Influentials Interviews

As our latest Influential Lanai Jarrico is the perfect choice to represent those who have contributed something special to Sl. She is the consummate businesswoman, being efficient, business-like and organised, yet as I was to discover also friendly, engaging and extremely helpful. She’s also a Princess. I would say that title fits her quite well, being level headed, down to earth, willing to help people and with an ability to be able to talk to all on sundry without sounding patronising or condescending, these are of course all the best attributes of a Princess and Lanai is certainly possessed of all of them. She also has an aura of calm, one gets the feeling that while all those around her are losing their heads (not of course because she’s ordered that they be lopped off) that she is never in any danger of losing hers. Like most Princesses  she has an incredibly busy schedule, but I managed to catch up with her and inquire a little more about her sl life.

What bought you to sl initially?
Back in 2005, I was contacted by filmmakers from Paris, France. They were already members of the Second Life community working on a documentary about people who are involved in the virtual worlds. They heard about The TSO Enquirer, created an account in The Sims Online and looked me up. Within a month, they flew to Pennsylvania and we worked on the project. While the filmmakers were here they asked me to join Second Life and cover news there. At first, I turned the offer down because friends that were migrating to other games told me it was an adult x-rated type of role playing game. After a few months, I decided to give Second Life a second look and migrated here with some friends. The rest is pretty much history.
 

What gave you the idea for the business and how did you go about bringing the idea to life?
The idea to report news in a virtual world came to me one day. I used to sit around a bubble machine with my little circle of friends, we would just hang out and talk about all sorts of things. I was fascinated by the unique opportunity to meet people from all over the world in a place where we could gather in the same virtual room. I soon realized along with making friends there was also this nasty thing called “Drama” and people seemed to thrive on it in certain communities such as Mafia role-play. The Sims Online was home to many of these types of families and often they were at war with each other. I began reporting mafia news and soon TSO became the bridge of communication between these groups. Before I knew it, viral advertising did its job and catapulted my little random newspaper into a popular news source in the city of Blazing Falls.
 

What are the difficulties you face running a magazine on sl?
The difficulties I face is the shortage of experienced journalists and business professionals that are able to put in the work required. Often times it is a time zone issue and other times it is the availability. I think it’s fair to say, many businesses have experienced those setbacks. Google Documents has been a great tool for managing The SL Enquirer. It allows me to work around those issues in a more efficient way.
 

What’s been your proudest moment so far?
I have had a few proud moments. The first was in 2006 when my avatar was featured in the 13 Most Beautiful Avatars exhibit in New York City, Switzerland and Italy. It was the first time my family and friends realized what I do in the virtual world is more than just a game to me. Since then being mentioned in RL and SL magazines, educational material, books, virtual world news sources and receiving awards make me proud. It has been one big unexpected adventure that even helped me tremendously through college and even landed me a job as a professional fashion blogger for a major embroidery company.
 

How do you think the magazine has influenced fashion in sl?
The SL Enquirer isn’t a magazine because we do not have an in world distribution. It can be accessed by visiting www.slenquirer.com.I like to think of it as a virtual local paper. SLE doesn’t focus on just one subject. However, we do have a fashion section and when events happen, we have writers that cover that. I think SLE influences fashion by giving exposure to those at understand the importance of building a good reputation and a positive relationship with the top media sources available the grid. It’s not what you know, but who you know in the virtual world. SLE alone can reach out to over 15,000 a month and can easily put a brand or designer on the map by using our networks.

What benefits do you have from having a business in Costa Rica?
The benefit of having a business in Costa Rica is the reputation of these sims. I have been a resident on CRS for about 2 years now. It is the longest that I have been settled into one place without any hassles from management or griefers running amuck. I also like that I can have a skybox for a more private work environment.

What do you enjoy about Costa Rica?
I think Costa Rica is beautiful and a great place to explore. It embraces nature and cultural diversity. Many respectable businesses call Costa Rica home and so do many residents that live on private estates.
 

How did you pick the theme for your party?
I don’t throw parties very often but when I do, I love to do unique themes.(omg , I sound like the Dos Equis guy lol) Once a year I have a pajama party and invite friends and fans of SLE to join me for a gathering in a giant skybox replica of my bedroom. Another one I like to host every year is the Super Heroes and Sidekicks costume party.It is great to see avatars participating in these events, we always have a blast. Besides that, SLE sponsors the Black Soul Rhythms Radio themed party hosted by DJ Marjorie Dibou and Charity Richez. It happens at SLE’s Chill lounge located on the top floor of the media center. This party is scheduled for every first Tuesday of the Month from 7-9pm slt. The themes are always something different. I would suggest following us on our website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, Moolto or any other social network or blog that you use. and find us on. A Spotlight Feature and 1 month advertising is given away at every party. Not to mention, we like to make it rain Lindens.

How does it feel to be an interviewee and not an Interviewer for a change?
It’s an interesting experience being on the opposite end of an interview because I’m used to asking the question. I think it is nice to be able to share my experience in virtual worlds with others. My hopes are that what I do helps people realize their talents and goals in Second Life. With hard work and determination, it can open doors to many unexpected things.

Finally..tell me all about being a secret Princess..unless of course its a secret!
You must be referring to the Royal Secret Society. We are a group of Princes and Princesses that live our Second Life’s by a code. Those who stray from it are removed from HRH Prince Sonoda’s royal court. Our mission is to be a positive force in an anonymous way. My role as a Princess is to uphold the reputation and integrity of the Royal Secret Society. That is all I can say about that.

Lanai Jarrico

CEO & President, The SL Enquirer

Got News? Get It Published

www.slenquirer.com

Press Pass Media

www.presspassmedia.blogspot.com

Visit The SL Enquirer Media Center in Second Life at :

 http://slurl.com/secondlife/San%20Jose%20East1/246/96/23

INFLUENTIALS "SPRING CARNIVAL" PARTY

Hello once again to one and all.  This month’s Influential is Ms Xanadu Damiano.  Xanadu is not just a pretty face (ok gorgeous face) but also a talented fashion designer.

She arrived in SL in January 2010 and in a very short time Xanadu has well and truly ensconced herself into the world of SL fashion both as a model as well as a designer.

On the modeling front some of her remarkable achievements are:

Finalist official ?Miss Virtual Portugal  1 Runner Up

- Winner of " Trés Beau " Styling Contest March 2012

- Face of .:NV:. Corsetry Finalist February 2012

- SPARKLING FACE of the MONTH from CHAMPAGNE! sparkling couture

" March & April 2012 " *2nd Place *

Many of you will remember Xanadu the romantic musical fantasy film from 1980 written by Richard Christian Danus and Marc Reid Rubel and directed by Robert Greenwald. The title is a reference to the poem "Kubla Khan, or, A Vision in a Dream: A Fragment" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Xanadu is also the name of the Chinese province where Khan establishes his pleasure garden in the poem.

Ok so now you have a bit of a picture in your mind …

Xanadu’s designs are as gorgeous as the lady herself.  She mixes texture and colour so well, and part of her range is very definitely pure romantic whimsy .

Her range covers the spectrum of women’s attire from casual, to business, chic cocktail to simply breath-taking formal gowns.  Not forgetting a smattering of fantasy and seasonal outfits.  If you want to look like “A vision in a dream” you should be paying a visit to Xanadu

Join us in celebrating this month’s Influentials Xanadu Damiano at the Influentials “Black & White” Chic Fashion Party.

WHEN:  Saturday, April 28, 2012

TIME: 1:00 PM SLT

Featuring DJ JACKETeer

Black & White chic attire required

As we honor Xanadu our resident who has contributed to the world of SL Fashion in a special way.

See you there.

Lacy Muircastle

Hi all, it is my great pleasure to introduce this month’s Influentials who is none other than the breathtaking Ms. Koffie Juniper.

Koffie graciously gave up some of her precious time to have a chat with me.  Thank you Koffie, your time is most appreciated.

Koffie tell us what brought you to the wonderful world of Second Life?

It was about 5 years ago, when my sister who is also resident in SL encouraged me to come and see what it was all about for myself.  We used to play Sims together, so when they closed down Sims Online, SL seems like a good alternative.

How have you spent your time here?

When I first started out in SL, I was just an explorer, there was so much to see, I didn’t know which way to turn.  So decided to learn what I could by taking the free classes they had on getting around SL, and became one of the SL Mentors for newbies when they first landed in SL.  Once they got rid of SL Mentors, I moved to working in clubs, eventually working my way up to managing a Reggae club.  I am always open to learning new things and during my time working at the club I decided I would like to try modeling too. I had heard so much about modeling and was really keen on getting into the SL Fashion world, so in 2009 I decided to split my time between managing the club and taking modeling classes.  At first I did not take modeling seriously, it was just something to do, but after about a year the Modeling bug really got hold of me and I decided to put a little more time and effort into it.

A couple of my good friends took me under their wing and gave me all the encouragement I needed to keep going, two of them Imani Enzo and Roe Woodford pushed me in the right direction, encouraged me when I felt bad about not making it at a casting or contest and helped me push forward and because of their positive attitude, it molded me to be the best I could be.

What do you think your influence on the SL Fashion world has been?

Well I try to be an influence to everyone I meet and leave a good impression on them.  I have been told that my positive attitude is a great influence and my friendly disposition with everyone is also a positive influence.

How did you find Costa Rica?

Many of my good friends live here, so when I came a few times to visit with them in their homes, I always loved the scenery.

What does being part of the CRS community mean to you?

It's like a family to me.  There are so many good people living here, that have been a positive influence on me and I wanted to be close to positive people.

What do you like best about CRS?

The Landscaping is stunning, and the people that I've met here are all amazing, what is there not to like ….

Can you tell us what your plans for the future are?

I want to continue to learn more of what goes on behind the scenes of the fashion world as much as RL permits of course, to continue to better myself, make a more concerted effort to enter more contests and most of all just have fun.  I don't want my SL to be more stressful then my RL, so I will take time and just have some fun with the friends that I've met here.

Come and join us at the Influentials party to be held in Koffie’s honour on Saturday 31st 2012 at 1.00 PM SLT at The Influentials Lounge

As always live, laugh and love with the Costa Rica Sims of the Dream Seeker Estates.

Lacy Muircastle

Hello everyone

Once again I have had the honour of interviewing another of the gorgeous men that inhabit our spectacular Costa Rica Sims.  This time none other than the utterly breathtaking Pheonix Reyer, Mr Costa Rica Sims 2011 himself.

I managed to pin Pheonix down for a few minutes in between his many commitments.

Thank you so much Pheonix for taking time out of your hectic schedule to have a chat with us.  I am sure that as your reign as Mr. Costa Rica Sims draws to a close you have been given pause to contemplate the year that was.

Remind us what brought you to SL in the first place?

I was watching an episode of CSI: New York, the TV show in 2007. It involved people that had characters in SL. January of 2008 I logged onto SL during a semester break, while I was a college student. I had never played a massive multi-player computer "game" before and only knew about it what I had seen on the TV show. It was a complete surprise what was really here. lol

Tell us a bit about how you have spent your time in SL?

I learned my way slowly around SL at first. It rapidly became obvious that this was a social media. I met people that helped me both with my avatar and how to get around SL. It involved a lot of freebie shopping and a lot of bad clothes, lol. My SL from the beginning has seemed to center around the music, the beautiful places and the people of SL.

I got involved in SL fashion when I moved Costa Rica Sims. In RL I had dated a model and from her I learned a lot about fashion and design. In SL I was mentored by my partner at the time, Sydney Bonde. She taught me most of what I needed to learn about shopping and styling. So the old adage, behind ever successful man is a woman, in my case was true. With no modeling experience I entered the Mr. Costa Rica Sims Pageant. With the help of a number of people, I won. That started me off on modeling and fashion in SL.

How did you find the Costa Rica Sims?

I have a number of friends who have lived on the Costa Rica Sims and so had visited it. When I was looking for a place to live, I bought a plot and immediately starting making friends with my neighbors. Costa Rica Sims is a great place to come if you are interested in SL fashion.

What does being part of the CRS community mean to you?

Right from the beginning it was easy to make good friends here. It also became a wonderful place to make contacts for all kind of interests. Costa Rica has many talented and hardworking and hard playing staff and residents. I encourage residents to participate in the activities that are put on for their benefit.

What do you like best about CRS?

Easily It’s the people that make Costa Rica Sims the wonderful place that it is.

Looking back on your year as Mr Costa Rica Sims, tell us how it has been?

My year as Mr Costa Rica has had its ups and down, just like everyone has. lol My entry into the finals of Mr Virtual World was an incredible experience and more work than I could ever have anticipated. But again, I had help all along the way, Federica, Mimi, Brendan and Jock to just name a very few of the many that have helped me. The support of the Costa Rica residents has been wonderful.

What advice do you have for Mr. Costa Rica Sims 2012?

Enjoy all the people that you are going to meet. Take full advantage of the designers and other creative people that you will work with and get to know them as the creative people that they are. Also, give advice and encouragement to any and all that you meet. I don't think anyone can win this Pageant on their own, so be there for others.

What are your plans for the future?

I am taking more pictures in SL now and have learned to edit. I plan to continue to meet many wonderful people from all over the world in this incredible social environment, to explore the beauty that is SL and watch in wonderment as SL continues to evolve.

In conclusion Pheonix commented:

I cannot express enough, my appreciation and admiration of the many people that I have met this year from all over the grid. Big shout outs to Roe and Brendan and their hard work with the CRSP modeling agency. My love for the many people I have met in Costa Rica Sims, such as Lil, Skylei, and Syd who were my first neighbors and friends on the Costa Rica Sims and so many others over the year. I look forward to seeing who will next wear the title of Mr Costa Rica and encourage all of Costa Rica Sims residents to support the Pageant and all of the finalists. Understand that anyone that makes the finals has worked very hard to get to that level.    Thank you.

There we have it folks, if you have not had the pleasure of meeting Pheonix previously come and do so at the Influentials party to be held in his honour on Saturday February 26th 2012 at 1.00 PM SLT at The Influentials Lounge, as Costa Rica Sims pays tribute to Mr Costa Rica Sims 2011, Pheonix Reyer.

As always live, laugh and love with the Costa Rica Sims of the Dream Seeker Estates.

Lacy Muircastle

Hello everyone and welcome to the first of the Influentials interviews for 2012.

This month sees me chatting to Zachary Zufreur, model, photographer, blogger and stylist and all round nice guy.

Zachary rezzed inworld on the 26th October 2010 and there were no flies on this young man, within a month of being here he had ventured into the realm of photography in SL as he immediately started selling his RL travel photography in SL.

At one of the many fashion events that are held in Second Life, Zachary had the good fortune to run into Lady Charltina of Charltina’s.  She suggested to him that his RL photography would make good backgrounds for SL pictures.  And he was off ...  Photographing anyone and everyone around him before formally establishing SACHI Photo Studio in December 2010.

He has photographed the likes of Miss Virtual World 2011 Winner Serene Faith, BOSL Awards Top Male Model 2011 Winner Ricoracer Flux, BOSL Top Model Linnda Scofield, BOSL Awards Best Photographer 2011 Skip Staheli, top model Louise McWinnie and top photographer Annough Lykin.

But that was then …

Thank you Zachery for taking time out to chat to us.

Hehe welcome to my humble and incomplete home haha.

Modelling takes up most of your time these days, do you enjoy it?

I like some aspects of it and the gratification that comes with it.

What would you say you have contributed to the world of SL fashion?

Fresh ideas and stylings.

? Maniera Man of Style 2011  ? Mister Virtual World 2011 1st runner-up ?"GizzA" Vendor Model  ?"SoliDea FoliEs" Muse 2011/12 ?"BLISS HOMME" Muse 2011/12   ?"SHIKI" Muse 2012  ?"ALEIDA" Muse 2011/12 ?Face of "Face Paint" 2011/12

The above being some of what Zachy has done.

Tell us about Asymetriques / L'Homme.

I used to write for a fashion mag in RL, so when I joined SL modeling/fashion, I'd wanted to have my own publication but the SL scene is flooded with magazines, I wanted mine to be niche, so when I posted stuff on flickr I received IMs asking where I got my items and that made me realise that the men in SL, not just male models, need to be exposed to the available brands in SL.  There are many brands and designers that people are unaware of, so I decided to embark on this project to release L'Homme.  My intention was for L'Homme to be an independent publication because being part of an agency limits its circulation and audience, however, we are still figuring out the marketing portion of it since the pilot issue was just a few weeks ago. What have done is to make L'Homme  part of Asymetriques. Asymetriques is not an agency, it is a team of people who produce lookbooks and magazines that focus on designers, models, and quality. We know for a fact that many models like to have print jobs, so we will be casting for a pool of models that we'd use exclusively for our publications, with L'Homme being one of them.  The CEO Leah McCullough and COO Anna Sapphire (Miss Virtual World 2012) of the mag are iconic people in the SL fashion industry and my close friends, so we are all very excited about it.  I am the Fashion director and the art director is Daniele Eberhardt.  One of the services we provide to designers is to make their collections into a book.

http://issuu.com/leahmccullough/docs/solidea_lookbook_asmt01

Tell us how you came to be in Costa Rica?

I was living with my SL family at that time, with Meimei Shiu being the only surviving member.

What does being part of the CRS community mean to you?

Simply put. Fun! I am great friends with the people here .... and it's always fun to party together when time permits.

What do you like best about CRS?

Haha erm, let me show u what I like best, the view :P. I like that effort has been put into doing up.

What are your plans for the future?

I’ll be focusing a lot on Asymetriques as well as L'Homme, to let L'homme be the go to guide for all things men's fashion and of course my SL "career" of modeling. A close friend told me, opportunities only come once so that thought and the sense of gratification keep me going.

You can have a look at Zachy’s modeling resume @ - http://zacharyzufreur.wordpress.com/ and his Flickr - www.flickr.com/photos/zacharyzufreur/

We invite you to join us on the last Saturday of the month which is January 26th, 2012 at 1.00 PM SLT at The Influentials Lounge, as Costa Rica Sims pays tribute to the one and only Zachary Zufreur.  The theme is ‘Domino’s’ – so wear something black and white.

If you want to keep in touch with your friends and all things related to Costa Rica that we have groups on a number of social networks where you can do just that:

Facebook

Plurk

Twitter

Flickr

Thank you for taking time out to read our blog, your continued support is what keeps us striving to make the Costa Rica Sims the best place in Second Life to be.

Lacy Muircastle

Wow can you believe another year has whizzed by? As 2011 rapidly draws to a close we take this opportunity to revisit the Influentials who graced our pages over the past 11 months.  We won’t be having an Influential this month due to the holidays and the party would fall on New Year’s Eve and we all know what we will be doing then…

March 2011 saw Imani Enzo gave us a sneak peek into her glamorous SLife;  at the time she had recently been crowned Miss Essence of Ebony, she had been a 2011 Miss Virtual World Finalist, Miss Bliss Couture 2011, a My Precious Princess in 2011 and the 2010 Costa Rica Productions Top Model of the Year.

The Influential for April 2011 was Eboni Khan;  Costa Rica Sims April who is an accomplished Second Life creator that began her Second Life in 2004 and who  has become one of SL’s  well known  fashion designers. Her flair, sense of style and generosity has made her a fashion staple in many SL closets….

The wonderful month of May saw us interview Persia Bravin; who is a multi-talented and extremely nice woman and whose SL résumé is simply put impressive. Persia has worn many hats in the media world of SL; Treet.TV /'Pop Vox'- Host/Co Producer, The BOSL Radio- CEO, The BOSL Magazine- Copy Editor, The BOSL Magazine-Senior Writer, Blog- 'Chrome Never Sleeps', Blog- ‘Second Life Art and Entertainment’, Pop Art Lab-RL/SL Press Manager, Caerleon Art Collective-Press Manager,  and EXPLORE IT!-Press Manager.  If this wasn’t enough Persia’s RL is just as impressive as Journalist, art lover, fashion junkie, surf junkie and Raqs Sharqi obsessed….

June 2011 Influential: Charriol Ansar.  The Costa Rica Sims June Influential is a very busy woman that holds an impressive position at GLANCE International Agency.  As COO of this full-service fashion PR agency, shehas her finger on the pulse of fashion in Second Life.

July 2011 Influential: Didier Rascon; as an architect in real life building a house was no big deal, but creating clothes was something else altogether. After falling in love with the fashion side of Second Life, Didier made a concerted effort to make clothes. It wasn’t long before he had enough clothes designed and created to open his own store. In 2010 he started a new brand ‘House of Europe’ and the rest they say is history.  Apart from designing clothes he models them too.

August 2011 Influential: Reign Congrejo; at the time of the interview Reign was the ‘reigning’ Miss Costa Rica Sims and her time as Miss Costa Rica was drawing to a close.  But this is not all there is to this gorgeous lady.  She is also a fashion designer in Second Life and that introduced her into the world of Second Life modelling which she thoroughly enjoys and works very hard at.. Having won Miss CRS she went on to compete in Miss Virtual World 2011 where she placed in the top 12. Her latest project is the Miss Ebony International contest which she started with my business partner, Devine Hunt.

September 2011 Influential: Mimi Juneau; style Guru Mimi Juneau of Mimi’s Choice fame is a really lovely and gracious lady, who hails from Antwerp Belgium.  She arrived in Second Life some 5 years ago and has undoubtedly left her mark on the world of fashion in SL.  She has one of the most renowned reseller stores around, catering for both men and women’s fashions in SL and carrying some of the best known design brands that she has personally chosen to represent.  You can acquire everything from hair to shoes and obviously everything else in between at Mimi’s Choice.  She loves what she does and it shows.

October 2011 Influential: MeiMei Shiu;  is a runway, print media and live fashion model. She has represented Farouche Tres Modeling Agency and Maritima Inc. as well as PurpleMoon Creations and SACHIPhoto Studio. And then there are the contests and pageants she has participated in so far: • Champagne!Sparkling Face of the Month for September and October Runner Up • Miss Avatar World 2011 top 15 candidate • Crown winner of Miss Elegance 2011 • 1st Runner-up and Best Creative for Miss Sophisticated Lady 2011 • 2nd Runner-up and Miss Photogenic for Miss Hollywood 2011 • Prestigious Model February 2011. This lovely lady is most definitely one of SL’s rising stars.

And finally November 2011 Influential: Pompeja Rossini; Many of you will know this talented designer’s skins and shapes, and her brand LaVie. Pom started out in the world of SL fashion by designing clothing, her brand at the time was Pomj and she also made skin make-ups for a skin designer.  She designed her own first skin in mid-2008.  As time went on skins became her main focus, luckily for us and now we can have stunning looking avatars courtesy of Pompeja.

Influentials will be back in January 2012 with an interview with Zachery Zufreur.

The CRS Executive Team thank you for your support of the Costa Rica Sims.  All that is left for me to say is happy holidays to you all, have fun and be safe!!

Lacy Muircastle

Estate Blogger

Many of you will already know of the talented designer of skins and shapes, Pompeja Rossini and her brand LaVie. She arrived in Second Life on Valentine’s Day 2007.   She heard about SL from a TV programme and so driven by curiosity she came to see what it was all about, liking what she saw, she went about exploring and making friends from all around the world.

Pompeja Rossini met a newbie in the fall of 2007 who just so happened to have amazing knowledge of Photoshop. She was impressed by his work and spent hours watching him. It was then she decided that it was something she too wanted to try her hand at.

Pompeja is makeup artist and beautician in RL so you can see the synergy with designing skins in SL. She used to work for theatres and now freelances.  She says her RL work doesn’t really help her much in SL, so although she has an eye for colour and detail, she says SL skins are way too limited to do any big works of art on them.

Pom started out in the world of SL fashion by designing clothing, her brand at the time was Pomj and she also made skin make-ups for a skin designer.  She designed her own first skin in mid 2008.

Pomeja’s first brand was called Damiani and was made up of her then partner KaoZ Koba and herself. They had a wide variety of clothes and skins.  As time went on skins became her main focus. These days she designs clothes as a form of relaxation!!  She says it takes 3 to 4 month to make a skin and it gets boring and so to keep busy and keep the creative juices flowing she makes clothes.

Thank you Pom for giving up some of your precious time to have a chat with me.  So tell me when you first discovered the Costa Rica Sims?

“I discovered Costa Rica Sims in 2008; I was immediately charmed by the beautiful landscape, the activities on offer for residents and the community of lovely people.”

Pom why then did you leave the Costa Rica Sims?

“After I had bought my sim LaVie ( formerly Damiani) and started to build, my time became limited and we decided to leave Costa Rica, this was no easy decision, I loved the house that my Partner at the time had bought for me, but we just didn’t have the time.”

We are so happy to have you back on the estate, what made you decide to come back to Costa Rica Sims?

“Mostly the same reasons that brought me to Costa Rica the first time. This year has been a really tough one, there have been many changes regarding my Brand and my future projects.

I took a break during the summer and having returned refreshed and revitalised, I realized that I have missed spending time with friends; a skybox cannot replace a home.  I own 2 sims but work and private life should be separated even in Second Life.

I want a place to enjoy time with my partner Maxes Loon and we decided Costa Rica is the right place to be. “

What do you think is the best thing about living on the Costa Rica Estate?

“Most definitely the community! There is always something going on, it is never boring and Giancarlo always keeps in personal touch with his Residents. “

With regard to your brand LaVie, what plans do you have for it for the future?

“I just take one day at time. I like working on my own but there are also plans to expand my business in the next year but that’s still all top secret....”

What do you feel your influence on the fashion world of Second Life has been?

“I'm a shy person and only recently realized that I had any influence at all, it makes me happy to see people wearing what I have created when I least expect it.

I love to create and I care about my customers, my goal has always been to create high quality products that are within everyone’s reach.”

Pom’s mantra is “live and enjoy what is offered you, day by day"

Pompeja has without a doubt found her creative outlet in Second Life and has made her brand LaVie Skins synonymous with daring and creativity.  Her richly detailed and highly defined designs bring life to the avatars who wear them.

We invite you to join us on the last Saturday of the month which is November 26th , 2011 at 1.00 PM SLT at The Influentials Lounge, as Costa Rica Sims pays tribute to the talented Ms. Pompeja Rossini.

If you want to keep in touch with your friends and all things related to Costa Rica that we have groups on a number of social networks where you can do just that:

Facebook

Plurk

Twitter

Flickr

Thank you for taking time out to read our blog, your continued support is what keeps us striving to make the Costa Rica Sims the best place in Second Life to be.

Lacy Muircastle

Hello everyone.  This month we have the gorgeous Meimei Shiu as our Influential.  She is a runway, print media and live fashion model.

Meimei has been in Second Life a little over a year, having rezzed in on the 15th September 2010.  She heard a lot about SL from people she met on WoW and while she was waiting for their new expansion last year she got bored with the end game, so she decided to give SL a try.

She spent her first 3 months in Second Life orientating herself,  Meimei went exploring, trying different things such as dancing at various clubs, went surfing and of course shopping!!!.  One night she happened to be teleported to a modelling school whilst she was out shopping for shoes. Here she met one of the models from the agency and was given a quick tour. They just so happened to be running a styling contest at the time which she entered to for the fun of it, and would you know, she won 3rd place on her first try. And so she was bitten by the modelling bug. She discovered that she really enjoyed styling and so signed up for her first modelling course and has enjoyed a successful career in modelling since then.

Meimei has trained with the following academies:

• Lush Modeling Academy (Graduated July 2011)

• Maniera Institute of Style (Graduated July 2011)

• CWS (Graduated Jan 2011)

And since she believes you can never stop learning she is currently a trainee with Passion - The Fashion Agency.

She has represented Farouche Tres Modeling Agency and Maritima Inc. as well as PurpleMoon Creations and SACHI Photo Studio.

And then there are the contests and pageants she has participated in so far:

• Champagne!Sparkling Face of the Month for September and October Runner Up

• Miss Avatar World 2011 top 15 candidate

• Crown winner of Miss Elegance 2011

• 1st Runner-up and Best Creative for Miss Sophisticated Lady 2011

• 2nd Runner-up and Miss Photogenic for Miss Hollywood 2011

• Prestigious Model February 2011

I caught up with Meimei  in between assignments.  Meimei thank you so much for taking time from your hectic schedule to talk to us.

“Lacy I was so surprised to hear that I had been chosen as this month’s Influential, it is such an honour.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Giancarlo Takacs and all the staff at CRS for supporting and maintaining this beautiful environment for us to call home.”

Meimei, what is your opinion of the SL fashion and modelling industry?

“It is definitely an exciting industry as there are always new designs of outfits and accessories coming out and so many different contests for models to showcase their creativeness. However, it can be stressful since it is a very demanding and competitive market.  I hope to see more opportunities to support new up and coming designers, photographers and models since this will bring more fresh ideas to the industry and everyone can have even more fun.”

What would you say your contribution to world of fashion in SL has been?

“My unstoppable wardrobe expansion... lol.  Well apart from spending money on the amazing designs available, what I have endeavoured to do previously is to present whatever it is I am modelling in the best way possible, in the hope that my styling and presentation will encourage those that see the outfits to go and buy them”

What are your plans for the future?

“Actually I have just come back from a short break and my plan for now is to catch up what I have missed and enjoy my time here at CRS before I start with a project that is in the pipeline with my mentor Topaz Joubert.”

How did you come to be resident on the Costa Rica Sims?

“I discovered the Chinese Tea House here while exploring different sims. I found out it is located on the Costa Rica Sims, so I searched online about it and immediately loved it. Later on Zachary Zufreur and AmyChristine Avedon, 2 of my close family members on SL and I were looking for a sim to move to, so I suggested moving here. We have been living here since April.”

What do you enjoy about the Costa Rica Sims?

“The scenery is definitely the #1 thing I enjoy the most at CRS.  I love beaches and ocean in RL.  Living here on the CRS with the tropical environment all year round can sure make my -40 winter time in RL a little bit more enjoyable :)”

Thank you Meimei for giving us some insight to your time here in Second Life

We invite you to join us on the last Saturday of the month which is October 29th, 2011 at 12 noon SLT at The Influentials Lounge, as Costa Rica Sims pays tribute to the stunning MeiMei Shiu.  Come wearing a hat!!

If you want to keep in touch with your friends and all things related to Costa Rica that we have groups on a number of social networks where you can do just that:

Facebook

Plurk

Twitter

Flickr

Thank you for taking time out to read our blog, your continued support is what keeps us striving to make the Costa Rica Sims the best place in Second Life to be.

Lacy Muircastle

Costa Rica Sims Estate Blogger

Hi everyone, phew I am exhausted,  after literally chasing Mimi across the metaverse, I finally managed to get her to sit down and catch her breath for a few minutes to have a chat with me.

Style Guru Mimi Juneau of Mimi’s Choice fame is a really lovely and gracious lady, who hails from Antwerp Belgium.  She arrived in Second Life some 5 years ago and has undoubtedly left her mark on the world of fashion in SL.  She has one of the most renowned reseller stores around, catering for both men and women’s fashions in SL and carrying some of the best known design brands that she has personally chosen to represent.  You can acquire everything from hair to shoes and obviously everything else in between at Mimi’s Choice.  She loves what she does and it shows.

Congratulations are in order Mimi for being chosen as this month’s Influential, how do you feel about it?
I am very pleased and flattered of course, but really it is not right as I have only been on the Costa Rica Sims for a relatively short time.

You have the reputation of being perhaps the biggest reseller in Second Life. That is not easy to achieve. How have you managed to make this work so well for you?

Yes, I don’t think there are many other big resellers around SL. I started small with a L$50 shop, using full permission items which I changed a little and then sold them for L$50. I re-colored the pictures so they would look nicer.  My next shop happened to be next door to Redgrave on brand new sim.  Bax Coen was the first well known designer to take a chance with me,  Bax has sold thousands of her renowned boots. What I would do is walk around wearing a tag that said “I sell the best boots in SL – lol.  Sartoria was the next big name brand in my store.  I was even presented with a trophy for my store by the Sands Club that is owned by Dean Ashby.

I understand that you have a wonderful relationship with many designers including the illusive Emilia Redgrave of the Redgrave brand.  How did that relationship come about particularly since not many of the big designers are prepared to have a third party resell their designs? 

I have been friends with both Emilia and Dean for ages, in fact I consider them to be my best friends and it will be 5 years in November that I have known them. I moved my Main store to another sim and unfortunately this point someone’s nose out of joint and the mall owner deleted my entire store, but Dean Ashby came to my rescue and spent an entire night building me a new store next to Redgrave. I have these crazy people in RL, I could not ask for better friends than Dean and Emilia.

How does the resale market work?  Is it based on commission?
Yes it is based purely on commission, the more I sell the more I get.

Who are your favorite designers?
Come to my store and see them all. lol

How hard is to achieve success in the reseller business? 
It is not easy, you have to work hard. But these days I can be picky about who I represent,  I even get approached by designers themselves now and I have even said no a few times.

Do you have any advice for those thinking about venturing in this area of business? 
You will have to prove yourself.  Start small; just don’t ask me for a note card of my contacts, lol, I won’t be giving you my contacts. I have found that if a designer has too many stores, or stores in ugly places it is inclined to have a negative effect on sales. Win the trust of a very good designer or a small new one and work hard. You have to earn their trust. This is how I make a living RL too, so I have to ensure that I maximize sales.

When and how did you first learn about Costa Rica Sims?
A young fashionista friend  who had met Giancarlo, excitedly came and told me about Costa Rica Sims, so I came and checked it out and liked it so much I took a shop in so doing I met Giancarlo,  He was so very helpful and so very nice and so very gorgeous, I tried not to faint…. lol .

Why did it take you so long to be part of our community? 
I was resident on the Dreamland estate, and when that all went sour I looked around for alternatives for my home and Costa Rica Sims is it."

What is the thing you enjoy the most about being a resident of Costa Rica Sims? 
Being amongst friends and in particular my neighbours Florentine Rau and her partner as well as Sandrika Broono , the have made me feel so welcome.  And how many other communities do you know of that I could shout out ‘hey I am here who wants to have a nude party?'  The beauty of the sims, the sense of community all add up to a place that I can call home, I will never leave here."

What would you say your contribution to world of fashion in SL has been?
Lacy I have told you before, I am just a poor reseller, I can't even make sock but I know what I like and many others seem to like what I like.

What are your future plans for your brand?

That is "Top Secret" but come to my store, you will not be disappointed.

Thank you Mimi for your eye for fashion, many of us are eternally grateful for your expert advice.

We invite you to join us on the last Sunday of the month which is September 25th, 2011 at 12 noon SLT at The Influentials Lounge, as Costa Rica Sims pays tribute to the effervescent lady that is Mimi Juneau.

If you want to keep in touch with your friends and all things related to Costa Rica Sims, we have groups on a number of social networks where you can do just that:

Facebook
Plurk
Twitter
Flickr

Thank you for taking time out to read our blog, your continued support is what keeps us striving to make the Costa Rica Sims the best place in Second Life to be.

Lacy Muircastle
Costa Rica Sims Estate Blogger
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Hello to our loyal readers. Our Influential of the month is the one and only Reign Congrejo. I first met Reign when we were both trying out for the Miss Costa Rica Sims pageant last year, which this lovely lady as we all know went on to win.  As her year as Miss Costa Rica Sims draws to a close, Reign took some time out of her hectic schedule to reflect on her time in Second Life with me.

Reign, at the outset let me congratulate you on being Costa Rica Sims Influential of the month.

Thank you so much Lacy it is quite an honor!

Let me start by asking you what brought you to Second Life?

It just so happens Lacy, that my RL cousin was playing the game on her laptop and I asked her what she was doing and she showed me. Immediately I made an account and that is when the fun began. That was in April of 2007

Yes the famous boom of 2007. Can you give us some insight into your Second Life?

I started and still work at Rock a Bye babies. I have been a doctor there for 4 years. I love working with people who cannot have children in real life and who are able to experience near realism here.

I am also a fashion designer in Second Life and that introduced me to the world of Second Life modeling which I thoroughly enjoy and work very hard at. I have attended many schools and belong to some of the best agencies here. I love modeling as it keeps me focused. Last year I decided to compete in the Miss Costa Rica Pageant after being told about it by a friend of mine and was most surprised to win the crown. I went on to compete in Miss Virtual World 2011 where I placed in the top 12. My latest project is the Miss Ebony International contest which I started with my business partner, Devine Hunt.  We have had a really successful first year.

Can you share with me your thoughts about the Second Life fashion industry and tell your brand?

The fashion industry in Second Life is great. Having dealings with it in real life gives me more appreciation for it here. So many designers with creativity in one place is unbelievable. I admire many SL designers. I started designing 3 years ago with a group called the "Naked Closet" with SynsualSyn Sawson and Maliki Lupindo, who along with ShellyLove Lemay taught me all I know about designing. I am still evolving and learning new techniques and that is what keeps me drawn to Second Life. "Evolve" my brand is my journey through fashion as I see it. Fashion is Art that tells a story. I am Latin in real life so I love color and try to use it at every turn. Our Motto is Evolve.. Be Unique, Be You and just keep Evolving.

How has your year as Miss Costa Rica been?

It has been a fun filled year. I am also the Director of Costa Rica Sims Pageants and I have never had so much fun in my entire Second Life. I made some fantastic friends and learned a lot. I want to thank every one on Costa Rica Sims for making me feel welcome and honored to have represented this amazing community over this last year.

What can you share with me about this year's Miss Costa Rica Sims finalists and the pageant in general?

Well if I am to be bias this years Miss Costa Rica Sims pageant will rawk. Its full of surprises and very different than the past. We will have the audience join in and have some fun. We changed the swimsuit competition to something that will blow you away so everyone will have to come and see. The girls this year are just fabulous to work with.  No Diva's here, all are working hard and very professional, this will be the hardest year ever.

Now I am going to ask you a tricky question. If you may please respond not as Costa Rica Sims Pageants Director but as the current Miss Costa Rica Sims. Do you have a favorite or one you feel most comfortable passing the crown to?

To be honest this year is going to be a real toss up.  All the finalist(s) are just amazing.  Each have their own individual style yet very professional and really kind. All girls have what it takes to be the next Miss Costa Rica Sims because they possess-poise, confidence, style, professionalism and a genuine kindness by far of ANY pageant I have seen or been involved in.  Good luck ladies I wish you the best.  Have fun, make friends along the way but realize you made it this far as being the best, but there is only one crown.

How did you come to be resident of the Costa Rica Sims and what is it about your Second Life home that you enjoy the most?

A friend of mine told me about Costa Rica Sims and when I visited, I just didn’t want to leave. There are so many things to do, that you never have to venture out unless you choose to. I love the community and sense of serenity you feel here. I also love water sports so having all those activities here is fantastic. But to be honest what I most enjoy is sitting by the ocean and watching the sunset. What a beautiful experience.

In conclusion Reign commented:   “I want to personally thank Giancarlo for believing in me and being a joy to work with and the many friends and family who helped me when I thought I could not accomplish my dreams. Thank you Costa Rica Sims for your continued support, I will love and cherish you forever.”

As usual we invite you to join us this coming Sunda, August 28th, 2011 at 12 noon SLT at The Influentials Lounge as Costa Rica Sims pays tribute to a gorgeous lady who is more than just a pretty face as she comes to the end of her reign as Miss Costa Rica Sims.

Don’t forget, if you want to keep in touch with your friends and all things related to Costa Rica Sims that we have groups on a number of social networks where you can do just that:

Facebook

Plurk

Twitter

Flickr

Thank you for taking time out to read our blog, your continued support is what keeps us striving in making Costa Rica Sims the best place to live Second Life.

Lacy Muircastle

Costa Rica Sims Estate Blogger

Hello everyone,

It was pleasure for me to take a peek into the life of this month’s Costa Rica Sims Influential Mr. Didier Rascon. Curiosity brought the gorgeous and highly talented Didier Rascon to Second Life for the first time in 2006, but not having a powerful enough computer at the time he soon left.

Luckily for us in 2008 he was reminded once more of Second Life when watching a TV program and now having a much more suitable computer, he decided to give it another try. Today 3 years later after the second time around, Didier is an accomplished model and fashion designer owner of House of Europe and someone who says Second Life is more than just a game.

Hello Didier and congratulations on being Costa Rica Sims July 2011 Influential! I want to start by asking you why do you feel Second Life is more than just a game?

Merci Lacy thank you very much. It is quite an honor for me to be this month’s Costa Rica Sims Influential. To answer you question, after playing the Sims 2 game for a while, Second Life fascinated me from the point of view that real time interaction was possible with people from all around the world. Second Life stopped being a game for me when I realized that it helped me a lot to be who I am now in my real life.

Do you remember your first thoughts when you started to explore Second Life?

Oh do I? On arriving in Second Life I felt somewhat lost. Fortunately I found a Help Sim with some French-speaking people, which was a significant step for me in finding my way around. After feeling whole lot more confident I started exploring as much as I could, meeting great people along the way, one in particular that come to mind is Ben Sass, who to this day has a special place in my heart. This Scotsman spent many hours explaining the ins and outs of Second Life to me.

Was there a the turning point in your Second Life that made you decide you wanted to create items in here?

Well Lacy we all know that money makes the world go round, and that includes this virtual world. When I first got here I had no money. I could not afford to buy clothes for my avatar much less a house or a piece of land, so one day I said to myself why not trying to build everything on my own?

As an architect in real life building a house was no big deal, but creating clothes was something else altogether. After falling in love with the fashion side of Second Life, I made a concerted effort to make clothes and to the best of my ability. It wasn’t long before I had enough clothes designed and created to open my own store and earn some money. In 2010 a started a new brand House of Europe.

What are your views on fashion and the industry in Second Life from both a designer and a model’s point of view?

My views on the fashion industry here in Second Life are the same both as a model and as a designer:  I truly think that all designers and models are great artists. No matter if they are beginners or confirmed in their skills, they are building and creating amazing things. For me, fashion is a real art, and Second Life is full of amazing artists. For example I was really amazed by the 5 national outfits that another French designer created for the Mr. Virtual World. Mr. Enzo Champagne.

Oh yes you were one of the finalists for this year’s pageant correct? How was the Mr. Virtual World experience?

I waited in great anticipation for over a year now for this pageant to arrive, and I was so happy to be selected as a finalist and especially as Mr. France since that is my real life country.  It was a great moment for me and I really gave my best in all the challenges we had during the month of June. The final result was of course not the one I had hoped for, not only for me but also for all the friends, but I have no regrets and I am really proud of all that I achieved. I also want to congratulate all my friends and especially my husband Angelik Lavecchia who was really amazing and professional, and a huge hug to Mikey Batriani, Mr. Virtual World 2010, who was a true inspiration to me during this past year.

Is it true that you were the only contestant who designed his own clothes?

Yes I think I was the only one. I designed my own national outfit based on the Napoleon look and also my formal outfit based on a suit design by the great Jean-Paul Gaultier in his spring/summer 2011 collection. Those 2 outfits are now for sale in my House of Europe main store.

What are your plans going forward from MR. Virtual World?

Now that Mr. Virtual World is done, I have the feeling that a page has turned.  It was my last pageant and I really want to do something else now. Of course I will stay in the fashion industry as a model and a designer. I am thinking of opening a new brand, idea it's too fresh to tell you more about it, but you will know soon what it is about. I also own the Ms. and Mr. Europe contest the winners of which will be crowned in September 2011.

Talking about pageants, I understand you are designing an evening gown for the upcoming Miss Costa Rica Sims can you tell me about the design, what inspired it, what color will it be?

Actually I still have to talk with Reign Congrejo Costa Rica Sims Pageants Director and current Miss Costa Rica Sims about this design and if she has a special request. But as usual I will get my inspiration from the real life fashion industry and from my preferred designers like Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, or Dior. I want those girls to feel like real beauty I will do my best to make them look gorgeous.

How did you come to be resident of Costa Rica Sims?

One of my friends in Second Life is from Costa Rica in real life and he brought me to see the sims. He spent a bit of time telling me about his beautiful country. I fell in love with Costa Rica Sims so naturally I decided to make it my Second Life home. I was even able to buy a piece of land in the area where my friend lives in real life.

What impresses you most about the CRS?

The amazing work around how was landscaped.  Every time I go to the nature areas like the rain forest or anywhere else on Costa Rica Sims I find myself saying "Wow, I wonder how much time did they spend creating this amazing place?" And I think it's impossible to find out. But what is true for sure is that they did it with passion! As a resident I can feel it.

How do you describe Second Life to your real life friends and family?

Well, I must admit that I don't talk too much about Second Life with my family or friends. They are just impressed with my good English now! LOL

LOL! Any final words you want to say?

I want to thank Costa Rica Sims for choosing me as this month’s Influential,  wish all the best to all the residents of Second Life and invite them to visit the House Of Europe store at the Costa Rica Sims Colonial Shopping District.!

After wrapping up our tête-à-tête, I ask Didier about the theme for his Influential party and he responded “I want to see everyone in super heroes costumes”.

So there you have it another month and another fabulous resident of Costa Rica Sims that have contributed to the world of Second Life fashion. Don’t forget to join us this coming Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 12 noon slt at The Influentials Lounge as Costa Rica Sims pays tribute to a noble French man who discovered that Second Life can be more than just a game.

Finally I would like to remind all of you, to join our social networks to share photos, keep in touch with your friends and up to date with everything related to Costa Rica Sims.

Facebook

Plurk

Twitter

Flickr

Until next time,

Lacy Muircaslte

Costa Rica Sims Estate Blogger

The Costa Rica Sims June Influential is a very busy woman that holds an impressive position at GLANCE International Agency.  As COO of this full-service fashion PR agency, this month’s Influential has her finger on the pulse of fashion in Second Life.  Please help me congratulate the June 2011 Costa Rica Sims Influential: Ms Charriol Ansar!

Hi Charriol and congratulations on being this month’s Influential! How did you feel when you received word of this honor?

Well actually when Giancarlo told me I was quite honored and a little stunned I guess...he then came to help me out with the landscaping as we were putting in a new pool to the house.  I think that sums things up, there this is an honor given by a place that even with the vast number of Sims the owner, the head honcho and or chief if you will....still will put in personal touch to help out residents and not pass people off and keep them waiting for days or something.  I'm happy to represent a place that actually values its residents and be chosen for this month.

Costa Rica Sims is known for many things including recognizing its residents and their accomplishments in SL, making it one of the most respected communities to reside in, what made you choose Costa Rica Sims for your home?

Actually I didn't choose, my husband, Atrum did! The two of us had been here before to visit and check out the many activities you all offer here.  We own a private homestead sim of our own since being married in February of 2010. The theme we built ourselves there is Pacific-Northwest, a large log cabin home, rocky coastlines, waterfalls and streams, pine trees...for me based on photos Atrum gave me having never been there myself.  American Thanksgiving weekend of 2010 we were on the CRS sims and I joked to him that we needed a beach house, and he said with little sarcastic humor, ''yes to relieve the stress of private sim living all week long...''.  I played along totally, did not think much of it until Christmas.  I got a box with a note and an LM inside to what is where we now have our beach house in CRS.

What are some of the qualities of Costa Rica Sims that impress you the most?

Oh too many! Where my husband had joked about ''private-sim living'' that is the thing really...you can have a wonderful private island all to yourself which is great however that is not always what it is all about.  You would miss the community joie de vivre so to speak, the activities and al the opportunities for interaction one can have with others in-world as an avatar but globally really when you think about it.  That in itself is the quality right there, the chance to be a part of something and enjoy being part of something grand.  The there is always the rainforest, the skydiving, the boating, the jet-skiing, the cocktail parties and the ballroom events and the list goes on....laughs. I could go on though, really. There is always something if you wish to partake it is offered here.

Being in the fashion industry as you are, do you think it makes a difference residing in an estate that appreciates the fashion industry and promotes is as much as Costa Rica Sims?

Oh, very much so!  The shopping and opportunity in the commercial district for people to get a taste of so many varied shops filled with clothes and accessories and everything fashion definitely influences residents.  Instead of traveling around the grid it is wonderful to enjoy a stroll and take in the ambiance of what a day ''in town'' or a holiday shopping excursion might offer.  It's not just about the rainforest hike you can take...it's about the fashionista or fashionisto, heels to the cobblestone, power-shopping you can get done all right here in one place. The many fashion events offered in the time I have been here are varied and interesting and offer great opportunity to not only be involved in as Miss Costa Rica, it also invites you to sit back in the front row and take in the fashion trends from your seat.

You have a busy career as the COO of GLANCE Agency tell us about your role there?

Oh, let me think...sous-chef!  That's it that is my answer.  I had worked for Glance for two years already as an exclusive fashion-show script writer...freelancing...while I worked other places in the industry.  It was not until autumn of last year that I approached the then, COO Honeybear Lilliehook, with taking a more active part there.  In the beginning of 2011 I became executive director under her and of course agency CEO and founder of GLANCE International Agency, Patty Cortes.  In February when Honeybear stepped down to pursue other interests (can I say real life here...haha) Patty asked me to be COO and here I am.  I need to include its not possible without the support of my lovely and uber-patient husband without whose support I would never be able to undertake the position.  Wow, I just sounded like I was accepting the Oscar. Laughs.

What would you consider the highlight of you career thus far?

Well....emmm. That I do not think I have really had one yet!  Laughs. Fashion is not about stagnation it's a constant-flow industry.  You can adore vintage fashions, as I do, however you can also interject those fashions with a modern twist and element of style that sets you apart from the pack and makes you a fashion rebel.  Yesterday's fashion rebels are today's fashion icons, really when you think about it. That to me is what makes fashion.  Take in the trends however put your own personality into them, always. So I guess the short answer to that would have been...I've not peaked, yet. Laughs.

In your time in Second Life how have you seen the fashion industry grow and evolve?

It's grown sideways, upside-down and inside-out! Well actually I mean that literally.  The introducing of flexi-prims, sculpties and alpha layers have really opened up an entire new universe of fashion in terms of design.  As for myself, I cannot make a sock in Second Life however I take a total wonder and appreciation to those individuals who do.  Who push the boundaries of the fashion envelope and get to bring us all along for the ride as they share their dreams and fantastical creations with us.

Working so hard in the fashion industry you have a wealth of knowledge on all this fashionable, what are some items you would tell residents they must have as staples in their fashion inventory?

A great line of skins, stick to one hair color usually and just concentrate on great styles it gives you a signature look and style, makeup layers can be your best friends use them, love your prim feet but be sure to color them correctly nothing says weirdness more than feet of a different color than your legs and like in RL own yourself a great fitting pair of jeans.

If Linden Labs came and said we are taking your inventory but you can keep 5 things what would they be?

Oh if I am allowed to name brand names here....emmm, Bax Coen Presitge boots, a little black dress, once great long hair, EarthStones belts (they fit the best of all in SL and greatly detailed) and my wedding/engagement ring that my husband and I designed together.

What skills, talents or interests have you brought from you RL to you SL?

I came to SL to design clothes and it seems I have done everything but that here.  I appreciate all the people who design and create and are inspired here to be fantastic content creators...keep creating and I will keep shopping...and shopping...and shopping...

Has what you accomplished in SL had any influence on your RL?

I see my SL as an extension of my RL. So it's been influential in terms of having relationships and having accomplishments that I would not necessarily have achieved in my RL however I take them seriously and for the joy in achievement they are in any life.  That and the highest heels never hurt my feet here. And above all while i don't know if i consider it an accomplishment exactly, whatever fate there was or kismet involved...I am thankful that I met my best friend in life here, Atrum.

What advice would you have for anyone just entering SL for the first time?

Respect yourself, respect others, take responsibility for your actions and have a fantastic time of it here.

How about advice for the seasoned SL resident?

Actually the same as the last question...in addition to give a little back and be nice to new people here.  It is rewarding and people tend to enjoy unexpected help and kindness....that is always a winning situation for all.

Charriol, thank you so much for chatting with me, do you have any parting words for our readers?

Don't take things too seriously here and approach things with a sense of humor and adventure and emm...live in Costa Rica Sims it's fabulous and no they did not pay me to say that it's true!

This months Costa Rica Sims Influential is a multi talented and extremely nice woman who's SL resume is quite impressive, I am thrilled to introduce you to our May Influential: Ms. Percia Bravin! Persia wears many hats in the media world of SL; Treet.TV /'Pop Vox'- Host/Co Producer, The BOSL Radio- CEO, The BOSL Magazine- Copy Editor, The BOSL Magazine-Senior Writer, Blog- 'Chrome Never Sleeps', Blog- ‘Second Life Art and Entertainment’, Pop Art Lab-RL/SL Press Manager, Caerleon Art Collective-Press Manager,  and EXPLORE IT!-Press Manager.  If this wasn’t enough Persia’s RL is just as impressive as Journalist, art lover, fashion junkie, surf junkie and Raqs Sharqi obsessed.  I get exhausted just imagining all that she expertly manages to do every day! Let’s meet this multi-talented lady…

Persia, congratulations on being Costa Rica Sims May Influential, how do you feel about being chosen as the Influential by the Sim you call home?

Hi Sydney, thanks for taking the time to interview me because I know how busy you are too! Well, when Giancarlo Takacs first approached me about becoming an influential, I was at my home here on CRS rezzing a new house. To say I was shocked is an understatement and I remember very clearly my half rezzed house being suspended in mid-air while I absorbed his news- I was actually a bit emotional! The CRS are famed for having many well-known and exceptionally talented residents, and I consider myself to be simply a hard working journalist in here, nobody of any great importance. To sum up I was shocked, delighted and needed a glass of wine RL to calm down again!

What were the factors that lead you to make Costa Rica Sims your home?

I had been sharing a full sim with my SL sister and some close friends for two years, but the friends both moved abroad in real life and my sister and I decided to downsize our land. I had heard great things about the Costa Rica Sims from many friends who had lived there, so teleported over to take a look. Within an hour, the ever charming Giancarlo had set me up on a plot and it immediately felt like home. I have been here over six months now and every time I log in, and before I face the onslaught of SL work-I always take time out to enjoy the incredible views and the tranquility that CRS provides.

There are so many amenities Costa Rica Sims has to offer, what are some of your favorites?

Oohh-there are so many amenities, it’s really hard to choose just a few. I really love the rainforest area and the turtle beach-they are both superb places to relax and unwind, and to escape the hustle and bustle of the rest of my second existence. I’m also really impressed by the ‘DJ Knockout’ events that take place here-I have seen some genuinely brilliant DJ’s who I would go and see in real life for sure. Those knockout events are perfect when you need some hard partying SL style!

 If I asked you to sum up your opinion of Costa Rica Sims in one word what would it be and why would you choose it?

That’s easy ‘Community.’ The sense of community at these sims is unrivaled I think within Second Life. The whole executive team is really warm and welcoming and they work very hard at providing fun and entertaining events. All the residents I have met have been a joy too and my first neighbors here, Royal Catteneo and Devine Hunt, are both really kind and interesting people. Living next to each of them was really lovely.  After running out of prims, I up scaled my land and recently moved, and I now live next door to LesPaul Ibanez and we became good friends really fast. He’s a really humorous and intelligent person, and we joke that standing on our respective boundaries and talking about music and movies is like chatting with the neighbors over the garden fence in real life! No matter where you go in this estate, everyone is very friendly and the beautifully landscaped communal areas really encourage us all to get to know each other-it’s a masterstroke of sim design really.

You wear many hats in your SL professional life how do you juggle it all?

How do I juggle it all…. Well, I think it’s mostly down to the fact I am just very organized about my media work in both lives. Because I am a print and broadcast journalist in my real life, I’m used to the pressure of deadlines, to the unexpected happening, to technical issues occurring and to always, always having a backup plan if a story falls through. I’m also never too far away from a PC or laptop in real life work, so yeah, I have been known to log into SL from some crazy real life situations just to meet virtual deadlines! But I also love what I do in SL; I am a huge believer in using RL skills to help other people in world and I totally agree with the concept of ‘paying it forward’-if we can’t make a positive difference in SL then where can we? I guess my passion for what I do in SL makes it easy to juggle it all…. I only do what I enjoy doing! I’m also fortunate to work alongside some of the most professional, hardworking and dedicated people in SL media who I know I can rely on in a heartbeat.

Persia, you cover the gamut of media types in SL, is there one you prefer or enjoy the most?

Sydney, that’s a great question, and I haven’t even thought about which I prefer until you just asked me! I think I am the only journalist that works in radio, television and magazines in SL and each of those media bring very different highs and lows. To answer honestly, I think it’s my magazine work and blog writing that I enjoy the most because it brings me into contact with such a diverse range of people, and being a naturally curious person, I love discovering more about the real people behind the avatar. I have worked for a few magazines in SL, but have been a senior writer at BOSL Magazine now for over two years and in that time; I have interviewed so many interesting people from M Linden to Mimmi Boa, to Jessica Lyon to Stiletto Moody, from some of the most famous fashion designers right through to relative unknowns. BOSL Magazine has been one of the best experiences of my Second Life.

What are some of the challenges that SL media presents compared to RL media?

Interesting question! I think the most obvious is that in SL, we are not working alongside each other ‘in person’ so misunderstandings and poor communication, plus of course the typical SL issues such as lost IM’s can sometimes result in mixed messages, but I’m a diplomatic and fairly relaxed person so I never take it personally. Working in SL television is much more like working in real life radio where you are interviewing someone in a separate location, so you have to be good at timing your questions and not talking over the other person otherwise it just looks amateur. Before any POP VOX programs or before hosting televised events such as Miss Virtual World and the BOSL Awards, I always make sure I have a friendly chat with my guests in Skype so I can get to know their personalities and voices better which I think helps make it seem more natural. Again, I rely on my real life skills and training to get me through any challenges that the SL media might throw at me and if I find myself feeling really frustrated, I just go for a very long run in real life to put it all into perspective!

Not only do you work in the various media of SL but you also arrange events and do public relations for range of artists, are there challenges that come with promoting SL artists?

Ha! A good friend of mine who runs some of the best art sims in SL, told me once that working with artists is a bit like trying to herd a pack of cats which I think is a brilliant description! All those artistic temperaments can sometimes clash, but all the promotion work I do for SL artists is done purely for the love of it. SL is home to some of the world’s finest virtual artists and I have been fortunate to become friends with some of the absolute best. It’s one part of my SL that I would never trade in, and the buzz I get from seeing installations such as DynaFleur, Simplexity and Visualizing Theorem becoming some of the most popular sims is worth all the hours of work that are needed to do successful promotion.

Is there anything you have not yet accomplished that you would like to do?

I’m very content with my Second Life, I have no real ambition or career goals in here-I keep those for my real life. I’m honestly just very happy to be able to help make a small difference in this virtual world we all love.

Being so busy what do you do to relax?

Trust me, I might be busy but I live my second life completely-all aspects of it! I love relaxing chatting to friends and SL family from around the world the most; SL has been a great cultural education.  I collect contemporary art by new British artists in my real life, so the SL arts scene is also a passion and I love visiting galleries and installations in here. There’s also a thriving SL belly dancing community which is another real life addiction, so I love talking to fellow dancers about SL and RL dancing too. Music is central to my real life also; for work and pleasure, and some of my closest friends in SL are musicians and DJ’s and there are some cool SL clubs I like dancing at. I will admit to being a total girl in both lives, so shopping in SL is also a favorite pastime- the fashion designers of SL are just as good as their real life counterparts! I love playing practical jokes too, I confess to being a bit mischievous, so any opportunity to play a joke on my friends and family I find very relaxing… just ask my brother!

How do your RL experiences influence your SL experiences?

I’m exactly the same person in SL as I am in real life, with the same interests, same personality and same ethics- I don’t log in and become someone different. I think my real life work as a journalist certainly makes my SL work a lot easier and more fun too. SL is not an escape for me; it’s simply a very good reflection of my real life and something I enjoy being part of. I feel all of us are virtual pioneers really, and in the future when I have kids and grandkids I will be able to show them my SL work and say “See? I was there at the very start of online communities!”

Has SL influenced you at all in your RL?

It has-in so many ways! Mostly, I get very inspired by SL and whenever I am feeling like I have run out of creative power in real life, there’s always something from Second Life that inspires me again. Once, I wrote an article about latex trends in SL which then led me to write about real life latex fashion too. This was great, until accidentally, I emailed my Editor in Chief the SL article by mistake, which raised a few questions but was a funny experience. Because of SL I have also contributed to some real life books including recently writing the foreword on a  brilliant book all about machinima which is due to be published in the Fall-it’s only because of SL that I have been able to do that.

Thank you so much for your time Persia, is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Thank you Sydney, it’s been a real pleasure talking to you! All I would like to add is a huge thank you to all my work colleagues, family and friends who are used to me being busy yet never demand time from me-I’m very lucky. Just want to say a special thanks to Frolic Mills, Umberto Giano, Brett Linden, Claus Uriza, Lanai Jarrico and Texas Timtam for all their support. And oh, I’m really looking forward to the influential party too-everyone’s invited!

I would like to thank Persia for taking the time to allow me to interview her, I can truly say that Persia is one of the nicest personalities I have had the pleasure of interviewing and is an inspiration to anyone considering pursuing an SL career. Please be sure to join us in honoring Ms. Bravin at the Influential’s Lounge the end of this month.

Costa Rica Sims April Influential is an accomplished Second Life creator that began her Second Life in 2004 and has become one of the grids respected  fashion designers. Her flair, sense of style and generosity have made her a fashion staple in many SL closets.  We are honored to have her making her home in Costa Rica along with having one of her store locations in the Costa Rica Sims Fashion District. Please meet and help me congratulate our April 2011 Influential: Eboni Khan!

What brought you to Second Life?

I was originally a member of There.com in 2003. My friends from There.com moved to Second Life and I decided to come here also since most of the people I knew were in Second Life and no longer in There.com. I used there.com and Second Life originally just in a social capacity because I traveled extensively for work at the time.

Having already been online with There.com what were some of your first impressions of SL?

I started with there.com in 2001/2002. My first impressions of SL were all the avatars were ugly and the default animations were unrealistic. There.com looked much better than SL and the dances and animations that were built into there.com were superior. There was cartoonish but it seemed more polished and it worked better on lower end computers. I thought Second life really had no future long term due to the learning curve in Second Life and how Second Life was being managed. I am very happy to have been extremely wrong about the future of Second Life.

How long have you lived in Costa Rica Sims?

I think I have lived in Costa Rica about a year now, I am currently living on my second property.

How did you find yourself in Costa Rica Sims?

I moved to Costa Rica because I wanted to be more connected with some of the community in Second Life. I found that I was just spending all my time on private sims and interacting with the same people. I didn’t want to lose touch with what people are doing in Second Life.

What are some of the things that you love about your home in Costa Rica Sims?

I love the terraforming and landscaping of Costa Rica. The land alone is really a work of art. I have never seen a group of residential Sims so well maintained and designed.

What do you consider the most important thing that Costa Rica Sims offers its residents?

I think the very active community if very important, there are constant events on Costa Rica, you never have to be bored if you live in Costa Rica. I think after that, a planned community is extremely important. When you get a new neighbor in Costa Rica you don’t have to worry about them making your land uninhabitable for you, people maintain the feel of the community.

The Costa Rica Fashion District has recently been remodeled and you have a store there how do you like it?

I love the new remodel. Barnes did an amazing job as usual and the touches added by Cory Edo really accent the build well. I think that the build really represents Costa Rica and the residents of Costa Rica well because it is so vibrant like the Costa Rica Community.

You have been in Second Life quite a while when did you start creating?

Well almost everyone who started 2003-2005 started creating right away. You just had, there were not that many retailers and at that time Second Life attracted people that wanted to build something. I first opened a futon store that sold working futons, called Nkenge Futons in mid 2004. Then later I created Eboni and Co which was a custom jewelry store. I then created a partnership with my friend Flamey, and we started Hucci in mid 2005. 

What prompted you to begin your Second Life business?

I wanted a way to earn L$ and I just wanted to have a business. Almost everyone in SL had a business. It was just something to do in the beginning. I left and took a break from SL for a few years, when I came back ready to work I came back with the singular goal of launching again Hucci and making it the absolute best brand I could in Second Life.

Designers usually create many things before deciding on their specialty, what made you focus on fashion or did you know right from the start what you wanted to create?

I like a lot of things but fashion is the most fun for me. I come from a long time of women who are seamstresses as a hobby and I have been sewing and designing my own patterns in real life since I was 8 years old. I used to dress all the dogs, and then later in High School and College I made formal gowns to help fund my education.

I love the name of your business, how did you settle on that for a name?

I did not come up the name, I am really terrible at naming things. My friend Cristiano Midnight, the owner of SLUniverse.com and Snapzilla, came up with the name for me. A lot of older residents were complaining about all the hoochies and bling wears coming into SL and “ruining” things. I thought this was pretty silly because the “hoochies”, bling wearers, and role play people in SL spend the most money because they are most immersed. So, he came up with Hucci which is a play on words, mixing hoochie and spelling it with a European slant to make it “classy”. It is all just in good fun. My original goal with Hucci was to build a brand name in SL. At that time a lot of people were using real life brands in Second Life and I thought in an emerging virtual world, a virtual brand could be marketed to people. I was a little ahead of the curve at the time, people weren’t really ready for that in 2005. Now looking at Second Life, you have brands like LeLutka which are kind of status brands, and I love seeing that. Hucci as a brand is such a strong name to me, people have a strong reaction to the name, sometimes negative, but they don’t really understand the meaning. It is just a brand name, not some political statement or a statement on women.

Do you have any RL designer that you draw inspiration from?

Actually my real life design inspiration doesn’t really come from real life. It comes from the movie Mahogany. Tracy the main character in the movie wants to be a fashion designer and she has to give up a lot to get to the top then once she is there she is all alone and has paid a high personal price. Her designs are very reflective of the 70s. There are lots of loose flowing gowns in bright vibrant colors. When I design in real life I make a lot of loose flowing things in rich fabrics. I like things that are fitted in the chest and at the waist and then flow. This design style isn’t currently reflected in Hucci due to the constraints of Second Life but I hope to one day with the help of mesh really be able to bring my real life design style in to SL and change the face of Second Life formal wear.

How often are you designing something and you wish you had in your RL wardrobe?

There are a lot of things that I would wear from Hucci to go party. The gold Rush dress is a dress I would love to wear in real life. There are a few sheer items I would love to wear also like Evia, I love sheer! It is just like being naked without actually being naked, the perfect tease. If you wore anything

Do you have anything that you would consider to be your favorite thing you have created?

There are so many things that I really love. Right now I would have to say the Circolo bodysuit because the alpha on it was really hard to get right, and I put countless hours into getting it correct.

If you could give any fashion advice to SL residents what would it be?

Wear what you like. Don’t be like everyone else, don’t be afraid to experiment and buy color! People are always in black, experiment, this isn’t real life, you can wear what you want.

Are there any fashion tricks or tips you would like to share?

Don’t be afraid of prim feet. They can really polish your avatar; they are not as hard to match as in the past.

Is there anything from your RL that you bring to SL?

 I have a business background in real life and I try as much as possible to apply real life business and marketing principles to Second Life. It is hard to apply real life business principles to Second Life because you are competing with people with low or almost no operating costs, but it can be done.

Has SL taught you anything that you have carried into your RL?

Second Life has taught me so many life lessons over the years. I have met so many people and learned so much from them. I would say currently Second Life has proven to me that I can really accomplish anything I set my mind to, and that means a lot to me.

What advice would you give to someone that is interested in creating in SL?

First make a plan, write a business plan, set goals, even if your business is just casual. Setting a plan and deciding on an identity will help you a lot down the road. It will help you make smart decisions based on business and not personal. If your goal in SL is to make money, you need to continually invest back in your business, which can be hard but if you continue to do that, you will see a profit after 6-9 months. Finally never have a partnership in SL. Business partnerships are hard to make work in real life and almost impossible to maintain in Second Life.

Thank you so much, any final words you would like to share with our readers?

Enjoy your Second Life. Be honest with people, this isn’t just a game, there are real people, real money and real feelings involved. Be honest and treat people online exactly how you would treat them in real life.

I want to thank Eboni for taking the time to answer all my questions, it's been a real pleasure getting to know her better. If you haven't checked out her stores stop into the Costa Rica Sims location and have a look around I am sure you will find something perfect for your SL closet! Visit the store here:

Syd <3

I always enjoy getting to know our Costa Rica’s Influential and this month has been no exception, when I met this month’s Influential, Imani Enzo I was struck by her beauty and poise. This lovely, well spoken lady is delightful and refined among her achievements: The current Miss Essence of Ebony, a 2011 Miss Virtual World Finalist, Miss Bliss Couture 2011, a My Precious Princess in 2011 and the 2010 Costa Rica Productions Top Model of the Year. I know you will enjoy meeting her also so here she is: Imani Enzo!

Sydney Bonde: First let me ask you about your home here in Costa Rica Sims, how did you find your way to Costa Rica and what made you decide to make your home here

 Imani Enzo: Costa was one of my favorite places to explore before I moved here.  I loved the water activities, the shopping, and the overall beauty of the Sims. When I found myself looking for a new place to live, moving here just made perfect sense.

Sydney Bonde: What are some of your favorite things about your home here?

 Imani Enzo: I adore the landscaping.. I am a bit of a minimalist so I have just enough going on around me to be content. My neighbors seem to change often but they have all been so nice. It's a pretty quiet Sim and I love the peace it brings me the ocean view is breathtakingly perfect as well

 Sydney Bonde: What advice would you give to a new Costa Rica Sims resident or someone looking to move to Costa Rica?

 Imani Enzo: I think Costa is a place that everyone should experience as part of their SL. There are so many great things to see and do. There are so many wonderful people. I would just advise people new to Costa to truly experience it. Be involved by participating in events, meet the lovely people, visit the beautiful sights, and support the businesses of Costa Rica. You won't regret it and your SL will be enriched.

Sydney Bonde: You are a highly accomplished model in SL, with a long list of accomplishments, which have been the most fun for you in your career?

 Imani Enzo: that's a good one... lol. I have to say that it has all been fun for me and that's because I've tried to build a career in small increments. I've never wanted to do too much at once. I have not been one to enter every single contest or attempt to gain entry in every single agency; instead I strive to get better and to strategically build a career that I can be proud of. Doing things at my own pace makes it all fun for me. Also, approaching modeling as a learning experience as opposed to a stressful job makes it fun as well.

Sydney Bonde: You were the  Costa Rica Sims top Model of 2010 and  You are currently Miss Essence of Ebony 2011, what opportunities has that brought you and is there any message you would like to convey as the representative of that title?

Imani Enzo: The title is still a very new for me but I can say that I have already had some great opportunities because of it. Specifically, I've been invited to speak on talk shows and have received a few more opportunities to be featured in print. I am thankful for the opportunity to represent Essence of Ebony and I hope to see it become a bigger entity next year. I think it is a wonderful thing to celebrate ebony women, their beauty, and accomplishments. I hope during my reign, to project an image that reflects the purpose of the competition. I also hope that I can give back by mentoring some up and coming models.

.Sydney Bonde: I see you are a former magazine writer and currently write your own blogs, a stylist. In this profession you must put together many different styles for jobs and events but what would you say is your personal style?

 Imani Enzo: I would say that my style is somewhat eclectic but I have a particular fondness for casual and edgy looks. I prefer not to limit myself to one style. Instead, I strive to achieve variety in my wardrobe because variety in my look and styling better demonstrate my versatility as a model.

 Sydney Bonde: SL does afford the opportunity for playing with multiple looks and styles, does any of your RL style filter into you SL wardrobe?

Imani Enzo: Yes, it does. In RL I love casual edgy looks. I also love interesting pieces and accessories. I am a little more daring in SL than I am in RL but the foundation is the same.

 Sydney Bonde: anything in SL you have found that you would just love to have in your RL wardrobe?

 Imani Enzo: I have several pairs of shoes in SL that I would love to have in RL. I am a shoe fanatic in both lives.

 Sydney Bonde: Anything fashion wise in SL you have looked high and low for and just haven't been able to find that you have wanted?

 Imani Enzo: YES... it's usually hair or dresses. I see a picture of something I like in RL and decide Imani should have this. I look high and low for it ... drives me nuts! But then I end up finding something new and different that takes my mind off it lol

Sydney Bonde: Back to the shoes for a moment, I have to ask, how many pairs of Sl shoes in your closet?

 Imani Enzo: hundreds...

 Sydney Bonde: do you think being an SL model has had an impact on your RL wardrobe/style?

 Imani Enzo: Not really... I've not changed my RL style since coming to SL. I've always enjoyed buying the coolest shoes, purses, and accessories to create cool looks.

 Sydney Bonde: Do you have a favorite fashion tip you have picked up along the way in SL?

 Imani Enzo: Less is more.... I think that accessories are important parts of every look but you have to know when to say when. There is a very thin line between stylish and ridiculous.

 Sydney Bonde: How about lessons learned in SL that you have carried into your RL about people, or fashion or anything for that matter?

 Imani Enzo: I think I've learned a lot about opening myself up to new things, people, and ideas. I've learned so many things about other cultures and have become much more of an explorer since I've been here.

 Sydney Bonde: Anything you brought to SL from your RL?

 Imani Enzo: Imani is truly an extension of the RL me. I bring my RL personality and work ethic to SL.

Sydney Bonde: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in SL?

Imani Enzo: I would just advise them to have fun and avoid drama. SL can be a great experience if you surround yourself with great people and do things you enjoy.

 Sydney Bonde: Anything else you would like to share with our residents/readers?

Imani Enzo: I'd just like to say thank you for the selection. It’s truly an honor and I appreciate it more than I could ever say.

I want to thank Imani for taking time out of her busy schedule to sit down with me, it was a real pleasure to get to know her better and I hope you dear reader have enjoyed getting to know one of SL’s most elegant residents.

Syd

I had the honor of sitting down with this month’s Influential LesPaul Ibanez. This being my first Influential’s interview I was a bit nervous but LesPaul is so gracious and has the ability to make a person feel so at ease that it was a real pleasure to chat with him.

LesPaul Ibanez is professionally an accomplished model and man of style and distinction on SL. Some of his accomplishments and affiliations include Costa Rica Sims Productions, Queens  & Kings, Arcobaleno Modeling Agency, Pasarella and Maniera's Man of Style 2010.

Let’s get right to the interview.

 Sydney Bonde: LesPaul thank you so much for sitting down with me, Sam says I should get all the dirt :-)

 LesPaul Ibanez: Ok... :)   go ahead...

 LesPaul Ibanez: There are no limits... :)

 Sydney Bonde: (laughing) That is what I love to hear!

 LesPaul Ibanez: Can I tell you a brief story first, about myself?

 Sydney Bonde: Of course, please do.

 LesPaul Ibanez: I'm 3 years old here... but I had a first second life... kind of... I stayed something between 10 months and a year... and then left... I came back 5 or 6 months ago... back in July...so that probably opens the door for lots of questions... :)

Sydney Bonde: (smiling) yes it does! What brought you to Costa Rica Sims once you came back into SL?

 LesPaul Ibanez: When I came back I was really into some SL magazines.... (I've always wanted to write something) and I saw all those ads about Costa Rica... then... I came to see the place... and saw all those familiar names from magazines... and I decided it was the place I wanted to live. I've changed my mind since about my reason for living here... I discovered a beautiful place full of even more beautiful people... and I mean beautiful in every sense of the word.

Sydney Bonde: I think many have done and felt the same about Costa Rica Sims.

 LesPaul Ibanez: Sure... and the Executive team... I know people come and go... but I've never met one person I haven’t found nice and a valuable part of the team.

 Sydney Bonde: That is really nice of you to say, I have to ask though what prompted you to come back to SL after so long an absence.

 LesPaul Ibanez: I still don't know...when I left... it wasn't like I was escaping from something or someone... so I have no regrets in coming back... I just left 'cause I didn't have time to come here on a regular basis... and I also discovered through the offline Magazines other worlds here... like fashion and building... and stuff like that.

Sydney Bonde: What was your “first” second life like?

 LesPaul Ibanez: In my "first" second life…I had no clue about what I was doing, (laughing), but now... I can say I have a career and some goals to accomplish.

Sydney Bonde: Speaking of your career, what made you choose modeling?

 LesPaul Ibanez: I guess modeling chose me... I wanted to write for a magazine... that's what I still want to do... or a blog or something... but it's really hard... English not being my native language...anyway... I was so into reading BOSL and Glance and Maniera that I kind of got myself into modeling by accident...   so I went to Glance academy... and it all started... :)

 LesPaul Ibanez: Do you want to know something funny?

 Sydney Bonde: Always!

 LesPaul Ibanez: In my first class at Glance, my teacher (RicoRacer Flux) told me to go to every casting... and Sam posted a casting call for CRSP like 10 seconds after Rico said that...so I came to the casting... and got picked for Boys of Summer show...when I told Rico, he almost passed away... lol!

LesPaul Ibanez: I ended up doing modeling boot camp to be ready, but I think Rico did an excellent teaching job... :)

Sydney Bonde: That's a great story!

 Sydney Bonde: Any interesting modeling/runway disaster stories?

 LesPaul Ibanez: I still haven't fallen off any runway fortunately... not yet... nor sudden crashes either... but I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed!

Sydney Bonde: After your experience in the CRS “Boys of Summer” show what did you do next?

LesPaul Ibanez: After that Rico "strongly suggested" I enter Maniera Man of Style... and well... it all started that way.

Sydney Bonde: You mentioned goals earlier, writing for a magazine or blog being one, any others?

LesPaul Ibanez: Sure... lots of them... but they've changed since I first came here...  writing is still up there... but I also want to keep on knowing people... I've met some wonderful and interesting ones... especially in Costa Rica Sims and at Costa Rica Sims Productions.

 LesPaul Ibanez: Modeling-wise... well... I just want to be regarded as a professional model... someone agencies, designers and co workers can rely on.

Sydney Bonde: in your profile you say your biggest accomplishment in SL has been the friends you have made, what would you consider your biggest career accomplishment so far?

 LesPaul Ibanez: mmm... tough question 'cause I'm really proud of everything I've done here... from store modeling to photo shots... everything... I have a quote from a happy  store manager in my profile about professionalism.... that's for sure something I’m really proud of, and I’d place it up there with my biggest accomplishments.

Sydney Bonde: I have to ask about your name of course.  LesPaul, being the pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which "made the sound of rock and roll possible" and an accomplished musician, along with Ibanez being a brand of guitars also. Was that on purpose?

 LesPaul Ibanez: Sure...and well... that's something I'm also proud of... because I didn't cancel this account back when I left SL the first time... I'm not a musician in RL... far from it... but I've played different instruments since I was 6 years old and music is still my biggest hobby... :)   I have a band... and I play bass guitar on it... we play Classic Rock... 70's 80's even some Beatles... and of course some Glam/Hair Rock... :)

Sydney Bonde: So you chose the name based on your admiration for the RL musician?

 LesPaul Ibanez: Yes and when i picked the name... back then you picked the last name from a list, and when i saw "Ibanez" (a well known guitar maker)  I thought of picking another guitar brand/name that sounded first-name-ish... :)  and then I came up with LesPaul.

Sydney Bonde: If you had to share only one thing about your RL with all of SL what would it be?

 LesPaul Ibanez: I have no problem when people ask... there's nothing off-limits if you get to a certain degree of friendship... but now... well... I'm an engineer in my mid-30's...  male... straight... and I manage the IT department of a big company here in my country.

 LesPaul Ibanez: That's really boring isn't it???  (Laughing)

Sydney Bonde: Not at all!

Sydney Bonde: And if you shared one thing with people in RL about SL what would it be?

 LesPaul Ibanez: not much really... and not because I don't want to... it's more because people don't have a clue about what SL is... but I have a friend who used to play (now he can't 'cause he's living in China)  and we exchange emails all the time... I keep him updated... lol... I share with him almost everything that happens here... but he's no really into fashion. So he says he pretends to be interested!

 Sydney Bonde: You discussed your” first” second life earlier and how you made all the mistakes that we all do when learning our way around SL, what was your most embarrassing newbie moment that you can recall?

 LesPaul Ibanez: Well... this friend I told you about... he invited me to SL to begin with... and he didn't told me he was dating a girl... so the first time I came I found this really interesting and nice girl, and I was IM'ing her like crazy, until she told me she was dating my friend that was really embarrassing...    /me blushes... (Laughing)… I remember that and got all embarrassed again... :)    but it was really an honest mistake... I had no clue... :)

Sydney Bonde: What advice would you give to others in SL?

 LesPaul Ibanez: Ohh... from me??? omg... I'm still learning... but I think I would like to say this:  Have fun, and be sure the people around you are having fun too... RL is fully loaded of s**t already so if you don't find SL funny... what's the point?

 LesPaul Ibanez: May I say 2 things I'd like you to post if you find some space?

 Sydney Bonde: Most certainly

 LesPaul Ibanez: Ok... thank you very much.

 LesPaul Ibanez: First, I'd like to say THANK YOU (with capital letters) to all the Executive team that runs Costa Rica... From GC to Sam to all the team members that have made Costa Rica Sims such a wonderful place... I don't deserve the honor of having an Influential’s party... but I'm certainly honored...  so... again... THANK YOU ALL GUYS!

LesPaul Ibanez: And secondly…

 LesPaul Ibanez: I'd like to thank and congratulate all the models and staff at Costa Rica Sims Productions... what a wonderful bunch of people... I don't want to say any name because I'll leave someone out and I'll feel like s**t for doing so... but certainly.... to share a RW with Payton, Mikey, Todd... and all the others in Costa Rica Sims Production, it has been one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences of either my RL or SL life.

Sydney Bonde: Thank you LesPaul, I have thoroughly enjoyed chatting with you, it’s been a real pleasure.

LesPaul: Thank you!

"Turn the right corner in Sin City and you can find... anything."

It was certainly anything goes last night! Residents and friends gathered in the Influentials Lounge to celebrate Costa Rica Sims November 2010 Influential, MVW 2010 Miaa Rebane. Sin City being one of Miaa's favorite films, our events manager Samantha set to work creating the atmosphere to match complete with cages and some most excellent motor bikes! Have to pick one of those up!

As people arrived I set my own windlight to something reminiscent of the film. It really made the experience very realistic! Miaa arrived in the midst of the gyrating bodies attired in extremely tight leather covered with grenades, goggles and fishnet stockings and sporting some kind of blade whip that sent me running for cover under DJ Mikee's dreads. I'm telling you that thing looked vicious! So... she's got a darkside hehe. Wicked!

After a fair bit of crashing from quite a few people, everyone eventually settled in and the party took on full swing! Candylicious Forster, her blonde hair wild and whipping about looked like she stepped straight from the film and Miss Costa Rica Sims 2011 Reign Congrejo did an amazing turn reminiscent of Rosario Dawson's Gail. Geryn Sloane flung her long purple mane in a look I have never seen her sport but it was a winner!

Mikee of course couldn't let the night pass without hinting at a story involving Gian Papa Bear, Sam Momma Bear and Tosha Baby Bear. Judging by the amount of Shhhhhhhing Sam was doing, I'm guessing this is something we need to needle Mikee about to spill! Mikee claimed innocence *coughs rather loudly* which would have been more convincing if we all didn't know about his research into the true gender of a 100 foot tall Gorilla named Kong. Nice try Mikee ;) On the plus side I think Brendan and I almost have Mikee convinced on pumpkin usage. Check past posts to hear the background on that one xD

It wasn't long before the lounge was absolutely packed with well wishers and much synchronized dancing was to be seen. Apollo Call landed on top of us and joined in for a bit to congratulate his friend Miaa. I was still ducking that whip by the way, no matter what the pictures show :P After Mikee played a special song dedicated to our Miaa, "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars. I'm starting to think Mikee is a wee bit psychic XD

Either way it was a perfect night. Everyone jammed to Mikee's trademark song signaling the winding down of the event, "The Sun is Coming Out For Us". Dare I say you could feel the love. Well you could :D Big thank you to our November Influential Miaa Rebane!

Thanks to everyone who came and making this event so much fun. You all looked amazing! Don't forget the Butterfly Ball Fundraiser for Breast Cancer benefiting the American Cancer Society tomorrow at 5pm SLT at the Opera House Plaza. You'll get to see all of the Miss Costa Rica Sims so dress to impress!

peace,

Keshi

This month Costa Rica Sims Fashion Influential is the talented and creative lady behind G. Sloane Couture, Miss Geryn Sloane. I had the chance to sit down with her and discover more about her amazing line of formals and her beginnings in Second Life.

Takeshi Kiama: So I think the first thing we'd like to know, is what brought you to this virtual world?

Geryn Sloane: I have a dear RL friend who is an SL charter member - she's been here since 2003 - and she had told me about SL for quite awhile, telling me how I'd love the creative aspect of it. But it wasn't until 2006 that I had a computer capable of running it. So while I was recovering from a dislocated shoulder I decided to check it out and I was hooked from day one!

Takeshi Kiama: Your friend, that turned you onto SL, was a programmer?

Geryn Sloane: Nope, she's just an old gamer. She's told me some fun stories about how SL was only the mainland, there weren't teleports, you couldn't fly and there were no prims for clothing or hair!

Takeshi Kiama: Ack! Perish the thought! So you've had some experience already with virtual worlds?

Geryn Sloane: Well, my early experience wasn't in a 3D virtual world but I did role-play on AOL about 10 years ago.

Takeshi Kiama: Did you just jump straight into designing?

Geryn Sloane: Fashion design had been a passion of mine since high school. I used to make all my own clothes. My friend who brought me here was designing and encouraged me to try it. I didn't at first I was just dazzled by SL in general. But eventually I tried my hand at building, furniture at first. Once I kind of got a handle on "torturing prims" I thought why not try to make a prim skirt. Then my friend showed me how to use the clothing templates and i was off an running.

Takeshi Kiama: What a great metaphor, torturing prims! Was there a huge jump from designing clothing in real life to working with the Linden templates?

Geryn Sloane: Yes, getting the hang of how weirdly the avatar mesh can distort things on your designs, that was a big challenge but it's nice not getting stuck with pins LOL!

Takeshi Kiama: How long have you had G. Sloane Couture now?

Geryn Sloane: A little over 2 years now. I started out in a little sky box over a small plot of land I owned and gradually expanded to my own sim and my 10 storey hi-rise building!

Takeshi Kiama: From a designers perspective what is the biggest challenge you faced getting started with a clothing business. You've had such a success. What was the biggest barrier?

Geryn Sloane: I still don't feel like I've had a huge success yet, compared to some of the big name designers so I would say the biggest challenge is getting your brand out there, getting people to notice you and spread the word. It's a slow process, especially in a world where the trends change quickly and the competition is stiff.

Takeshi Kiama: how do you handle the trend changes?

Geryn Sloane: There are so very many people out there who think they can design but produce only mediocre stuff and sell cheap, so staying ahead of that crowd is important. I read real life fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle, W and Glamour to see what the trends in RL are and stimulate ideas for my own designs. I'm still not quite able to think ahead as far as seasonal things like they do in RL. It's hard to think about spring fashion when fall just arrived!

Takeshi Kiama: That's true and I've noticed in Second Life®, that it's not quite up to speed that way as in RL. Like now they have what, spring/summer 2011 already? Probably fall/winter too.

Geryn Sloane: Yeah, I'm just starting to think in terms of cold weather clothing but since I make more gowns and cocktail wear and not as much casualwear its more of a color palette change for me I think.

Takeshi Kiama: And do you make menswear at all?

Geryn Sloane: Ahhhh, the menswear question. I have had many of my male friends bugging me to start doing some menswear. Menswear is just a whole 'nother ball game! But I am experimenting, I have done some sweaters but that's about it so far LOL

Takeshi Kiama: That's fabulous!! I'll be standing in line waiting on that then!

Geryn Sloane: Awww thank you. Right now I have a friend who wants me to do some nice winter tweed pants so we shall see.

Takeshi Kiama: Where do you see G. Sloane Couture in two years?

Geryn Sloane: I'm always creating, and I plan to continue on. I love it because its my creative outlet. I majored in art, graphic design and photography in college the first time around but ended up in a very non-art career so designing in SL fulfills me and I can't see getting tired of it. In two years, I just hope I will still be able to be a valuable asset to our Second Life® fashion scene and continue to make clothes that people want to wear. The success I've had is a bonus for me for getting to do something I love and would do for just the joy of it anyway.

Takeshi Kiama: Along those lines, are you able to pull a side income from your SL business? I'm sure its not as easy as people might think.

Geryn Sloane: Well I still spend a fair amount of my own rl money in Second Life® but if I wasn't such a shopaholic I think my business would mostly cover the tiers on the 2 sims I own now so to me that's way more than i ever expected and its nice :)

Takeshi Kiama: What advice would you give for someone wanting to get into fashion design in SL?

Geryn Sloane: I would say you have to do it for the joy and pleasure and if you produce good things and do a little promotion you will slowly get noticed. If you're only in it for the money you'll probably be disappointed. Two years ago I was thrilled if I did 1K in sales a WEEK and could pay my tier on my rented parcel! 

Takeshi Kiama: And it is highly competitive.

Geryn Sloane: Oh yes but I also think there are a lot of people producing 'cookie cutter' designs or just trashy stuff and of course there is a market for that but I strive to be classy and elegant and I can still make some sexy stuff too.

Takeshi Kiama: Are there any designers in SL that you admire for creativity?

Geryn Sloane: Oh yes I adore AlaFolie and RFyre, and some of the designers who produce works of art like Eshi and Violator. Half the time I look at other designers and want to crawl into a hole thinking my stuff is crap comparatively but I think most artists are very self-critical.

Takeshi Kiama: Now how did you happen upon the Costa Rica sims?

Geryn Sloane: I've been aware of CRS for a couple years but never seemed to have the time to check them out. Then a good friend of mine bought some land there and raved about it so when I went to see her new place I was enthralled and the parcel next to hers was for sale so i grabbed it. CRS is the most wonderful community in SL! There are so many wonderful residents and so much to do and see...I regret sometimes that my business keeps me away from CRS as much as it does.

Takeshi Kiama: We'll come drag you away from the sewing machine more often :D

Geryn Sloane: LOL can you get me about 49 more hours to the day! I'm also involved in the SL live music scene, not as a performer so I'm always being pulled in 18 directions at once. I have a couple of very dear musician friends who I host or dance for - Edward Kyomoon and Dexter Ihnen - and I have a little venue of my own called Cloud Ten that I occasionally book performers into like Ed and Dex and CraigLyons Writer and Mankind Tracer.

Takeshi Kiama: What would you say sets Costa Rica Sims apart from other estates on SL?

Geryn Sloane: Well I do own two other sims and my main residence (other than my studio!) is on the sim where my store is, but the beauty of CRS is was sets it apart, the care and attention to detail in all the landscape and the sense of family among all the residents make it an amazing place to be. Giancarlo is a wonderful person and has much to be proud of in the estate.

Takeshi Kiama: For our ladies in Costa Rica, what fashion advice can you give them. Say for formals as you specialize in that.

Geryn Sloane: I think if they are looking for beauty, elegance and to be ethereal as well as stunning, then you'll probably lke my formal gowns. I promise to try to get some menswear on the racks soon!

You can visit G. Sloane Couture in Costa Rica Sims Colonial Shopping District and join us this Sunday at 12 noon SLT for an evening of elegant fashion worthy of Ms. Sloane as we honor her contributions to the Second Life fashion scene. 

Second Life attracts so many different people from all walks of life. Its always amazing to find out how and where someone first heard about SL and July Raymaker, Top Model and Owner and Creator of the brand Manifeste Poses, is no exception.

"LoL! I used to work for an airline and was away from home a lot and I read in a magazine about Second Life®. One other boring night in my hotel room I decided to try and see what this Second Life was all about. The article I read was about fashion in Second Life. When I first signed in and came off orientation island the first thing I ran into was an AV with a massive erm...well you know what. And I thought, God not a place like this, signed off and forgot about it for at least another month. I then decided to try again but forgot my login name and password. So that's when July was 'born'."

Truly a birthday to remember. July admits that she is a complete fashionista and the article was what prompted her to give it a shot.

"Yes, I'm a total fashion addict in RL. It was that article and boredom really."

Equipped with a new avatar and name, did she leap stiletto first into the fashion industry?

"Oh no. I've been wandering around for two years before I started modeling. I've owned a club and a sim with rentals. It was a quite nice club, it was beautifully built, a dance club. I think I've had it for about six months. It was quite a disaster really. When it comes to paying the rent, people seem to just vanish. But I did go and see fashion shows at that time.

"I always thought 'models' in SL were out of this world. They were so perfect. So beautiful, well styled. I thought they were 'hand-picked' or something like that but then I came across an ad from Uvogue saying they were starting new classes and you could sign up for an interview and so I did. That's when it really started. My instructors where Rumour Market, Gemini Hennesy and Seashell Dench.

Looking at July's resume and list of top agencies, she's certainly made an impact on the modelling industry.

"I'm really happy with the way things are now. When you look at it I've only started modelling a year ago so I think I didn't do too bad."

Beautiful, stylish and modest. Too bad indeed. Not only has she taken the modelling world by storm, but she has also brought her brand of modelling poses to Second Life.

"I am very picky when it comes to poses. Like I said before I am a perfectionist. I found that most poses weren't exactly made for model's shapes. Models are usually quite skinny and I always found my hands a few inches above my hips instead of on them. That's why I started looking into making my own. I got a trial version of Poser and started to play. I gave up because I thought it was way too difficult but then tried again and I managed to make a pose which wasn't that bad."

Poser is definitely a serious program, with a steep learning curve. But July gives it top scores for her pose making.

"Once you get the hang of it, it's so easy and so good to work with. I've tried these pose making things (in world pose makers) but those are hard plus you don't have all the possibilities you have with a program for making animations outside SL. I really didn't think Manifeste would be such a success though."

Now that Manifeste is a success and seen on runways all over Second Life, July is working on new poses. She provided the poses for the Finalists of the Ms Costa Rica Sims pageant and with more models entering the industry, the demand is not likely to stop anytime soon. A plus in that she also makes male poses, which are in short supply on the grid.

"Yes I'm working on new male and female poses at the moment. I always have a lot of different projects going on. I've been quite busy with the Modavia Fashion Week the last two weeks so things have been a little slow. But first I have to catch up on shopping."

Shopping is one thing we have plenty of in Costa Rica Sims. I ask her what brought her to the estate.

"An ass of a previous landlord. Yep one of those. I searched for land and remember seeing one of the CRS shows so i checked the website..and voila. I think it was around Christmas last year. I love it here. All the events they have, the things they do for the residents. But the problem is, I'm really quite a shy person. And that's why I don't do much contests, I'm way too shy."

Shy she may be but she's given me assurance that she is definitely going to be partaking in even more of the wonderful events we have here at Costa Rica sims. Like every great fashionista, her style sets her apart.

"Well first I don't buy things I wouldn't wear in real life. You won't see me walking around in a gown. It's not that I don't like the gowns in Second Life, some are so beautiful and of course I'll wear one if it's for an occasion. I like colorful designs but also wear a lot of black. And I love to wander around the grid finding little shops, the so called "hidden gems". I do read a lot of blogs at work, LOL!"

I decide to pick her brain and ask what her top five fashion blogs are.

"Kyrie Source, Strawberry Singh, Carol's Style, Juicy's blog, 5th Avenue's blog. I have them all in my favs and I usually click them one by one. So a top tip, hit the blogs to find those really cool hidden gems and just wander around sims."

And favorite designers?

"Do you have a while? LOL! My all time favorite is still LeeZu I think but also Chantkare, Paper Couture, Miamai. It really depends what I'm looking for. There are so many great designers in Second Life."

So what is next for Miss Raymaker?

"Well like I said I'm working on new poses at the moment but that's about it. I'm really glad vacation season is over and the fashion shows are starting again."

If it means you are back on the runway then we are very happy too. July served as one of the judges of the Miss Costa Rica Sims 2011 pageant and you can meet her at the Influentials fashion fueled party this Sunday at 12 noon SLT. Come in your most fashionable and be ready to strut your stuff!

Peace everyone,

Keshi

Did you know that our own Miss Costa Rica Sims 2010 Nisa Constantine is a boating enthusiast? I sure didn't. But she rattled off the names of the boats she owns like a pro.

"The marina in Costa Rica was what got me interested. That and all this open water we have. I have the Ellison Moray, an Apolon speedboat, the Juli Gothly Costa Rica Ad Astra, the Gothly JG44, and I have two Flying Fizzes; the 1.0 and the 2.0 and I have my eye on a couple of Trudeaus. LOL"

Nisa would classify herself as a beginner but she's taking sailing lessons has a goal to move to an island parcel here in Costa Rica surrounded by open water with room for a little marina. "I want to really get good and try the SL America's Cup. I just moved from the rainforest back to the beach right on the open water."

Sailing aside, this beauty was on Second Life for eight months before venturing into the world of fashion. "I was probably the best dressed noob you'll ever see! Redgrave Skin, Moody Shoes and I lived in LeeZu LOL! I was also the PA to the CEO of Black Soul Rhythms Radio and eventually a DJ for that station with my own weekly show." Nisa hosts her own show Saturdays from 5 to 7 pm slt and is renowned for her DJ skills. From radio to fashion seems a bit of a leap.

"I had a friend who designed clothes and owned a clothing store. She needed a model for her store vendors. She thought I was pretty so she asked me. All I had to do was hop on a pose-stand so I said 'Why not?' Then she asked me to walk in her fashion show and I was clueless! So I did some research and asked around and signed up for classes at SuperElite. I learned what I needed to learn so I didn't make a fool of myself on that runway. And clueless, lucky me had Mimmi Boa, the previous MVW, as one of my instructors."

Though the show was a success and Nisa really enjoyed the experience, her real life listeners were calling and she found her radio show more popular than ever so she returned to focus on that. It wasn't long though before she was roped back into the industry.

"I met a model named Lifing Krasner who also taught at an academy. She took me under her wing and taught me everything she knew. She thought I had what it took and she encouraged me to at least try. I walked in the academy's grad show and Mallory Luke, then the owner of Opium was in the audience. Now Opium wasn't hiring at the time, but she sent me an IM and told me she wanted me to join her agency. I wasn't so clueless that I didn't recognize that opportunity so I took it.

"A week or 2 later I was chatting with Gian and he suggested that I enter the Miss Costa Rica Sims pageant. He told me it would be fun and I didn't need to be a professional model. So I wrote up my entry, attached a couple of photos and sent it in never thinking I would win."

But win she did. When her name was called, Nisa was astounded.

"I tell you I almost died when they announced my name. I was so nervous! I just wanted to get through the pageant, praying that the lag didn't win, praying my prims would attach and my poses would work. I knew I wasn't going to win - there were some beautiful women competing and they were seasoned models, not noobs like me LOL.

"I remember them calling Flo's [Florentine Rau] name as the 1st runner up and I'm waiting for them to announce Imani as the winner and I'm in IM's with my SL sister making plans to find a party. I was sitting in bed with my oldest daughter half watching a movie when she started screaming! I asked her if she had lost her mind and she's yelling 'Nisa won! Nisa won!' I almost passed out. First thing that went through my mind was 'OMG!! I have to do MVW!' It took everything in me not to IM Gian and tell him they made a mistake!"

Even though initially she was jazzed to be entered into MVW 2010, the reality of it hit her quick. "I was TERRIFIED! I didn't even know who Frolic Mills was until the CR Pageant. [We won't hold this against her, right guys?] Once I found out I thought he'd take one look at me and buzz Gian and tell him he better go back to the drawing board!"

Surrounded by 23 finalists, some of the most beautiful and experienced models in Second Life, Nisa kept her grace as the top ten finalists were called for MVW 2010. She made the top ten.

"I didn't believe it during the pageant. Devine had to send me an IM saying 'Girl get your butt out here! They called your name!'"

With a solid support system behind her, Nisa accomplished more than she thought she ever would. "I had my best friend in SL/RL in my corner. iwan told me everyday 'Nisa, look at yourself through my eyes...see what I see and you'll do great.' I stayed in Gian's IM's and he was true to form 'Nisa, you'll be just fine.' I always believe in giving 100% and doing my absolute best at everything but I was out of my element. I had actually won the privelege of representing THE Costa Rica Sims so I had to bring my A game. I just didn't think I had one. Mallory Luke and Lifing Krasner both gave me a good talking to and I got my act together."

"Looking back now I don't think it was a mistake any longer. I may not have been an accomplished, seasoned model but I'm intelligent, very observant, a fast learner and I did receive excellent training. I went out there and I did my best and I worked very hard. Most importantly I stayed true to myself. So I think that's the way to approach any goal you're working towards. Even if you're like me and find yourself working towards something without a clue how you got there. Even now I still have my moments. When Gian told me I was being honored I was like 'Why?' I'm thinking about past honorees and I haven't done anything even close to what they have."

Ever so humble. But Nisa has not missed the big picture. She's learned to believe in herself and how to share that knowledge with others who may find themselves in the same place. In thinking of inspiring people there were many but one in particular she really wanted to thank.

"Her name is Marjorie Dibou and she's the CEO of Black Soul Rhythms Radio. I met her here in Second Life. She wanted to start a radio station, just a hobby because she loves music so she came to SL because she had heard how music friendly it was. Word got out and people started to listen when they weren't logged in. Long story short, BSR is now on iTunes, is sought after by independent music artists and streamed literally all over the world. And I am happy to say that I am a part of that. Hip Hop Fundamentals with DJ Nisa!"

FUN FACTS!

Chairwoman of the Board of the Costa Rica Sims Ladies Society

Her advice for the next winner of Miss Costa Rica Sims 2011 who will then compete in the Miss Virtual World 2011 pageant: "The MVW pageant is very demanding. My advice to her would be to remain true to herself, stay grounded and keep her true friends close - those friends who knew her before she became Miss CRS and aren't impressed with titles and crowns."

Some of her favorite designers the design teams at Armidi and Lelutka, Joy Fellini, Cynthia Ultsch and the Cynful Team, CK Winx, Sunami Beck, Ivy Graves, Sissy Pessoa, LeeZu Baxter and Monica Outlander. Believe me this list could go on and on and on and on...

While Nisa still considers herself an "accidental model," since she found herself in the middle of the Second Life fashion world quite by accident. Her goals will be to continue to educate herself, hone her skills and decide what, "(if anything) I would like to do in the fashion world in the future."

Some of her favorite fashion websites are Elie Tahari, Martin + Osa, Tory Burch, Banana Republic, Via Spiga and Alexander Wang. She also has subscriptions to Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Lucky and Marie Claire. "Of course I am always on the Costa Rica Sims website and I do love the Maniera website and I subscribe to the RSS feed."

Whats the best way to find out more about Nisa? "Contact me and ask. I'm very friendly and approachable and not at all pretentious. I don't know that I have any "work" to speak of. I just do what I enjoy :-)"

Well all your family at Costa Rica sims wish you all the best. Love and happiness and success forever! If you want to listen to Nisa's show Hip Hop Fundamentals you can find the stream off the website here: http://www.blacksoulrhythms.com/

And don't forget we will be joining together next Sunday at 12 noon SLT at The Influentials party to honor Nisa's achievements. So get your most fashionable duds on and be ready for your close-up!

Have a beautiful day!

Takeshi

[Fun Facts credit: Liane Maertens]

[Photos courtesy of Nisa Constantine]