When I began taking courses provided by the SuperElite Modeling Academy it was because I was eager too grow, to find a way to feed the passion I feel for Modeling and Fashion in SL and to be inspired by and learn from the very best instructors and people possible. And at each level, I can say I not only was able to do that but the experiences did and continue to excel my expectations. So it was no surprise to me when I sat down that first day as a student in the Elite course that I would and continue to feel that same way.
With Mimmi Boa herself as our Instructor, fresh off her winning of the Miss Virtual World Pageant, I felt I was perhaps in the catbird seat. I had a front row ticket and chance to listen, learn and experience the talents and insights of a remarkable, elegant and beautiful woman, both as an Avatar and a person. The shared experiences she brought to the class I know for me were frank, intelligent, insightful, heartfelt, pithy and inspiring. That is a word I am going to use a lot in this blog, Inspiring. Because as you may or may not be aware. The Elite course provides Models with a unique chance to meet the very top movers and shakers of the SL Fashion and Modeling world. Women and Men, such as past speaker Frolic Mills, whom have through untold hours of hard work, RL and SL experience, determination and a commitment to excellence have achieved levels of success above and beyond the norm, and set the standards for the industry as we know it today.
There is a certain feeling you get from some people. It is not an easily described feeling, but when you are around certain individuals, even when they are separated by networks of computers and presented only to you as avatars, that is unmistakable. These speakers, listed in order of appearance, Maggie Mahoney CEO and Founder of RUNWAY Magazine and RUNWAY Productions, Poptart Lilliehook CEO of MODAVIA Fashion Marketing and Ohren Beck CEO of InStyle Fashion Agency and InStyle Modeling are such individuals. They have “gravitas”. Say that word aloud, gravitas. Again, it’s not a word you see or hear everyday, but you know it when you see it. And each of these remarkable women holds it, exudes it and in so doing, inspires.
To a model just starting out in the Fashion World of SL one could not hope or ask for a better opportunity then to listen to the experiences, advice and thoughts of those very people who, if with hard work, dedication and luck, you hope to one day have the chance to work for and with. Each of these incredible speakers arrived at the academy to share with us in a manner that was in and of itself, a testament to the very principles they not only have worked hard to instill in themselves, but hold dear and consider to be the fundamental cornerstones to any models success.
Each came early, fully prepared and armed with keen and unique personal experiences and insights. Relaying both the practical, common sense does and don’ts but more importantly, outlining points and specifics that come only from hands on experience and hard work. Each of them was professional, straightforward and open. It was more then simply advising the class on the keys to success in the field. The importance of self presentation, developing a personal style, commitment to self growth and being capable of adaptation, of being prepared, or the need for being able to communicate directly, openly and intelligently with those you find yourself working with. To know what questions to ask, when and how to not just help you but those for whom you are working for, to be able to assist them by being a true professional. It was more them the importance of a good portfolio, or the equally but even more difficult need to network yourself with people in the field, whom without knowing you will be hesitant perhaps to put their trust in you. More then understanding and ascertaining the quality of one agency over another, and the importance of backing your agency and working hard to support those people who, hopefully are working so hard to help and support you.
All of these things, along with very open and frank answers to very good questions presented by the others in attendance were hallmarks of each of these remarkable guests. But again, it was more then that. Because in having the chance to sit down, face to face with these individuals it was more then the words they spoke that came across. It was more then the intelligent and professional manner in which they conducted themselves and addressed each of us. More then the stories and laughs, wit and willingness to share. More then the genuine glow that each of them held and radiated. It was the personal aspects of each of their personalities and the raw radiant passion for what they do day in and day out, in what is without question, their art that exuded from them. It was an energy that swept the room, crossed the boundaries and seeming limitations of an avatar form and gave you a clear insight and remarkable glance into the persons themselves. And in that, in that sharing in that reflection into the passion and love and dedication to what is fashion and modeling and all things creative and positive in this field, that we have waded into hopeful and excited by, that each of them hold, you understood not only why they have become the hallmarks of the profession they have, but you were inspired. Inspired to take in every morsel of shared thought and experience and at least for me, given hope that I too could in time make my own dreams and aspirations, given a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, come true.
In the end I don’t feel I can sum up in written words the feeling I came away with after the visits of Maggie Mahoney CEO and Founder of RUNWAY Magazine and RUNWAY Productions and , Poptart Lilliehook CEO of MODAVIA Fashion Marketing and Ohren Beck CEO of InStyle Fashion Agency and InStyle Modeling Agency. It’s not easy to explain a sense that you get from someone that seems to be more personal then just the words they speak. And to be honest, I am more then a bit concerned with sounding a bit too over superfluous in my comments for fear they may seem insincere. And nothing could be further from the truth. No, each of these women made an impression on me. Earned my continued and deepened respect and were truly inspiring.
Thank you, each of you, for that. Thank you Mimmi Boa and thank you Yasmine Kidd for providing to us all in the Elite class with such a treat. In addition thank you to my fellow classmates who asked such good questions and shared experiences of their very own. I learned something from each and if I should be lucky enough to continue on as I hope to in SL Modeling or should I unfortunately never get a chance to experience the thrill of a show again, or be given the honor to work with these individuals, I will have come away better for the experiences shared with everyone involved. Inspired to be better then I was, and that is a SuperELITE feeling!
- Tiara Calvert -
No comments:
Post a Comment