Semy Says… FSG -Fashion Show.

Fashionable Femboy Fun.

Before I get going and talk about the FSG Fashion Show awesomeness I need to apologise. When I started a blog I had a grand plan to write every so often; cover loads of different topics, and just say well… more. Life (real or Second Life) tends to get in the way though; sometimes in a good way and sometimes bad, and I often end up procrastinating with an idea – or several – rather than making them a reality. After the show finished (which was 2 weeks ago as of the day I’m writing this blog entry) I was hit with a wave of post-show euphoria but a few days later all the planning, prep, excitement, worry, and apprehension that came pre-show caught up with me and I was left just utterly drained. I meant to write this a week ago but instead spent a few days wrapped up in a blanket with a chihuahua on my lap whilst I watched Judge Judy reruns. So I hope this blog entry is worth the wait at least a little bit…

OK preamble time because I guess you may have found this and not have a clue what FSG (Femboy Style Guide) is. I’d tell you all about it here but I already wrote about mine and Mady’s Second Life project, place, thing before so please go have a peek:

https://semysays.com/2022/01/15/semy-says-femboy-style-guide/

After our launch beach party we got our heads together about how to follow that up with another Second Life event to help get our project known about and the FSG Fashion Show plan was born :). I’ve honestly been so lucky because (as I may have mentioned before to people) I think I’m pretty good when it comes to coming up with ideas – not so much making them a reality though – so having a bestie like Mady means everything to me. FSG wouldn’t exist without her; as a place or as a concept. She made the Fashion Show happen by working tirelessly all the way up to the evening and during it, by being supremely patient every time I said something like “What if we did this?”, and if you came to the event I think you’ll agree by building something so perfect for the show.

We had oodles of help making it all happen of course though :). Julia was wonderful in letting us use the Trouble sim to host our build; Lyn (our show announcer) did an epic job – plus put in a ton of pre-show prep getting notes ready on all the model’s outfits (more on those later), Izzy who usually DJs at the Blacklist Bunker on a Saturday (at 12pm SLT) put an awesome set together for the show too which really gave the atmosphere an extra boost :). Also super importantly we owe the aforementioned Blacklist Bunker crew a huge thank you for giving us one of their Saturday party slots (and their DJ), helping promote the show, and taking pictures on the night. If you want to see Daxia’s or Mady’s pictures taken during the show I’ll link their flickrs below along with the link to our FSG Flickr which we hope you’ll join.

Daxia: https://www.flickr.com/photos/daxiadarkbyrd/

Mady: https://www.flickr.com/photos/191342623@N05/

FSG: https://www.flickr.com/groups/14811328@N23/pool/

If you’ve never visited the Blacklist Bunker – one of my absolute fav Second Life places ever – you should totally check it out. Handily I wrote a blog about it in the past 😉

https://semysays.com/2021/11/26/semy-says-the-blacklist-bunker/

So please have a click and read or head on over using this handy TP (teleport) link for Second Life:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Desire%20Island/24/83/1524

Also if you haven’t had chance then check out these other TP links to Mady’s Playground sim, Brian’s (one of our models) Sheboys hangout, and of course Femboy Style Guide:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Desire%20Island/34/205/2751
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Desire%20Island/160/84/4002
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Desire%20Island/28/145/28

My last huge thank you of course goes out to all the models :). We had 9 models all together (including myself) although sadly real life commitments meant that Nikki (who is also FSG’s semi-resident photographer) couldn’t make the show. They all put together outfits for 5 different categories; Street/Urban, Beachwear/Swimsuits/Bikinis, Dresses, Lingerie, and Model’s Choice (where they got the chance to wear absolutely anything they wanted).

Each model also took the time to give me notes on their outfits so Lyn could tell everyone what they were wearing as they strutted their stuff down the catwalk and made a pose at the end. Everyone looked fabulous (I think the crowd agreed with me on that too); even though backstage before we all walked out for the first time I think there really was some genuine trepidation amongst us all at about walking out in front of such an epically huge crowd. In fact before you get to see some of what the models were wearing I ought to give another huge thank you to the crowd :). According to sim tracking stats (credit to Julia there) over 100 people visited during the Fashion Show day; Mady and I were (and still are) blown away by that. We hope you all had as epic a night as we did.

Model time!! I’d honestly love to showcase all the outfits here but it would make this blog entry crazily long (even for me) so instead I asked each model to choose their favourite outfit from the night and will show you a pic of that plus some info on what they were wearing. Plus rather than my rambling there’s a few words from some the models 🙂

Chest/body type: Maitreya Lara Flat
Hairstyle: Haru Hair – Yomi
Footwear: Polarity Stockings And Garters – Sweet Thing
Top: Apricot Paws – Lacuna Shirt
Bottoms: Sugarplumb – Babe Shorts
Accessories: Suicidal Unborn – Triple Ring Septum Piercing, duckie – Frames glasses
Makeup/Tattoos: Okiya Jester Makeup Green, Speakeasy – Cliffs Edge Tattoo Fresh

Comments from Blizzy about the show:

“The First ever FSG Fashion show was my first ever attempt at being a Model in SL and provided an excellent excuse to dig through the Marketplace and Events to find inspiration and something unique to bring my style to life. Thank you To Semy and Mady for this Wonderful Chance and all the hard work in making this a possibility. I’m super happy with how everything went and you know you will always have a model with me!”

You can check out Blizzy’s Flickr using this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/147635744@N03

Chest/body type: V-tech
Hairstyle: Haru Hair – Rumor by Truth
Footwear: Via boot by D’eVil
Dress: Tube dress Lust by Insanya
Accessories: Lia bento gloves by D’eVil, Dexi eyewear by KC Couture, Luxe bracelets Annie by Ysoral

Comments from Moira about the show:

“I think FSG is a great idea and I want to help people out as they develop their appearance so they’re excited with how they look. I had a lot of fun showing of my clothes at the Fashion Show and can’t wait for the next one.”

You can check out Moira’s Flickr using this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/188207567@N05

Chest/body type: V-tech
Hairstyle: CAMO – Makko Dreads        
Footwear: [Enchante’] – Nicky Boots
Top: Eliavah ~ Insomnia Bomber LOOSE with Sweater [Maitreya Flat]
Bottoms: ::insanya::: BritneyShorts (with bulge)
Accessories: Lip Drool : Dirty Secrets – Bento Drool HUD v2.5, Gloves : CODEX_BENTO VISENYA RINGS (Maitreya), Glasses : SORGO – MAESTRO Shades / BLACK
Makeup/Tattoos: Letis Tattoo :: Ti Tso :: LEG13002

Comments from Brian about the show:

“Next to my passion for music, partying, building and running a shop, I adore putting outfits together. In my early days it was rather difficult where to look and find outfits/items that match a flat chest. I learned over the years and got help from others as well. That’s why I really like and participate in the FSG initiative to help others who are new, or just inspire my fellow flat-chesters with my ideas. The fashion show was a ball with lots of people and I was kinda nervous too :). I’m glad I only fell from the catwalk just only once. But it was so much fun to do, to hear the cheering and positive messages afterwards.”

You can check out Brian’s Flickr using this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/152947508@N02

Chest/body type: Maitreya Lara Flat
Hairstyle: Medusa by Doux
Footwear: Crimson by CULT
Dress: Hellbound Angel Dress by Moon Elixir x MUSE
Makeup/Tattoos: Carcosa by Garden of Ku, Witchcraft by KENSHO

Comments from Esmiel about the show:

“While I don’t really consider myself a ‘femboy’ as such – I’m more just a skinny/androgynous dude who likes to wear girls clothes sometimes – I love being part of FSG and I’m annoyed it took me over a year to find it after switching to a Lara flatchest from my old Gianni.. however in the short time I have been in the group, I have loved how much dedication and effort the team have put into supporting those looking for a Femboy lifestyle here in SL – especially Semy – awesome work dude!!

The fashion show was just the latest example of the support that FSG provides to the community, and being part of it was amazing, such a fun night, so many awesome outfits and people.. it was a little scary at first but I think we all really got into it and enjoyed ourselves. The music was great, the turnout was incredible.. everything was fantastic. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of it!!”

You can check out Esmiels Flickr using this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/esmiel

Chest/body type: Maitreya Lara Flat
Hairstyle: Aiko (XS/LelutkaEvo) from Foxy
Footwear: Butterfly from N-Core
Dress: Bombshell Babe from Moon Elixir x MUSE
Accessories: Fitmesh Shaw from Tiffany Designs, Camila from ANTAYA, Pearl Earrings from PKC

Comments from Jordan about the show:

“It was very nice. I was worried I would lag on stage but it mostly went smoothly. I liked that there were different categories. Definitely gave variety. I suggest next time for models to send in their notecards and pics in advance to avoid same looks, I guess. Thank you very much for letting me walk the show ♥”

Chest/body type: V-tech
Hairstyle: *barberyumyum*S16       
Footwear: .bijou ~ Spike Tip Toe
Top: TETRA – Tokyo Puffer jacket
Bottoms: Blueberry – Grace Pants
Accessories: .Lelutka. Link.Choker
Makeup/Tattoos: .:Vegas Tattoo:. (Light) Renewal

You can check out Peach’s Flickr using this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/147054042@N05

Chest/body type: Maitreya Lara Flat
Hairstyle: Destiny Hair by Truth     
Footwear: Madame Noir Shoes by Moon Elixir x Muse
Jacket: Snow Angel Fur Coat by Moon Elixir x Muse
Lingerie: Sweet Treat by Moon Elixir x Muse
Accessories: Ashlea Earrings by E.Marie, Majesty Light Coffin Nails by E.Marie, Jenny Rings by Rawr!, My Vintage Tiara by [ bubble ]

Check out my Flickr using the following link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/117250345@N07/

Chest/body type: Legacy Male
Hairstyle: DOUX – Dane Hairstyle [Unrigged] FEMALE    
Footwear: [LINKRAVE] GoLink Sneakers
Top: Legal Insanity – Kai
Bottoms: FashionNatic – LEGACY – Pedro Male Pants Brown
Jacket: [ContraptioN] x TURB – Bomber Jacket *orange* Gianni B
Accessories: [HAYSURIZA] Glasses “Vintage”Silver_Bike 1.5

You can check out Reni’s Flickr using this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sunray_aeon

Chest/body type: Kupra kups
Hairstyle: Itch Magika   
Footwear: Le COCKHEELS Sibilla
Top: Lush Lewdy Turtleneck sweater, Lush Naughty bra
Bottoms: Sibilla Le Gings leggings
Accessories: Nanao Xix glasses, CSJ QOS navel piercing, CA watch Ladies BLACK GOLDEN, *KUNDALA* Cloe Collar, ^^Swallow^^ Princess Rings

You can check out Nikki’s Flickr using this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/160864851@N04

Semy Says…

It really was an awesome night; weeks of build up and preparation really paid off. It’s one of the best nights of not just my Second Life but my life in general and I’m so proud of it all, of everyone :).

Of course the Fashion Show is really about getting the Femboy Style Guide out there (well that and having an epic party where awesomely hot people get to show you how awesomely hot they look…) so before I end and tell you all what’s next for FSG I’d like to talk about something very close to my heart and one of the reasons I came up with the idea that Mady helped me with so it could become all of this.

A few years ago (pre-pandemic) around this time of the year actually I returned home from a long stint in hospital after having an operation to keep me alive; it’s something I’ve only ever told a handful of Second Life folks about. I’ve got a super rare – trust me you’ve never heard of it – blood condition that caused a cascade of issues including internal bleeding that was so extreme I was literally (the real use of the word honestly) on the verge of bursting. I nearly died, twice.

I’m still here though (even about to hit 12 years in Second Life soon) and whilst the whole thing was utterly life changing it has made me think back and realise just how important and special Second Life is to me; how lost I’d be without my real best friends like Mady, the whole Blacklist Bunker crew, and so many others, and how I wanted to help other Second Life users out. I’ve reflected on how lost I was in my early Second Life days as someone being brand new to the confusingly awesome experience that this virtual world provides and how I coped; I was lucky I found a place and awesome friends.

In my earliest Second Life days I danced at (and later worked as a manager) at a femboy club called Le Petite Mort. It was basically femboy central; it was a strip club (those did super well back in the day) but it was more importantly where we all gravitated to. It was our community (one that the Blacklist Bunker reminds me of in all the good ways) where there was a family feeling, wonderful people who still are my Second Life friends to this very day over a decade later, and it was run by my friend Pope Dagostino. Honestly thinking back I’ve been awful as I never took or saved any pics from back then of Pope or Le Petite Mort. Luckily Esmiel spoke to some awesome folks who kept pictures and sent some shots my way (Esmi deserves huge hugs for helping me).

Pope owned and ran Le Petite Mort; he was (for me at least) the OG Femboy, the person you went to for advice, someone who would help you out whatever you needed, he was an eclectic DJ, a fashion creator, he even made tattoos just for me that nobody else ever had in Second Life. If you ever see me wearing the “Unrepentant Sinner” group tag that’s from his group; I’ll never leave it. When strip clubs in Second Life started to end as a really popular thing ultimately Le Petite Mort closed but I kept in touch with Pope – I think most Femboys did – and I’d go to listen to him DJ at Starfall. He was always there; the Femboy, always ready to listen and help out. Then one day he wasn’t…

Life is short, fleeting, and fragile. I checked my emails one day to see a notice had been posted in the Second Life “Femboy” group by Suzizin who used to manage at Le Petite Mort. Tragically Pope passed away after a house fire. I wish I’d spoken to him more, I wish I’d thanked him more. Words after someone is gone never do justice to how special they were.

So writing this had made me cry; because I miss him, because I ought to have been a better friend, but I also don’t want to make my blog about the FSG Fashion Show something tinged only with sadness. I want you all to know why FSG is so important to me, because that’s something worth smiling about. It’s something inspired by a friend like Pope; someone who would have helped any new Second Life femboy on their journey, someone who took time to encourage expression and happiness in being who you truly are. If just one person finds that FSG helps them out like Pope helped me and so many other femboys then it has truly been worth doing it all.

The folks over at Starfall (which is another awesome LGBTQA+ Second Life Community venue) have built a memorial to their lost friends; which includes Pope. If you ever want to head on over and pay your respects I’ll include the the TP link here:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Phoebus/40/147/33

Walk down the hill towards the beach and look for this building.

So what’s next for FSG?

Mady and I are currently putting a list of models together (many from the Fashion show and pictured above) for FSG’s first ever Calendar 🙂 2023 version of course. We’ve also confirmed the date for our second FSG Fashion Show later this year – big thanks again to the Blacklist Crew who are giving us a full Saturday party slot – but you’ll have to wait and see when that will be. We’ve also got tentative plans for our first ever “Summer Photo Contest” (that’s a placeholder name for now though) so we’ll let everyone know more about that in a month or two when the world gets a little warmer.

So that’s my rambling over for this blog. I truly hope with all my heart that everyone who has taken part with anything to do with FSG really enjoyed our Fashion Show :). And if you ever meet a Second Life femboy who needs some help point them our way please or if you are a femboy who wants help then don’t forget to come visit our beachside location, join our Flickr, or drop Mady or myself a message.

Hugs

Semy xoxox

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