BEAUTY INTERCONTINENTAL

One creator, bold and curious, among the countless who crowd the scene, is challenging ancient boundaries. How large – how inspiring – is his vision?

BY DIVOS TITANIUM

PHOTOGRAPHS BY VERANDI DIAVOLO

THERE IS ONE universal goal for most of us who live, work, and play in Second Life: we want our avatars to look good. Having been on Second Life for almost 15 years, I cannot even imagine the countless hours I have spent creating shapes and making looks to build - at least what I consider to be - a great-looking avatar. Even when I am done, I am never done; just one more small tweak or slider change will finally get me closer to avatar perfection. Beyond simply the time investment, I do not even want to think about the Lindens I have spent in pursuit of this ongoing obsession. However, I am not unique, and most of us want to make the perfect avatar that reflects our personal likes, tastes, and goals.

One key aspect of building the “perfect” avatar is skin. The journey and evolution of avatar skins in Second Life has been astounding, especially for males. Gone are the days where men had three or four options to consider. Having been a redhead in Second Life since almost the beginning, I remember the days of frustration trying to find a skin that would work for anything other than black hair. Now there seem to be almost limitless options, and one choice that has become a staple in the Second Life skin game for men is Stray Dog.

Stray Dog entered the scene in 2016, which means this iconic brand has been making men look better for almost seven years.

Gac Akina, Stray Dog sole owner/creator, is a long-time resident of Second Life. His artistry was changing our virtual world years before he created his impressive brand. Gac used to give photography lessons via portraits with his Artaze Photography Studio and Gallery. He even dabbled in creating personalized mesh heads for those seeking an individualized appearance. Those efforts paved the way for Gac’s decision to create male skins, and he first debuted Stray Dog at the Signature Event in December of 2016.

Over the years, Gac has continued to perfect his craft, making Stray Dog one of the top brands when it comes to male skins. His store offers a multitude of diverse options, allowing residents to create avatars that are reflective of different ethnicities across the world. His inclusivity does not just stop at body and head skins, but also includes extra options, such as hair-bases, freckles, eyebrows, blushed cheeks, skin cuts, and more. The variety Gac has offered over the years has set the bar for other skin creators across the grid. He has released hundreds of skins and taken part in countless events. Stray Dog has become a virtual household name due its quality, attention-to-detail, and variety of options.

While I could wax on about Stray Dog and how great it is, I know Attention SL readers want to hear directly from the creator. That said, Gac has graciously agreed to answer our questions so we can learn more about him and his fabulous brand.