Model's in SL ... Whats the big deal?

Today.. I thought I'd blog about something that I have mixed feelings about in Second Life. 

As many of my friends know, I have long desired to obtain a modeling career in Second Life. When I first decided to get involved in this career, I made sure I had a great shape, skin, collected all the couture hair, bought the couture shoes, dresses, jewelry, eyelashes, make-up, etc.. etc.. etc... A person can spend tens of thousands of Lindens on just getting ready for the perfect model shape and style. 

I took my own pictures and created a portfolio. I posted it on flicker and linked it to my information so anyone looking at my profile would see the links. My friends gave me helpful hints.. help with photos', encouraged me to enter into contest to get my name out there. 

Others told me that I'd never make it. It's a world in which you have to have an "IN" to get a job, and if you want to go to school, it will cost you anywhere between 8,000L to 20,000L. That's right, up to 20,000L!!!!!! For what really? 

Let's put this in prospective, to be a model in real life you have to be about 6 ft tall, weigh 90 lbs, have fake boobs, no butt, and a young face. Most the world looks at the models and say... OMFG she's so skinny... they are borderline starved!

What do you really need in Second Life to be a model? A great shape, skin, a sense of style, a selection of hair, shoes, cloths, make up, jewelry, nails, and an Model AO. The model AO gives you several walks to use.. runs ways... fashion shows.... even just standing and modeling someones cloths in their shop. 

To me, a single, recently (well four months ago) laid off mother of one, with limited income, well 8000L is a lot, never mind 20,000L! Oh sure they has scholarships, but you have to have an "IN" to be nominated for them as well. Further, if you read most of the couture stores model applications they won't even look at you unless you are an graduate from an "ACCREDITED" model school. Do they get some sort of kick back? What really is the purpose of sending someone to school? 

Can't the store owners just look at you .. ask you to walk... ask you to put on several outfits and see if you have the right shape, and sense of style for their clothing? Apparently not, but they are willing to let you enter their contest, knowing that they will never pick you over one of the "qualified models". 

I myself have found that most of the contest are completely biased in the direct of an already established model. Irregardless of what they look like, for I have found that some Models selections of avatars are not what I would call beautiful.

Contest in Second Life are somewhat of a joke. There are the free for all contest that you can enter based off the months "moto". There are contest you can enter where you're friends can buy you first place at 10L a pop. The contest where you have to buy your win, require you to have a lot of friends, or a lot of alts, because you're friends can only vote once. So it's surprising when you see that one model with 1410 votes, when everyone else has maybe 10, 15. 

In a world where you can play out the dreams you can't live in real life, it shouldn't be so hard to make a career in Second Life. The economy is bad enough without pressuring those on limited incomes to spend valuable money to obtain something they want. And it shouldn't be allowed to crush the dreams or ambitions of someone so easily. 

When i wrote this there were over 200 modeling schools, and 100's of contest. Every woman dreams for a day of being a model. Of looking incredible in a dress, or outfit, of having everyone look at her and say "Wow, she's beautiful!", Every woman should have that opportunity without having to file bankruptcy! 

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On a side note I wanted to copy several of the "TOP MODELS" pictures on to a screen shot so everyone could see what I saw, however, they are all copyrighted. The Best I can do is send you to flicker and have you look at Miss MLC 2012 photo's.

At Design - 1100 Lindens Down the Drain

AT Designs - Boots - The workmanship on these boots is the worst I've ever seen. They are overly large, they don't never seem to mesh together, and they are always shaped wrong since the Avatar is always moving with the A.O. 

AT Designs - I tried to move the sleeve down on the arm, however the sleeve still does not fit when the A.O. shifts the Avatar

AT Designs Boots - The boot does not hold correct shape when A.O. moves the Avatar from a straight up stand mode.

AT Designs - Dress - Innocence - Belt too small - Sleeves too far up




AT  Designs - Dress - Innocence 


Part Two - Bad Customer Service 

After seeing all the problems with the dress I spent 1100L on, I took these pictures, attached them to a note card and submitted the card to Ms. Anatine. 


The response I got back, was both unsatisfactory and left me fuming. As I stated before, Ms. Anatine  immediately responded in a snide manner telling me that I need to read the attached card which tells me how to obtain the dress resized for my shape. She then instructed me to either complete the attached card which was asked for every measurement on my shape, or for me to send my shape to her. 

I was both immediate upset over both her manner and her lack of customer support. For a dress that you are asking 1100L for you would think you would have that dress available to be adjusted to every shape, size and avatar in Second London. 


Not only did I waste 1100 Lindens on a dress and boots which are in all reality badly designed, and poorly assembled; but the designer absolutely has no concern at all for her customers and their disappointment in a dress that she designed and supplied!

After much thought I decided that the dress was a waste of my time, as well as my money. However, I can make sure that no one else waste their valuable money and time on a dress where the only answer you get is "give me your measurements or shape and I'll send you a new dress". 


My rating for this designer and dress - 0 - and trust me when I say if it could be lower it.. would be. 

I understand that @ Designs also supplies pre-fab homes and land. Think twice before you buy from @ Designs, they obviously have no customer service support system. And the one they do provide doesn't supply their customers with a working solution on a forever basis. It only offers a solution at the time. 


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Update - 

Ms. Anatine and I spoke today after I sent her a note card on her dress. She asked that I return the dress and she would refund my Lindens. 


While the outcome was not what I had hoped for two things did come of this: 


1: Ms Anatine did state that all dress or outfits will be modified anytime for the customer no matter how much time has passed. 


2: Ms. Anatine did tell me that their trade mark name does not allow for them to allow for modification of their items. This is why they are 
transferable. 


Thank you again Ms. Anatine for your time and the response.

AT Design - Double the Price ???

At Designs - Dress - Innocence

Part 1 - The Deception 

When I first saw this dress in Second Life, I thought "Omgosh, How Cute!" 

The price of 1100 Lindens caused me some hesitation. That's an extreme amount of Linden to throw down for a dress that doesnt' have a demo. If it had been by Mohna Lisa or Danielle I wouldn't have thought twice about it. I have several of their clothing line and know them to be easy to wear and easy to adjust. 

After a week or so, I gave in and bought the dress. Only recently I found that the same exact dress by the same exact designer is on sale in the Second Life Market Place for 1/2 the cost of the dress you purchase in game! Had I know this I might have saved myself some Lindens. Though the head ache would still be coming.

See The Designer, owner of At Designs, one Ms. Atine Anatine, clothing is not modifiable. This means that you either have to zero out every measurement on your Avatar to fit her clothing, or you can send her your measurements, or your shape and she will adjust the dress or outfit of purchase to your form.

I was aghast when I contacted Ms. Anatine and was told that she expected me to send her my shape to fit her cloths! I mean seriously how many designers actually expect you to send your measurements or shapes to them so they can spend extra time adjusting clothing for you. And furthermore, as more and more beautiful shapes, and skins come out in Second Life, how many of us are prone to change our shape or skin over a period of time.

I have been in Second Life for six months, I've changed my shape three times. Is Ms. Anatine going to adjust this outfit for me every time I decide to change my shape? I doubt it will be quite that simple down the road. Say in a year when I decide to change again and need new modifications?

Additionally why is there a price difference of 1/2 the cost when you buy the dress off the Market Place? Wouldn't it be less if you bought it in game, as opposed to the Market Place where the designer has to pay 5% of the sell price to Mr. Linden?

Answers only we can obtain from Ms. Anatine.

*end part one*

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Update -

I was able to speak to Ms. Anatine. And while I ask for permission to use our conversation her only response was that any use of her trade mark name would result in me being filed against.

So I have removed the emblem and will give a brief statement on this and the other blog.

Ms. Anatine, was gracious enough to return all my funds for the dress. After seeing how unhappy I was. Which I thank her for. I returned her folder and destroyed anything that would not transfer.

The clothing on the market place is being sold by an unauthorized person, who is not in deep do do with Second Life.. Ooopsss.. Black market is a bitch!

Jazz - I - Tude

Jazz-I-Tude

Designer - Yazmine Tsarchon

Photographer - China Doll

Outfit Name - Shila Black

Hair -Dr. Life Oriental Hair - Jasmine

Shoes - GMT Fashion - Hot Fashion Black Shoes

EyeLashes - Crissy Designs - Irresistible Look Lashes

Jazz-I-tude Clothing by Yazmine Tsarchon has one motto - I WILL NOT BE LABELED!

Yazmine's store offers, clothing, posters, tattoo's and textures. Her clothing is second to none in that it leaves you with a feeling of being unique and sexy at the same time. She designs her clothing to be mix and matched with each other so you are never wearing the same outfit twice.

Adding to the fun of her clothing is the tattoo's she has that add a touch of flair to any outfit.

If you need that unique sexy look that gives you a feel good sensation, Jazz-I-tude is the place to go. Reasonable prices, a very relaxing atmosphere and if her crew is around laughs for everyone.

I personally love Jazz-I-tude clothing and have several outfits myself.

Jazz-I-tude clothing  can also be found on the Market Place under jazzitude.

My rating - 10 -

Serenity in the Sun - Valory

Serenity in the Sun 

Designer Carrie Aldrin

Photographer Carrie Aldrin

Dress Name: Valory - Open side and leg with flowing skirt, 

Hair:  Vanity Hair -- Ruperta - Blonde

Eyes:  Fashism Deep Purple Eyes - Deep ML Violet

Shoes: Mary Jane Shoes - White diamond with Black bow

Serenity in the Sun offers high quality clothing at a price that all can afford. Unlike many other high quality designers, Ms. Aldrin recognizes that when you are new to Second Life and want to look like a million lindens, you shouldn't have to break the bank to do so. 

Carrie is there for her customers, you will find that she is always willing to help you should you have a question or an issue with anything you purchase with her name on it. She recognizes the need to keep her customers happy. A happy customer is a customer who comes back, and a customer who refers others to your shop. 

If you are looking for high quality clothing, with a designer that cares about their product and customers, go to Serenity In the Sun. 

You can also find Carrie's designs on the Second Life Market Place under Carrie Aldrin. 

My Rating - 10 -