Wurlitzer: What is Catalyst of Fantasy ?Lacie: Catalyst of Fantasy is an agency, academy, magazine and fashion Sim. We do a bit of everything, but we really focus on the agency and academy! That is where our hearts are.
Wurlitzer: How did Catalyst of Fantasy get started?
Lacie: COF launched last August and has been going strong ever since. I was a model in SL, and while I loved the shows, they really piqued my interest because the whole time I was modeling, I kept thinking, what if we did it this way? Or, what if we styled it that way? How would that look?
I have an artistic background in RL, and I am a bit of a risk taker. I love to do things differently, just to see how it would go. COF evolved from my wanting to be different, edgy. Why can't neko's model Haute Couture? Seems they can LOL .
Wurlitzer: Who are the staff involved?
Lacie: There is of course myself, my business partner Sparkie Funizza, Miss International 2009 Glitter Bolissima , who heads the Academy, and Lucas Teatime, who publishes the magazine. We have a large staff of models, some of the very best in SL I might add ever so humbly ( well maybe not so humble when I am talking about the staff. They really do amaze me. ) We have a large magazine staff as well with Lucas at the helm and an amazing team of writers and photographers. Lucas is just plain nuts so the magazine is always sure to surprise and delight you.
Wurlitzer: What type of clients do you usually represent?
Lacie: If you are a designer, we will do a show for you! LOL. Most of the designers that are attracted to our agency are risk-takers too. They don't mind being separated from the pack and they enjoy the "Fashion Theater" that we produce.
Wurlitzer: How do you go about promoting your clients?
Lacie: We do everything in our power to promote the client via our magazine, our groups and the events calendar . We create unique invitations and have them sent out the week of the show. Each client gets an ad in our magazine and mention during the shows. By the time one of our shows is put on we have done everything in our power to create a buzz .
Wurlitzer: What are the services you provide?
Lacie: Once a client says that they would like a show, we sit down and discuss details. How many outfits, male/female etc. and they, through conversation I get a feel for the client and the sort of thing they are comfortable with. Some are fairly conservative, whereas others are ready to say " JUST DO IT !!" I will go to the store and see the clothing, and I will come up with an idea for the show. In discussion with the client, they talk about their concerns or whatever is on their mind, and we work out the details. Once that is done, the client is pretty much off the hook. We take it from there. We have the MOST amazing set builder ! Mr. Nyx Breen is an award winning builder here on SL and he has come on board to build our sets for each show. This guarantees that each show is unique in it's visual appeal and a style.. All the client has to do now is wait for show day and come and see the show! We do the rest, from casting, rehearsals, staging, scripting,booking live acts or DJ's.making the invitations, all of it.
Wurlitzer: Who have some of your clients been?
Wow, we have had some of the best of the best at COF, from SB Men's Wear, Catfish Creations, Muism, Agnes Finney , Coquette, Diva shoes, Prism, wow so many, really on the spot here LOL. Our next show will be with Nemphetermine and XTC Leather. We have an amazing show by Creepy's Fetish Wear and Viper skins coming in December as well ! We have Violator booked for February too. We are really excited about that.
Wurlitzer: How is Catalyst of Fantasy structured?
Lacie: How is it structured as in the business plan? Or how is it structured as in me always trying to one up my last show? The business plan is a secret :P~~, but I am always striving to make each show different and unique and an experience on its own. Every client should walk away from our show shaking their head and say ...whoa..that was awesome! For each show I try to bring in a sense of who the designer is, their personality and vision. We try to create an atmosphere so that you are not just seeing a bunch of models showing a bunch of clothes, but instead you are in a completely submersed experience for all the sense that the medium of SL allows us to touch. We want you to walk away remembering what you just saw, for a long long time
Wurlitzer: How has Catalyst of Fantasy become known as one modeling agencies in SL?
Lacie: It is always surprising to me to have people know us. I spend virtually all of my time at COF working on the next show, so I don't get a chance to go out much. Never ceases to amaze me that people know us at all. We are just a tiny blip on the fashion radar in SL. You tell me , Wurl, how did you hear of us? * grins *
Wurlitzer: Is there a story behind Catalyst of Fantasy ?
Lacie: Let me tell you the story, of a lovely lady, who was raising 3 girls all alone, they were 4 girls, living all together, yet they were all alone...... GRIN . What kind of story were you thinking of?
Wurlitzer: Have you had any former modeling training?
Lacie: yes, I attended Evane Academy, and was applying to more schools when the opportunity to form COF presented itself. I took it, gave up my modeling career, ( good thing too because I kept falling down....ALOT !!! ) and I have never looked back since!
Wurlitzer: Have you had any reviews written about Catalyst of Fantasy ?
Lacie: Yes, Avenue magazine did a review of our Sim after our grand opening. :)
Wurlitzer: How often does Catalyst of Fantasy put on fashion shows?
Lacie: We try to keep them to once per month, mainly because there is so much involved in producing one of our shows,although December is an exception when we will have 2 in the same week. YIKES!!!
Wurlitzer: You recently were asked to give a lecture on the Modeling Workshop...What was the experience like for you, and how did it go?
Lacie: Wow, Model Workshop is a wonderful group and they offer a tremendous resource to all models on the grid today. I remember when I was a new model on SL and I would go to these workshops and listen to some of the speakers and I was just floored! Needless to say, it was quite an honour for me to be asked to speak there. I was humbled and enjoyed it very very much. The women that run this group deserve our respect and admiration. this is a free workshop open to any and all, and they are tireless in the work they do there . It is really a wonderful wonderful group. I hope they will see fit to ask me back one day :))
Wurlitzer: Whats some advice you can offer us on becoming a successful model in SL?
Lacie: There are two things I would say are vital to any model in SL and worth spending your US dollars on. The first is education education education. Go to school. If you can't earn the money, but your lindens. Just do it. Find the most reputable schools out there and go to each of them. I guarantee you will learn something new at each one. This alone is worth its weight in gold if you are serious about a career here. The networking and friendships you make along the way are priceless as well. You make be taking a class with the next CEO of a bright and shining new agency, who knows?
The other thing is ...find the very best custom shape maker on the grid and pay for that. Get your very own look,. Why have an off the rack shape ? I am not knocking these shapes by any means..many are very very good, but if you want to model, you need to look like you and only you!
Wurlitzer: What are your thoughts on modeling in SL?
Lacie: I LOVE the industry! This is SECOND LIFE! We have so many resources right here at our fingertips.... why not use them all? there is no need to go off of SL for anything you need in modeling. The shows can be as lavish as you want them to be and there is no shortage of people who are willing to work with you and be creative. The designers , from clothes to skins to hair to jewels to shoes,,,, wow! They are coming up with more and more glorious things. I think fashion in SL is looking brighter and brighter. More and more designers are out there, taking chances, trying new things, thinking outside the box. The future looks very bright indeed and I personally am looking forward to it very much !
Wurlitzer: Are there any other previous companies you worked for in SL?
Lacie: Yes, but if I told you I would have to kill you. :P~ ...honestly, my life as a model seems so long ago that I forget them all. If I mention one and forget another, dunno if that is a good thing or not? Maybe my former bosses would be happy if I forgot I worked for them LOL!!!
Wurlitzer: Are there any conflicts you’re having with other modeling agencies?
Lacie: Oh good grief no! There are so many amazing agencies out there it is thrilling to be a part of it. To be honest though, I am so busy at COF that I don't get much of a chance to get out to other agencies shows very often. We did just do our Phantom of the Opera show with Fashion Palace which wasn't a joy to collaborate on and , from all accounts so far was a success. I really enjoyed working with Colby and his staff. I hope to collaborate with more agencies in the future.
Wurlitzer: What makes Catalyst of Fantasy standout?
Lacie: Well, if you are taking your anti-psychotic drugs...nothing.... we blend! But for those of us who are drug free, COF is different . not only in how it puts on a show but how we style our models. We are out there...not afraid to take chances and not afraid to have an edge....even a hard edge!
Wurlitzer: Is there an In-World location for Catalyst of Fantasy ?
Lacie: When I saw all that SL had to offer the question I asked myself was " Why be normal?" Why CAN'T a neko wear haute couture and look hawt in it? Why are we only showcasing Miss America humans? I mean, I have nothing against that particular style, and the models are beautiful, but SL has more to offer than just one style. We have more than just humans here, and that possibility just got me so excited! I thought...whoaaaaaaaaaaa lets have us some fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only in the movies have we been able to experience vampires and goths ans nekos and furries and some of the divine and terrifying subcultures before. That was as close as we have ever been able to get, well for most of us anyway LOL. Yet, here, VIA Second Life, we not only get to see them, but we can immerse ourselves in them. We can become a [art of that world, even if just for a short time as a model in a show. That is so exciting to me that it takes pretty much all I have to stay sitting down and not run off in a thousand different directions screaming...come here......have i got a show for you! woot ! mmmmmmm that brings another show idea to mind. See what you did.... its dangerous when you let my imagination take off.
Wurlitzer: Wurlitzer: Is there anywhere that you can go to, to keep up to date on the progress of Catalyst of Fantasy ?
Lacie: You bet your boopie there is. We have several sites on the web. We can be found on PIXIELOOK, & Moolto and we have a blog spot all under Catalyst of Fantasy .
Wurlitzer: What are the rates for classes of Catalyst of Fantasy ?
Lacie: We have 3 levels at the Academy. Beginners, for the true novice @ $2,500. L , and advanced class @ $4000 L and an elite class @ 6000 L . If you follow our classes from the beginning to end , you will have all the knowledge and skills that you need to do any job on in the fashion industry, from getting sponsors to creating your shows to lighting staging effects. We have a 2 part photography class taught by the illustrious Miss Cherie Parker, woot woot woot...we even will teach you how to make your own static and animated poses so you wont look like everyone else and you wont be using the same tired old poses that have been used a 100 times before. When you are done at COF you will be in charge of your own future and will be confident in every4ry aspect of modeling. now THATS an education!
Wurlitzer: If somebody has a fashion event that they would like to be featured who should they contact and how do you go about promoting their event?
Lacie: All they need to do is drop me a note card in world telling me that they are a designer and would like to chat about a show and I will be most pleased to get back to them.
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