L'Amour Diversity Magazine Iss 7 Aug 2016

ISSUE 7, AUGUST 2016

Celebrating uniqueness not trends!

L’Amour CEO Ava Jhamin celebrates a Diversity milestone!

Rock Your Rack Interview (Pg 16)

Back to School Pictorial (Pg 28)

I Stand for Peace Challenge (Pg 74)

MMI Masquerade Ball (Pg 90)

Publisher/Editor’s Note

dedicated to me and to this magazine that you are. You honor me Sita and I am very glad you’re part of the L’Amour Diversity family.

Alex Avion - Thank you for stepping up and taking pictures basically for anything that I have asked for. It means a lot when I know how busy you can be with your own work.

I thank you Mr. Avion for being a part of the L’Amour team.

WOW! L’Amour Diversity Magazine hit the one-year mark. As I reflect on the last year I think the biggest thing that comes to mind is incredible teamwork.

I want to take a few minutes to thank the staff of L’Amour Diversity. As I reflect on the last year, I’m filled with both joy and pride, and I look forward to the upcoming year and what it brings for the family at L’Amour. I feel truly blessed for all that I have with my Second Life families.

Sita Writer - Thank you thank you.

I know with real life and your work schedule how hard it can be for you sometimes. I thank you for how

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Genesis Moralez - You are an incredible talent Genesis, not only as a photographer but I think everything that you touch turns to gold. I have had the pleasure of working with you not only for Diversity Magazine but for L’Amour in general and you are a piece of the puzzle that is L’Amour that I hope stays in the big picture for years to come. Thank you G. Rhiannon Colclough - To me you will always be my Rhi Rhi. I have seen you grow and seen you come full force into your creativity. What I love about you most is the fact that you are a steamroller and go full force 24/7. You wear your heart on your sleeves and write about things you are passionate about. Thank you for sometimes being the only one to make a meeting where we are fast but beyond productive.

Ahn Avion - I look at the staff like one big heart, you’re one of the main

ventricles, and along with your heart Alex, I have also seen you grow as a writer, a poet, an amazing human being. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of the L’Amour family. You know there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you and Alex.

Trinity Aironaut - Ok tears whewwww...I don’t even know where to begin. I have been through a lot in the last year and you were right there beside me showing me what true friends are. You have dealt with a lot in real life Trinity and you still found the time to come in world and take the most amazing pictures of the L’Amour Models for different and fun editorial shoots. I love putting our heads together and coming up with incredible venues for you to shoot in.

You also have done on your own with the models and your creative and friendship will never cease to amaze me. Thank you Trinity.

And last but not least Jena Adder...

OMG my right hand without a doubt.

You Jena are the yin to my yang, the southern comfort of my days. I didn’t think I would make it when you were gone on vacation for a month, but I did and all I wanted was to be prepared for your energy in getting this one year anniversary issue out.

You inspire me Jena and you are my brain, my logic, my conscious when I don’t have one. I can say for me Continued next page...

Celebrating uniqueness not trends!

ISSUE 7, AUGUST 2016 STAFF PUBLISHER/EDITOR Ava Jhamin CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jena Adder WRITERS Ahn Avion, Ava Jhamin, Jena Adder, Rhiannon Colclough, Sita Writer CONTRIBUTING WRITER AriannaJasmine PHOTOGRAPHERS Alex Avion, Ava Jhamin, Jena Adder, OnlyGenesis, Rhiannon Colclough, Trinity Aironaut DIVERSITY MODELS Ava Jhamin, Bai Nigtfire, Cyberdawg Foxclaw, Jena Adder, Sita Writer, Tony Lee Desrosiers (dragonguyuk), Trinity Aironaut, VanessaDelRio Underwood, Vichonette Constantine ON THE COVER L’Amour CEO Ava Jhamin Photo by Jena Adder The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher. ©2016 L’Amour Productions. All rights reserved.

Second Life® is a registered trademark of L’Amour Diversity Magazine | Issue 7, August 2016 Linden Research, Inc.

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L’Amour Diversity would not be the same without you. Thank you for making L’Amour Diversity Magazine the most beautiful on the grid. Thank you for stepping up writing, editing, taking pictures...anything to meet the deadline.

And last but never least thank you to all of the advertisers who have stepped up to be part of the Diversity family also.

Read about L’Amour Production’s amazing “Night of The Geisha’s” fashion show, L’Amour Productions also did an amazing Kids show with MK Design and my dear friend Allie of Unique Visions.

More with the 29th and 30th Pazzo Style Challenge. And much much more.

We have an amazing anniversary issue for the readers this month: Human Lives Matter says it all. I want the world to change the perception of race being any part of it. I know it’s going to take work and I do feel in my heart one person at a time. Let’s make it all about all of the world as a whole and stop segregating ourselves.

Enjoy the world of Wren Noir’s VISIONAIRE and her new cause with the CEO and creator of I Stand for Peace GoodCross Resident.

Visit with Jamee Sandalwood of Model’s Giving Back and get ready for their wonderful Rock Your Rack fashion week for charity.

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Don’t forget to join ISSUU and follow and like L’Amour Diversity Magazine.

Also visit lamourproductions.org to stay up-to-date with all that is L’Amour.

n i m a h J Ava Ava Jhamin CEO Publisher/Editor L’Amour Diversity Magazine

Contents

16 Spotlight - Jamee Sandalwood & RYR

Interview with Jamee Sandalwood

CEO of Model’s Giving Back and Founder of the Rock Your Rack event.

28 Special Feature - Back to School

The L’Amour Diversity Magazine

Models suit up in their Back-to-School threads for a fun pictorial by Trinity Aironaut.

46 Let Out Your Inner Child - Having a Day In the Park with L’Amour and MK Designs.

54 Happy One Year Anniversary Diversity L’Amour CEO Ava Jhamin celebrates

a Diversity milestone and highlights some of our most compelling stories.

66 Community - Human Lives Matter

Ava Jhamin looks at the big picture

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of a controversial issue that plagues communities and the police.

Issue 7, August 2016 | L’Amour Diversity Magazine

74 Arts & Entertainment - I Stand for PEACE An interview with WrenNoir Cerise

and GoodCross about the “I Stand for Peace” project.

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A Bit About VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE WrenNoir Cerise discusses her school.

90 Fashion - MMI Masquerade Ball

AriannaJasmine writes about the

fun time had by all at the recent MMI Masquerade Ball on July 30th.

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Magic and Mystery of the Orient: Spending a Night with the Geishas and L’Amour

29th & 30th PAZZO Style Challenge winners

104 110

If The Shoe Fits - addressing the controversy around mesh template exclusives.

112 Role Play - Living in a Fantasy World Jena Adder tells her story about

her world of fantasy and how it has changed for the good and not so good.

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Jamee Sandalwood - CEO of Model’s Giving Back and Founder of the annual Rock Your Rack charity event.

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Spotlight

Rocking the Questions with Jamee Sandalwood

By Ava Jhamin There are not a lot of people in SL that I truly look up to and think now this is an amazing human being.

Jamee Sandalwood is one of these people. I think her tireless effort for Rock Your Rack and the amazing charity work has set her apart from most.

I sat down with Jamee to find out from the woman herself where her passion for charity comes from and what is the driving force behind this woman who in SL is Jamee Sandalwood.

Ava: Hi Jamee. Again I always find it interesting to see how people first came to Second Life. So tell us how did you first come to SL? Jamee: I began my Second Life in May of 2009, after a RL friend introduced me to the social aspect of the virtual world and helped me get started.

Ava: Tell the Readers what you did when you first entered SL?

Jamee: Over the last seven years in SL I have explored, role played, held several jobs, met so many fascinating people I would never have met otherwise, and landed in my identity of fashion model and advocate for charitable causes through SL modeling.

It wasn’t long after joining SL that I discovered my two passions in SL Fashion and Music and my path was created to lead to where I am today.

Ava: What are two things you love about SL and two things you don’t like?

Continued next page...

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Jamee: There are a couple of things I love about SL. The first is the ability to do things that I could never do in RL such as modeling. I love modeling in SL and love that I can combine my RL teaching job with modeling. The other thing I really love about SL is meeting people from around the world that I would never have the chance to meet otherwise. I have learned a lot about their cultures and traditions along the way and it has really given me the appreciation for others in new ways. This actually helps me with my teaching career in RL as well.

Things I don’t really care for in SL are drama and people who have to try and steal from others just like in RL. I don’t want to focus on the negative here, so let’s just leave it at that.

Ava: I agree Jamee so we are going to go ahead and just move it on down the road. LOL!

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What is one thing that you can be found doing in your RL when your are away from your grind in SL work.

Jamee: One of my favorite things to do is to be out in the forest or on the bay near my home. Being outside in the forest, especially with my RL students is so much fun. I also scrapbook when I have time.

Ava: For our readers who don’t know, give us some background on Models Giving Back?

Jamee: Models Giving Back is an agency of professional, certified Second Life models who give of their time and talents to raise funds for legitimate and verified SL and RL charities.

Models Giving Back was founded in October of 2012 by me after a previous agency dedicated to charity work was forced to close due to the owner leaving Second Life. I felt the work that was being done needed to be continued and set out to lead the models that were already a part of the former agency into new and bigger endeavors at the newly created Models Giving Back.

To date the agency has partnered with dozens of designers and provided models for runway, print and other

that I hold near and dear to my heart and that is the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and we are endorsed by them in our fundraising efforts. Any other charities we support in a year depend on what is going on around the world and in SL as far as who asks us to partner with them. Again, we only will if the charity is verified first.

Ava: As a two-time cancer survivor and an advocate of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, who I have worked with in roll for over 25 years, I love this charity with all my heart

“

We have our main charity that is the same one every year since it is one that I hold near and dear to my heart and that is the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

”

functions that support charities around SL. Rock Your Rack is also my creation and is owned exclusively by Models Giving Back in Second Life.

Ava: Can you tell me how you pick the charities that you decide to give to in any given year?

Jamee: Any charity we partner with has to be a legitimate, documented RL charity. They also need to have a charity rating of at least 90 per cent.

We have our main charity that is the same one every year since it is one

also Jamee, and am very proud of all that you have done with your work for them.

Can you also tell us what is in store for Rock Your Rack 2016.

Jamee: As of this moment, the 4th annual Rock Your Rack event is planned for October 1, 2016 - October 16, 2016 and will feature 52 designers, 25 bloggers, 9 Fashion Shows, 18 DJ’s, 3 huge tribute concerts, 4 live musicians, and 23 artists. We will have shopping, a 10L hunt, an art show, art auction, fashion silent auction, Continued next page...

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DJ Dance Parties and live musical performances. There is a schedule of events on the RYR website. This is also where photos of exclusives, the hunt items and silent auction items will be posted, so everyone should keep this site bookmarked!

Ava: I know that Models Giving Back just had a big casting. How did it go and were you able to find some rocking models to add to the Models Giving Back team?

Jamee: It was a very successful casting. We had over 20 models cast to join the MGB Team. We were so pleased with the efforts we saw from the candidates that some of the

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choices came down to small things that made the difference from a Yes to a No. We were able to offer model positions to five of the people that casted and are so thrilled to have those five new members to our Team. We don’t keep a huge team, but instead we want to make sure everyone is participating in the things we are involved in. So to become a part of the model team is a huge thing. We try to cast twice a year, so those interested should watch for the next casting sometime in the winter.

Ava: What are your goals with Rock Your Rack for the 2016 season Jamee?

Jamee: We would like to beat our donation from last year to the NBCF. So we are shooting for a minimum of $2600USD to be our donation amount when all is said and done this year.

Ava: Where do you see the modeling industry on a whole in the next five years?

Jamee: Boy, that’s a tough one. I’ve seen so many changes in the industry over the past seven years.

Most of the changes come with changes in technology, yet some things are coming back full circle again just in a new way.

I think we will go away from this Event centered atmosphere that we have right now to something new that will come along and we as models will have to change and adapt as we always do. Those of us who have managed to stay working in SL modeling have always had to change and adapt to new things, and the future will be no different.

Ava: If you could give advice to someone wanting to be part of Models Giving Back what would that be?

Jamee: Practice, Practice, Practice and Practice more. Little errors in prim placement, pose choice and Continued next page...

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not walking the correct routine will keep someone from making it into MGB. We also consider reputation very seriously as well. We cannot take any risk on anyone that could potentially reflect a negative light on our Agency. Our reputation is what

“

Ava: Can you leave our readers with one thing that they may not know about you.

Jamee: I met my RL husband here in SL while I was working at Good Vibe Acoustic Lounge as their club

Reputation is always the thing that matters most - more than styling ability or modeling skills.

”

allows us to do all the positive charity work we are able to accomplish and we take that very seriously.

If my team cannot work with a candidate for any reason, they will not be part of MGB. My team helps with all the castings and their comments, opinions matter to me.

Ava: If you could give advice to all upcoming models on SL, what would you tell them?

Jamee: Hard work, lots of practice and experience are what will get you where you want to be. Drive and desire have to be there, but you have to learn, gain experience and work hard to be able to stay in SL modeling for the long haul. Oh, and stay out of the drama. Reputation is always the thing that matters most - more than styling ability or modeling skills.

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manager. Working the SL music scene is what gave me the idea to combine music and fashion into the original Rock Your Rack event.

Ava: Thank you so much for sitting down with me Jamee. You’re not only an inspiration to so many, but you’re just a wonderful human being.

Thank you.

Jamee: Thank you L’Amour Diversity for having me here. n

For more info on the Rock Your Rack event visit the Rock Your Rack website

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I would like to thank Belle Roussel, CEO Chop Zuey, for always being there for me with anything that I have ever done. Thank you Belle for your friendship and working relationship. You are the bomb diggenest lady. And also thank you for your belief in me and for being my shoulder and I yours. –Ava Jhamin

THE ‘STUFF GROUPS PRESENT THE

WOMENSTUFF HUNT! WHEN:

August 1st - 31st, 2016 WHAT:

150 stores featuring women’s clothing and accessories PRICE:

$0L - $1L (some are free, some are $1L) Hints and hunt object can be found at http://womenstuff.stuff-sl.com/hunters/ BLOG: http://womenstuff.stuff-sl.com/latest-news/

In what has become a Second Life tradition of hunts, the Womenstuff Hunt is at it again! We have gathered 150 designers from around the grid that have graciously given their time and talents to provide women’s clothing and accessories for no more than $1L each. There are even a couple of stores that are offering more than 1 gift to hunters - how cool is that?!

As if that wasn’t enough, 77 of the 150 designers have an EXCLUSIVE gift to offer hunters! That’s more than half! To see a listing of stores, hints, and exclusives, go here: http://womenstuff.stuff-sl.com/hunters/ We also have a blog of the exclusives that can be found here: http://womenstuff.stuff-sl.com/latest-news/ You do NOT need to be a member of Womenstuff to enjoy the hunt though it does help to join the group so that you can ask and learn about additional hints in case you get stuck. There is a $50L join fee but, with that fee, you get complete access to our ‘stuff Lounge that has FREE gifts for members of the various ‘stuff groups: Womenstuff (84 gifts), Menstuff (42 gifts), Homestuff (42 gifts), Posestuff, and Kidstuff. You can join the group here: secondlife:///app/group/533f32b3-b937-8680-a1aa-0813cc3af4b8/about HOPE TO SEE YOU HUNTING!

Ahn Avion (skintrader.greyskin) - owner Alex Avion (alexavion) - manager Sangi Phaeton - manager AmandaSue Hallison - blogger Aquarius Viper - blogger Shelmark - blogger

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Back To School Feature

Back to School with The Diversity Models Story by Ava Jhamin Photos by Trinity Aironaut L’Amour Diversity Magazine | Issue 7, August 2016

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As parents we all know that our kids as well as all kids have to be the coolest, hippest kids when they return to school.

I thought how fun would it be to bring that hectic fun time to Second Life as an Editorial piece of fun fun fun.

The Diversity Models are no different than our RL kids. So let’s break down this amazing class of students and why they’re the hippest on the grid.

L’Amour brings you back way back with Back to School, L’Amour University Style...a time when as a teenager you were left with your heart pumping and nervous about the first day of school.

But you hoped and prayed that you would be the most stylish one there.

I brought the amazing L’Amour Diversity Models together once again for your fashion pleasure.

Continued next page...

Ahn Avion wears hair by Dura Boys & Girls #25, Letterman jacket by Meli Imako, Jeans by Turner Artist for Redgrave. He finishes his look with a tank by Gabriel and shoes by ILLI called Gohan Chucks.

Ahn is the class clown with his paternal twin Alex. They are the ones all the girls want but they wont have anything to do with any of the girls. They only like to be around each other.

Alex Avion takes the halls by storm wearing the Mortality Clash tank, suitcoat and pants by Brocade Tiger called Carlos.

Shoes are by Manuel Monk, and his own ruler to rule the school by BGF. Alex is always with Ahn and they own the school and they know it.

They are the ones all the girls want and all the boys aspire to be.

Ava Jhamin is the dark one of the class. She keeps to herself most of the time and has a major crush on all the boys of L’Amour University. She wears AVid Moonlight Set and pairs it with the Anime School Girl shirt and layered skirt, Hilly Haalan Super High Bootie in pink and the sYs Collette hair. She finishes the look with Collect eye glasses and Flack umbrella that she put on back of her chair.

Vichonette Constantine is the last of the hip girls of L’Amour University of Fashion She wears an open white shirt female version

by Kauna Mesh Fashion, pleated skirt by Alyce, bra top from Chanchal Lingere in onyx by Zaara (Maitreya applier) Shoes and socks Miss Mary Jane Vintage/White with Bows N Butterflies, tie by Never Ever. She finishes her back to school look with Jewelry ruby and onyx, Elegant Ending and hair No School

by No Match. VIchonette doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her, she knows she does as she pleases and only one she even likes in the school is Vanessa.

VanessaDelRio is the bad girl that all the girls want to be, but also has brains. She wears the AVALE Dolly Basic top, the Alyce Customizable ruffle skirt, AviVandi Fish net tights Omega. She finishes her back to school with the PIXICAT Lip Bag. You can always find Vanessa and Vich plotting on who they will torture next with there quick wits and sharp tongues.

Maxtor Frisk is the boy all the girls want but can never have. Maxtor wears a shirt from [ZD] called Curtis Mesh Shirt & Waistcoat, jeans by Kal Ral and shoes

by Black Unicorn. Max being the studious good looking one also wears specs by RO with Talamasca Frames, and never leaves home without his Blow up bubble gum.

Tony Lee Desrosiers (dragonguyuk) is the Fonzie of the class but in a Richie nerdy way. He wears a shirt and vest from :: K:: Terry Tops Homme, pants from COCO Homme Tailored pants in blacks, shoes Gohan Chucks for ILLI. Tony finishes his look with glasses from SORGO Gawd shades and a watch from Kunst. the schism watch. He knows when he comes into class that all the girls are going to be right there just being in the Fonz’s presence. n

Back To School Feature

Let Out Your Inner Child Having a Day In the Park with L’Amour

By Rhiannon Colclough

OK, in the interest of full disclosure, I’ve never really been able to quite get into the whole child avi thing.

Oh, it’s not that I don’t think they should exist, or anything like that; I think they’re fine, just not for me.

But then I was invited to a show by L’Amour Productions, named A Day In The Park and featuring kid avi models...and I’m seeing more and more the appeal of being a child!

The setting, of course, was perfect for evoking the magical fun of childhood, looking like a perfect, sunny park, including picnic tables with tablecloths and floral

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arrangements staggered out along a stone path that wended its way through flowering trees, flower groupings and a pond.

There was even a kid area with playground equipment!

The models for this delightful afternoon show were: • Saori Kidd Rey, • Kijote, • Kiley Mangafico, • Bai Nightfire, and • Molly Tabitha Stakz­Kemp.

ZeeZee Zaris was the model director, and Ava Jhamin, the CEO of L’Amour, was the hostess.

Allie Hamilton from Unique Visions, was very excited to be doing the first Child Avi show with L’Amour Productions. Now since the featured designer was MK Design’s Harrison

Nelson­McKenzie, who is, as Ava reminded the audience, “only 5 years old,” the models were also kid avis. And since the models were given leeway to determine their own accessories, the models had a variety of accessories: balloon toys,

pets, hats, hoods, pogo sticks, hobby horses, paddle balls, yo-yos, etc. The models’ poses and walks were so carefree and fun as well ­I am telling you, you have not lived until you have seen a model skipping down a catwalk!

The walkway was even consistent with the theme, a stone path meandering through the picnic tables and around the small pond. I love the idea of a catwalk going through the audience; it gives the audience an equal chance to enjoy the show and makes the show seem so much more natural. I think the other audience members agreed, as the show was well­attended; all seemed to enjoy the show and looking at the children being carefree and enjoying themselves.

Continued next page...

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The models ranged in age from around 5 to the tween years, and the clothing was all what kids would pick for themselves if they didn’t have pesky adults putting them in dress clothes and such: superhero costumes, sweats, halter tops, shorts, jeans, t­-shirts, suspenders and jumpers and other fun­ type togs. It was all the kind of clothing that you can just pull on and then go run out to play ­cause time is for playing, not wasting it picking out clothing!

The audience, mainly consisting of parents of SL kids, absolutely loved the show and I overheard many asking, “Where can we find these clothes? Do you have a LM?” Just another successful day at one of the most original ­and busy­modeling agencies in SL. I know I had a lot of fun... and yeah, I might sometime consider putting on a kid avi and letting my inner child out! At least I know a great place to shop...! n

Links & Location: MK Designs MarketPlace MK Designs Inworld

CH O P ZU EY

VENDOR PICTURE C O MP E TI TI O N Open to all models Male/Female of L’Amour Productions, L’Amour University of Fashion Models/Graduates, MMI Models, Chop Zuey Models and Chop Zuey Bloggers.

The winner of the themed contest will win an ad, picture taken

by Belle Roussel of Chop Zuey. The picture taken by Chop Zuey will remain the property of Chop Zuey and the winner will get a copy for her/his portfolio.

This contest happens every other month. The next one will be October 2016 then December 2016. Watch for details.

You don’t want to miss being part of what most models in Second Life aspire to do.

Ava Jhamin CEO L’Amour Productions Chop Zuey Blogger Manager

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Anniversary Feature

A Year In The Life of L’Amour Diversity Magazine

By Ava Jhamin I can’t even believe that L’Amour Diversity is a year old. How the time flies when you’re having fun, dealing with controversial issues and just putting it out there?

What a year we have had!!!! I am going to give a retrospect of a year in the life of L’Amour Diversity Magazine.

We have prided ourselves at L’Amour Diversity Magazine to continue Celebrating Uniqueness Not Trends. I remember the first issue and Solde Romany did two things she had never done: publish a magazine, which she really wanted to do it; and she really wanted Steele Sirnah on the cover. I told Solde ok I will get Steele. I don’t think she believed me so when we got Steele, it was like a kid meeting her first movie star. Steele did the first cover along with other models to show diversity in styling, personality and lifestyle. This diversity has

been the backbone of L’Amour Diversity Magazine.

Way back already a year ago, Solde Rothmanay was the Editor in Chief. Writers were Lillain Howley, Memphis Wulluf, Bai Nightfire, Starr Magic and Rudhmellwen Lagura. We’ve made many changes since: the Publisher/Editor is now myself, Jena Adder our Creative Director, Trinity Aironaut our Fashion Editor and writers include, Rhiannon Colclough, Bai Nightfire, Ahn Avion, Jena and myself. Photographers are Alex Avion, Genesis Moralez, Trinity Aironaut, Jena and myself.

We have over the last year covered a diverse (yes pun) array of stories from, Transgender to being able to be a woman or man and portray the opposite sex on Second Life in the I am who I am series with Adonis Hansome and Crista Wellens.

L’Amour Diversity Magazine | Issue 7, August 2016 Continued next page...

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We had Second Life stores of couples falling in love that were the same sex and heterosexual. I do believe in love and I know of story after story of those that have found it on Second Life. We have covered the Syrian Refugees with an interview with a dear friend of mine who was also one of the refugees. This one touched my heart in ways I can’t explain other than to say they are people just like you and me. Get to know this before you judge them. We dealt with controversy over the Playboy of Second Life Foth and well let’s just say again people anyone can do anything in Second Life and no one should judge others...and gladly on this topic for me, for foth and all involved, it’s done.

We had the October issue of Diversity blocked, which was our Halloween issue. Ok lesson learned...do not have the Publisher (me) cutting off the head of anyone

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even if it is Halloween LOL. The L’Amour Diversity Models bless these peeps were born out of a necessity and hand chosen by me for Editorial layouts that were the brain child of myself and the amazing Trinity Aironaut.

We started with the Animal Couture editorial and we have since then done Outrageous Sweaters, Weddings with A Twist, Bikini’s Around The World, and of course the August issue Back To School with the Models of L’Amour Diversity.

I would like to at this time thank all of the L’Amour Diversity Models: Bai Nightfire, Ahn Avion, Alex Avion, Maxtor Frisk, Sita Writer, Cyberdawg Foxclaw, Trinity Airnaut, And our newest additions, Tony Lee Desroslers, VanessaDelRio Underwood and Vichonette Constantine.

We also had the pleasure of having from the beginning Sita Writer covering a lot of fashion stories, such as Zed Sensations, Jumo, and Zuri. I am honored to have Sita aboard and take great pride in her relationship with designers and her amazing contributions to L’Amour Diversity. I love brainstorming with her for what we want to do in each issue.

We have had the honor of covering an array of designers in Second Life for L’Amour Diversity, such as, Kimmera Madison, Styles by Danielle (who also did our Wedding issue) Perfections, Tracei, Prism, Bohemian Gypsy, Modern Living, Jumo, Tres Beau, Wicca’s Wardrobe, Zuri, Nouvell Aube, Bad Cat Custom Cars, and MK Designs (a children’s line of clothing that L’Amour Productions proudly did a kids show for in July that was beyond great fun).

Diversity has also interviewed many wonderful artists in Second Life, including singer Pink Vampire, Kiki’s Burlesque dancers, performer/ choreographer BabypeaVonPhoenix Bikergrrl, performer Chandra Meehan of Lady Garden Cabaret, The Little Prince Producer Xavier Thiebaud and Director Andy Loon, singer Toxic Darkmatter, and Frankx Lefavre (we had a few interviews with this amazing artist and visionary).

We featured some amazing sims and brought you intriguing stories in our Role Play section of Diversity, including Oasis of Two Scimitars,

L’Amour Diversity Magazine | Issue 7, August 2016 Continued next page...

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I have been through a lot since you came on board (some hard, some funny, some just plain stupid­), but in the end we have each other’s back. And I am getting better at promoting myself—see Jena look above...giggles.

Atol Tel Ma’at and Briarhaven sims; and Ahn Avion teased our imagination with his fictional story “The Window Between Worlds - A Story of Secret Lovers).

I have to conclude this beautiful year with a personal word to my Creative Director, Jena Adder. I would not be who I am in so many ways Jena, if it had not been for you. You have been my rock on Second Life as well as my real life.

Your creativity always amazes me, and I’m glad that I get to be part of your world of creative. You and

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And last but not least thank you Trinity Aironaut for again being the creative that pulls this magazine together month after month. You inspire my creativity and you are a friend in the truest sense of what a friend is. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To the staff of L’Amour Diversity (crying), two thumbs up for the best staff a Publisher/Editor could ever ask for. And RhiRhi thank you for all of the meetings that it was just you and me (wink). And always finish with if it wasn’t for all of you, I wouldn’t get to be and do the things I do so THANK YOU! n

OFFBEAT ENTERTAINMENT cordially invites you to their upcoming CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA, a Linden Labs Verified Event that will be held from Sunday November 27th - Sunday December 4th.

We will have some exciting events for the entire family throughout the week including The Looking Glass Tribute Band performing as the rock legends QUEEN on Wednesday November 30th at 8 am.

Our extravaganza will kick off November 27th at 8 am slt and will house 20 amazing vendors that will provide some wonderful items for your holiday shopping needs.

Proceeds from the event will go to the victims of the Orlando, Florida tragedies families and Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids.

We are looking for sponsors, advertisers, entertainment, and vendors. Read below.

For a full list of events, sponsors, etc please visit our website http://offbeattv.webs.com/ Our Christmas Extravaganza will be a week long event that will run from November 27th - December 4th. We are hoping to feature vendors, live events, and holiday themed movies.

We will have give aways and a ton of surprises and maybe a special guest fresh off of his trip around the world.

Vendors will receive a booth to decorate and will be able to set up their merchandise.

We will be offering small booths and large booths (size and dimensions of the booth to be determined).

We are offering vendor space at a discount until November 15th, 2016. A small booth will cost $200L, 25 prims for the entire week and a large booth will cost $400L, 50 prims for the entire week.

Advertisers, we would be thrilled to do a cross promotion with your business. If you are interested in advertising our Christmas Extravaganza we would love to place and ad for your company at our festival and on our website.

Performers will receive 100% of their tips whether you are a theatre troupe, singer, etc. and will also receive $2000L from OFFBEAT TV. Bloggers, we will send you all press releases, photos, etc to your e-mail address.

Anyone and everyone performing, sponsoring or blogging will be listed in all press releases, etc.

You may buy your 600L ticket here.

Thank you again, Kyle Burum L’Amour Diversity Magazine | Issue 7, August 2016

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Community

Human Lives Matter

By Ava Jhamin I want to start off this story with the fact that I do not see color when I am dealing with friends, family or anyone for that matter. I see human beings and all of us MATTER. I am not saying that bad doesn’t happen within races...that would be stupid on my part, but I do believe that bad happens within all races.

I take people as individuals with there own minds, thoughts and debates. It is people that make the choice to run, to rob, to do nasty. I understand that there is frustration with a lot of people, but I do know also that if I was stopped by a police officer for any reason I would do exactly what they told me to do.

I would not care what race that police officer is, but I was also taught at a very young age to respect the police and what they

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do on a whole for the community.

I don’t care what color a person’s skin is. Police are the authority and as such if you do not do exactly as you are told then you will pay the consequences for “YOUR” actions.

Police put their lives in danger every time they go out on the streets.

Their pay sucks and I know this because I have friends on the LAPD that for the most part they do it because they truly care.

When all of the crazy happened in Texas, two things stuck in my mind: 1) never should people take matters into their own hands and

2) Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

I get the frustration of the people, but no one has the right to take matters into their own hands. That makes us barbaric and not nice people. If you in reality look closely at the statistics, it is not what most think, but you don’t see me out there playing the “race card”. God did not create us to be a hateful, mean, angry people. He created human beings end of story.

I could post all of the stats but why? I think what all of us have to understand is that crime is up and

down, and until we get control over guns and all of it we’re going to be the United States of a hot fucking American mess. If you look

at the UK not even police officers are allowed to carry guns, and yes they can kill with knives but if you look at the crime rate as a whole compared to the US they’re doing it right.

I think what people need to realize is the shootings, the all of it is not a “race” issue, it’s a people in general issue. And until we take the guns off of our streets, nothing is ever going to change. I personally have been involved in projects taking guns off the streets of LA. You give them a gift card for placing a gun in a pile. On more then one occasion we had high powered riffles, handguns and even a semi automatic machine gun and a grenade.

You have to say WHAT THE HECK! It’s a scary thing. So when you are playing the race card and boo hooing all over, STOP it. Look at it instead as a GUN issue and let’s do something besides complaining to get them off the streets of the United States of America. People…all people…it’s our issue not a race issue. n

LET’S MAKE IT HUMAN BEINGS MATTER!!!!!!!!

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I Stand for Peace featuring Diversity models.

Photo by Trinity Aironaut.

I Stand for Peace An open challenge to artists to express themselves and to stand united for peace.

Join the Group

Arts & Entertainment

I Stand for PEACE (Photography For Peace)

By Ava Jhamin It all started with a simple concept “PEACE”, and the amazing work of Wren Noir Cerise and GoodCross.

Trinity Aironaut, the Fashion Editor for L’Amour Diversity Magazine, was doing a picture for Photography for Peace. She gathered her models and took an amazing shot that is the cover picture for the beginning of this story. Because of the kind of business woman I am, I sent a rough shot to Wren and asked if it was ok to publish the photo in the August issue of Diversity Magazine. She was thrilled and said yes yes yes!

I then started talking to her and through the conversation we turned a picture into a full-fledged story for the I Stand for Peace project, and also Wren’s other passion VISIONAIRE. She went ballistic and loved the idea.

I set the mood with cheese, crackers, wine and two comfy seats.

I wasn’t able to get GoodCross to sit down with us. So I interviewed him separately.

I have known Wren for a very long time and knew it was going to be an easy peasy interview. It’s easy for me when I admire and respect someone as I do Wren. I took a sip of wine, ate a cracker with a piece of cheese and dived into the interview.

Ava: First Wren and Good I want to thank you so much for doing this on such a short notice. I do feel however, the best things come from the spur of the moment ideas.

I always ask this question first because well I am a nosy reporter (LOL): What brought you to Second Life?

Wren: Oh I came kicking and screaming! I knew I would be addicted to it and resisted logging on for six months. But when I did open my account in January of 2009, it was for the promise of the visual beauty and creative possibilities—and those are the exact reasons why I have stayed.

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GoodCross: Basically, a quest for creativity. In RL, I am used to working on left brain oriented activities and somehow I always felt my right brain, the more visual and creative side, was not put to use. I saw a Second Life ad somewhere about how it is a 3D world and it’s beautiful. I joined and I was hooked.

Ava: Tell me what you started to do when you came to Second Life?

Wren: I began by doing RP. I enjoy people, make believe, and a bit of fantasy, so it was a natural thing to do. Plus the RP sims can be quite visually stunning.

GoodCross: When I came into Second Life it was mostly exploring all kinds of sims. I was awestruck by how natural the whole environment could look for a 3D world. And soon enough a few of my friends who were photographers encouraged me to do photography in Second Life. I am a real life photographer as well so that inspired me more to do this.

Ava: And can you please also tell us how and why you came up with the I Stand for Peace idea?

GoodCross: Sure. It started with a simple thought. That there is

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always terrible news on any media.

I couldn’t believe that we were naturally violent against each other.

I believe our natural state is one of peace and happiness. But who was really talking about it? No one. Of course the reason is that our natural state doesn’t make sensational news.

I don’t believe this effort will bring about peace. But, it’s a statement, an expression, a way to get a conversation started. It started with me and I tagged people and they took it further and we have had hundreds of people joining in.

So imagine this, you watch news on TV about all the killings going on around us and you get sad and you start to wonder if humanity is doomed. You come to Flickr and see this huge movement where so many are standing up for peace. Tell me if that does not instill hope in your mind, knowing that there are people out there who still believe in peace and you are not alone. That’s the impact!

Ava: Please tell the Diversity Readers more about the I Stand for Peace project?

Wren: It’s a fantastic project in response to the recent world tragedies and a desire to speak out and hopefully make a small change

for the better. Every effort counts.

It was GoodCross’ idea. He is a great humanitarian and gentle being, not to mention a great photographer.

So when he asked me to participate, I was in all the way :) GoodCross: I Stand For Peace is a challenge presented by my gallery The White Canvas to artists to express themselves and stand united for peace. More details

I see a lot of fashion shows tell our readers why you are doing it this way?

Wren: Images are powerful. They are lasting. Once you see something you cannot ‘unsee’ it. That is why image makers have great responsibility. I don’t show violent images in my stream. I don’t want people to think that perpetrating violence is okay and I don’t want

“

Ultimately the goal of any of this is awareness. It’s amazing that even though we have a peaceful nature we see more conversation about violence.

”

on here: https://www.flickr.com/ photos/goodcross/28068142260/in/ dateposted/ Artists were asked to post their pics to this group: https://www.flickr. com/groups/istandforpeace As of this writing 459 members have posted their art to this group and there were 565 members who joined the movement.

Ava: I think throughout all the ugly that is going on with the world right now that this is a breath of fresh air Wren & Good.

them to desensitize themselves to it. The majority of people DON’T condone violence, but so many images seem to indicate that they do. This project brings to light all the people that struggle with what is happening in the world and wish it PEACE. GoodCross: Yes. Ultimately [the] goal of any of this is awareness.

It’s amazing that even though we have a peaceful nature we see more conversation about violence.

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need more conversations on what we are naturally, you won’t get it in the news. When you are disheartened, a loved one gives you hope. When you have lost faith, religion gives you hope. When you see violence and killing, what is there to give you hope about humanity. It’s events or movements like these, where you see a mass of people standing up on principle.

Ava: What challenged you the most about this project?

Wren: It was particularly difficult to come up with an image that was not cliché’ or trite. I wanted to do something unexpected so that when people saw it, they would take note. I am still not sure I achieved this goal... it’s not easy to speak on an important subject and have your words/images carry meaning that it is relevant.

Ava: If you could change anything about the world, what would that be and why?

Wren: I would have answered this way even before GoodCross’ project: To eradicate violence. No more violence. Not on people, not on animals, not on the

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environment. And by violence I am also referring to all the microaggressions we see and experience every day, from the hurtful words, the manipulating, the shunning, the bullying. All of that is violence from my perspective. I would wish for it all to be gone.

GoodCross: First thing to change has to be respect for life. We can discuss, debate, argue about principles and ways of living. But hate, killing and other violence is the worst way to resolve anything.

It only creates more darkness around us and doesn’t REALLY solve anything.

Ava: Thank you Wren and GoodCross for answering my questions in such a lovely and heartfelt way. I do believe that one by one united we can change the world. I know for me even in SL when I have been so battered I keep going for the small changes and they have happened. I am beyond honored to have done this interview with you. The world needs to heed their amazing advise.

One by one we can achieve...

PEACE!

A Bit About VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE In addition to my conversation with Wren and GoodCross about the I Stand For Peace project, I was able to have a little chat with Wren about VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE, which opened in January 2014 and is the brainchild of WrenNoir Cerise and Nariko Okawa.

I know for me as a teacher I always recommend VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE to

students if they want to pursue more with photography. I thank Wren for taking time out of her busy schedule to talk to me about her school.

Ava: You do amazing work at VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE, Wren. Please tell the readers of Diversity Magazine who may not know of you (I doubt anyone doesn’t) more about your company.

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Wren: (smiles) Well, SL is a big place and I’m sure many people have not heard of us, but thank you for spreading the word through your magazine and maybe we will reach more!

In a nutshell, VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE offers the “Certificate of Second Life Photography” for anyone interested in starting, improving, and augmenting their SL images.

I think it’s a journey that students will say touches the depth of their soul as we help them pull out their creative.

Ava: Can you share with our readers how they apply to VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE? Wren: We have an online form for people to complete, but it is not active yet. We ask for a little bit of information along with links to three photos. You don’t have to worry about whether your photos are ‘good’ or not. That doesn’t matter. If you are the best photographer out there, there really is no reason for you to be applying, right?! (smile) People are chosen for the classes based on a cohesive group being created. So if your skills are a 5 out of 10 and a dozen other people also have that skill level, then we can

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form a class. If you are a 5 out of 10 and most of the people who apply are at a 3 out of 10 level, then you might not get in. It’s a bit of the luck of the draw as to who applies when you do. We just want people to feel comfortable in the class.

Ava: Can you share with our readers when they can start sending in applications for the next session at VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE? Wren: If you would like to be kept informed, please send an

On Location Shooting: This is an image of the whole class going out on a field trip to take photos together.

Harbor Galaxy was the guest lecturer.

e-mail to: VisionaireSL@gmail.com.

You can keep an eye out at www.

VisionaireSL.com. Anyone can IM me as well (smiles). Nariko and I are talking about when to start the next semester. I think classes might start soon, maybe the end of August or early September.

Ava: Thank you so much Wren for sitting down with me and doing this article on all of your hard work.

Good luck in all that you do [stands and gives Wren a big hug]. God bless the I Stand For Peace project

and you Wren. You are truly an inspiration for all on Second Life.

Wren: Thank YOU, Ava, for this generous interview and for letting me spend a little time with you (smiles).

The image above and those on the following pages show VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE instructors and students engaging in some informative AND fun classes.

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Disco at Visionaire: This was the class getting a lesson from Oakley Foxtrot on how to use lighting.

Madrid Solo: This photo is Madrid Solo giving the class a lesson on composition.

Skippy’s Lecture: Skippy Beresford taught the class about storytelling through images.

We all showed up in fun avatars.

Fashion

Mr. & Miss Model International Masquerade Ball

By AriannaJasmine The grand Rose Theatre ballroom gleamed in the candlelight, with divine floral arrangements carefully placed about the room.

Fine linen tablecloths covered the intimate tables surrounding the dance floor and long buffet tables laden with decadent goodies lined both sides of the festive halls.

The champagne and compliments flowed freely and before long the dance floor was full. The guests moved about the room dancing, chatting, laughing and toasting the wonderful team involved in Mr. & Miss Model International.

This competition held once yearly celebrates ALL in SL and is for anyone not just certified models.

It encourages you to be true to yourself and who you are.

The current Mr. & Miss Model International, Maxtor Frisk and Arianna Jasmine were there as

well as many others that had participated in the competition including Vanessadelrio Underwood and Resmay Bloodstorm-Coba. Of Course the celebration couldn’t take place without Ava Jhamin, Founder and CEO of MMI, joined

by MMI COO, Cyberdawg Foxclaw.

They treated the guests to an impromptu MMI trivia game with prizes and plenty of laughter. The guests looked amazing in lovely gowns of satin and silk and smart costumes emphasized with ornate masks trimmed with lace, beads and feathers. Although it was a “Masked Ball” with such signature styles present in the room it was easy to identify individuals.

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That was the case with the fabulous costume Honey Bender-Auer wore. Honey, owner and designer for Faster Pussycat looked stunning as she spun around the dance floor to the music. Also present was Xavier Thiebaud, Owner of The A List! He and Ava danced the night away in style.

From the start of the affair to the end the dance floor stayed full and the fun never stopped. It was a wonderful celebration of a fantastic competition.

A tribute to the contestants, the team that worked so hard to make it happen and of course the Founder and CEO, Ava Jhamin and COO, Cyberdawg Foxclaw. If you missed the fun, consider joining in the next Mr. & Miss Model International 2017 for an awesome experience you will cherish! n

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Fashion

Magic and Mystery of the Orient

Spending a Night with the Geisha’s and L’Amour

By Rhiannon Colclough | Photographed by Alex Avion L’Amour Productions A Night With The Geisha’s was an incredible fashion show of beauty and mystery, a nod to the history of fashion in Japan. Ava Jhamin, the CEO L’Amour Productions,was the Producer and Director of this show, along with CoProducer and Director Bai Nightfire.

JewelofDenial was the Model Director for this show as well as writing the most amazing script for this show that I have ever heard. The participating models, in walk order,were Resmay (meshiagirl), Paige Darkfury, Emi(Emmalee Streeter), Mely Gibbs, AbbyNakamura, JW(jerrywhizzer), Selene Snowpaw, and Sabine Mortenwold, with alternate Suki(Suegeeli Decuir).

June Dion of Bare Rose provided all the amazing outfits and they were amazing indeed! Ava and Bai also had outfits from Bare Rose, and looked stunning in them.

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Ava described their outfits thusly: “I am wearing the Phantasica Wedding gown complete with wings, according to Japanese folklore the Shinigami are the guardians of death and work together to bring the dead to the afterlife. I am the epitome of the Shinigami, I am ready to escort precious souls to the afterlife. Bai is embellished from head to toe in bows, hearts and ruffles wearing the Beletta dress.on the fashionable streets of Japan, women and girls of all ages dress in couture dresses adorned with frills, lace, and intricately patterned fabric. The babydoll dress, ends in a sea of ruffles just above the knees, and a hat pin [keeping] the long hair in place.

The fashion is called ‘Lolita....’”

And that was only the first of many explanations of lore in the evening! Alex Avion was the L’Amour Photographer and Androigyn Aya NANA was the DJ for the show.

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And what a show it was. Even the setting, with Japanese tea tables, pagodas, and a lovely garden setting, was the perfect background for this gorgeous show.

It was best seen at midnight, with fireworks exploding occasionally and lighting up the sky. It was utterly gorgeous, as the models wandered around the old Japanese bridge and onto the grassy areas among the audience. Of course, it being SL, there was some lag and crashing, but Ava (as the MC) and the models handled it like the pros they are. At end models modeled the outfits they wore for the casting ¬ and JW’s sumo wrestler was the star of the show!

The models strutted down the walkway in casual, Japanese casual chic, and traditional kimonos.

Special effects, such as particles and lighting, added to this one of a kind amazing show. Ava also gave tidbits of information on the models’ outfits that made them stand out even more and gave insight into Japanese culture, such as: “For thousands of years upper class Japanese woman have studied the martial arts. Please welcome Resmay Bloodstorm to the runway fit for battle wearing Leayater Bunny Armor.

Long before the term “samurai” was coined, there were warrior women who were skilled fighters.

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One such woman is Jingu who was married to the fourteenth emperor of Japan. It is said that she ruled after his death as regent for her young son. It is also told that she conquered Korea without shedding a drop of blood.” Another was: “After World War II the popular and traditional form of Kabuki was transformed by the influence of ballet and opera giving an artistic transformation to an old art form.”

There was also this amazing story: “In Japan, the color purple often signifies wealth and position and was restricted for the use of those of high rank. JW is enveloped from head to toe in purple wearing the Otoko Ohka. Prince Ōnamuji was the original ruler of Izumo Province until he was replaced by another ruler.

As compensation he was made ruler of the unseen world of spirits and magic. He competed against his brothers for the hand of Princess Yakami. The brothers traveled to court her, and upon their travels they ran into a skinned rabbit lying on the beach.

The brothers told him to bathe in the sea and dry himself in the wind at a high mountain. Listening to the brothers the rabbit suffered in horrible agony from the salt of the sea. Prince Ōnamuji, who had lagged behind his brothers, saw the rabbit writhing in pain. He helped the rabbit bathe in fresh water and covered him

with powder from the cattail flower.

The cured rabbit revealed that he was really a deity and the compassion won the hand of the Princess.”

She told even more wonderful and fantastical tales, such as the one about Yuki Onna; “One story says that she haunts the snowy forests looking to feed. She lives by sucking the vital energy of the human body by freezing her victims to death, then sucking their souls out through their mouths, especially young children.

Another account of Yuki Onna says that she is the princess of the Moon whose life was full of luxury and indulgence but she suffered from extreme boredom. She became fascinated with the world below, lost her footing and slipped falling to Earth in the dark of night and into the snow.

Falling was easy but she soon realized that returning home would not be.

Sorrow filled her soul as she realized she was stuck on Earth. Now ladies and gentleman, it is said that when the moon is full, she appears in the snow, pining for her old home.”

This tale was not the only tale told about Japanese culture, and these tidbits, along with information about the tales from other cultures such as Egyptian or Irish culture, made the night seem even more magical and made the outfits stand out in importance, as the audience could embellish the setting with their Continued next page...

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own imagination and insert their own thoughts and fantasies into the walks.

As Ava said, during one of the model’s walks, “From the dawn of time children have played games.

Kagome Kagome is a japanese childhood game that chants about the little bird in a cage. Resmay is garnished from head to toe in the Flat Kagome, reminiscent of the gilded song. To play the game, one child is on his knees while the other children join a ring around the child and join hands, they chant as they skip around the child. It goes like this: Kagome Kagome (Bird in a cage) Kagono naka no tori wa (little bird in a cage) Itsu itsu deyaru (When are you flying away?)

Yoakeno banni (During the dawn watch) Tsuru to Kame to subetta (The crane and the turtle slipped away) Ushirona shomen dare (Guess who’s behind you?) Then the child guesses who is behind him.

Whether you are the caged bird or the playful child, get caught up in a marvelous world of wonder.

Remember how to play and practice escaping from your own world and into something extraordinary.”

Amen to that. And what better place to do that than SL, where you are limited only by the limits of your imagination?

With all of this pageantry and cultural information, the rather large audience truly enjoyed the show, exclaiming throughout, “Wow, I never knew that!”

“Amazing! Just beautiful!” and other utterances showing their appreciation for the efforts put into the show by L’Amour. And as Ava reminded the audience, L’Amour is the busiest agency on the grid, with Pazzo Style Challenge always at the end of each month, future shows, and more. Keep an eye out for this agency ¬ they really know how to put on a show! n L’Amour Diversity Magazine | Issue 7, August 2016

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Challenge yourself...

Contact Bai Nightfire

Fashion

29th & 30th PAZZO Style Challenge Photos by Ava Jhamin The 29th Pazzo Style challenge was Circus Your Way. We had a lot of models vie for the title of the Pazzo Style Challenge winner.

The theme, Circus Your Way, asked models to do whatever their interpretation of the circus is. If they want to do a daring avant garde look, have at it! If they wanted to be more traditional and do a clown, they can. If they wanted to scare us and do something from American Horror Story Freak Show, that would be fun!

The Winner of the 29th Pazzo Style Challenge was Anddy Lenoire. He was the amazing lion tamer, and I think he tamed a lot in the audience at the same time. Great Job Anddy, and thank you to all the models who participated.

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29th Pazzo Style Challenge Winner Anddy Lenoire

30th Pazzo Style Challenge Winner Abby (aibyou nakamura)

The inspiration for the 30th Pazzo Style Challenge was the Summer Olympics and we had a lot of fun with this one.

The theme, Olympic Sports, asked models to show us their creative way of conveying any sport from the Summer Games. Will they dance around us with a look from rhythmic gymnastics, swim their way into our hearts, or just lob a ball over the net to claim the prize?

They needed to be creative and show us their extreme styling!

And The Winner of the 30th Pazzo Style Challenge was Abby (aibyou nakamura). She did it up good as the Gold Medalist for the United States in Equesterian. Congrats to Abby, and thank you to all the models who participated.

L’Amour Pazzo Style Challenge is the brain child of Ava Jhamin.

She wanted a competition for models where they would actually get feedback and do with their peers. It’s all about the learning for L’Amour. n

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Fashion

If The Shoe Fits

By Ava Jhamin As the Publisher/Editor of L’Amour Diversity Magazine, which was started to get controversial issues out there, I feel this point gets brushed under the rug for whatever reasons by some individuals. Also know as an American citizen with total freedom of speech that I will talk about it and put pen to paper.

This story is done from my perspective. It is what I feel is going on and can be read by the readers to determine and judge for themselves.

Also know that I do my homework as someone that has written for newspapers in real life.

I sent a note card with questions out to quite a few different shoe mesh template makers. No one responded, and therefore, that is on them not me. They had every opportunity to tell their side of things. The only person that did respond was a designer that also felt that a lot in the shoe industry was not fair. So grab a cup of tea/coffee or a drink and let’s visit the open end world of mesh creators and designers, and “If the Shoe Fits”

As a consumer in Second Life, I want the best for the least amount of lindens. It would be a lie on anyone’s part not to want that. For me there are certain designers on the grid that meet that criteria. You can tell in my opinion that they do it for the love of the customers and not for the all mighty buck. You can have the same pair of shoes selling for 800L one color, or you can pay 150L for shoes with a color hud. What would you do?

It seems there are games going on grid wide that most consumers are unaware of. To make this more clear to the average Joe, you have template makers who sell their templates that can range from 1L to as high as 12,000L. They have semiexclusive templates that are limited to a certain number of designers, and then exclusive templates that only allow 10 designers to have them.

How is it determined what designers get the “exclusives”, and the “semiexclusives? That is something I have often noticed through designer friends, that there is no rhyme or reason to it. So again as a consumer

are the ones getting the exclusive templates paying the template makers off, makes you go hmmmm.

Again that is something the reader will have to determine for themselves and for the most part I don’t think care. But I’m someone who looks at the good but is also a stickler for fair.

Where is the fair when one designer as a loyal customer may spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for templates with one template maker and can’t get a semi-exclusive or exclusive to save their SL lives.

Well it seems in the wonderful world of Second Life some of the designers are being snubbed and feel there is a conspiracy with certain designers and template makers. This snubbed designer has bought thousands and thousands of templates and paid good money where one designer that gets the exclusives or semi-exclusives may have never bought one template from that template maker.

As a consumer and a person who deals with unfairness on a daily basis, I feel there should be rules with who and how people get the semiexclusive and exclusive templates.

If the template maker says “My”

TOS what does that mean? There is TOS which apply to all “My” TOS is a recommendation of that creator.

Does that mean that someone who buys your templates at a high price has to follow YOUR TOS? Well again readers take from that what you wish. I get that designers have to sell a lot to get back their template investment. I also look at it that it would be like a designer after I bought the outfit telling me how to wear it.

I don’t really care about the games the template makers are playing with individual shoe sellers. However, I do think that rules should apply, and that all shoe sellers should be put on a level playing field, and that all shoe sellers should have a fair way of getting semi-exclusive and exclusive templates.

So remember good consumers of Second Life, know that there are people who work very hard for their customers, and there are a lot that take advantage, be the smart consumer and make sure always that the “Shoe Fits”. n

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Role Play

Living in a Fantasy World?

Story and Photos by Jena Adder Featuring L’Amour Diversity Models Ava Jhamin and Alex & Ahn Avion

Jena Adder When I joined Second Life over six years ago, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be in the place that I am right now: producing fashion shows, mentoring models, running a business and being creative director for a fabulous magazine like L’Amour Diversity Magazine.

When I logged on my only thought was to explore a new and controversial virtual world where people socialized, created, worked and played. I expected a fantasy world filled with larger than life characters. A world that expanded beyond the physical and mental boundaries. A world that provided an easy escape from the norms and challenges of real life. I guess I expected a lot from SL…and...well…I got exactly what I expected.

My experiences in SL are probably, in essence, not that

different from anyone else’s.

I made numerous friends— some have gone and some are still around for the long haul. I also made some enemies…lots believe it or not. Hey you can’t please everyone (smirks). I’ve experimented with role play. I’ve visited lots of niche sims, strange environments and electrifying night clubs. I’ve changed my avatar more times than I can count: I’ve been a Neko, a man, a beast, a tiny, a mermaid, a fairy, a queen, a slave, a guntoting zombie-fighting futuristic warrior. I was a South Asian bride, a Geisha girl, an African princess, a Gypsy belly dancer.

I’ve even been a troll (chuckles).

I was in fantasy worlds that made me feel alive, loved and respected. I felt I had the freedom to be creative, expressive and to challenge the norm. After long days of studying or working in real life, I logged on to a world that allowed me to do and be whatever I wanted, whatever my mood was that day. That experience was very liberating, relaxing and so much fun.

But was I loving fantasy too much? Maybe. Was it affecting my real life relationships? At times, yes. I realized, however, Continued next page...

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that although I was captivated by the world and characters portrayed in this amazing environment, I needed to step back and reassess my fantasy life and give my real life the time and energy it deserved.

What was I learning from my fantasy experiences? Lots: leadership skills, interpersonal skills, a thing or two about history, teamwork, the importance of rewarding and praising others for their hard work,

“

lives. But is fantasy really good for us? Once you get into that world you are transformed. Your personality changes, your goals change, your priorities change.

You are immersed in a world that relies on others around you with similar goals to maintain the fantasy and stay in character. You expect your fellow players to follow the rules put in place by those before you. You rely on Linden Labs to maintain the technical aspect of things so that when you log on,

Once you get into that world you are transformed. Your personality changes, your goals change, your priorities change. empathy. Did it make me a better person? Yes. I became a much more patient, compassionate person, accepting of others and unafraid of things that are different. Was I wasting time? Sometimes yes.

Admittedly it was where I wanted to spend most of my time because of the joy it brought to my life.

Someone once told me “Do what makes you happy” and that’s exactly what I did, and I cherished and guarded my fantasy life like I did my real life.

Everyone has their own reasons for entering a fantasy world.

Almost all of us get into it for the escapism: the chance to be and do something different than our real

”

you stay on. Things work and work fast. It’s status quo for everyone in that fantasy.

What happens when players cross the line? It gets complicated. Some role players are not satisfied with just role play. Some get curious about the people they interact with daily—what they look like, what they sound like, what their interests are outside of the fantasy. Some become intrigued by their partner in role play and fall madly in love with them—their personality, the way in which they communicate, their compassionate nature. I’ve spoken to many men and women who have fallen for someone because of the way their partner communicates Continued next page...

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in text—aggressive, expressive, emotionally-charged writing that pulls you in and keeps you coming back for more. These people are excellent manipulators who know exactly what to say and how to say it to sell a dream.

When the fantasy starts to thin and real life pokes through, you must

“

settings. SL mirrors real life more than ever before with ultra realistic avatars, textures and mesh bodies and objects. We’ve lost movement in many things with the rigid mechanics of mesh restricting the fluidity of clothing, hair and some accessories that flexi accomplished so well in a fantasy setting. No doubt technology advancements

A little mystery keeps things interesting.

I want to be in fantasy mode throughout my time in that world.

ask yourself “Do I really want to go there with these people?”

Those who found love and friendship on SL and have taken their relationship to real life have abandoned the fantasy world in my opinion. I believe one of the best ways to enjoy role play is not knowing who you’re really talking to. Personally, when I’m role playing, I don’t want to know your real name, where you live, if you’re single or married with kids. A little mystery keeps things interesting.

I want to be in character (fantasy mode) throughout my time in that world.

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If you want to share personal details about your real life, don’t expect me to do the same. I’ve seen too many SLers lose the fantasy elements that make SL so fascinating. More and more people voice in social Issue 7, August 2016 | L’Amour Diversity Magazine

”

make things better in many cases, but it can also be restricting in others. Creativity, flexibility and the freedom to experiment are things we desperately need in a fantasy world.

Other things having an impact on fantasy is social media such as Facebook. Many SLers use this medium to maintain friendships offline or to promote themselves or their businesses thus potentially exposing their real lives to their SL friends squashing the fantasy for many.

A fantasy world is as good as its players. When the players are no longer playing by the rules of the game, the fantasy dies for everyone.

So I conclude with this simple question, “Are you still living your fantasy or are you outliving it?” n

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