For the first time in our history of presenting events in Second Life, we are postponing a fashion installation. Linden Lab’s Second Life grid failed 90 minutes prior to the event, and at 20 minutes till start time, operations had still not returned to normal. Although we will reschedule the show, this postponement puts into stark relief the difference between our OpenSim regions we manage ourselves versus our Second Life regions where our access is at the whim of another entity.
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Misteria Loon, talented designer of Pas de Deux, showcases her delicate vision of ethereal fairy fashion in this visually lush scrapbook video. The video uses imagery drawn from this event developed on her behalf and presented for her benefit as part of the emerging avatar apparel designer program, sponsored by the Fashion Research Institute.
The Fairy Fashion installation drew together a wide array of visitors, who kept the region full for more than two hours. Unlike typical runway shows, where the audience is kept away from the models and the fashions they are presenting, this installation allowed the audience to talk to and engage with the models, and closely examine the fashions being presented. Misty’s exceptional design ability was showcased for a sophisticated fashion audience, whose appreciation extended beyond polite applause.
Since last fall, Misty has been mentored by program Curator Michele Hyacinth and FRI CEO Shenlei Winkler. Weekly assignments and feedback helped her hone her skills and learn specific product development techniques. We are please to have had the distinct honor of assisting with this bright new talent’s evolution, and it was a pleasure to design and produce her fairy fashion installation in our Shengri La estate. We will miss our weekly meetings with Misty, and her enthusiasm and optimism.
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Posted in Fashion Research Institute, Shengri La, Shenlei, Virtual World, apparel industry, art, avatar apparel, design, fashion, micronation, secondlife, tiffy Vella, yoona mayo | Tagged jare capalini, michele hyacinth, Misteria Loon, Wollemia Sands, Xand Nagy | Leave a Comment »
Please join us at 7 am PDT on Saturday, May 30, in Fashion Research Institute’s Shengri La estate in Second Life to celebrate the graduation of our first cohort of emerging avatar apparel designers. Designers Jare Capalini (AU V), Misteria Loon (Pas de Deux), Xand Nagy (Kicks & Twirls), and Wollemia Sands (Bull & Bear) will each show two looks in this specially designed fashion installation in honor of their graduation from the Shengri La Vintage MArketplace program for emerging avatar apparel designers. The emerging avatar apparel designer program was developed specifically to help avatar apparel designers bring their label to the next level, however they define the next level to be.
These designers have all grown their brands substantially over the last six months, under the mentorship of FRI founder and CEO Shenlei Winkler. Changes have ranged from creating new logos and rebranding the designers’ labels to presenting fashion shows and installations, and everything in between. Please join us in applauding these designers with all their hard work at this special show celebrating their graduation.
Posted in Blogroll, Fashion Research Institute, Shengri La, Shenlei, apparel industry, avatar apparel, design, fashion, secondlife | Tagged Au V, Bull & Bear, jare capalini, Kicks and Twirls, Misteria Loon, misty loon, Pas de Deux, Wollemia Sands, Xand Nagy | 3 Comments »
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Fashion Research Institute “Primal Elegance”
Jewelry Installation for Designers in the Emerging Avatar Apparel Design Program
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Time: 7 am SLT
Twelve lovely ladies bedecked with opulent jewels in a darkly seductive set showcase the exceptional work of Fashion Research Institiute Marketplace designers Yoona Mayo (cocoon), Tiffy Vella (Eclectica), and Rosie Barthelmess (Sable Rose). The quality of these designers’ work is belied by their fairly recent entrance into the jewelry making community. Prepare to be seduced by the primal elegance of these gorgeous pieces sensually draped around throats, wrists and dangling from the ears of our lovely models, who will each display one set of these designers’ work. Please join us for this unique fashion-meets-art installation of fashion displayed artistically.
Primal Elegance is hosted and sponsored by the Fashion Research Institute, Inc. FRI is committed to assisting emerging avatar apparel designers to bring their brand to the next level.
Posted in Fashion Research Institute, Shengri La, Shenlei, Virtual World, apparel industry, art, avatar apparel, design, fashion, secondlife | Tagged Cocoon, eclectica, jewelry, Rosie Barthelmess, Sable Rose, tiffy Vella, yoona mayo | Leave a Comment »
Join Fashion Research Institute’s CEO, Shenlei Winkler, on Monday, May 11, as she presents an overview of the Institute’s new Avatar Apparel Design Program from 5-6 pm SLT. This program is a rigorous 20-hour course that incorporates the design methodology and framework developed from Ms. Winkler’s work as a successful fashion designer in the apparel industry. This course was developed for the aspiring professional avatar apparel designer.
The presenation will be held in the Fashion Research Institute Shengri La Joy region; space is limited, and it is first come, first seated.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Shengri%20La%20Joy/30/36/50
Posted in Blogroll, Fashion Research Institute, Shengri La, Virtual World, apparel industry, art, avatar apparel, design, fashion, secondlife | 1 Comment »
Shengri La Spirit OpenSim Horse Statue Escapes to Shengri La Gallery OpenSim
Fashion Research Institute is creating a very special region for our artist in residence, Callipygian Christensen, in our development environment based on the OpenSim platform. Shengri La Gallery will showcase Ms. Christensen’s artwork shot in our Shengri La Spirit region as well as related work shot in Gallery itself. When the region has been fully developed with premium avatar apparel available on site to our visitors, and Ms. Christensen’s work has been installed, we will be opening Gallery to visitors.
This OpenSim exclusive art exhibit will only open on Shengri La Gallery on the OpenSim platform. Are you ready? Details to follow, watch this space.
Posted in Fashion Research Institute, OpenSim, Shengri La, Shenlei, Virtual World, art, avatar apparel, design, fashion | Tagged Callipygian Christensen, Horse Statue, Shengri La Gallery, Shengri La Spirit | Leave a Comment »
Avatar Apparel Design 101 for Virtual Worlds
Fashion Research Institute announces course for avatar apparel designers
NEW YORK — May 4, 2009 — Today Fashion Research Institute announced its short course for avatar apparel design for virtual worlds. This fast-paced course takes a student from novice user to functional avatar apparel designer by building essential skills in just 20 hours of instruction. Students completing the course can go on to supplement or replace their real life salaries by developing their own virtual goods design business.
Students learn how to develop their brand (label), develop their product, and create a storefront, all without ever leaving the safety and comfort of their homes. Instruction follows best practices as defined by more than 3 years of research in immersive spaces such as OpenSim and SecondLife® as well as current apparel industry practices. The class culminates with a virtual runway show where students show their designs to an audience of purchasers.
“Avatar apparel design is becoming an increasingly important market. Last year, more than $5 billion in virtual goods were sold globally,” said Shenlei Winkler, CEO of Fashion Research Institute. “We have heard of designers making up to $125,000 USD annually with their own virtual world label. Our course gives new designers the essential skills to effectively enter this highly competitive premium content marketplace of avatar apparel design.”
“Recently my FashionCAD class at Buffalo State College completed a “Fashion in Second Life Learning Module” with Shenlei Winkler from the Fashion Research Institute,” said Elaine Polvinen, Professor, Buffalo State College. “The specialized learning module Shenlei developed was an excellent virtual learning experience for the fashion students. Under Shenlei’s guidance, they quickly learned basic concepts of building and developing fashion garments in a virtual setting. Shenlei is a master virtual world builder and has developed and marketed successful in-world fashion labels. She also has 30 years experience as a real world designer – she is the perfect professional to present the virtual future of fashion and the opportunities it can provide for students of fashion. These are critically important concepts for all fashion students as well as fashion professionals.”
To register for Avatar Apparel Design 101, please visit http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=727953.
Fashion Research Institute is the leader in researching virtual world applications for the apparel industry. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people to use immersive spaces to virtualize business, enabling companies to save time, money, energy, and the environment.
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For more information, press only:
Belvedere Fotherington, 646-688-4042, admin AT fashionresearchinstitute DOT com
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