Costa Rica Sims would like to announce the designation of Clyde Saunders as Director of Costa Rica Sims Productions. The torch was passed to Clyde as he steps in to fill the role previously held by the lovely Nisa Constatine. Clyde is returning to Costa Rica Productions after an absence from the role he held formally with CRSP. I had the pleasure to sit down with Clyde and Giancarlo Takacs, CEO of the Costa Rica Sims brand to discuss Clyde's return to the helm of Costa Rica Sims Productions.

Clyde how does it feel to be back at Costa Rica Sims not only as resident but once again as Costa Rica Sims Productions Director?

 It feels like home. Costa Rica has been such a huge part of my Second Life since May of 2008. It just feels right to once again be a resident of this beautiful estate. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to once again resume my position as the Director of Costa Rica Sims Productions. I am very excited to move forward and take Costa Rica Sims Productions to a new level.

How about for you Gian, what does it mean for you to have Clyde back?

It means a lot for me to have Clyde back not only as a member of our community but also as an Executive. We have known each other for a very long time and he is one of my closest friends here. There are only a handful of people in Second Life that I admire for their accomplishments and Clyde is one of them.

Why is the world of Second Life fashion and all that is related to it so important to the Costa Rica Sims Brand?

Giancarlo: Costa Rica Sims was created around beauty. When the idea of recreating my RL country in SL was first perceived it was to offer all second life residents a little peak of the natural beauty my country is so well known for. When we started in September 2007 with just a couple of sims some of our first residents were models and today almost 4 years later, 90+ sims most of our 350+ residents are involved in some way or another in the world of SL fashion so in a sense we owe it to them.

Clyde: Like Costa Rica, Second Life fashion continues to grow. Fashion is such a huge part of every avatar, whether you are an experienced model or just beginning your Second Life journey and also drives the Second Life economy. I believe that keeping Costa Rica fused with an array of amazing designers will help Costa Rica stay strong and let Second Life fashion prosper.

Clyde what can the community and the Costa Rica Sims Productions Team expect from you as Director?

The Costa Rica Sims Productions team, as well as the entire community will be able to expect more exciting shows and a much more prevalent presence in the Second Life fashion community. We plan on incorporating much more work for our dedicated Costa Rica Sims Productions models. There are several projects already in development that everyone will just have to wait to find out!

I hear that Costa Rica Sims Productions is going to start producing two shows a month instead of one why is that?

Yes, we have decided to begin producing a minimum of two shows per month, in order to take Costa Rica Sims Productions to a new level. We want to honor the designers located within the Commercial District, many of which have been with Costa Rica Sims for years. We have decided that by producing more shows we can provide our models with substantial and consistent amounts of work every month, which is something that not every agency can do.

Clyde you have a tough job ahead of but you did a magnificent job while you were the Costa Rica Sims Director once, what do you think will be your biggest challenge?

Thank you! I think that the biggest challenge, as Director of Costa Rica Sims Productions will be maintaining and providing new opportunities for our models. I am most excited about bringing new ideas and projects to Costa Rica Sims Productions that will greatly expand this branch of the Costa Rica Sims. We want our models to have lots of opportunities to advance their Second Life careers.

The Costa Rica Sims brand is well known and respected throughout the SL community what reputation would you like to cultivate for the Costa Rica Sims Productions branch of the brand?

 Giancarlo: It is really important that all branches of Costa Rica Sims work under the same principles, integrity being the main one. So far we have been able to achieve this within all of our different branches along with a customer service standard that isn’t compromised on any level. One of the goals of Costa Rica Sims and all its branches is to excel for the good of all involved whether resident, guest, partner of executive we want the best for everyone that has contact with the Costa Rica Sims brand.

Clyde:  I want to have Costa Rica Sims Productions have a reputation for excellence and professionalism. We are fortunate to have an incredible Commercial District with designers that allow us to produce their shows, and dedicated models who breathe life into their creations. As we approach a two-year milestone for Costa Rica Sims Productions, we are proud to say that we have upheld these principles.

Gian I know you started your Second Life as a model any chance you will hit the catwalk now that Clyde is in charge?

As silly as this may sound I was never able to control my nerves when I had to do a show. As many people know I am a perfectionist, and not being able to control the movements of my avatar due to lag for example was really stressful, so I guess the answer is no I will leave that for the professional models. But I still love attending our fashion shows and I am really proud of the Costa Rica Sims Productions Team. And to all fashion designers out there please continue sending me your fabulous creations!

 It's really important to have a good relationship with your team members in order to create a successful project, how well do you guys know each other?

Giancarlo: Because my Second Life is about running the Costa Rica Sims brand and making sure our almost 400 residents have the best possible Second Life experience, I don't have much time to socialize with others. But once in a while you meet an avatar that you have this instant chemistry with and Clyde was one of those, I consider him a real life friend and a confidant. I have complete trust in him.

Clyde:  Gian has been one of my closest friends ever since I first stumbled upon Costa Rica in May of 2008. Since then, we have had an amazing friendship has maintained its strength over the last few years. He is one of the few people I can trust completely, and know that I can come to with any problem, whether it is Second Life or real life related.

Finally, Clyde do you have anything you would like to say to the Costa Rica Sims Productions Team and our community?

Yes, I would like to thank Tempest Hennesy and Nisa Constantine for their hard work and contributions to continuing the success of Costa Rica Sims Productions. Additionally, I would like to tell the community to expect great things in the near future for Costa Rica Sims Productions. There are some amazing opportunities lined up!

I would like to thank Clyde and Giancarlo for taking the time to join me for this interview and so graciously allowing us a glimpse into the new role that Mr. Saunders will be taking on within Costa Rica Sims Productions.

 Giancarlo Takacs; CEO of Costa Rica Sims, Sydney Bonde; Costa Rica Sims Estate Blogger, Clyde Saunders; CRSP Director