Why I'm Fascinated By Virtual Fashion Disasters

Via Peter Stindberg's Flickr stream

Here's a glorious example of a face light gone horribly wrong, an invisible attachment meant to gently illuminate the avatar's profile-- but above, acting more like a beacon for ships lost at sea. (Duly spotted and reported by Peter Stindberg.)  There are so many examples of avatar fashion gone awry, whole SL blogs are devoted to the topic. I'm fascinated by them, because they're ongoing proof of the intense self-identity we invest in our avatars. In the real world, we can generally tell when a clothing or hair style looks bad on others, but when it comes to something we're wearing, we're often the last to know. And surprisingly, that seems to be true of our avatars too. Established Residents smile at newbie Resident fashion disasters, but if they're wise, they don't laugh scornfully, because most of us also had a painful learning curve, where we worked to match what we wanted our avatar to look like, with the actual results. For the first couple years, for instance, my avatar had utter fail hair (and for that matter, I doubt it'd win any prizes now.)

Comments

[Alicia Chenaux]

Oh dear. :) I've actually had someone like that submitted for our blog, but I had yet to put it up.

I'll be the first to admit that I am bad at putting outfits together. I know what I personally don't care for, and what is a fashion no-no in either life, but I'm quite lucky if I match half the time.

However, Hamlet, if you ever want a makeover, you know where to come to. ;)

[Hamlet Au]

I'd love one! Though another expert promised me one *months* ago.

[Gogo]

Hamlet getting a makeover? Now that's newsworthy!!

[Lashy]

Hamlet makeover sounds delicious.

[Bone]

NWN should throw a Hamlet makeover contest.

[Chestnut Rau]

Iris Ophelia should be in charge of Hamlet's makeover since she is the NWN fashion expert!

[Hamlet Au]

Iris is waiting with another fashionista for a custom skin. But if she don't move her butt on that, I should willingly throw myself into the able hands of Lashy and Mz. Chenaux.

[Leondra]

Well, Hamlet, I'd like to see the makeover project, maybe make it an event.

I am compelled to comment on the post. I spent most of last night discussing fashion and the need for more and more realism in my avatar with my SL partner. He's the type that can wear the same things for days and days, and doesn't see the need to get new skin or shoes, etc. as the quality of those improve. A long time ago I read something by a Second Life educator, Intelligirl, called "Avatar as SL Literacy", and that concept has guided me to continually evolve.

[Peter Stindberg]

Get Philip to join into that makeover please :-)

Thanks for featuring the photo (the name is "Stindberg" btw). I should point out that the avatar in question was some 18 months in SL. Unfortunately I crashed shortly after I took the second pic and once I was back in she was not on the sim anymore and I could not recall her name.

[Hamlet Au]

The search for Miss Facelight-house Head continues, then!

Peter, I'm sorry for screwing up your name, something about it seems to gives me mild dyslexia. Fixing now!

[Gahum Riptide]

Yes Hamlet, you need a makeover ;). Aside from skin, I'd like to see you in an updated suit (or at least a range of white suits from different places), modern hair, and if you do not have one, an animation overrider.

[Connie Sec]

Wow, certainly a LOT of "feedback" on your Avatar Hamlet :) Yea..a "lets pimp Hamlet contest" may be a goer. I think the boys at Kmadd would love to get their hands on you (Figuratively speaking).I find it quite funny that generally, most Lindens look like noobes, or seem to have a cursory interest in their avatar.
As regards facelight disasters. Yes.. some think u need superbowl lighting to stand out. Unfortunately it bleaches out your av and is not a good look. However pointing this out in person, or for that matter any other "mistake", can be a minefield with some perhaps taking it as a personal affront..so we move on in silence.