Hair Fair 2008

I had pledged not to buy anymore hair until my out of control inventory was tamed, friends scoffed in disbelief when I refused invitations to Hair Fair 2008.My good intentions were blown out of the water when dana, my beautiful boss lady, gave me the order;" Fire our readers need to know about Hair Fair 2008 - so go report". Its a tough job but someone has to do it.So, having removed my high prim items, sacrificing my AO, and putting my dance partners on hold I set off. I spent six hours wandering the stalls and I suspect I still missed a few designers, even with maps to guide me.Hair Fair 2008 is a charitable event for Locks of Love, a charity which raises funds for children who suffer from hair loss from illness.The hair fair this year is huge - it covers four sims and has numerous designers showing, small up and coming designers as well as the big, well know ( and well loved) favourite designers. What a treat we hair addicts have in this hair fair, there are many hair designs which are unique for the fair and a lot of the designers have been especially generous supplying freebies on their stands.One of my greatest pleasures of this hair fair is the amount of mens hair that is available. Men have always been quite poorly served compared to us ladies when it comes to choices in good hair, this is at last changing and it is a real pleasure to see. Special mention here to the designs of Find Ash - a design shop that I have been taking customers to regularly - it's good to see they are growing and getting more generally known. Find Ash are by no means alone in their expanding mens (and really good unisex designs - to all the men I hear moaning about how hard it is to find good hair, I'd say take time to go to the hair fair and take a peek at what is available. Rezzable have 3 great mens hair on show and there are many wonderful new options for men - AT LAST the designers are waking up to the almost untapped market that is the Second Life man who wants to look good.I was also very impressed by some of the more adventureous designs on show - Tekeli-li! dark artistry began as the random notion of Tekelili Tantalus, a traditional artist specializing in dark fantasy and Lovecraftian themes has produced some wonderful fantasy "hair" unfortunately the picture doesn't do his amazing Gorgon design anything close to justice. The options on this are amazing, and the serpants are textured in such a way as to make them look like they are moving.

Garments of Praise - A Special Virtual World Fashion Event for a Kenyan Orphanage

Event Date and Information:
*Date: June 01, 2008
*Time: 12PM SLT
*Host: Abbie Reinard
*DJ: Giela Delpaso
*Location: Sana Mall Sim (customized amphitheater) still being built
*Auction begins: 1PM (more info on auction at bottom of note)
Two women met during a recent Second Life beauty pageant that celebrated African heritage in the metaverse. Neither model made it beyond the pageant's second round but their friendship sparked conversation about beauty, fashion and charity. Abbie Reinard (model, writer and activist) and Keely LeFavre (supermodel, blogger and businesswoman) are pleased to send you the following announcement:
There is a prophecy in the Old Testament that reads "to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness". It is this bit of the Bible that inspired Abbie Reinard to pursue a SecondLife career in fashion. "I've been working my hiney off in the SecondLife fashion world raising awareness and funds for a tiny AIDS orphanage in western Kenya," she says of her several months of effort. "One of my hopes has been to find someone to host a fabulous event showcasing SecondLife beauty and fashion creativity. Keely LeFavre and Sana Models are being wonderful and bringing this dream to life!"
The charity fashion show will take place on June 1st around mid-afternoon SLT at the lovely Sana Mall. The show will consist of 6 of the hottest SL models showing creations from 4 amazing SL Designers. Immediately after the show, an auction will take place for one outfit from each designer. All donations and proceeds will go directly to the Maseno Project.
The show promises to be something truly special and has attracted designers who rank among the most elite in Second Life's fabulously thriving digital fashion industry: Callie Cline (Callifornia), Giana Paine (GiGi couture) Sissy Pessoa (BAIASTICE) and Bianca Foulon (biancaF.). Each designer is showcasing at least 1 outfit that will be exclusively available for auction after the show.
"I love this show that Keely and Abbie are arranging. It's a wonderful opportunity to use my designs to make a real difference for these children." Garments of praise? Indeed yes! Abbie's excitment is evident, "This event will make such a huge difference in the lives of over 30 children who lost their parents to disease. Keely and I are amazed by the generosity of these stunning designers."
The Maseno Project is an intimate charity whereby people's donations make significant impact on particular lives. "Large charities are incredible and can accomplish so many amazing things! But we still need to pursue more intimate connections with personal relationship. Many small charities would simply dissappear without individuals who come alongside them," says Abbie. Due to the AIDS pandemic, a small village 20 miles west of Maseno has a large number of orphans. Most of these orphans have no means of support from either relatives or the local community. Among the necessities are: proper education, food, basic health care. This is a self-funded integrated community based project to establish education bursary plans for orphans, youth, the destitute and special cases such as the blind, deaf and the lame. And provide health care for the above groups. The centre has one ongoing activity early childhood education program which has 30 children, mainly orphans.
For more information about the Maseno Project visit Abbie's blog at http://masenoproject.blogspot.com or contact All Saints Parish, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Diocese of Maseno North, P.O. Box 16 Luanda for info about the orphanage.For information about the upcoming show on June 1st including underwriting and advertising, please contact Keely LeFavre.Auction information:
*Bidding on each outfit will start at $200L and rise from there.
*All proceeds from the auction and donations kiosks will go directly to the maseno project Via Sana Models.
*Confirmation of monies received and sent will be sent to the designers and you can visit the Maseno Project Blog

The 2008 Merovingi Fashion Awards

Join us for a celebration of extraordinary international fashion and glamour as the Merovingi Group presents the second annual, Merovingi Fashion Awards. The 2008 Merovingi Fashion Awards will run from April 20th to April 26th with six full days of spectacular events and interactive activities to excite the senses! The agenda includes live international artists, fashion shows, incredible parties and the fashion awards gala…you won’t want to miss a moment!

This year, the Second Life community will nominate designers in five categories. The top five nominees in each category will be invited to attend the Merovingi Fashion Awards and show their work. Residents, who vote and nominate in all five categories are also eligible to enter our raffle and get a chance to win brand new iPod nanos.
The main fairgrounds will feature Second Life fashion designers from around the world displaying their newest designs. Each designer’s showcase is available for visitors to enjoy, purchase and vote for their favorites! We welcome you to explore the expansive grounds and displays set up to highlight our charitable organizations, corporate sponsors and vendors.
The 2008 Merovingi Fashion Awards are hosted by the Merovingi Group which was established to develop the virtual world of Second Life and to increase awareness of international humanitarian efforts. The Merovingi Group raises funds and awareness for charitable organizations that provide health, education, and equality to individuals. We strongly believe that healthcare should be a fundamental right of every human being.
The Merovingi Group is proud to sponsor the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders during this year’s Fashion Awards event. These organizations have made exemplary strides to improve access to the information and means to seek medical care and treatment for millions of people worldwide. We welcome you to join us in our efforts to increase awareness and raise funds to support these non-profit organizations.
To learn more about our featured charities and the upcoming Fashion Awards event, please visit our website www.merovingifashionawards.com. The Merovingi Fashion Awards website provides a wealth of information about this year’s event including a weekly blog, updates on designers, attactions and events to be held throughout Fashion week and information on our corporate sponsors supporting the event.
On behalf of our respected charities, corporate sponsors and featured designers, we thank you for your support and your participation in what promises to be a truly spectacular celebration!
Please contact us through our website for questions regarding the 2008 Merovingi Fashion Awards.
Join us and support this years Merovingi Fashion Awards!
Nominations are now open!

SL Illustrated Bid for a Model Event

On February 16, 2008 at 9am slt, SL Illustrated is hosting an event called "Bid for a Model", 100% of the proceeds in this event will be donated to the WarChild International Network.

Warchild International sponsored in-world by Rosalie Rothlisberger, is a network of independent organizations, working across the world to help children affected by war. The organization is founded upon the fundamental goal of advancing the cause of peace through investing hopes in lives of children caught up in the horrors of war. More information about this organization can be found at http://www.warchild.org/

In this event, SL models will be auctioned to the highest bidder for an opportunity to have a minimum of 2 hours dance at the SLI Angels Club which is being managed by Alyssa Masala. To ensure clean fun the event will be chaperoned by AngelEyes3 Jewell and the outstanding SLI Security headed by Smee Oh

Contact : Ariel Lingiuan, SL Illustrated

I Catch up with Simone

My first reaction when I rezzed at Simones was to LOL, why? Well you walk into a huge notice which not everyone saw the funny side of, but the reason behind it is understandable too :-

Simone Stern: I had to do something... people were driving me nuts over not knowing how to use the vendors.
(Lesson to be learned - read the notices and learn how to use a vendor LOL)

Simone was wearing one of the special outfits she devised for Halloween and it looked fantastic on her.

As I looked around I noticed the huge changes to the store since my last visit, "You have remodelled the store?" I asked Simone

"Partially, it's still underway. I'm going to have to put up a second sim, the formals need their own home I am afraid". She replied "Still quite a bit to finish before the remodel is through however."

Simone wasn't sure on a finish date but reassured me 'the grand opening for the new store will be announced, and we'll make sure there's a big fat THANK YOU sale as well... might even combine that with my third SL reziversary :D'

There are 200 new items in the new 'fall line' so far, with redesigning the store plus the new lines I am amazed yet again at how many hours Simone finds and yet she still finds time to help others with the Virtual Angels a group dedicated to helping others.

I asked her about it: Simone Stern: "it's a charity originally started to benefit one SL resident, but as we came to realize there was a much greater need, it has expanded. We have applied for official status so that's pending."
Below you can see some of the designs for Halloween the 'hexed' sexy witch range are irresistible there are other outfits ranged around the store like the 'Doctor'

"Most interesting thing is to watch the gender bias in place... people see the scrubs, the lab coat, and think 'Nurse". So, it's named 'DOCTOR" for that reason."

There is also a morticia style gown, its worth taking your time and looking around.

I had also heard that Simones was featured in the recent CSI machinima and asked her how that came about;

Simone Stern: "I work for the company who did the project the machinima department selected my store to shoot in for convenience's sake, for many reasons. Easy to get the owner to help, easy to make changes to the build and displays if necessary, easy to get the land owner to close the island, etc. That little bit of machinima you saw was months in the making."

All through the changes and total upheaval the one thing I was most impressed with was Simone's willingness to help anyone that asked, all through our conversation people were asking questions or looking for something in particular, all went away happy with what they found.

Good luck Simone - can't wait to see the finished store.

Dana XxX

Merovingi Clothing Fair 2007 Cont.......

After hours of struggling to get back onto SL after a disastrous download/update I wandered along to the Merovingi Clothing fair, press day, for a sneak preview of what its all about.

I was amazed; I was teleported into heaven, that's what it looked like!

I was met by Pips Fetid and Nevah Lobo the hosts of the fair and also on the board of directors of the Merovingi group; A philanthropic group that donates all profit from its casino to :

Relay for Life & the Swedish Child Cancer Foundation.

Once i had rezzed i was invited to turn around to see the survivors wall, it was covered with pictures, some of SL members and some photographs of people all of whom had survived cancer, it was incredibly touching to see;

Nevah walked me over to the Memorial garden to see the dedications of loved ones lost;

Once i had looked around (and composed myself), I allowed myself to ask my host why he had done this:

Nevar Lobo: I did this because my best friend is a cancer survivor and i have just walked her through her pain and chemo, she is now in remission. When we were trying to come up with a charity it was the only one i could give every ounce of my effort to, because it was so personal, to many people we lose everyday cuz there is no cure. I am not able to fight for that cure in RL, so I'm fighting for it here and my staff. The owner of Merovingi is fighting just as hard.

Nevar Lobo: This is why we dedicated the fair to RFL myself, Pips Fetid and Hannah Liberty and we are all on the Board of Directors for the Merovingi Group oh and Chablis Crabgrass she worked with the cancer survivors to get the wall done, she is a survivor herself.

Nevar Lobo: what is important about this is that after the fair the Merovingi Group will move it and make a permanent display and garden for SL so none of the stones will be lost and in the garden here the stones that say In Memoriam on them are available for anyone to place a picture of someone they would like to remember.

Me: It must have been hard to build something so personal, to yourself and so many others?

Nevar Lobo: yes it was hard to build we all had our tears, but like fleicaa she will always be apart of SL and not forgotten.

Nevar Lobo: you know i need to give you two names of people from RFL that have just given all they can to help us Fayandria Foley is one and the person who did all the rfl work here and let us use a lot of these statues (beautiful statues can be seen all around the sim) is Tayzia Abattoir.

There will be 36 of SL's top designers showing at the fair and each and every one has a vendor in their stall with an item for sale for the RFL;

You will also find donation points around the site:

I didn't have time to see both sides of the fair but Nevah warned me: This is heaven so when you get to the gates of hell you have a whole new look and don't get lost in hell its breathtaking over there!

I can't wait to see it tomorrow!

I also hope that some of you will take the time to, not only visit the fabulous designers who have given 100% effort for this worthy cause, but also take the time to think about the reason for it.

I believe that at some point each person will be touched by this terrible disease and this is a small place to remember 'You are not alone'

More from the other side soon.................

Dana XxX