OVER

. I really wanted to tap into

Homem Para Homem

DIVOS: Gac, Attention SL is excited and grateful to have the opportunity to speak with you about Stray Dog. Men in Second Life seem to have so many more options for creating amazing appearances for their avatars, and Stray Dog can play a huge part in achieving these elevated looks. Why do you think there has been more of a focus on men’s options in recent years?

GAC: Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to meet with you, Divos, and be a part of Attention SL Magazine. Isn’t it fantastic how varied the options have become? No more seeing your avatar’s twin at every corner. It’s been a long time coming, but guys in Second Life are finally getting the spotlight. Remember back in 2016? Choices were limited, causing a cycle where men spent less, and designers hesitated to jump in. But bit by bit, a few brave brands started to cater more to men. This opened the market, and now we see an impressive surge of new designs. Stray Dog is thrilled to be part of this revolution, making Second Life even more exciting for the gents.

DIVOS: As a creator that focuses on men’s appearance, how do you go about creating a look for Gac? Where do you start and what do you consider most important?

GAC: Oh, Gac! He’s donned so many faces and embraced various ethnicities over the years. Whenever I start crafting a new look for Gac, I have a vision in mind, an idea of the character I want him to portray. And, you know, your avatar’s look is a form of self-expression. It’s impactful. It’s like asking yourself, “What story do I want to tell today?” So, I’d say the most important thing when designing Gac’s appearance is staying true to that narrative I want to express in Second Life.

DIVOS: Diversity is clearly an important part of Stray Dog. You have an almost endless array of international male options. How do you decide what type of skin or avatar options you are going to create next with so many looks out there? Do they come from photos, celebrities, or do you look for certain features?

GAC: Absolutely! Diversity is at the heart of Stray Dog. Hailing from Brazil, a country known for its rich cultural mix, I’ve always found it a tad frustrating to see the same patterns in skins over and over. I really wanted to tap into the global spectrum of beauty and develop unique looks.

So, when it comes to deciding on the next skin or avatar options, it’s about embracing and showcasing the wonderful array of international male aesthetics that exist in our world. It’s like a journey around the globe, right from your Second Life screen.

DIVOS: Stray Dog is 6 years old and shows no signs of stopping. After years of doing photography and graphic design in Second Life, what made you interested in starting a store?

GAC: You’re right! Stray Dog has come a long way, and we’ve got even more ground to cover. The brand started as my blog back in 2015. Like any blogger at the time, I had a hankering for a custom mesh head. So, I started designing my own skins to suit my style. And well, one thing led to another, and before I knew it, my passion for creating unique looks turned into something bigger - a store!

DIVOS: Stray Dog is not your everyday store name, which makes it unique and interesting. What made you decide on that store brand name?

GAC: Ah, the name! Well, there’s a band named Stray Dogg whose songs I’m quite fond of. Their music has this relaxing and inspiring quality that I often enjoy while working. The name ‘Stray Dog’ felt right — it’s unique, a bit offbeat and it really captured the spirit I wanted to bring to my store.

DIVOS: What is the most challenging part about being a store owner in Second Life?

GAC: Being a store owner in Second Life means you’ve got a whole lot of different tasks to manage. From designing to marketing, customer service, and more, there’s a lot to juggle. Funny enough, crafting the skins, which might seem like the heftiest task, often turns out to be the most straightforward part of the journey.

DIVOS: What keeps you excited and motivated to continue working on Stay Dog and making new releases?

GAC: Passion really is the driving force behind Stray Dog. The process of creating new faces, envisioning who might wear them, and then actually seeing avatars wearing my skins around Second Life — it’s an experience that fills me with joy. It’s the love for what I do and the happiness I derive from seeing my work come alive that motivates me to continuously innovate for Stray Dog.

DIVOS: You have created so many countless, beautiful looks for men in Second Life. Is there anything new that Stray Dog customers can expect from you soon? Are there any future collaborations in the works?

GAC: Absolutely! There’s an exciting collaboration on the horizon. While I can’t spill too many details just yet, what I can share is that this project has already captivated my heart. So, Stray Dog customers, stay tuned! We’re always working behind the scenes to bring you something new and exciting.

DIVOS: As a long-time resident of this virtual world, you have had an opportunity to explore and see many other creative people at work. What stores and creators do you find inspiring?

GAC: Wow, Second Life is a treasure trove of remarkable artists — it’s a humbling experience being a part of such a vibrant creative community. There are innumerable names that spring to mind, and it would take at least a good five pages to list them all out! But suffice to say, I’m deeply inspired by and grateful for the rich tapestry of artistic talent that makes Second Life the captivating virtual world it is today. DIVOS: As a renowned store owner, what advice would you give someone looking to start their own store in Second Life?

GAC: Believe in your unique vision. Avoid falling into the trap of comparison — it can only distract you. Concentrate instead on your own journey, celebrate every success, no matter how small it may seem. Remember, every step forward is progress. It’s your unique touch and dedication that will shape your brand into something truly special.

DIVOS: You are 15 years old in Second Life, and while many people have gotten to know the Stray Dog brand, what’s one thing you can share about yourself that people do not know?

Any reason you chose the name Gac Akina?

GAC: Ah, a little peek behind the scenes, I like that! As for the name Gac Akina, it’s a fun word jumble based on my real-life initials. It didn’t quite resonate with me at the start, but now, it’s grown on me, and I quite adore it. As for a personal tidbit... well, I have an identical twin in real life, and he’s not just a sibling but also one of my greatest friends.

DIVOS: While there have been many advances in options for male avatars in Second Life, is there anything that you feel is still missing as far as available items for men?

GAC: I’d love to see a new UV map released for a mesh body, like what LeLUTKA did with their EVO X line. It would open a world of possibilities for customization and further enhance the individuality of avatars. I can only hope that this evolution is just around the corner in our Second Life journey.

DIVOS: How has opening a virtual store affected your real life? Has anything changed for you because of Stray Dog?

GAC: In short, Stray Dog has been a life-altering journey for me. It’s reshaped my world in ways I couldn’t have imagined, influencing my creativity, and bringing an entirely new dimension to my life. For that transformation, and for the opportunities and experiences, I’m endlessly grateful.

DIVOS: With warm weather always being in season in Second Life, there is never a time that showing off Stray Dog skin is not an option. What would you say is your favorite accessory to go with your Stray Dog skin?

GAC: If I had to pick favorites, I’d say a face add-on from Addon+ and eyes from Avi-Glam stand out. It’s like they add that extra dash of ‘oomph’ to the overall look.

DIVOS: Is there anything you want people to know about Stray Dog that we have not had a chance to cover yet?

GAC: I would love for everyone to know that with Stray Dog, my passion lies in continually pushing the envelope of quality and representation.

I will persistently strive to create high quality skins that continue to embody all types of beauty that exist in our world. I want Stray Dog to be a place where every avatar can find a skin that resonates with them, that feels like a true reflection of themselves. It’s a never-ending journey of exploration and creation, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.

DIVOS: Gac, I speak on behalf of so many men on Second Life when I say thank you for the amazing beauty and wonderful creations you bring to us in this virtual world. And thank you for your time today and for allowing us to feature your brand in Attention SL Magazine!

GAC: Thanks, Divos! It was a pleasure. I wish you and Attention SL all the best!

Stray Dog SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/ secondlife/Heavens%20Touch/79/185/22

Stray Dog Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gac_akina

Stray Dog Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/StrayDogStore