The Fashion Research Institute is pleased to offer a special incubation program for emerging avatar apparel designers in Second Life. Our 6-month-long program is offered free of charge to our selected designers, who receive as part of the incubation program a small store front in our marketplace on Shengri La, a small prim allotment, weekly tutorials about developing an avatar apparel business in Second Life, use of our catwalk facilities, and regular face-to-face meetings with our program curator, Michele Hyacinth, and the head of the program, noted fashion designer (RL and SL) Shenlei Winkler/Shenlei Flasheart.
The program helps new and emerging designers take their apparel, accessories or footwear lines to the next level, whatever the next level is for them. Working closely with the curator and program head, designers learn how to streamline their design process, how to tighten quality controls, how to put into use quick tips that can help them increase sales and visibility dramatically. Although we cannot promise that accepted designers will experience any particular results from the program, designers with talent and willingness to work at developing their craft have historically shown both qualitative and quantitative results.
There is no charge to apply, and no charge to selected designers to participate in the incubator program. Designers continue to be responsible for their own upload and development costs as well as any of their current or future game-related charges.
The program is highly selective and, just like in applying to any RL design program, the application does require that a designer show talent, skill, and a commitment to improving their craft. The end results are directly related to how much effort a designer puts into the program. Designers must already be familiar with their tools of creation, as no tutalage is available for offline programs.
While no particular 'style' is preferred, we do not accept designers of hair or skin, nor designers of anything other than clothing (apparel), shoes/boots (footwear) or jewelry and other accessories. Also, because Shengri La is a PG-related sim, we can not accept applications from designers whose work is intended for the adult entertainment market.
Interested designers are encouraged to visit Shengri La and pick up details and specifics about applying, or send a notecard to Michele Hyacinth with their av name, date of rez, brief description of their current line, and their vision for where they'd like to take their line. Include as well several preferred contact times, any LMs for current store spaces, and 3-4 images of your current work. Please give Ms. Hyacinth 4-5 days to respond to your query.