With all the exciting things going on in Virtual Asia people are starting to take notice. Recently Javabox Kawanishi of Vidal Fashion and Crazy Ibor of Chica Boom sat down with
ProFashion Productions about their fashion lines as well as Virtual Asia.
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Virtual Asia where virtual reality meets real world reality...
Source: ProFashion Productions
ProFashion Productions presents to you Virtual Asia. The developers of Virtual Asia have as their mission to both expose the SL community to the Asian culture/environment as well as to study to see how a virtual society might provide opportunities for economic growth for Asians in real life.
Javabox Kawanishi has been joined by
Crazy Ibor and
Mariadelcarmen Bekkers to make this vision a reality. According to the development team, the shared vision of SL being a force of effective change in real world environments is both exciting and challenging. An existing RL foundation committed to aid those less fortunate in the world economy will be procuring computers and space for people in these lands to work in a virtual world. (In some countries daily wages for 13 hours of hard labor is the equivalent of 250 Lindens). Giving people the opportunity work in SL as greeters, hosts etc. would be a welcome break from current employment. The exciting part is, the sky is the limit in this scenario. Learning photoshop skills, blender skills, scripting skills etc. will not only allow for great income in a virtual world but can translate into needed and marketable skills in real world applications. Some have asked why not give all the money you make on clothes and tiers to a charity helping the same people? A valid question with a powerful answer. If we can show that a concept is self-sustaining through tiers and vendor sales then we create opportunities for replication and sustainability. We know too well people change charities every so often, move on from different projects when they have to be maintained by altruistic means. However, when something pays for itself and becomes bigger than just one person or foundation and can be replicated over and over then it will endure.
Currently the City offers 40 free apartments, hotel rooms, many community events and a number of fun attractions and great photo opportunities. Voice chat is encouraged to establish a more personal feeling amongst visitors and residents. You can visit attractions like Club Chica Boom for partying to great music, the Margarita Lounge to unwind and join in on a karaoke contest, Zo Restaurant to enjoy a night of dinner and jazz, the Orange Cafe for a cup of coffee and a chat with friends, Ralph’s Diner for a burger and milkshake and the City Cinema to catch a movie or show. You can also enjoy concerts, fashion shows, the Face of Virtual Asia contest, City wide hunts, special designer offers, Mandarin Chinese language classes and even scooter races.
At the ProFashion Tokyo fashion show, the designs of Chica Boom, Vidal and one or two others will be presented.
I caught up with Javabox Kawanishi who not only built this amazing destination but who is also the owner/designer of Vidal Designs.
Javabox please tell our readers what brought you to Second Life?
I was searching for new opportunities for my real life company, Virtual Adventures, for a way to present products and services. I was conducting research for a real life client to build a 3D shopping center. I did an Internet search and stumbled upon Second Life. That was actually my second time hearing about Second Life. I had also seen it on Dutch television once. I thought to myself, “Wow, I can fly and build in 3D so I wanted to try it out.”
And how have you kept yourself busy in your time in SL?
Community building, designing clothes, and building cities.
When it comes to clothes design, what would you say are your influences?
Easy to wear, casual and affordable fashion. Also, fun fashion like uniforms, sporty/athletic clothing, and retro dresses.
What can we expect from Vidal at the show?
As Vidal we tried to bring a collection that has something for everyone! The current collection is influenced by vivid colors.
What are your plans for your design brand?
Vidal has been an accessible brand with simple high quality designs. Every quarter, a new collection will be released.
Next under the Microscope is Chica Boom Designs by Crazy Ibor.
Crazy what brought you to Second Life?
I broke my foot while running on the beach one day and was sitting at home. I was driving the girls who work for me in RL crazy by calling them all day for updates and trying to feel like I was still running things. So they got fed up with me and made me this character named Crazy, since I was driving them crazy.
I have been on and off sporadically and used to hang out and listen to music. I trade currencies in RL so I would find places and listen to music and work.
What are your design influences?
CHICA BOOM got started by me making clothes for my avatar. I had a lot of trouble finding men’s clothes I would like to wear, so I started creating my own and realized I had a knack for this. My female friends saw this and started putting in custom orders and then gave me the idea of opening a woman’s fashion store and thus CHICA BOOM was born. I am trying to create a style that is sensual rather than in your face sex, one that exudes class over pretense and gives dignity to the lady wearing it. My inspiration comes from my hometown of Miami Beach Florida where I am trying to infuse the energy, passion and fun vibrancy I see in the boutiques and quite frankly on the women I see on the street each day. I truly enjoy making clothes and strive to hand make everything whenever feasible so when you buy an item from my store you won’t “see yourself coming and going” when you are out and about on the grid.
Please describe what you are presenting for the show?
I am trying to show several different looks. I want to show my street look of jeans and sneakers, artsy corsets and some fashion forward looks.
What are your plans for your design brand?
I will let the brand develop itself. The response has been wonderful so far and we will continue developing one of a kind cuts and textures but look for a fresh bright look for summer, a crisp look for fall, and heavy jeweled color look for winter.
We look forward to seeing you all on the 25th August as ProFashion Productions present the Virtual Asia Tokyo show in collaboration with the owners of Virtual Asia.
You may enjoy your time so much in Virtual Asia, shopping and having fun, that you may just decide to become a resident of the City, to become part of the family, and to help the team achieve their vision and make a difference in the lives of others.
See you all there on Saturday.
Lacy Muircastle
