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| Credits: http://beatriceserendipity.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/minimalist-style.html |
Bea Serendipity, a model since July 2011, has been one of the top models ever since. She has won many awards and top accolades for her creative styling. She has recently opened a designer store with Warm Clarity, “ghee”. The Miss Virtual United Kingdom does not limit herself to modelling; she has been an enthusiast to raise awareness for women and equality. Inspite of her fame, she is still a humble person. Read more on http://beatriceserendipity.blogspot.co.uk
Debby Sharma: You are one of the
top models in Second Life. With the popularity and appreciation that follows
you, how much does it impact your real life?
Bea
Serendipity: It might surprise you to hear that I
am still thrilled when I am described as a “top model” – it’s not something I
take for granted, I am still excited that people like my work and read my blog
or look at my pictures, in my mind I guess I am still the same person, just someone
who loves fashion, playing dress-up and taking photos in Second Life. I have
never really thought about how it impacts on my real life. I probably spend
more time online than I should sometimes. Of course, nobody in my real life
(apart from my partner, who I met in SL) has any idea of my virtual career, so
in that sense, it has no impact at all. On the other hand, being part of the
fashion community in SL connects me with people from all across the world – and
in that sense, I would say I have a feeling of connectedness that I didn’t have
before SL.
Debby
Sharma: Which other metaverse are you in other than Second Life? And what do
you do in those places?
Bea
Serendipity: I’m not involved in any other virtual worlds yet. I do take a look
from time to time, but I haven’t found anywhere with the scale or quality of
Second Life.
Debby
Sharma: Where do you find the inspiration behind each thematic challenge?
Bea
Serendipity: Usually, when I am given a styling challenge, the first thing I do
is run to Google Images to see what is there…I look for the overall themes,
shapes, colours, textures etc. Then I get to work in SL, looking for pieces
that will work together, with an image in my mind of what I want to achieve. Of
course this can mean many hours trawling through marketplace and my inventory
to find the right items. But often I find that once I have the key elements
together, the rest just flows. Sometimes, it doesn’t work like that, and I just
know straight away what I want to do, based on something from my inventory or
something I’ve seen inworld, rather than any research. It could be a pair of
shoes, an accessory, a dress…but something just gives me a starting point to work
from.
Debby
Sharma: Which is the most favourite costume that you have created or put
together?
That’s a
hard question, because I have loved lots of the looks I’ve created, but perhaps
my favorite is the Avant Garde Fetishist look I created for the Avenue Rivals
casting last year. You can see it here:http://beatriceserendipity.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/avenue-rival-avant-garde-fetishist.html Why
this one? Well, I have a fondness for fetish fashion – tight laced corsetry,
skin tight latex, shiny black leather and impossibly high heels. I was
delighted when this challenge was posted, and it was one of the quickest
stylings I think I’ve done – the whole thing only took a couple of hours. I am
proud of the level of detail in the outfit, the combination of textures and
shapes, the way it does exactly what I wanted it to – takes the architecture of
the female body and exaggerates it in every direction. I can imagine a real
life fetish designer recreating this look.
Debby
Sharma: Do you wear any outfit twice or more? If so, which one and what is your
favourite colour?
Bea
Serendipity: I have a whole lot of more casual looks that I’ve blogged that I
wear again and again. You will often see me around the grid shopping in my most
recent blog post. The more complex, haute couture runway pieces are less likely
to get worn again – which is a pity considering how much effort goes into them!
I like to dress appropriately for the occasion, so I have a few
sweaters/t-shirt and jeans looks that I keep for rehearsals, photo shoots etc.
and I do tend to re-use beachwear looks for beach and pool parties
I love
yellow. I drive a yellow car in real life – it makes me smile when I see it.
Debby
Sharma: Why do you think Fashion Industry is so big in Second life?
Bea
Serendipity: In SL we have relatively unlimited budgets and we have the ability
to create the shapes and appearances we want – so we can live our dreams of
being a fashion icon, a vintage movie star, a doll, a street urchin, whatever
we fancy. And because creators enjoy making stuff for avatars to wear, we have
a huge amount of choice. SL is about fantasy and creativity, and dressing our
avatars is one of the main ways we can all express ourselves in this medium.
Debby
Sharma: What was the motivation or inspiration to start blogging?
Bea
Serendipity: I’d been posting photos on Flickr of outfits I’d put together for
a while (before I even contemplated becoming a model) and people had started
contacting me inworld to ask me where to buy the things I was wearing, so it
made sense to me to start a blog to share that information. It was about that
time I started training as a model as well, and I figured a blog would be a
good way to promote my work, so “Simply Bea” was born! I had no idea I’d still
be at it 3 years later!
Debby
Sharma: What were the motivations behind "SL Say No to Violence"?
Bea
Serendipity: I have been an activist against violence against women for many
years in my real life, and I had always wanted to find a way to translate that
work into SL. When I was in the Miss Virtual World pageant, I realized that I
was in a unique position, with the eyes of so many on me and the other Misses, to
do something that could have some impact. 25th November is UN
Day to End Violence Against Women, and there is activity across the globe to
draw attention to this crucial issue that touches all of us. I spoke with the
other Misses, and asked if they would support the campaign – and they were
overwhelmingly positive about working with me.
We worked on
a video with Cold Media showing images of the Misses with black eyes, bruises
and other injuries along with some basic information about the scale of violence
against women. We got permission from Japanese vocalist Sayulee to use her
beautiful acoustic version of “Oh Mother” as the soundtrack, and we released
the video on 25th November. It had impact because people were
used to seeing the Misses as icons of glamour and beauty.
The video
was shared lots and reached nearly 3,000 people, and others also made their own
photos to support the campaign. I know it won’t have changed the world, but it
did reach people, and the most heartening thing was the messages I received
from survivors of violence thanking me for doing it. If we can do something
positive to give a voice to survivors, then we have achieved something really
important.
Debby
Sharma: Tell us something about "Stand 4 Love".
Bea
Serendipity: Stand 4 Love is a Second Life campaign in support of same sex
marriage, started by Editorial Clarity and Rico Racer Flux. Although I identify
as “straight” I have always felt passionate about gay rights, and the right to
marry is a human right that shouldn’t be denied any consenting adult. Once
again, this was an example of Second Life being a platform to promote a real
life campaign issue to great effect, and I was pleased to be able to add my
voice.
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| Credits: http://beatriceserendipity.blogspot.co.uk/p/s-t-n-d-4-l-o-v-e.html |
Bea
Serendipity: One Billion Rising is a global campaign against violence against
women that focuses on V-Day (Valentine’s Day) and women and men coming together
to dance in protest. In SL, there’s a 24hr dance marathon where people
can I’m a member of the group and a supporter, and I have used my
blog and social networking to promote One Billion Rising in the fashion community.
Debby
Sharma: Will you start your modelling agency in future?
Bea
Serendipity: I am already quite heavily involved in a small agency called “The
Collective” which is really more a group of model friends who enjoy putting on
small shows with less well known designers. I’m also represented by quite a few
agencies already, and there are so many agencies in SL I’m not sure we really
need another one, so probably not. I am considering offering private
consultancy and mentoring for aspiring models though…the problem is, I’m so
busy most of the time it’s hard to find the space to get organized to do
something like that. I’m also taking tentative steps into designing, so watch
this space!
Debby
Sharma: What would you like to tell your fans? Would you like to share
something with young models and fashion bloggers?
Bea
Serendipity: Thank you. I am so grateful to know that there are people who
enjoy my work; it means the world to me, so thank you, from the bottom of my
heart.
When you
start out in this business, it can be tough. You have to develop a thick skin –
be ready for frustrations and disappointments along the way. Don’t expect
instant success – it takes work, and a lot of learning, to hone your skills and
build your brand. Remember that it’s your relationships that will make or break
you as much as your look or styling skills. And have fun. Working as a model
and blogger in SL can be exciting, challenging and rewarding, but you won’t get
rich doing it!
Debby Sharma: How would you define Bea Serendipity in three
words?
Bea
Serendipity: Wow, that is so hard! Ermmmmm……Stylish, Passionate and Classic. Or
Crazy Cat Lady….take your pick :P
Contact
Bea Serendipity:
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/bea.serendipity
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