Taking A Break…

I’ve decided to take a small break from Second Life and posting on my blog.  I hope to return rejuvenated and eager to write about new things in my second life.  I am no longer modeling therefore, my posts will be focused on other things. But, of course, from my perspective.  Stay tuned…

Introducing Opa’s Boutique

Last week the owner of Opa’s Boutique, Topaz Joubert, opened her new store offering great deals.  Ms. Joubert is well known in the Fashion industry as the CEO of Maniera, Inc. which includes Maniera Magazine, Maniera Institute of Style and Maniera Model Management, Inc.  She is now introducing her collections in Second Life.

Opa's Hollie Golightly

Before Opa’s Boutique officially opened, Ms. Joubert graciously donated some of her designs for the Autism Support Association Charity Fashion Show.  I was honored to wear Opa’s Hollie Golightly in the fashion show.  Hollie Golightly is a stunning black dress that hugs every curve leading to a free flowing skirt at the bottom.  Inspired by the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,”  this is a dress you definitely want to add to your own collection.

Veronica

Now that Opa’s Boutique is open, fashionistas will admire this collection that includes designs inspired from real life characters like Veronica from the Archie’s comic books and Second Life models. I’m sure I’m not the only one who can’t wait to see what else Ms. Joubert has in store for us to wear.

You can visit Opa’s Boutique in-world by clicking HERE

Are Model Contests Required?

For several weeks, I’ve noticed the increase in contests. Not only are designers holding contests to boost sales but, agencies have started hosting contests for their own models. In the beginning, it didn’t seem like a big deal but now agencies seem to want all their models to participate. In fact, one agency is requiring all their models to join 50% of their in-house contests.

Does winning contests prove that you’re a great model? It’s great to win cash prizes since most models make very little money from shows. But, are they really worth all the effort that goes into entering the contest? Who really benefits?

One contest I entered, Miss Refined International, seemed like it was really good by a reputable organization. Some of the well-known models were contestants so I was under the impression it was legitimate. The contest organizer, Jason Grant, had all the contestants go through weekly assignments which were time consuming. Halfway through the competition, Jason left SL for weeks without a word only to reappear with no reason for his disappearance.

In his absence, rumors swirled that this was not the first time he organized a contest midway, vanished, and returned again with some excuses. There are other contests that may not be legitimate but many others that are. However, the modeling industry seems to be overrun by contests. Every day I see lots of announcements of “enter this contest”, “last chance to enter”, and fewer announcements of shows.

Maybe contests are the future of modeling and will some day be a requirement set by all agencies. If so, good luck models!

The End of TOMA?

It’s been over 2 months since Amanda Hinchcliffe, CEO of The Other Modeling Agency (TOMA), has logged into Second Life. Right before her disappearance, TOMA celebrated the success of the A Dozen! show which consisted of 12 shows in 12 hours. Amanda was also preparing a magazine shoot, a look book for Bliss Couture, and planning another show.

So why did Amanda disappear all of a sudden? Well, the last day Amanda logged into SL, Anita Claven and Chloe Constantine sent a very detailed letter to the TOMA group explaining why they were leaving TOMA. Anita and Chloe organized the A Dozen! show with very little help from Amanda. In fact, they weren’t even paid for there services while Amanda earned at least $10,000L from the show.

As weeks passed, it became clear that Amanda would not be returning to SL to face Anita, Chloe and her models. She would say how much she loved and cared for us as if we were her children. We stood up for her the last time she disappeared for a long time. Even after this, does Amanda still have supporters if she did return? Probably but, I definitely am not one of them.

SL Fashion Show for Autism

Today at 6pm SLT, Seven Modeling Agency will be hosting a charity fashion show for the Autism Support Association (ASA).  At least 30 models are participating in this event to promote autism awareness and raise money.  There will also be an auction for items donated by:

Pretty Lady
Purple Rose
Razmataz Poses
Lacie Cakes
Impressions Ink Tattoos
and many more

I will be one of the many models participating in this event as this is something that means a lot to me.  My oldest son has a mild form of autism.  So, I know how difficult it is dealing with doctors, therapy, and insurance.  If you can’t come to this event in SL, please support any way you can in real life.  Here’s the slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tiatopia%20Island/128/129/24.  Hope to see you there!

NY Fashion Week in SL

Today starts the first of several shows in SL in honor of the real life New York Fashion Week.  This event is being held by Maniera Model Management in conjunction with IMAGE Modeling Agency.  This week is sure to be filled with great designs and amazing models.  On Valentine’s day, I will be walking in the Angel Dessous show at noon.  So, stop by and come support this and all the other fabulous shows this week.  Here’s the complete schedule of events:

★ Thursday, February 11th ★
• 2 SLT EDEN FREESE FASHION

★ Friday, February 12th ★
• 12 SLT HOUSE of BENINGBOROUGH

★ Saturday, February 13th ★
• 2 SLT TRES BEAU
• 3 SLT TRES BEAU AFTER PARTY

★ Sunday, February 14th ★
• 12 SLT ANGEL DESSOUS
• 2 SLT ALATIEL FASHIONS
• 3 SLT NYFW Valentine’s Gala

★ Monday, February 15th ★
• 12 SLT BODY STUDY
• 2:30 HYPER CULTURE

★ Tuesday, February 16th ★
•2:30 SLT SYSY’s DESIGNS

★ Wednesday, February 17th ★
•12:30 SLT HOUSE of WINDSOR
•2:30 SLT OPA’s BOUTIQUE

★ Thursday, February 18th ★
•2:30 SLT NYMPHETAMINE BOUTIQUE
•3:30-5:30 CLOSING PARTY w/ DJ AZU

TOMA’s A Dozen! Show

When the CEO of The Other Modeling Agency (TOMA), Amanda Hinchcliffe, sent an announcement late last year that she wanted to have a show that took place for 12 hours I was a bit doubtful that it would happen.  Especially after all the problems and drama that surrounded Winter Fashion Week.  But, the 12 hour show named A Dozen! did actually take place.

I walked in the  5pm and 6pm shows.  As instructed, I arrived 15 minutes early to find that the 4pm show was only half way done.  So, I and other models for the 5pm show had to wait 30 to 45 minutes before our show began.  Apparently, it seems that most of the shows ran late during the 12 hours and models who signed up to walk in 4 or more shows were starting to get tired.  I was only in 2 shows and I was tired of standing around waiting to start.

Even with the late delivery of clothes and accessories and the late starts the show was successful.  But, most of the credit goes to Chloe Constantine and Anita Claven. Chloe ran the practices and tried to organize the sponsors and communicate with models as best as possible.  Anita built the runway and provided parcel space on her sim for the show.  Basically, without these two ladies, there may not have been a show.  This is the second time that Chloe has stepped in to organize shows in Amanda’s absence.  She is to be commended.

However, TOMA models received a notice that both Anita and Chloe have resigned from their positions at TOMA due to the lack of support from Amanda and all the work they had to do for little or no payment.  I truly wish these ladies good luck in their future endeavours and hope they do eventually get compensated for all the hard work they put into this show.

Changing Face of Precious Mannonen Part II

In Changing Face of Precious Mannonen Part I, I showed pictures of when I went from having noob skin to a decent free skins.  This post covers the time I started purchasing skin to my new look.

One day my sisters took me to Redgraves and I’ve never looked back.  I found the Lecia bronze skin and have worn it ever since. It is my every day skin and used to be my signature modeling skin despite the disapproval of modeling agencies. Here’s a picture I had taken prior to becoming a model. The photographer is an artist and she is amazing at what she does.

Precious Thoughts

Even though I’ve kept this same skin, I’ve tweaked my noob shape  a couple of times in the face to get the look you see below. The changes I made include making my head smaller, eyes narrower, and face wider. I had this picture taking during the height of my modeling career.

Precious Diva

As I became more serious with my modeling, I attended the Maniera academy which provides makeovers. As I stated earlier, the redgraves skin that I wore is not desirable in the modeling industry.  So, it was recommended that I find a skin that is more appealing and has a softer tone.  Below is the skin I chose as my modeling signature skin.  I continue to wear my redgrave skin for every day but, I wear this skin for modeling jobs.

Femme Fatale

Well, as you can see, my face has evolved gradually over time in the right direction.  I am still thinking about changing my every day skin to something less tanned but close to the color and look that I like.

New Look for Precious Thoughts

My favorite color is red but, I felt it made my site too dark so I decided to change the theme to something lighter.  It will be a nice transition into spring.  I also like that it has a header that I can customize. So I can change the image to show my newest look or whatever I feel is important at the time.  Well, I hope you like it.  Let me know your thoughts.

Changing Face of Precious Mannonen Part I

I thought it would be nice to go down memory lane and see how I’ve transitioned from newbie to model. The first part of this series focuses on my looks in 2008 which is when I really started to become familiar with Second Life.

Precious at the Beach

All I can say is ‘Oh My God.’  I can’t believe I looked like such a noob and I thought I was hot…. LOL.  I looked worse than the newest noobs but, you couldn’t tell me any different.  Oh, and the person behind me who looks totally lost is my noobie sister, Blsuga.  We were in SL beach heaven…. hehehe.

Sexy Matrix

So, it took a couple of good friends to help me realize that I needed a new skin.  Here’s the one I chose.  I’m not sure if I actually paid for this one or it was a freebie but, it worked for awhile.  However, I was still wearing noob clothes and hair.  I thought I looked so hot with my matrix trench coat that I went to go take some pictures.  From this picture you can tell that I still haven’t realized that I need an Avatar Overrider (AO).

Officer Precious

I’m pretty sure this officer outfit was a freebie but, I thought it was so cool that I had to take a picture of myself at my new place. I was working as a hostess at a club and was able to pay rent for the first time. It looks like I spent some time adjusting my shape. My face bone structure looks a bit different. To this day, I use the same noob shape and just modify as needed. I think I’ve done a pretty good job with it.

Neko Precious

I finally purchased a decent AO, left my hosting job, and became a sim owner managing parcel rentals. During this time, I was really into being a Neko. I actually liked being a Neko but grew out of after selling off my sim.

Part II of this series will go into my most recent look in 2009 and how I got into modeling. Stay tuned…