POUR L'AMOUR DE LA MODE!
JADE PONO
LOOK of the YEAR 2022!
PHOTO REPORT by MONÏ
LUXE Paris has found
its new ambassador:
JADE PONO WINS!
It is Jade Pono, an experienced model renowned for her professionalism and her style woven with ardor and femininity, who won over the LOOK of the YEAR jury during the grand final Sunday.
It took a long time for Jade to realize that she had just been elected LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR!
“When Mika Palmyra announced that she was going to reveal the name of the winner, someone in the crowd shouted Nikki You got that! so I thought, cool, it's Nikki, now I'm going to be able to go rest because I haven't slept for two nights, I was so feverish,'' tells Jade with emotion.
''But I was getting all kinds of weird messages...and the coordinator was asking me to go in front! I was totally confused... Until I saw the crown arriving in my inventory!''
Japanese living in Hawaii, Jade Pono has been a professional virtual model for five years.
''Short in real life, I wanted a second life as a great tall top model so I got to work, combining training and participating in as many fashion shows as possible to gain experience.
''Today I am member of 25 agencies and on some Saturdays, I have three shows in a row!''
The new LUXE Paris ambassador received L$50,000 in cash, an elegant tiara created for her by Zuri Rayna and another L$50,000 in gift cards from LUXE Paris, ZURI Jewellery, In-Nova Modeling Academy, Swank & Co, ProPose Modeling Poses and Visionaire Photo Institute.
The runners up
HUNIPET & LATHILDA
In the wake of Jade, also very stylish and remarkable on the runway, another highly reputable experienced model, Hunipet Delicioso, 1st runner up, and a student model, a new star, Lathilda, 2nd runner up.
The two runners-up each received L$10,000 in cash, a ZURI tiara and over L$15,000 in gift cards.
The three LOOK of the YEAR winners will also appear in several reports in The SL Enquirer and in the magazines SL Confidencial, SL20 and LUXE Paris.
The finalists
Stormy, Nikki, Lokia, Vanessa, Wartooth, Arion, Keira, Trinity, Virginia
A spectacular final!
It's a colorful show that the 12 finalists delivered in their last LOOK of the YEAR challenge.
On a grandiose stage created by Parisian Skytower, co-owner LUXE Paris, the great 12 took us on a journey around the world by interpreting, in turn, a particular look inspired by one of the 12 most important fashion capitals of the planet.
In our fantasy world, Rihanna, Cher and Madonna, three of the world’s biggest fashion icons, created the Global Fashion Ball to benefit hungry children. At their head table, 12 elegant women diplomats representing the 12 most important fashion capitals of the planet, the 12 LOOK of the YEAR finalists!
Each of the finalists was asked to prepare a formal look representing the fashion style of a particular capital. The 12 greatest fashions capitals were selected according to the latest Global Fashion & Luxury Cities Index (Nov 2021) and assigned to the finalists randomly.
And all the finalists shone, admirably capturing the fashion essence of each of the capitals and arousing an extremely close vote.
Parisian Skytower, co-owner and chief designer of LUXE Paris, had created a magnificent runway for the last challenge, FASHION CAPITALS, and the LOOK of the YEAR grand finale.
A jury of fashion & media personalities
Finalists had to present an outfit made up of LUXE Paris clothing and ZURI jewellery and have received for this, generous gift cards from both brands. The LOOK of the YEAR contest is the only style competition on the grid which subsidizes its finalists.
The jury was made up of 13 personalities from the fashion and media worlds: Parisian Skytower & Mika Palmyra, LUXE Paris owners, Zuri Rayna, owner and designer Zuri Jewelry, Valsnia, LOOK of the YEAR 2021-2022, Ponchituti Boucher, legendary top model, co-owner of One On One Agency and owner ProPose Modeling Poses, Frolic Mills, another virtual fashion legend who practically invented the industry in Second Life and the owner of the new SL20 magazine, Lanai Jarrico, owner of The SL Enquirer, , Adonis Lubomir, owner of Swank Events and Womenstuff group, Chema K, owner of SL Confidencial magazine, Ava Jhamin, co-owner The A-List and L'Amour Productions, Stephano Del Piero, teacher at In-Nova Model Training Academy, Consuela Blanche, manager Visionaire Photo Institute, Virgo, manager of the Latin Quarter.
The judges have awarded a score to each finalist by evaluating the accuracy and originality of their interpretation of their fashion capital as well as the presence of LUXE Paris and ZURI elegance. They also evaluated the finalists stage presence and charisma. The scores allocated during this last challenge were added to those of the first challenge, which took place ten days ago on the theme DECADES of FASHION 1950-2020. It is the sum that determined the winner.
Surprise! Valsnia launches her 1st collection!
As soon as the FASHION CAPITALS challenge was over, Mika Palmyra, the other owner-designer of LUXE Paris, left de judges' lounge to proceed with the compilation of the votes. Usually a long and boring moment, this waiting period turned into magic tho as Valsnia, outgoing LOOK of the YEAR winner, surprised the crowd with the launch of her first collection for LUXE Paris!
Suddenly, the majestic runway decked out of gold and onyx disappeared to give way to a magical Hindu garden. Five top models from One On One Agency, ZosiaAura, Memole, Miso, Tiy and Sholy, appeared as so many mysterious goddesses... This is because Valsnia's new collection pays homage to her country, India.
"I married traditional fabrics from my own real-life wardrobe with today's styles and cuts to show the two sides of India, its fondness for the past and its modernity," says Valsnia.
Among the traditional fabrics used, Valsnia's wedding dress and that of her mother.
Valsnia, outgoing LOOK of the YEAR, surprised the crowd with the launch of her first collection for LUXE Paris!
Shocked, Jade couldn't find her words
The presentation of the collection ''LUXE Paris COLORS of INDIA by Valsnia'' was immediately followed by the long-awaited highlight of the event, the crowning of the new LOOK of the YEAR, Jade Pono, and of the runners-up Hunipet Delicioso and Lathilda.
Jade was so shocked that it took her long minutes before she could find her words to thank the judges, the organization and her supporters. On the VPC, the models' private communication system when they are on stage, the show's coordinator, Lali Arbizu, was begging Jade to break the silence...
''I just couldn't believe it'', Jade exclaims.
''I still cant believe it'', she added, 48 hours later.
HER SISTER MORGAN INSPIRED HER
This is the second year that Jade has taken part in the LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR competition. Chosen in the semi-finals last year, she had not been selected for the final and here she is the big winner! What happened? What changed?
“What a tough question,” Jade comments with a laugh. ''I think it was my sister Morgan Incognito who inspired me. I so wanted her to be proud of me!
Morgan, Jade's virtual sister, also an Asian American, is a celebrity in the fashion world both for her qualities as a top model and for her involvement in many projects to improve the world such as her I SAY NO campaign benefiting RAINN, the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network.
Jade also thinks the LOOK of the YEAR mentoring team and the training she received in her early days at Naar Rexen's In-Nova Academy played a big role.
THE BEST PART:
THE MENTORING CLASSES!
"These mentorship classes and seminars with legendary supermodel Ponchitutti Boucher were the best part of the competition," she says feistily.
''It's worth millions of dollars to me!
''As for the school that introduced me to modeling, In-Nova, it is an extremely serious and very demanding institution!
''I even learned the basics of design there, which allowed me to create a cape to highlight my LUXE Paris dress for the final!''
Obviously, no one will be surprised to learn that Jade would like to continue her design apprenticeship within the LUXE Paris team. To be continued!
You missed the show?
Watch it on YouTube!
LOOK of the YEAR
Challenge 1
A GREAT VINTAGE SHOW!
A PHOTO REPORT by MONÏ
The finalists of the LOOK of the YEAR competition took on their first challenge with flying colors on Sunday, presenting a super vintage show with fashion from LUXE Paris and jewelry from ZURI.
The 12 greats, all vying for the prestigious role of ambassador of LUXE Paris, were to interpret a decade of fashion that had been randomly assigned to them in a mega production directed by One On One agency. From long satin gloves and socialite 50s party dresses to minimalist and ethical 2020s fashion, the finalists took us on a journey through time with sharpness and originality while DJ Blueyes Bonetto set the mood with good old vintage tunes.
But while the spectators danced on their chairs and applauded their favorites, the judges meticulously evaluated the finalists, in search of the ideal candidate to represent LUXE Paris.
The scores awarded by the judges for this first challenge will be added to the scores of the second and final challenge next Sunday, August 7, and it is the sum that will determine the LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR winner.
The new LUXE Paris ambassador, who will be revealed immediately after the last challenge on Sunday, will win L$50,000 cash in addition to numerous gifts offered by sponsors.
This eighth edition of the LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR competition is presented by One On One Agency, ZURI Jewelry, The Latin Quarters, In-Nova Model Training Academy, The SL Enquirer, SL Confidencial magazine, SL20 magazine, Swank Event, Womenstuff Group, Visionaire Photo Institute, ProPose Modeling Poses, The A-List, The Free Dove and SL4Live-TV
Watch for your limo to go see the grand final Sunday, HERE!
Hunipet, Arion & Lathilda
Stormy, Jade & Lokia
Nikki, Virginia & Vanessa
Trinity, Wartooth & Keira
You missed the 1st challenge?
WHATCH IT
on Youtube!
ZOOM on the JUDGES BRUNCH!
A photographic report by Monï
It was in a very elegant but also intimate atmosphere that the jury of the LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR competition met the finalists in person for the first time, at the Judges' Brunch.
Arion Vella, Hunipet Delicioso, JadePono, Keira Rhapsody, Lathilda, Lokia Float, Nikkilici0us, Stormy Spires, Trinity Aironaut, VanessaJane66, Virginia775 and Wartooth were all chosen for the quality of their looks in the photo they submitted. This time, they had to present themselves ''live'' and showcase their assets for the role of ambassador of LUXE Paris.
The finalists all shone as well as the judges who had prepared judicious questions, to better know the finalists.
Fourteen personalities from the fashion and media worlds make up the LOOK of the YEAR jury: Parisian Skytower & Mika Palmyra, LUXE Paris owners and head designers, Zuri Rayna, owner/designer Zuri Jewelry, Valsnia, LOOK of the YEAR 2021-2022, Ponchituti Boucher, co-owner One On One Agency and owner ProPose Modeling Poses, Frolic Mills, owner SL20 magazine, Blueyes Bonetto, co-owner Latin Quarters, Naar Rexen, owner In-Nova Modelling Academy and LOOK of the YEAR 2017, Adonis Lubomir, owner Swank Event and Womenstuff, Lanai Jarrico, owner The SL Enquirer, Chema K, owner SL Confidencial magazine, Wren Noir, co-owner Visionaire Photo Institute and owner Wren's Nest Shapes, Ava Jhamin, co-owner The A-List and owner L'Amour Productions and Palomma Dove Casanova, owner The Free Dove. Zuri n'ayant pu participer au Brunch, elle était représentée par Laura.
NEXT STEP
The challenge DECADES of FASHION
The next stage of the competition will be played Sunday, July 31 at 9 a.m., when the twelve big ones will compete in a first challenge/show on the theme DECADES of FASHION 1950-2020. This event is open to the general public and it promises a great fashion moment! Each of the finalists has to evoke the fashion decade assigned to her with clothes from LUXE Paris and jewelry from Zuri.
Constantly in mentoring workshops, modeling classes or rehearsals, the finalists work hard to offer us the best of themselves, in the hope of winning the prestigious title LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR. Remember that the next LUXE Paris ambassador will win L$50,000 in cash as well as numerous gifts offered by the sponsors.
The title LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR can also open many doors. Avalon Chrome, LOOK of the YEAR 2019-2020, is now designer for LUXE Paris, and Valsnia, the current ambassador, is preparing her first collection, inspired by her country, India.
Watch for your limo for the DECADES of FASHION show here on our website.
