BEST OF SECOND LIFE PRESS RELEASE
Trunk Show Launches Fashion Icon in Second Life
Trinidad Fashion Designer Meiling Brings Signature Style to Virtual Fashion
Second Life (29 April 2011) – May 1st will mark the launch of globally inspired designs by real world fashion icon Meiling in the virtual world of Second Life. The Trinidad-based designer is renowned for her work in fine linens and natural fabrics as well as her successful fashion lines and cutting edge runway shows.
In addition to Meiling couture and bespoke wedding wear, the designer also owns MSQUARED signature-styled affordable fashions, Meiling resort wear, and Meiling Limited Edition uniforms. In May she takes her innovations digital with a series of events in Second Life that will rock the virtual fashion scene.
Meiling’s designs pair the haunting flavor of the Caribbean with the whimsy of Tokyo street style to create a chic fashion look that channels the artist in everyone.
“Dressing is about a sense of occasion, about feeling special. The relationship between personality and garment is very important,” says Meiling.
Born in Trinidad, Meiling has always had an interest in fashion and began designing as a young girl. After attending the Lucie Clayton School of Design in London, she returned to Trinidad and Tobago to set up her first studio and retail outlet. Today her designs are worn by celebrities such as Chef Wolfgang Puck and former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam.
Meiling’s entry into virtual fashion may well be the first introduction of a Caribbean-based designer in Second Life.
“What makes this so exciting and different is that Meiling’s design can be categorized with the innovative and original talents of Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo, a line that originally started in Japan. With so many designers in SL, we have so little in this category. It will definitely expand our scope of styling to a whole new area,” says spokesperson Chigadee London.
Meiling was one of only two designers in the English-speaking Caribbean to show at the 2010 Plataforma K in Colombia. This year she was invited once again to return to this prestigious South American fashion event as the only designer representing the English-speaking Caribbean at large.
This year she also received the 2011 Women of Influence Award from the Association of Female Executives of Trinidad & Tobago for her innovation and business acumen.
“A major launch of such a great and established real life talent in SL will definitely be major publicity material for SL itself and will raise the importance of SL fashion,” London says. “As we all know, fashion represents a major economic activity in this virtual world and I have high hopes that this launch will contribute to raising SL fashion to a new and higher level.”
Meiling’s May 1st launch in Second Life includes the SLT Meiling Trunk Show and Q&A with media and bloggers at BOSL Country Club beginning at 10 a.m. immediately followed by a grand opening party at her store and then, on the evening of May 7th, a runway show with BLVD Agency. Meiling will also be featured in May 2011 issue BOSL Magazine.
About The Best of SL Magazine
The Best of SL Magazine, founded by publisher Frolic Mills, is one of the leading magazines in Second Life. With a subscriber base of over 80,000 people and hundreds of distributions points around the grid, it is estimated that more than 120,000 people view BOSL Magazine every month. The magazine, run by editor-in-chief Umberto Giano, employs a staff of 37 writers, photographers, and editors, producing articles of interest on topics ranging from fashion to lifestyle and business to biographies. With more than 10,000 hits a week, the magazine's website, http://www.thebosl.com, is fast becoming one of the internet's most popular Second Life-based websites. To obtain an advertising rate card, contact Frolic Mills in-world or Umberto Giano at umberto_giano@yahoo.com.
