Rich Girls Present: Fall Preview Fashions
by CheekyGuy, HSM team writer
Whether or not software developers are taking this seriously, there is a fashion industry on Home, and I was excited to be invited to a fashion show that shows off all the colors and virtual fabrics of the fall season.
Wolfen40 – also known as Mika to her friends and through PS Talent – leads and organises The Rich Girls, a fashionista group comprising of close friends that have banded together for the love of clothing and fashions that are now available on Home.
I was surprised to see just how much choice is available out there. And although the results I have seen have only been female orientated at the show, I could now see the sheer scale of what you could dress and express in your avatar.
I saw a range of coats and jackets and hats to match; some items seemed to work better than others, but I admire the mix and match experimenting that the models showed during the show. Avatars confidently walking up and down a glittering catwalk and striking a pose for the judging panel that sits either side of the stage – it’s nothing short of breathtaking.
What makes this showcase special is that most of Lockwood’s entire wardrobe was on show on that stage – among others – signifying that they are beyond a shadow of a doubt the single most influential virtual fashion designers on PlayStation Home today.
I got to talk to Wolfen40 on her thoughts about her experience of the ‘Fall Preview’ show, as well as the Rich Girls, who she had helped create and form.
WOLFEN: Well, I’m a lover of fashion – I live it, I breathe it, [and] sleep it. I also like seeing new girls come up into the world of fashion. I’m a promoter; in real life I modeled. It’s not easy. I started the Rich Girls for ladies of class who also like high fashion and enjoy the finer things on Home.
I was lucky to have been a part of your preview show. If there is a particular brand out there on Home that excites you, one that’s just a little ‘different’ from the rest, and stands out from the crowd?
With Friends; From left to right..WOLFEN (AKA MIKA) with MAJESBROT & TALIA
Lockwood is my favorite, and now that Billabong are here (a real world brand), I’m loving that brand too. Their clothes really fit the avatar, but Lockwood will improve. There are others too under the radar that are making a name for themselves.
What is it that you look for in terms of clothing on Home?
I like colors and trends. I look for clothes that match what I see in the real world.
Is there a brand you always go back to while shopping on PlayStation Home?
Yes, many times. Still to this day I like Threads – their clothes are affordable, practical and easy wearing.
I find that there’s a lot more choice Home in terms of clothing and accessories for female avatars than their male counterparts.
(Pauses) Maybe so, but its been a fact that female avatars spend more than men. I had learned that during the outage. Yes, we do have more in the way of choice. But isn’t that true to life?
I’d love to see more ballroom gowns. I did like that red gown that looked so similar to the one Julia Roberts wore in the film ‘Pretty Woman’.
Yes, it was similar, maybe when Home goes new (the big hub update) maybe we will have a real place to show our gowns, like a ballroom. Yes, we want different colored gowns.
How often do you hold events on Home? Is there an event that you are currently planning?
Once every two weeks I plan a party. At the club (Rich Girls) we have had some perhaps every three months or so. I’m also planning one in my head. So yes, here’s a leak, I’m planning a matching fashions shows – a ‘Guys match your Girl’ event. In which models will come out in pairs. I’ll need help from my club leaders. We can do it. It’s really important for me to stay busy. The reason why our clubs are so successful is that we are mature women that are really focused; we don’t play games. I’m so proud.
The Brimstone dancers all have their own musical theme for each part of the show.
What are your thoughts on your club’s Fall Preview show? I loved that you used the Brimstone dancers to provide the music soundtrack for the event itself.
I found it to be entertaining in changing the dancers. Plus this was done to let the models know how far they were into the show; the red dancer was used to signify the end of the show.
On your winter fashions sneak peek – sadly I missed out on this. How did that go for you?
It went well; it was a little something I had to show, being that the winter villa space had just come out. I love winter clothes, furs, boots, leather and hats, lots of hats.
Would you say, judging from your Fall Preview show, that there is a fashion industry on PlayStation Home?
MIKA, TALIA, MAJESBROT & LONDON 27 Outside Gold Mansion Pool Terrace
(Excitedly) Ooh yes! I know that more developers will come to Home. It’s the advertising machine of the future. I’m looking for more designers to come to Home. It’s going to be more competitive!’
***
I also talked to tbaby2008 who modeled for the Fall Preview show for her thoughts and experiences. She invites me to her Log Cabin, which has a laid back vibe to it.
So, tell me just a little about yourself.
TBABY: I’m 26, I live in Dallas, currently finishing an MBA at SMU. I’ve been a promotional model in real life for over seven years. I’m a proud mother of a 3 1/2 year old daughter.
As a model in Real Life
I’m a friend of Mika’s (Wolfen40) and she asked me if I wanted to be in her upcoming show (the Fall preview). There were a few other friends I knew that were going to be in it, and it sounded like fun. I had been involved in Home fashion shows lately, so I accepted.
It was a great experience and lots of fun. At first, I thought it was just gonna be a show. Then found out it was going to be a contest. That was okay. I wanted to have fun. I was excited that Joanna (Dark) was in it. At first a another friend of mine Nikki was going to be in it too.
We practiced and put on a good show; I think we had our moves for the stage down, we were in sync and I think it did well.
I put on a great show for both the audience and judges. It was a rewarding experience. It wasn’t about the winning, but for fun, of which we all had.
I think everyone was a winner that day.
I understand that you model in real life. Does modelling on ‘Home’ reflect the same experience?
With her little Princess
Well, as a promotional model I work at events or clubs, promoting sponsors, whether for a sporting event, a promo for a radio station or a nightclub, a grand opening or an upcoming concert; I’ve been doing that for seven years.
My dream has always been to be a real fashion model, but I haven’t really done that. The closest I’ve ever come to this was in doing photo shoots for local magazines or paper, not many though. I’ve never done a runway like a real fashion model. That’s been my dream: that one day I would be ‘discovered.’
I dropped out of school for a bit to do promotional modelling full time, because I wanted to dedicate myself to it, just to see if something big will happen, plus I was still young. I thought I’d have a certain body and looks for a certain amount of time.
For models, usually 18 – 24 is the prime age, maybe even 18 – 22. I’m 26, so I’m past that, but I still pursued my dream.
Most recently I went on America’s Top Model, which starts this month. I didn’t make it. One thing that’s been fun I think is doing these fashion shows on PS Home, because it’s like I’m doing something that I never really got to do in real life. Promotional modelling, yes, runway modelling, no. And with all the outfits for the different themes, I don’t really do that in my line of work. Usually I just wear certain colors based on what a client wants, maybe even the uniform they give to the girls.
I think I have a keen sense of fashion. I like dressing up.
It’s funny, friends always tell me, even if I’m going to a store, that I always wanna look cute.
(Pause) This is a funny story, when I was about to go into hospital to have my daughter, I was doing my make up and my sister was like, “Oh my god, what are you doing!?” And I’m like, “What?” I know, it sounds crazy, but I’m not vain, I swear; it’s just a habit I’ve got.
I think fashion shows on Home are fun and different. I get to live out my dreamworld in a virtual world. But I think I bring my fashion sense into them and hope that makes me do well in them. But the degree to which I set to do in these shows, is more so than my work.
What brands do you mostly go for here on Home (Threads, Lockwood etc.)? Or doesn’t this matter to you?
Well, I used to buy stuff that resembled what I would wear in real life, focusing on colors that I like. I love pink. And black – lots of black, but I noticed that Lockwood for a long time seemed to have clothes that appealed to me the most, before that it was mostly Threads. Recently I have been impressed with Billabong; they are a real world designer and actually I’ve never heard of them until I saw their clothes on PlayStation Home. Now I’m finding their clothes in real life. When they first came out with their content, I was very impressed with what they had to offer. Codeglue also has some nice clothes. Irem of course were great with their beach wear and then there’s some hot costumes that catch my eye.
What are your thoughts so far on fashions on Home? Do you think there is more choice now?
Yes, I think there are lots of choices. I have been really impressed with the amount of content coming out lately. New designers such as Billabong and Codeglue have really offered some great content. Unfortunately that means more money spent (laughs). But, I am loving what I have been seeing lately.
I remember a time when not much would come out, but I can tell by the amount I have been spending lately that new updates have been great. I would like to see a few more accessories, separate from the articles of clothing. Sometimes when costumes arrive they come as one piece. I wish that they could be split up. But overall I think there are some great options for us girls. By the way, when I mention about accessories, I’m talking in terms of bracelets and earrings.
Most of these designers offer great complete outfits. But what’s fun is mixing and matching them. Because that’s what we do in [real world] fashion shows. So mixing and matching articles is one of the fun things I like to do, come up with outfits that nobody else has before.
(Laughs) I’m always lookin’ for that perfect pair of shoes, cos as all girls know, they can make the outfit.
I love accessories too. We need more of those. Sometimes accessories are built into a fit. I want them to be separate so that I can mix and match more. Also I like different hairstyles.
Would you say that advertising, the selling and promoting of real world products and services, particularly in terms of fashion accessories on ‘Home’ is the new future marketing of today?
Well, I think that Virtual communities are definitely the way of the future. It’s an environment that has so many possibilities.
Bringing people together from all over the world into a single environment, and with our avatars, we can dress them up with clothes. I can definitely see it being a way to advertise or market clothing for new designers. And since Home runs on the Internet there are no international boundaries as per se, so that means from a fashion perspective, naturally, marketing and advertising items such as clothing and accessories in such communities makes sense, so yes!
I talk to Joanna Dark, Home ‘socialite,’ fashionista and media mogul who was the subject of HSM’s Issue 4 feature story. She regularly posts her own fashion videos that can be seen on YouTube, showing the very best in what Home has to offer the fashion community.
She gives her thoughts and opinions on not only her experiences on participating in the Fall Preview show, but on the fashion world at large on PlayStation Home.
JOANNA: The Fall Fashions Show was an idea that Mika thought would be a lot of fun. She is very social and loves getting together for fun events. I thought it would be a blast and was more than happy to be a part of the club and a participant in the event. As you might have noticed, given you attended the show, it was indeed fun for those of us who participated as well as for those who came to watch.
I think activities like this just make home so much fun. Being involved and interacting with others is what our service is really all about.
Home is certainly more about social interaction than any minigame or public space in my view. Clubs and events provide an opportunity for friends to get together to join. I’ve been a [Rich Girls] member pretty much since the beginning.
I know she [Mika] has lots of things planned for it and has at least an EU chapter of the club at the moment as well. We get together to talk and share ideas about many things. We had a gown night not too long ago, where we all dressed in evening gowns and had a party and photo shoot.
Modeling is something I do for The Ladies Fashion Runway primarily. I don’t do that in real life, although I certainly do enjoy feminine and sexy clothes. I suppose my European ancestry has made me a bit more fashion conscious. I certainly like dressing as a girl and not a tomboy to say the least. Photo shoots are fun.
They are a lot of work too, especially if one makes the decision to keep doing them on a regular basis. Taking photographs is also fun and is always something that I enjoyed doing in real life very much.
The Home camera and Loot Active Camera has opened up so many possibilities for users to interact with others and with their environment. I’d love to see them improve the capabilities of the still camera as well as well as introducing a hand-held camcorder for movie making.
North American home has come a long way in the last year and a half with respect to women’s fashion. Prior to starting the Ladies Fashion Runway, we had very few options here other that T-shirts and jeans. We had very little in the way of shorts, skirts, mini’s, gowns, shoes, dresses and more.
Personally I created a Japanese account way back when in order to spend time in a service that catered more to [feminine] women and which offered much more in the way of variety and stylish ladies clothing. They are still leaders in that area in my view, although North America has made tremendous strides especially with the arrival of Lockwood Publishing. They seem to understand that women enjoy separates so they can mix and match what they buy. In addition they know what bundle pricing is which is also a plus given, price is something many of us look at. We want stylish, cute and affordable feminine clothes.
Women love “real clothes” and not just “fantasy costumes.” Dresses, skirts, shorts and more were things that women here were longing for. Billabong provided those with style and afforded us the opportunity to mix and match much of what they offer with other separates from companies like Lockwood. One can only hope that Billabong has many more things coming. Billabong has made a big splash on the North American scene when it comes to women. They’ve raised the bar when it comes to a ‘designer’ look in Home.
In addition, North American women have seen the addition of a number of stylish dresses from Codeglue. They actually debuted here in North America before Billabong. Between Lockwood, Billabong and Codeglue, the fashion choices for women have really escalated.
I know friends of mine would love to continue to see the addition of fashionable clothes that we’d actually wear in real life. It would be nice when the wardrobe options are such that women can go to a party with many people there and not see anyone wearing the same outfit.
The ‘Rich Girls’ Fashion Shows allow women in the club to express themselves and share outfits they find stylish with others. I know personally I had a great time modeling and am look forward to more in the coming months.
On the Fall Preview show itself:
I anxiously await the arrival of a video that was shot at that event. It was hard being in the show to actually experience the show itself and to get a good look at what all the models were wearing. I’m looking forward to seeing it from a guest’s perspective. Clubs allow users the opportunity to get involved in many different activities.
The Rich Girls has provided a fun outlet for us fashionistas to get together!
Special thanks to MIKA, JOANNA & TBABY for taking part in this special interview!
October 3rd, 2011 by CheekyGuy | 9 comments
CheekyGuy is a loveable, mischievous Brit who first entered virtual reality via Second Life, and now frequents Home as a Grey Gamer to keep in touch with friends. In real life, Cheeky is a video editor who has just completed a Master's degree in screenwriting from Liverpool John Moores University.
Oh wow! Saw this tweeted and had to come see! So well done Cheeky! Thank you for giving Mika and her Rich Girls the look see!
I simply love Mika and Trisha’s comments and the Fashion Show was a lot of fun!
You’re pretty special too!
Joanna
Mika and the “Rich Girls” are a lot of fun. I wasn’t able to participate in the last fashion show but I hope to in the next one. I agree with Tbaby about accessories. It would be cool to see necklace and earring combos or bracelet and necklace. if they can put wings on my hands why not a necklace instead? Also sorely lacking are long skirts in every color for mix and match formal wear. These are few and far between and would sell like crazy for whoever comes up with them. Hope to see more of these fun events in Home as it truly begins to show its potential. Good article as always Cheeks!
I would love to join this club. I love fashion and my avatar must always be up to date with the current trend as in the real world. is there requirements?
Thanks so much everyone for your kind words Mr.Cheeky is a trure professional and HSM is great I subcribe guys and love it thanks Rich Girl Burbie your next get ready to model:) and RG Tbaby wishing you the best your still not to old to model and fashionista Joanna Dark just awesome EternalWings you have to join pstalent.com to become a member we have work for you I like your taste Rich Girls believe in promoting and I’m first in line to promote Women fashion will never die thanks again HSM and all Lovers of Fashion:)
GREAT THANK YOU=]
Wow great article Cheeky! TY for the interviews Cheeky. Great comments from Mika and Joanna! The show was fun and I hope we can do another one again soon. Loves it ^__^
This was a very fun event and the article reflects that. Congratulations to Mika and the models.
Great article Jo and T
i am sooo looking forward to next fashion show! It was really fun to walk on catwalk with you girls! 
Recently joined RGOH! (: It’s fun! Hoping to meet more people though!