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 Press Release
There.com Launches Fashion Challenge - Nine-Week Virtual Runway Rivalry to Define the Look of 'There Wear'
Members Get into the Act as Designers, Avatar Models & Voter
San Mateo, CA (June 29, 2006) - Let the virtual fashionista games begin! There has kicked off a nine-week "Fashion Challenge" aimed at finding the next Stella McCartney or Dolce & Gabbana among the 3D virtual social world's designer community. Contestants' weekly creations will be presented on a 3D runway in virtual fashion shows featuring avatar models, then submitted to a member vote that will eliminate one or more designers each week a la "American Idol." The three contestants left standing will face off for the crown in an August finale.
There staff solicited fashion portfolios from the site's members and selected 12 finalists to duke it out in weekly competitions. The first challenge, due this week, is to design a men's ensemble inspired by the pirate look. (Think Johnny Depp meets Ralph Lauren.) A new challenge with a new theme will be unveiled every week until the winner is anointed.
The first-, second- and third-place designers will take home prizes including a Dell laptop, an Apple iPod and a Sony Playstation Portable. All contestants will also be able to sell their designs in There auctions for purchase with Therebucks, the community currency, by other members who want to dress their avatars in high style.
The contest is an extension of There's Developer Program, an ongoing community offering that enables members to design clothing, vehicles, furniture and other items using special tools on the site and then sell them through There auctions. At any given time, the site might have 20,000 women's avatar apparel items alone available for auction. Therebucks earned by developers through these sales can be used to purchase other items on the site or exchanged for real money on third-party sites.
Like most There developers, Fashion Challenge finalist and longtime member Disky caught the There design fever long ago. "I submitted my first design only days after arriving in There," says Disky. "It was a 'cave girl' T-shirt for vanilla skin. I really caught the designing bug and painted all sorts of things from hats to shoes and tons of costumes for themed events and Halloween."
C5studio, another finalist and a There member since July 2003, agrees. "I like the graphic problem solving you get with designing," he says. "I am really curious to see how far I can go, and how I and other designers will tackle each challenge. I've always enjoyed being part of the designer community in There."
So who's the next star of the online fashion world? Be There every Wednesday to find out. Or get more information at http://www.there.com or http://www.therefashionchallenge.com
About There.com There.com is an online hangout where you can spend time with your friends and meet new ones - all in a lush 3D environment that's yours to explore and help build. For more information, or to join THERE.COM and get started meeting new friends and participating in fun activities, visit www.There.com. Press Contact:
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