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 brought her experience in fashion modeling to her role as the Fashionista Lead for the Burn2 Fashionistas in Second Life. She heard about this “Burning Man in SL” while attending another event as a greeter.
After Vickie's retirement in November 2021, Suzie (SavannahSuzie) became the new Lead. The Fashionistas continued to be 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 and still somewhat haphazard, very immediate, at times disorganized and yet, very fun.
2023 sees Freia as new Fashionistas Co-lead, and she brings her own unique style to the group. You may have seen her in past fashion shows with various surprising and delightful interpretations of Burn2's event themes expressed in her outfits! Suzie needed to step down from her role, and midway through the year, ParkerB became Fashionistas Co-lead.
Freia Guillaume
Fashionistas Co-lead
ParkerB
Fashionistas Co-lLead
Today, the Burn2 Fashionistas are an official department in 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. A willingness to work together as a team is key to producing a show that the public won’t forget.
New Fashionistas are always welcome. There are no restrictions to who can become a Fashionista, everyone in the group is a participant and has input.
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 is an unforgettable group of Burner models who truly live their motto: "Keeping it Klassy" the Burn2 way.
Want more information? Contact the Burn2 Fashionistas:
Freia Guillaume or ParkerB.
