Ophelia's Gaze: How To Be A Second Life Supermodel

Exclusive to NWN, Iris Ophelia's ongoing showcase of all things stylish in SL

Modeling is one of the most sought after jobs in SL, and likewise one of the job titles most casually thrown around. 

A warning, though: It’s an incredibly competitive field, and nowhere near as glamorous and easy as it might seem. In a world where everyone can choose perfect complexion and poise, a beautiful avatar is hardly an advantage. The best models can make more per hour than a Starbucks barrista (a 60 minute runway show can earn a top model L$3000, about $11), but more often than not, SL models won’t make enough to cover their shopping expenses.

So what does it take to be a top model?  Here's four quick starter tips.

Avoid Client-Side Lag-- The Supermodel's Nightmare

In runway modeling, it’s not uncommon for a designer to provide a skin or a hairstyle and accessories to compliment their look. However, if you have a slow computer or a bad connection, you will be a very undesirable employee. You need to be able to handle laggy conditions with grace and poise. If you find yourself walking into walls or drifting off into space all the time, it’s very unlikely that you will be successful of the digital catwalk.

Don't Be A Dummy, Dear

Live modeling, basically an avatar mannequin, is probably the lowest paying form of modeling. The designer will provide most of what you need to wear, and all you really need to do is sit of a pose stand. This is a bit like glamorized camping, and openings are dwindling. It’s more cost effective for designers to log a bot or alt account in.

Network Yourself!

Advertising modeling is an even more closed-off field; more often than not a designer will use themselves, their partners, or their friends for this. The most important thing to get into ads is your contact list.

Diversify Your Portfolio

The field I know the most about, though, is magazine modeling . I’ve reviewed hundreds of model portfolios in SL since I started writing and editing at Second Style, and I can tell you that all the models who didn’t get a callback have one thing in common: lack of variety. A store may try to tell you that their skins will make you a model, that their hair is the only hair you’ll ever want or need, but that’s an outright lie. I’m the one who gets the angry emails when we repeat a brand name too often in the magazine credits. When I see a portfolio where the model is wearing skins or hair or accessories all from the same designer, or clothes all in the same style, they don’t stand a chance compared to someone who’s taken the time to shop around and diversify.

Those are some of my beginning pointers from an editor's perspective.  If you're an established model, what other tips would you offer fresh-faced ingenues just starting out in the industry?

Iris Ophelia has been featured in the New York Times and has spoken about SL-based design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan.

Comments

[Princess Ivory]

Wow - I never thought about diversifying skin and hair within the portfolio. I think we all tend to settle on "our" signature look, and don't realize we should show diversity, to the point of buying skins of a different brand, not just wearing a different makeup version of skin by the same designer. Ditto for the hair.

I'd love to see an article about how to put together a portfolio. What format do designers want it to be in, etc.? I would find that very helpful.

And what about poses and AOs? If you are walking down the catwalk, are you using your own, or something provided by the designer or fashion show organizer?

Thanks for the great tips!
Princess Ivory

[Shep Korvin]

@Princess: I wrote a designers-point-of-view on portfolios a few months ago. The article is here, if you'd like to read it:
http://shep.typepad.com/shep_korvin/2008/02/how-not-to-be-a.html

[Princess Ivory]

@Shep: That's a great article you put together, thanks. In terms of a portfolio, do people like to receive an object that scrolls through the images, a notecard with several images imbedded, or individual textures? What keeps the material most organized and presents to best advantage?

Princess Ivory

[Maddox DuPont]

Great article Iris.

I will add fashion agency perspective here.

Last time MAD Agency did model search we invited candidates to send us their applications with:

- resume (achievements, experience, education)
- completed questionaire
- and photos

All of the above mentioned by Iris appilied in our selection.

Next stage it was practical component, which involved public runway show where models needed to be dressed in 3 different styles and accomplish the walk choreography.

This showed us their style, diversity and if they are able to cope with lag as well as know how to follow simple instructions.

Final Stage was face to face interview to get the sense of model's character, their manners, professionalism, ability to communicate and to clarify any points they or us might not be clear on.

To give you an idea who got the job there was not one model with under 6 month runway experience.

Modeling can be tough.

Going to shows is not. Seeing what others do, how models perform, meeting designers, agency directors will help build strong network and keep you in the know.

Eventually doors will open up but not without much persistance and effort.

If you are dedicated enough I am sure that you will find getting into SL modelling easier than in RL.

Good Luck!