SPIRIT OF BOSL

from THE BEST OF SL MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 EDITION

BITS AND PIECES

Compe Lockwood

The lights are low; the auditorium, empty; and the sound system, silent. The BOSL Innovation Pavilion is quiet now. But not for long.

For the home of Miss Virtual World, galas, and balls— with more glitz and sparkle than a jewelry store explosion— has a new game in town. BOSL has got the spirit, and so can you. Introducing the Spirit of BOSL, the pageant for the rest of us.

No experience is necessary. Actually, no experience is preferred. The Spirit of BOSL is not just a contest or pageant. It was created to encourage those without modeling backgrounds to seize the day, grab the horns, and jump into the world of fashion and brand representation.

As stated in BOSL’s announcement heralding the new event, “Spirit of BOSL is open to all human avatars, female and male, who would like to represent the BOSL family of companies while they learn what it takes to move into the fashion world as a full model, or even just as a fashion executive behind the scenes.”

One male and one female will be the final winners. Each will receive $10,000L, a cover shot on BOSL Magazine in 2023, and the opportunity to attend the new BLVD Pro Academy on full scholarship.

In addition, you may work amongst some pretty cool people— SL fashion professionals —and learn about the industry, which could open doors to a new career with the BOSL organization. Your co-host in this path of dreams to reality are BOSL’s DiamondGem Destiny and Jamee Sandalwood. The Best of BOSL caught up with these two ladies, which is not easy. They are among the busiest people in SL. We interviewed each in the BOSL Innovation Pavilion before the stage where the show must— and soon will —go on.

We learned the pageant is not a pageant, per se. “I don’t want to call it a pageant,” says Jamee. “It is not traditional, but rather a new competition designed for those without much or any modeling experience. The Spirit of BOSL celebrates the spirit of all residents of Second Life. It is not just any contest or pageant.” It is a contest encouraging those without experience, to gain it.

She continues, “We knew we had to adapt to a changing fashion environment here in SL. Traditional pageants were no longer drawing the entries, and many people left.”

Being new to the fashion biz makes some understandably nervous. Don’t be. “We aren’t going to throw them out to the wolves, so to speak,” says Jamee. The Spirit of BOSL is more than an event. It is a process one learns. Some assembly is required – on your part. But instructions are readily available.

Workshops will be offered to teach the basics of style, how to walk a runway, and how to work the crowd. One learns how to interface work with photographers and deal with pesky news reporters— like those other guys, not me.

By press time, pre-events and planning will be well underway. After two months of applications, submissions, interviews, and auditions, the official contestants will be announced on August 22.

Following the announcement, the candidates will meet. Workshops begin September 3, followed by the first runway challenge on September 24. Two more runway competitions and three photo challenges will take place in October and November.

The Grand Finale is December, followed with the Post Party on December 11.

“I believe this will be a good experience for the contestants,” noted DiamondGem Destiny, the event’s other go-to person and former Miss Virtual World candidate. “Our goal is to encourage everyone to participate, especially those with no modeling background.”

From the beginning, inclusion has been the goal. “People are not prepared enough for traditional pageants that are designed for experienced models,” adds DiamondGem.

She recalls, “One day, Jamee, Reign [Reign Congrejo, BOSL’s CEO] and I were brainstorming. We thought a change might do us good. After several meetings, we decided on the Spirit of BOSL. The program offers something for everyone.”

Think of the new event as Miss Virtual World Lite. “There are many changes in the Spirit competition,” explains DiamondGem. “For example, we decided not to have interviews. We are trying to make it as simple as possible.”

The Spirit of BOSL may be the best opportunity in SL to transfer from today’s avatar to tomorrow’s supermodel. You will never know until you try. That’s the spirit – The Spirit of BOSL.