Select Page

Strutting Their Stuff: The Burn2 Fashionistas

Here is a brief history about the Fashionistas and how they became a popular feature at Burn2 events in the virtual world known as Second Life®.

Prior to 2017, there was no formally organised group of fashionistas in Burn2 - only a label that could be given to anyone interested in joining others of like mind. They were encouraged to get together and so they put on impromptu and dustily delightful fashion events during the annual “big burn” events - very haphazard, very immediate, very disorganised and yet, very fun.

Enter Vickie Maidstone.

Vickie brings her experience in fashion modeling to her role as the Fashionista Lead for the Burn2 Fashionistas in Second Life. She trained as a model starting in 2017 and in 2018 became a certified producer and director of fashion modeling. She heard about this “Burning Man in SL” while attending another event as a greeter. She eventually found her way to Burn2 and attended one of the community meetings.

Coincidentally, on that evening in 2017, the topic of the fashionistas doing a show during that year’s Octoburn event came up during that meeting. We needed someone to lead that effort at the time, and Vickie spoke up. She said that she was in modeling school, and when someone asked if she could put together a fashion show, she said yes without thinking. The rest, as they say, is history.

Under Vickie’s guidance and leadership and with the help of Co-Leads Katy (Khatluv) and Suzie (savannahsuzie) the Fashionistas have become a highly popular ensemble within the virtual Burner community, driving huge crowds to their shows. The shows are adaptive, creative and innovative in trying new things.

Vickie Maidstone

Vickie Maidstone

Suzie

Suzie

Katy

Katy

Today, the Burn2 Fashionistas are an official group of Burn2. They are Burners who assemble outfits that range from the ridiculous to the fabulous, from crazy to classy, according to the Burn2 event topic and perform a Fashion show.

The Fashionistas follow the Ten Principles of Burning Man. There is no need to be a professional model to participate; it’s all about showing up, showing off and having fun.

Within the Burn2 Fashionistas group there are builders, choreographers, and most of all volunteer fashion models. They bring custom-built stages and dance routines to enhance their shows. Vickie attests to the fact that hard work and a willingness to work together as a team are key to producing a show that the public won’t forget.

New Fashionistas are always welcome. They are trained and mentored as if they are family. There are no restrictions to who can become a Fashionista, everyone in the group is a participant.

Since their first production in October 2017, the Burn2 Fashionistas fashion shows have been featured at nearly every Burn2 event. They’re already working on upcoming shows this summer!

This is an unforgettable group of Burner models who truly live their motto: "Keeping it Klassy" the Burn2 way.

Find the Burn2 Fashionistas at These Events:

  • During Virtual Burn week (August 29th through September 4th), there will be fashion workshops to learn about being a Fashionista and just fashion STUFF!
    • Fashionista Workshop with Vickie
      1:00 PM SLT Sunday, August 29th and Thursday, September 2nd
      Topics covered: How does a fashion model train? Schooling and rewards... Have you ever wondered what goes on when a fashion model gets ready for a show? And the process to becoming a model?
      Learn more at the workshop!
  • July 11th, 2:00 pm SLT: Burn2 Fashionistas Fashion Show. This will be during Burn2’s Conception event which runs July 9th - 11th.
  • Octoburn 2021: The Great Unknown is the annual “Big Burn” is when the Fashionistas spend the year preparing the biggest fashion show of the year - they’ve drawn crowds for this performance in and of itself!

Want more information? Contact the Burn2 Fashionistas:
Vickie Maidstone, Suzie (savannahsuzie) or Katy (Khatluv)