Anastacia Markova considers Second Life to be
her creative playground, as she has 25 year love of musical theatre and
preforming on stage. Like so many of us
Anastacia started in SL as a DJ at the well-established Franks Jazz Club. Then she moved on to own one of the largest
wedding companies in SL Fanastacia Weddings, now she only does a few custom weddings a year.
Always having a love for expressing her
creative side, this includes being a lover of beauty in all forms. “So it was
only natural that I found my way to model and then continue to find creative
ways to showcase the wonderful designer’s creations that never cease to amaze
me in Sl.”
Since Anastacia has walked her fair share of
runways in SL I had to ask her what does she think of models today and she did
not hold back.
“To be completely honest
- I think some of the older, well-seasoned models are getting a tad bit lazy.
They are forgetting the basic fundamentals of professionalism.Being on time, choosing
correct poses, thinking they are above the need to rehearse. But on the other
hand - there are a lot of wonderful newly graduated, hungry, and extremely
talented models coming in everyday so that always excite me. At Opium, we have
always been one of the only companies that welcome and embrace new models. It means we have to sometimes work harder
with the new models but everyone had to start somewhere and how will they get
better if they don’t have any experience. It’s always been my thought.”
What or who came to my mind for being a notorious
supermodels is Naomi Cambell, who was
charged with assault in 2006 for cracking her housekeeper in the head with a
phone, and Estalla Warren who in 2011
was arrested in LA for suspected DUI
after crashing her car into three others.
Thankfully, though in SL one is not able to conceive such havoc! Instead as Anastacia stated: “They have done so many shows that they feel
it’s so easy now, but Opium shows are far from easy because we incorporate much
more than a simple runway walk.”
Anastacia explains further: “We have recently shifted from being a SL
fashion Agency to expanding to become a full blown Production House. “ As Opium’s’ original owner Mallory Luke
handed the reins to Anastacia and she wanted to add some excitement and
entertain people. Thus began Opium Tales,
where they have continued to shift and change their productions as other
agencies attempt to imitate.
“So when the decision came to expand to a
full production house recently, it just seemed natural to loosen the binds we
had on us to only do fashion shows. We hope in the future to delve into theater
fully and even do full sim and multi sim expos and what not.”
I had to ask if that is how the Hunger Games
production came about, but as it turns out it was a “project I knew they could
and did do very well as the clothing styles were fun to work with as well. It just seemed natural to loosen the binds we
had on us to only do fashion shows.”
Mainly designers hire Opium Evolution
Production House to showcase their new collections, and “It usually takes 3
months from thought to fruition to do such elaborate productions. We don’t really do simple runway shows much
anymore but our events usually last 7-10 days.”
Astonished at the thought of making an event like this…. “There is so much
more to do then anyone realizes. Every
little special effect..several scene sets.. booking designers, tending to
designers.. choreography the list goes on and on. And since we all have full time rl jobs as
well that takes priority we choose to work slower and actually enjoy it!”
I wondered if all project ideas are hers or collaboration? “A mixture of both, sometimes I have a sole
idea and I bring it to the producers and we elaborate on it, and sometimes
others have an idea and we all elaborate on it.
When I have a vision for a production it is very clear and making that
vision come to life and work within the boundaries of SL can be challenging. So we try to keep to projects that we know
will be a wow factor! We have a great,
yet small production team we work great together, like a family and that is how
we like to work.”
Do you think the traditional runway shows
will disappear for at least awhile? “Well, they say Imitation is the sincerest
form of flattery. As long as we do it first, I am ok with others copying our
effects and ideas. I do know that Opium, long ago, helped change the way
Fashion was presented in SL. From days of boring old runway shows that drag on
and have no substance, to setting the bar for other agencies to follow. Guests
want to be entertained. And we strive to do just that. I think there is room for all types of runway
shows in SL. I think each agency should find their niche, and keep it. Like Opium always has. We haven’t strayed; we
have always done these productions. I think you cannot be truly good at
something unless you make it your own, and keep on until you perfect it. I hope
normal runway shows will continue, even though it seems a lot of agencies are
following our lead lately, it seems most have completely steered away from the
glamour and fun of mirroring rl runway shows.
I just think there is room for all types of fashion shows in Sl. I wish
more would see that and build on their own creativity instead of looking to
others to do it for them.”
Anastacia and her crew have definitely
elevated Second Life’s fashion world as this October will mark their five year
anniversary! “We do have several
designers that are always happy to participate in our events. But I do also
love finding new up and coming designers as well!”
As we see in everyday Second Life the shapes
of avatars are changing for women and men are becoming more and more conscious
too I had to ask will we see models with attached breasts and bottoms, with
facial expressions and ready-made avatars?
“Oh no.. at Opium we insist they update their avis every 6 months to
stay current and cutting edge. Most models would never wear a ready-made shape
.skin they most always, (we encourage) tweak or make their own shapes to stay
innovative, maybe if a scene calls for facial expression, but not in everyday
use.”
Currently Anastacia and her team are taking a
well-deserved break after having 3 productions in a row. As Anastacia said “Yes! Fun is the key
element in enjoying life!”
Opium Evolutiony & Academy
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