style magazine before deciding to focus on a role as Advertising Executive for

SHOPPING LIST

Recommended pose stores: Torridwear

METRO Virtual Fashion magazine.

Arabesque recently launched her blog called "dreaming with alice" (http://arabaroque.wordpress.com) which focuses on fashion as well as the broader in-world experience.

PERSONA

In her First Life, Arabesque is a consultant de-

Annah Couture

signer of market research with additional quali-

Striking Poses

also heavily involved in the performance of clas-

Maitreya Reel Expression Long Awkward Pose AnaLu

fications in Personal Image management. She is sical music as a full-on hobby.

Arabesque devotes some of her rather limited spare time to Second Life because of the opportunities for self-expression and the inspiration provided by the wealth of creativity. She loves meeting and talking to talented SL designers, builders and artists.

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