Publisher’s note
This month’s fashion theme of East meets West is of great interest and importance to me as it translates beyond the fashion realm, for I personally feel this marriage and fusing of two cultures to form the backbone of my very being. I was born on the tiny island city called Singapore and resided there for the majority of my life. Weaned on a British education system and American media, English felt like my “native” language, which was and is in fact, Singapore’s first language much to the surprise of many people who have not been to or known much about Singapore. Growing up in a multi-cultural society and through my extensive travels around the world, I have been exposed and absorbed nuances of different cultures and languages both east and west, so much so that people can’t quite figure out where I am from when they try to decipher my accent. Some have mistaken me for being French or some European country which always amuses me as I reveal my Asian roots.
I am proud of my Asian heritage, while being very aware of the westernised influences in my life, and this is what makes me “me,” similar to the many Asians or westerners that have grown to learn and assimilate both cultures as their own. So it is with great delight that I present the fashion team’s variation on the theme - to translate their perceptions, views and alternative ideas of how this merger of the East and West can transpire through fashion in Second Life® as inspired by this real life fashion trend. With the power and reach of the internet, the world is really getting smaller, enabling people to be able to learn about other cultures. We can make a cultural difference in our own lives if we are curious enough to explore and open enough to assimilate and accept. Here’s to the celebration of the global cultural potpourri of today and tomorrow.
Rusch Raymaker
Rusch Raymaker Publisher
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