Eclectic Visions, headed by Suzanne Xeltentat, had its grand opening Sunday with a fashion show that was different from any other show I’ve seen in SL. First, the venue was designed using low-lag building techniques and it showed in the ability of avatars to get around. It’s certainly not perfect, but it’s a truly beautiful setting. Second, get around they did–the models that is–they did not stay on the runway. They walked out on the catwalk, down the stairs, and got up close and personal with audience members who were sitting at small tables. They weren’t quiet either. Each model would strike a pose, share information about his or her outfit and actually talk to those in attendance. Third, the designer, Simone Stern, did exactly what audiences are always asked to do–she took off flexie items, scripted items, even her hair and shoes. When the designer does that, others don’t complain, they do it too–okay, maybe not the hair, but the jewelry and other items that had taken their Avatar Rendering Costs (ARC) up into the red numbers. All of that reduced lag so that models could move about freely and their clothing could be seen and appreciated.
So far it doesn’t sound much like the typical fashion show. But what took it just a step further was the little gadget that was passed out to models and audience members. Once that invisible item was worn and the command was given, everyone ran around having a great time! Okay, it was a little strange, but this model was laughing so hard in RL her sides were hurting. When was the last time you were laughing like that at a fashion show?
Don’t get the wrong idea. This was serious fashion using trained models, but it was done in such a way that the audience could really see the outfits, how they moved, and could interact with the models. It wasn’t easy for the models–not only did they have to go where they were supposed to go when they were supposed to and strike appropriate poses to show off the outfits, but then they added information about the outfits and bantered with the audience. The models also had to do their homework to prepare for the show because they were to present the clothing with the designer’s vision of the outfits rather than their own interpretation of what they thought the outfits should look like.
What may cause criticism of the show is the audience-participation activity at the end. It was a little reminiscent of a school yard at recess with everyone running around helter-skelter. It was fun! Isn’t that what SL is supposed to be?
Was it a success? Ask Simone Stern herself.
Here is my outfit for the show–Pink Divinity Bridal Gown–I wore the slim skirt pictured in the middle with front and back views. The gown folder has the top on three layers, panties on two layers, glitch pants on two layers, four different styles of skirts (most of which come with and without trains), stockings, and a veil. In addition to the lovely pink, it came in ivory, blue, beige, silver, and white. All of these different styles and pieces for only 1200L. I loved it and really wanted to show you the front and back of every version with and without the trains and the veil, but that would have been getting carried away. It was tempting though.
