Contest Entry - Couture Avenue 2011 (November)

OK, so I completely adore the Miamai Black Label Collection and was *thrilled* when they opened a shop on Couture Avenue (making them eligible as contest choices).  It was a complete pleasure putting a look together for this month and tons of fun doing the face and head shots.  I used items from several of the collection outfits and combined them with the Baiastice Anna Lou pants for a nouveau couture look with an Asian twist.

Couture Avenue 2011

Credits:
Eyes: Ibanez Eyes Horizon (Eire)
Hair: booN ANT213 hair (Black)
Skin: Dutch Touch JiP (Cream - PiP CL1 HB)
Face Tattoo: Lovely Mi Make-up Madame X [Eyes Only]
Jacket: Miamai [BlackLabel] Ansiotropic Jacket
Shoes: Miamai [BlackLabel] MothQueer Shoes
Nails: Miamai [BlackLabel] Myda
Pants: Baiastice Anna lou (Black)
Collar: Violator My Fetish (Platinum Black)
Poses by DeePosed

Couture AVENUE 2011:

Couture AVENUE, an exclusive shopping district, represents the finest style, creativity and sophistication hosting top fashion brands LeLutka, CheerNo, Chantkare, AZUL, Baiastice, Nicky Ree, Stylissimo and Miamai.

Couture AVENUE is looking for fashionista extraordinaires that are able to embody the spirit of these brands and combine top-notch looks and styling to be the face for Couture AVENUE in 2011.  Do you have what it takes?

The 'Couture AVENUE LOOK 2011' search is open to both men and women, offering one top male and female winner an invitation to AVENUE MODELS, an exclusive AVENUE MAGAZINE cover and to be the face of Couture AVENUE ads and promotions.

Each month a finalist will be chosen and receive :
- an exclusive interview and shoot in AVENUE Magazine
- $3,000L shopping spree at Couture AVENUE
- a discount voucher of 2,000L for a course at AVENUE Models Academy.

All monthly finalists will be entered into the finals where one male and one female winner will be selected to be the face for Couture AVENUE Look 2011. Each winner will receive :
- A one year contract to be the face for Couture AVENUE ads, events and promotions
- A cover on AVENUE Magazine
- An invitiation to join AVENUE Models

RULES OF ENTRY
------------------
1. Join the AVENUE Magazine Readers group to stay up to date on the contest events and updates.
2. Place the Couture AVENUE location in your picks with the following LM & texture.
3. Purchase two or more items from the Couture AVENUE shops and place the transaction history at the bottom of the application notecard. Transactions will be verified, those incomplete or inaccurate will forfeit their submission.
4. Style your look and SHOOT. Each look has to be sourced from at least two different designers' stores at Couture AVENUE. You may employ any photographer of your choice but importance will be given to showcasing your look and styling.
5. You will have to present TWO photos of your styling: one head shot and one full body shot (size: 1024 X 1024 pixels). Make sure they are labelled CALook2011(month)_(your name)_(headshot/bodyshot). Example : CALook2011September_Sweetest Sands_headshot
6. Complete the application in this notecard, rename and submit it to the Couture AVENUE Look 2011 Mailbox.  Applications will be accepted until 5th of each month, starting on September 5th, 2010, and ending on August 5th, 2011. Late submissions will be included to participate in the next round of the following month.
7. Each month, there will be a monthly runway showcase where a selection of semi-finalists will vie for a finalist position. Each semi-finalist will do a simple runway walk parading their styled Couture AVENUE look. One semi-finalist will be selected by a panel of judges to be a finalist.  In the final showcase, 12 finalists will compete to be elected as "Couture AVENUE Face 2011" - one male and one female winner.  The schedule for the monthly showcases will be :

2010
Round 1 - September 12th, Sunday at 11am slt
Round 2 - October 17th, Sunday at 11am slt
Round 3- November 14th, Sunday at 11am slt
Round 4- December 12th, Sunday at 11am slt

2011
Round 5- January 16th, Sunday at 11am slt
Round 6-February 13th, Sunday at 11am slt
Round 7-March 13th, Sunday at 11am slt
Round 8-April 17th, Sunday at 11am slt
Round 9-May 15th, Sunday at 11am slt
Round 10-June 12th, Sunday at 11am slt
Round 11-July 17th, Sunday at 11am
Round 12-August 14th, Sunday at 11am

Finals: September 4th, Sunday at 11am

8. Each entrant is allowed to submit only one entry and if you fail to be selected any month, you may choose to submit in another month with a new styled look.
9. All entrants must be able to commit to monthly showcase dates that apply to them as well as the grand final. Failing to turn up for your month's showcase and finals date will disqualify your entry with no exception.  In the finals, finalists will compete in a final round of styling and showcase it on the runway.
10. Entries are open to everyone including models and members of AVENUE groups with the exception of staff and management from AVENUE and Couture AVENUE Designers teams.

For more information, kindly contact :
Sweetest Sands
Couture AVENUE Manager
sweetest@avenuesl.com

Contest Updates - October

Well, all the contest results are in for this month, including the grueling selection for the EarthStones All Hallows Eve contest (what a fabulous pool of entries).  Yours truly managed a runner up slot in the Agnes Finney My Precious Queen contest though I didn't make the top three - still, pretty pleased considering it was a first time entry.  Congratulations to all the winners!  Photos are from the Styling Forward Semi-Finals as promised in an earlier post, theme was Black & White Anything Goes, credits at the end. :)

EarthStones 3rd Annual All Hallows Eve Photo Contest Winners
EarthStones Flickr Group

Agnes Finney My Precious Queen (October - Winter Theme) Winners

Angel Dessous Angel of the Month (November) Winners
Angel Dessous Angel of Angel Dessous 2010 Flickr Group

Couture Avenue Look 2011 Finalist
Couture Avenue Look 2011 Semi-Finalists

Photo Credits:

Hair:
booN - QPT129 (Black)

Outfit:
LeeZu! - Mia Corset (Black )
*COCO* - BalloonPants (Black)
*Linc* - Half Fishnet Stockings (Black)
House of Beningborough - Vivaldi Short Jacket (Harlequin)

Accessories:
Stiletto Moody - Bare Olivia (Black)
Mandala - Takara Nail (Black Bright)
Mandala - Mikoto Belt (Black/Silver)
Chapeau tres Mignon - Golightly Hat (Black)

EarthStones 3rd Annual All Hallows Eve Photo Contest!

It’s that time of year again, so put on your finest EarthStones jewelry, polish your bat’s wings, stir up the cauldron, spread your cobwebs and shoot your way to infamy and fortune in the EarthStones Third Annual All Hallows Eve Photo Contest!

Singles or couples, ladies or gents welcome (only a single prize pack awarded per winning photo, though).
Theme: All Hallows Eve, of course!
Deadline: Midnight SLT on October 24th.
Winners Announced: October 26th
Judges: EarthStones Staff & Management

PRIZES
1st place: L$5000 CASH!! AND a L$2500 EarthStones gift card!
2nd place: L$2500 EarthStones gift card!
3rd place: L$1000 EarthStones gift card!
Winning pictures will be featured in the EarthStones blog and displayed in store until November 6th.

THE RULES
1. Read the rules carefully – any photos not following the rules will be disqualified.
2. 512 x 512 minimum square photos, post production allowed and encouraged.
3. EarthStones jewelry must be clearly visible, only EarthStones jewelry may be worn in photos. All jewelry must be *for sale* at EarthStones (Sorry, no Lucky Chair, group gifts, freebies, etc.).
4. Maximum of 2 photos per avatar may be entered in the contest. (You may upload additional photos, but only two may be tagged for the contest)
5. Join and upload your photos to the EarthStones flickr group (PG Only, please) – http://www.flickr.com/groups/earthstones/
6. Inworld submissions will not be accepted.
7. Photos must be uploaded to the group during the month of October 2010. Photos entered after the deadline on 10/24 will not be considered.
8. Photos must be tagged with: All Hallows Eve 2010 Contest, EarthStones, [Jewelry Name] (ie. EarthStones Falling Leaves Necklace – Autumn)
9. Photo Description *must* include (you can include additional information, but the following is required):
Your inworld name (this will be the sole recipient of any prizes awarded)
Jewelry credits (ie. EarthStones Victorian Keepsake Locket & Earrings – Silver/Onyx)
10. Photos not properly tagged and described will not be considered.

Please contact Retribution Fall by notecard with any questions. Name your notecard [All Hallows Eve Question] – [Your Name] to ensure a response. Inquiries to any other member of the EarthStones staff will *not* be answered.

That’s it! Have fun and Good Luck!!
Click to join the EarthStones Flickr Group

Why Contests? (And An Update)

Someone asked me today (after I finished up another set of contest pictures) why I entered contests.  It's obviously not for the fame (since I don't win) or for the money (since most prizes don't cover the entry outfit).  Then again, I don't blog for the freebies (since I don't actually get any) either.  I simply enjoy really great SL fashion, great SL locations and taking pictures of both.  I've also recently started playing with a photoLIFE studio and that's been great fun as well.  It's a challenge to put together an outfit, find the right accessories, get a location or background that sets it off, find the perfect poses and get the ideal angle for the photos.  And, after that, the real work begins.  For October, I've entered three contests - the My Precious Queen contest blogged earlier this week, the Angel of Angel Dessous contest and the Couture Avenue Look 2011 contest.

Angel of Angel Dessous Couture Entry
Dress - Angel Dessous Iberia Rosso
Hair - Tukinowaguma Jelena SH (Ebony)
Fan - Urid Dal Black Lace Fan
Collar - Ezura Lolita Crown Black Neckdress
Earrings - EarthStones Eternelle Marcasite (Garnet)
Pose by Manifeste



Angel of Angel Dessous Lingerie Entry

Lingerie - Angel Dessous Glamour (Forest)

Hair - W&Y New 92 (Pack A - Black)

Jewelry - Zaara Vanisri Wrapped Necklace (Onyx/Silver)

Pose by DeePosed

Couture Avenue LOOK 2011 Entry

Top - Baiastice Cage Top

Pants - LeLutka Rockin' Pants (Black & White)

Hair - W&Y New 148 (Pack A - Black)

Necklace & Earrings - YS&YS Afrika Set (Silver/Black)

Bracelets - Mandala Reiki Bracelet (Black Diamond)

Garter - LouLou Garter Pistolero

Belt - EarthStones Leather & Laced Belt (Coal)

Pose by DeePosed

And the promised update - I didn't place in the Click photography contest, nor did I make the finals for Styling Forward, though I'll post my semi-final outfit in the next couple of weeks.  The theme was Black & White (Anything Goes).  The closing dates for this month's contests are October 5th for Couture Avenue (October), October 12th for My Precious Queen (October), October 25th for Angel of Angel Dessous (November).  I promise I won't enter any more this month, since I have a final Steam Hunt wrap post to do and an absolutely amazing Halloween outfit to blog.  And no, my fingers aren't crossed.  Much.

Contest Entry - My Precious Queen

A friend sent me this contest information and a gift card some time ago, eliminating all possible barriers to entering this contest.  Unfortunately, while I went and bought an absolutely gorgeous gown, work buried me and I just now managed to get enough studio time to do the photographs and submit my entry into the Agnes Finney My Precious Queen Contest.  The year is divided into two halves and four themes (the seasons) with three princesses chosen each month to compete for 12 finalists slots.

















Credits:
Dress - Agnes Dazzle (Black)
Jewelry - Alienbear KrisCar II (White)
Hair - Sky Everett Lady Alanya (Black)
Pose by Manifeste

Featured SLURLs:
Agnes Finney My Precious Mainstore

What do you need to do to join each month's selection?
Step 1. Make purchases of:
- any items created by Agnes Finney. (Items that are marked 0L-10L are not counted.)
Different gown/ outfit have to be used when you are joining different month's selection. That is, no gowns should be repeated in your entries throughout the year. Different color of the same design is accepted though.
Step 2. Requirement of the pictures: (For your own reference: http://mypreciousqueen.blogspot.com/
-Take two pictures (Head shot and full body shot, 1024x 1024) with full perm
-Put the full perm pictures into a folder. Rename the folder as "MP Royal Princess+January+your full name." No need to put any words in the pictures.
- My Precious stores may post your pictures in advertising or on the blog. Any fees associated with the entry pictures must be paid by the entrant and will not be paid by My Precious stores. Please learn about the possible charges for which you will be responsible from those requiring additional payment for commercial use of a photograph they made for you.
Theme of the pictures:
Jan-Mar Princess selection: Spring
Apr-Jun Princess selection: Summer
Jul-Sep Princess selectoin: Autumn
Oct-Dec Princess selection: Winter
-If you want to wear any jewelry, please wear jewelry ONLY made by Alienbear Design. It could be just a pair of earrings or a necklace. It's your choice.
-Rename the folder as “MP Royal Princess + Month + your full name”
(Your entry will be ignored if you send us a notecard instead of a folder.)
The pictures to present the outfit and yourself as a queen. Touch-up with Photoshop is acceptable. :-) Send the pictures to Agnes Finney on or before 12th (midnight) of each month.
Step 3. It would be safe if you could notify me by IM after you send the folder. I will put the pictures up in the display area within 3 days and notify you about that. If you don't get my IM in 3 days, please IM again. :)
Step 4. Announcement of the in-store models, winners of MP Royal Princess will be made thru group notice and our blog. Therefore it is important if you stay in the group for updates.

Step 5. Contact Agnes Finney if you have any queries.

Contest - Styling Forward

So I'm hanging around doing nothing and folks start talking about the Styling Forward reality TV show (details at the end of the article) in one of my groups and then the notice comes through that the casting call is in three hours.  I figure what the heck, might be fun since I've never done a runway before, so I start digging through my inventory.  Now, blogging is a whole different animal since I like to feature a particular designer's outfit and accessorize it, styling is more a matter of combining a lot of different things for a "look".  I decided to go for a edgy club look instead of an evening gown look, figuring that most folks would go for the gown thing and it seemed like the point was to stand out.

I have to say the lag was horrific, I discovered it's dang hard to count seconds and try to manage posing, turning and walking in a straight line at the same time and I have to admit I was worried sick about lagging into someone's lap.  That said, I about fell over when I made it past the first round, so it couldn't have been that bad.  Here are the results of my inventory digging (please note that the credits are a little more mixed up than usual since I used a lot of pieces):

Credits:
Hair: Emo-tions Stormy (Black)
Jewelry: Mandala Shaka Earrings (Red), Takara Bangles (Red & Silver)
Belt: Mandala Mikoto (Red Rock)
Top and Leggings: Glam Affair Julia (Red)
Pants & Gloves: LBD Efraim's Daughter & Brit Pants (combined)
Boots: Chapeau Tres Mignon (Heroes of Fashion) McQueen Goth Boots
Face Tattoo: White Widow Face Tattoo 6

Featured SLURLs:

Mandala Mainstore

LeeZu Baxter Designs (LBD) Mainstore

Glam Affair Mainstore

Chapeau tres Mignon (Heroes of Fashion)

White Widow Mainstore

Emo-tions Mainstore

Styling Forward Description (from the notice):
A new era in fashion begins ...
Some people say that being a virtual model is easy: You buy a shape and some stylish hair; then you get a nice skin, a pretty dress and a proper AO and off you go down the runway.
Maybe true! So what differentiates the hundreds of thousands of ladies that are dancing in a disco at any given time from the absolute top models?
It's their ability to style!
The ability to style and make themselves fabulous and unique every time, is the difference between anyone and a fashion connoisseur. They need to know when to leave an outfit alone (less is more), but also when to mix and match and accesorize in a fabulous way to create that look that will have everybody else inspecting them!
Frolic Mills & Mimmi Boa in association with METAVERSE TV are proud to announce the first televised master styling competition. This show is available for both ladies and gentlemen.

Contest Entry - Angel of Angel Dessous

What can I say - I've got a huge collection of Angel Dessous designs as well as plenty of blog and Flickr space so here are the September entries.  This time I entered in both the lingerie and evening gown categories for fun with the Provocateur lingerie in white and the Dolce Wedding gown in black.  I have to give credit to My Little Stone Chapel, Phenomenal as the spectacular setting for the Dolce picture - just gorgeous. Be sure to check out the Angel of the Month Group Pool on Flickr and the Angel Dessous Angel of the Month Winners - August.  If you are interested in entering, you can find the contest rules in my earlier blog post.

Credits:
Gown: Angel Dessous Dolce Wedding (Black)
Hair: Tukinowaguma Jelena (Ebony)
Jewelry: EarthStones Romance Set (Tahitian Black Pearl/Gold)
Pose by Manifeste

Credits:

Lingerie: Angel Dessous Provocateur (White)

Hair: Emo-tions Stormy (Black)

Nails: Mandala Takara Bangle (Buddha Cream Ring & Nail)

Set by Click Props & Sets (Detective's Office)

Pose by Manifeste

Featured SLURL:

Angel Dessous Mainstore

Contest - Angel of Angel Dessous

Well, I didn't win last month, but the Angel of Angel Dessous July 2010 winners were excellent, so I can't complain at all.  I was pleasantly surprised to receive a copy of the Patty Bridesmaid gown in cream for entering but it inspired me to try to disprove the old adage "Always a bridesmaid..." with another entry this month.  For those of you who are interested in the contest, I published the rules in my earlier blog article, so warm up your cameras (you will need a Flickr account).  This month I again went with lingerie, though I may do a formal or casual wear entry this month or next, since you can enter once per month in each category.

Correction:  You can submit two entries in any mix - 2 lingerie, 2 formal/casual or 1 of each.

Credits:
Lingerie: Angel Dessous Suzy (Red/Gold)
Hair: Je Republic Alessandra (Onyx)
Bangles, Rings & Nails: Mandala Takara (Inca Gold),
Earrings: Mandala Takayama (Gold)
Pose by DeePosed (Down on My Knees Collection)

Featured SLURLs:
Angel Dessous Mainstore

Contest Entry - -CLICK- Photography Contest

I was roaming around buying poses last week and, in the process, stumbled across -CLICK- Props & Sets and was overwhelmed by the coolness of the idea of full sets, poses and props, conveniently packaged in a self rezzer.  You can use either a control panel or a HUD to rez and switch between sets and then access the included poses (from some of my favorite pose creators - see pose SLURLs in the right bar) or use your own to click away to your heart's content.  Multiple avatars can access the poses in many of the sets and many have additional included props.  Since "The Ritz" elevator set was perfect for Azul's gorgeous Malena evening gown and EarthStones Zahra Limited Edition release, I decided to go ahead and toss my (admittedly amateur) hat in the ring and submit a few pictures.
First picture is one of the ones I submitted, additional photos, credits, SLURLs and contest rules after the cut.

Location:  -CLICK- Props & Sets, DReaMiNG OuTLouD

Contest Entry - Angel of Angel Dessous

I don't enter many contests anymore, but while wandering around Caledon Glengarry I saw this terrific stained glass in The Red Dragon tavern and, later that day, was in Angel Dessous and saw both the Glamour lingerie and the contest board.  I dusted off my flickr account, took a few shots and figured what the heck.  My entry (which I don't expect to win or even place, but enjoyed taking) is below, followed by the contest notecard information and credits after the cut.

Location:  The Red Dragon Tavern, Caledon Glengarry

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Contests From The Other Side

So, I was chatting with Abraxxa Anatine at EarthStones about how Halloween was the absolute best holiday and how stoked I was that this was going to be my first SL All Hallows Eve. Well, the conversation wandered and roamed as conversations are wont to do (now there's a word you don't see used a lot...) and it seems that I'm trying contests from the other side by being the notecard taker for the EarthStones All Hallows' Eve Photography Contest. Seemed pretty cool until I realized I'm not eligible to win, of course, but I'm enjoying the heck out of seeing how folks work with the theme - and, of course, I'll be posting my "if I were eligible" pictures here on the blog.

Here's the rules for those of you wanting to dress up, find a nice graveyard, castle, haunted wood, punkin patch, whatever and click your 'lil cameras:

How to Enter:

1. If not already a member, join the EarthStones Group (search for EarthStones, no cost to join)
2. Plan the perfect outfit for the contest theme (don't forget the pond shops at EarthBound if you *need* something new).
3. Take a fabulous picture of yourself or a friend wearing your favorite EarthStones jewelry or accessories. (PG, please. Post-production encouraged.)
4. Create a new note and rename it "All Hallows Eve Photo - [Your Name]"
5. Drag your full perm picture to the note and save.
6. Send the note to Retribution Fall before midnight SLT, Friday, October 10th.
7. Rejoice.

Prizes:

• 1st Place: L$2000 EarthStones Store Card, a pre-release piece of EarthStones jewelry and your photo and credit on display at EarthStones through October 31
• 2nd Place: L$1000 EarthStones Store Card and your photo and credit on display at EarthStones through October 31
• 3rd Place: L$500 EarthStones Store Card and your photo and credit on display at EarthStones through October 31

Details & Rules:

1. Please submit no more than two pictures total. Male, female and duo pictures welcome.
2. Please do not IM or ask about the contest in group chat - send a note to Retribution Fall or Abraxxa Anatine if you have any questions.
3. Please follow the submissions instructions carefully, your entry may have to be discarded otherwise.
4. Please only EarthStones jewelry in your picture.
5. Deadline for entries is midnight SLT on October 10th. We will be unable to accept entries after this time.
6. Winners will be selected based on theme, quality of photography and creative presentation of the jewelry/accessories.
7. Winners will be announced via EarthStones group notice on October 15th.
8. You do not have to be online to win, but you must be a member of the EarthStones group.
9. And, finally, all entries become the property of EarthStones and may be used, displayed or distributed at our discretion.

Go get 'em! Pick up a notecard with rules and info at the EarthStones Main Store at EarthBound.

Lucky Fortunes Contest - Runner Up

Wooo hooo! A friend of mine sent me the entry information for this contest and, after reading the requirements (they sent a pose to use in the picture and wanted a "fortune teller" look) I knew that the Romany's Kiss gown (L$1 RFL gift) from Evie's Closet and my Hazy (Burgundy) hair from Detour were going to be perfect. Well, runner-up perfect, but still....

Here's the notecard I got today:

Thanks for taking part in the "Lucky Fortunes" photo contest.
First prize in the contest was awarded to Cherie Parker. Cherie's picture will ship as the "default" texture on all copies of my new product, "Lucky Fortunes" - congratulations Cherie!

Due to the high standard of entries, I've also nominated half a dozen runners-up: Cuffman Payne, Emerald Goldflake, Moon Fairymeadow, Retribution Fall, Vanda Maertens, and VictoriaRose Daniels. All these pictures will appear in the final product as alternative "skins" (owner-selectable from an in-built menu).... so don't be surprised if you see your face in a Lucky Fortunes game whilst on your travels! (And remember to nag any lucky-fortunes-owning friends to switch their unit to display *your* face!). Cash prizes should be on their way to all runners-up shortly.

Lucky fortunes will be on sale at Lucky Designs, commencing Sunday 27th July - and early-release copies are already starting to appear in stores around SL; be sure to check them out!

Thanks again to everybody who helped out!
Shep Korvin.

Dollz Magazine - Doll of the Month Contest

I have a photograph entered in the Dollz Magazine September '08 Doll of the Month contest and would love to have y'all drop me a vote or two if you get a chance. From my (hopefully tasteful)notecard:

A couple of folks asked for the short version, so...

1. Go here - Dollz Magazine, The Hamptons (138, 199, 25)

2. Vote for me (just the L$1 vote, please)

3. Repeat daily (or as often as you feel like)

Or read on for details:

Yes, I entered another contest - unfortunately (or fortunately, not sure which) this one is a voting contest. The bad news is that it is two tiered voting - every "real" vote (meaning each avatar) counts as one but costs a Linden. The second tier is, of course, total Lindens. Please do *not* feel like you need to throw Lindens at my entry, OK? I entered for kicks and to see how this type of contest works - blog fodder and all that. :)

.

Note - individual avatar votes appear to count higher than L$ votes and you can vote daily (I think), so go cheap, but go often. ;)

.

Of course, gotta throw in some details for you - I'm wearing a 1940's vintage Hollywood mermaid gown (no, it's not a wedding dress - I knew I should have gone for the cigarette holder and a Dietrich look....) from A Piece of Candy, hair by Detour (Writer in Burgundy) and photos taken at Fross Maruti's Free Photography Studio using a Photosphere. I'll blog the full outfit so you can see the rest of the dress as well.

.

The contest is for the Dollz Magazine September "Doll of the Month" contest and the prize is a photo shoot, L$25K and a magazine spread in Dollz Magazine. Anyway, here's the landmark and thanks! (Oh, and feel free to vote for another entrant if you would like - there are some great pictures up on the wall.)

.

Retribution

JCNY Model'Fest - And The Winner Is...

Not me. But we all knew that. Yes, I went over to JCNY and waited for the announcement, but I was pretty sure from the way the notices had been phrased earlier in the day that the winner had already been told and the announcement activities prearranged. When I arrived, I noticed that one of the audience members was dressed way beyond the norm for either the crowd (which was packed full of fashion hopefuls in high prim couture) or the Showcase Models on the runway - and was wearing a crown. I sent an IM to a friend who was providing distraction from the lag saying that I was pretty sure I knew who the winner was - and about 20 minutes later, I was proven correct when the following notice went out to the group:

JCNY Collection - MODEL'FEST Winning Model

Global Model Summit

.
:::::::::: June Stats:

Entrys: 10,000+
Total Photos: 15,000+

TOP MODEL for June 2008

JCNY ::: TOP MODEL
1. Chalice Carling

Runner Up:
2. Takeshi Ugajin

Congratulations to both Chalice (top photo) and Takeshi! Pretty cool that my photos (bottom photo) got noticed out of 15K submitted and that I had the opportunity to be in the 60 (15 per week) Showcase Models for the event. I had a lot of fun, learned a lot of new things that will be very helpful in taking photos and met a lot of very nice people. Heck, I might even enter another contest or two here and there.

.

For those who want to try their hand at modeling and photography, the JCNY Model'Fest for July '08 is under way, so head over to the JCNY Main Store and pick up a submission packet.

JCNY Model'Fest - Epilogue (For Now)

Wow! What a blast! One solid week of the runway at JCNY, planning outfits, practicing poses, smiling and greeting. I can honestly say that the other Showcase Models for the week made the time go by far quicker, as did the parade of friends who were kind enough to show up and offer support and, in some cases (you know who you are, LOL!) heckling. =)

So, what was the week like and what did I learn? Well, I learned a lot about posing - far more than studio work. I decided that I had two jobs during the week - being memorable and making the clothes look good. And I quickly discovered how important the right poses are to the second goal - the right pose makes a great outfit spectacular, the wrong pose and the best clothes in SL look downright odd. I admit that after the first day, I was at Animah buying pose packs and testing my poses with the outfits before hitting the runway - yes, it is harder than it looks and requires more preparation than I had thought.

The week is paid, but the real point is exposure and the opportunity to meet people involved in the fashion industry in SL. I chatted with so many people from all over the world in RL and with all sorts of interests in SL that it would be well worth the time even if not one of them had anything to do with fashion. That said, quite a few did and I thoroughly enjoyed talking and asking questions - both with the other models and the folks that came by.

The stars of the show, however, were the clothes. And the shoes, don't forget the shoes. The range of styles and designers was broad and some of the outfits were just amazing. As for me, I got to pull out some of my favorite outfits that don't get nearly enough wear. I tried to dress in clothes from a lot of different creators in a variety of styles, though formal wear was definitely in the majority as the JCNY jewelry went perfectly with my more... ahem... elaborate gowns.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. If you've ever wondered what the modeling thing is all about, polish your shoes, comb your hair and go take some pictures.

On the left (worn Saturday):
Dress - Red Rum Gown by Haute Style
Shoes - Bitch Booties (Black/Black) by Stiletto Moody

.

On the right (worn Monday):

Dress - Three Woodpeckers by Chambre du Chocolate

Shoes - Verve Pumps (Black) by Maitreya

JCNY Model'Fest - Showcase Model Week

So, 'round about Tuesday I log in to see the message that I've been invited to join the JCNY Fashion District Vendors group. Figuring it has something to do with the contest, I agonize for a bit, drop a group (What? You have less than 25? Pffft.) and join. I look up and see that my title is now "JCNY Showcase Model". Cool. That's gotta be good, right? I mean, if I had a clue what it was, that is. Back I go to the contest note card which says that each week, "Showcase Models" will be selected to take the runway at JCNY. It goes on to say:

SHOWCASE MODELS - What is a SHOWCASE Model? After entering your photos you will be up for 'Showcase Modeling' during the month. A Collection of 15 models are up for showcase during each week of the contest. These models are hand selected by the judges to take the runway at the JCNY Flagship Store. SL Newspapers, Fashion Photographers, Model Agencies will all be randomly present to view the showcase models. If you are selected as a showcase model you will receive a group tag from JD Hansen of JCNY. You will be paid 15L an hr for being part of the showcase during the festival. **The models who are showcased are considered to be the featured models of the current week's entries and are not in any specific order of placement in the runnings.
.
Allrighty then. Apparently, I need to get dressed and go to the Farrah Island runway and do... something. I rummage through the closet, settle on something black (shocking, eh?) and teleport over to find a cluster of posing people perched precariously on a platform. Go alliteration! I walk around, try and figure out what I'm supposed to do, give up and ask. After a few IMs, I head up on the runway, clock in (nope, never seen a time clock before, either - I'm learning tons!) and start posing.
.

Tomorrow, more about the JCNY Model'Fest experience, meanwhile, come visit at Farrah Island - I'm the grey blob trying not to fall in the moat.

.
On the left (worn Friday):
Dress - Mara (Ruby) RFL Limited Edition by Nicky Ree

On the right (worn Thursday):

Shirt - H3 Shirt (Black) by Cubic Effect

Pants - Sarrouel Pants (Black) by Cubic Effect

Shoes - ChiChi Pumps (Black) by Maitreya

JCNY Model'Fest - June '08

So, I'm innocently checking out some friends' shop where they have been redecorating when I notice this fabulous dress upstairs, down the wall and in the corner. (Don't worry, I'm getting to the Model'Fest part, promise.) Next thing I know, it's in my inventory and I'm trying it on. Now, the NewbieDoo mission is to give back to SL with good quality, tested starter clothing, shapes, skins and accessories, but the Black Leather Ballet dress is far from newbie gear.
.

So there I am, checking out the new duds and chatting. On a whim, I put on one of the Nikki "Beaten" skins and start accessorizing. One thing leads to another and before I know it, I find myself shopping for doll keys before stopping at JCNY, picking up the Model'Fest rules and then traveling to Dickins Photography Studio to take 7934759745 photos for the portfolio (for which you only need three, of course). No, I don't expect to win, place or show, but it's definitely something new and different and I certainly had fun putting the photos together.

The contest ends at the end of the month with prizes including L$30K, a modeling contract, gift cards to some of my favorite stores, a photo shot and a layout in Best of SL magazine - so some pretty cool stuff. If you decide to enter, read the rules several times and make sure you go through your entry step by step so you don't miss anything - I nearly overlooked a few things and I was being pretty careful about it. Now, the pictures I'm including here are the ones that I didn't send in, since I'm assuming those are now the property of JCNY, but they should give you an idea of what I sent in as well as inspiring you to visit NewbieDoo and own a Leather Ballet Dress of your own.

On the left:

Skin - S5 Tan (Glam 2) by ::Tuli::
Hair - Writer (Night) by Detour
Jewelry - Precious Seas (earrings and necklace) by JCNY

On the right:

Skin - Nikki (Gash, Freckled, Light) by ::Tuli::
Hair - Writer (Night) by Detour
Jewelry - Precious Seas (earrings and necklace) by JCNY
Dress - Leather Ballet Dress by NewbieDoo

Doll Key - Celtic Needle V3 (Silver) by All Dolled Up
Stockings - Dark Lusts Black Fishnet Stockings by Blacklace
Shoes - Lizziey Black Myla Boots by Whittentons