As I go along Second Life Fashion world as a Model, it has always been my feeling that in Second Life, to be a "Top Model" is both - easy and difficult.
Easy, because you can create a Group, and give yourself or others the "Top Model" tag, or for that matter, any kind of "special tag".
Difficult, because when you watch a SL Fashion Show you will know if a "Top Model" tag really is what that avatar is representing.
I always keep my feet on the ground, so Real Life is my "school". Let's look at RL Models.
They do not have "Top Model" tags. Who decides on that? Who is a "Top Model" and who is not? Mostly, common sense and public opinion, right?
For some years now, RL Designers are chosing unknown Models, because there was a moment (and we all saw that happen) when people went to a Fashion Show to watch a certain Model or Models instead of the Designer's Collection, which has always been the point, right?
So, from the 70's on, some RL Models became celebrities; from the 80's there was a "boom" of Model celebrities. Their names were associated with "divas", like some actresses public will never forget.
However, is this the first reason why a real girl decides to become a Model? To be famous?
It can be, yes. In that sense, she must do a lot (and I do really mean a LOT) to get there. To be famous.
The first reason why I became a SL Model was (and still is) to work. So, it's my own opinion to decide if this or that SL Model is Top or not. No tag can decide that for me.
Recently, I was casted to a Second Life Group of Models (the owner of the Group insists that it is not a Model Agency, and that is ok. It's a Group dedicated to Event's organization). I went to the casting and was chosen as a "Print Model".
Some days have passed after the list of casted SL Models was out. Well, I saw a list made of several roles inside this Group: from "Star Model" (which is ok, for a group of friends, NOT for a Professional Group of SL Models), to "Top Models", to "Print Model" , to "Runway Model", etc.
I do believe that the simple "Model" tag gives us all the same fair opportunity.
If we are going to be in an event (a Fashion Show, for example), then the client decides which Models will be in the event. Who are the runway Models for him or her or a print Model, etc.
If we organize a Group of SL Models already giving them a role, it's restrictive in my SL Professional opinion, as a Model.
And we, SL Models, have the freedom to chose who we work with, right? We are free to go to castings and then decide, if chosen, if we want to work with that Agency or not, isn't it so?
If we want to stay or leave, it's our choice.
There is, at the moment, a huge amount of Models in Second Life! So, there is no problem is finding a replacement, if we leave a Group.
Besides each avatar in Second Life is a person that thinks, has choices, decides.
I chose not to stay in that Group, because I don't like this kind of "Model distribution" , these restrictive roles and tags.
If I weren't a polite person, it would have been a big drama, because I sent a notecard to the owner of the Group explaining that I was going to leave and why. Well, she was angry, very angry! I wonder why? Aren't we - SL Models - allowed to think for ourselves, to take our time and see if we feel good inside that Group? If we don't, we are free to leave, no drama.
This is what I think - NO DRAMA in Second Life. If there is any, I will leave the Group where the whole drama happened.
You see, my real life goes on. I click the "X" button and log off and still have my RL going, my family, my work, my LIFE!
When I log in Second Life, I want to do my job - be a SL Model and do my best to represent the SL Model Agencies I work with. Honour them, make them be proud of having me , as a Model.
For that, an Agency or a Group of SL Models must also respect themselves first. I assure you that, not only SL Models have a reputation - SL Model Agencies do too!
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Oh, by the way, I am very proud to have been invited to join Avenue Model Agency! That really makes me proud. Imagine that - go on a runway, do our best as SL Models and wear a simple tag *Avenue Model*. Isn't it simple and great? Thank you Avenue!!
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