MFA 2008 Nominee "Best New Fashion Label" - Formal Affair

Designer: Lexi Watkin- Born 1/6/07 Boutique:  Formal Affair at Midas Northwest(203,54,49)

HD: Where in the great RL universe are you living?
LW: I live in in the San Diego area of California * laughs*.  I've spent most of my life here.

HD: When and why did you join SL?
LW: I have always been into gaming, and also love live music... with small children, both became hard to do.  One night, I saw an interview about SL on MTV and thought it might allow me to pursue both those interests ... so, I signed up.

HD: How long have you been designing in SL?
LW: About a year ... at first, mostly just for myself.  I didn't get serious until last June.

HD: What prompted you to start designing?
LW: I met my mentor, Johan laurasia, on my first day in SL.  He showed me his clocks and explained how people could make things in SL.  He demonstrated the basics and I was able to use my Photoshop skills from there.

HD: How would you describe your style?
LW: Eclectic.  I draw from many different styles to come up with my designs.  Also, music plays a huge part in my designs.  Depending on the piece, I can probably tell you what artist I was listening to when I designed it.

HD: When SL residents wear your clothes, what do you want them to feel?
LW: That really depends on what they are wearing.  I do hope that my formals add the romance of an evening while gracing a ballroom floor.  As well as that my role-play items help people "fit" into character.  In the end though, it's really about the people in SL, the builds, the clothing and all just help paint the total picture.

HD: Tell us about your latest designs?
LW: With my new designs, I've been trying for a more flirty and casual feel while still trying to maintain an air of sophistication.

HD: What advice would you give an up and coming SL designer?
LW: I would tell them to have perseverance and to make anything they do their own - a part of them.  Also, not get in a rut, experiment and take chances.

HD: What do you know now that you wish you had known when you started?
LW: How accepting the SL public is to new and different ideas and design concepts.

Best of luck to Lexi Watkin!