Emma Portilo

It is with great pleasure to announce our latest Confessions Model Spotlight of one the fastest excelling female models in the SL modeling industry, namely Emma Portilo.

In a short period of time, Emma has emerged well within the SL modeling industry boasting incredible experience in many different avenues of the modeling and fashion industry. Amongst it, Emma has enjoyed much time as a JCNY Showcase Model between June – December 2009 and the prospects of Emma taking out the monthly Model’Fest competition look incredibly high.

One of Emma’s biggest accomplishments is her work for Opium Fashion Agency for which she operates as a General Manager in the Blogging Division. OFA is one of the most active and profound agencies which largely precedes the walls of Second Life through its fashion blog. From this, Emma has proven herself an integral asset for OFA and much great success is premised on her hard work and natural drive.

We invited Emma to participate in this spotlight and here is what she had to say. We would like to congratulate Emma for being the current model spotlight for CSLTM and wish her all the very best for her career!

1. Please tell us about yourself how you ventured into the modelling industry.
I came into Second Life in March of 2009 and took up exploring, making friends, and surfing. However, I have always had an interest in modeling and knew there had to be to it than just being another pretty face because everyone can be pretty in Second Life. Not sure of what I was getting myself into, I entered a calendar contest for Surf Love and won a spot as Miss December 2009. At the same time I was selected as a JCNY Showcase Model of the week. That was in June. While on the runway at JCNY, I met many models, some experienced, some not. I learned a lot from the models that week and it both inspired and fueled my desire to go into modeling. Shortly thereafter I enrolled in a modeling school, Mimmi Boa Modeling Academy, where my passion for modeling truly took root and continued to grow and develop.

2. Please tell us about some of your accomplishments within the modelling industry and describe what would be one of the most defining moments of your modelling career.
I have been selected for numerous shows and won many contests since I began modeling. I feel very proud of each and every one of the accomplishments I have achieved. I am currently a General Manager for Opium Fashion Agency, an instructor for Opium Elite Fashion Academy, a model for several agencies including Opium Fashion Agency, Give it a Swirl, My Precious Modeling Group, Evane Models, Catalyst of Fantasy, and Team Edos. However, one of the most defining moments for me was my first runway show which was the Something Blue Love & Marriage Expo show. It was my first runway show and gave me that little boost of experience every model needs to be successful. It enabled me to move on to more and more runway shows, meet more and more people, and expand my experience and career. Since that show I have been in dozens of runway shows, numerous print ads, won the DC District Model Discovery search, am a Miss *LA* Beauty pagent winner, a Catalyst of Fantasy Model of the Month, and am in the top 20 for the Miss Bliss Couture 2010 title.

3. You have certainly established yourself well within the modelling industry. Please tell us what you believe are the essential elements to being a successful model. Do you have any advice for aspiring models?
I believe nothing surpasses experience, knowledge and a well equipped computer. Plainly stated, you have to have the technology to be able to cope with the increasingly high demands of the modeling world. The better your computer, the easier it is for you as a model. That being said, you have to have the knowledge to know what you are doing and nothing gains knowledge faster than becoming educated through a modeling school. Following that education, the experience you gain by repeatedly styling, selecting poses, and actually walking the runway are not only rewarding, but definitely priceless.

Some of the best advice that I received was from my instructor, Sequoia Nightfire, was to always be ready. Learn to style at a moment’s notice, have poses organized and prepared, and have a resume and pictures on hand. Being prepared has equipped me to move quickly at times when fast reactions were key to my success.

4. What do you like and dislike about modelling?
I dislike lag!!!! It’s such a huge evil for a model. It’s sometimes very difficult to fight and makes me realize how important it is to do everything you can, as a spectator, to help keep the lag down so the show can go on! I also dislike drama and negative attitudes.

What I like about modeling is everything else! From styling the outfits, to picking poses, to walking down the runway, to meeting so many different people – designers and models. I don’t design at all so it’s such a honor to be able to bring the imaginative designs of others to life on the runway or in front of the camera. It’s all very exciting and I feel so honored to be a part of it all.

5. Finally, please tell us what motivates you to be a model. Who inspires you the most and what is your inspiration?
I am motivated to be a model because I love the lifestyle. I love meeting the people, gaining the experiences in my life, learning new things, and receiving the wonderful creations of designers. As far as who inspires me most, there are so many that do! There are my incredible friends such as Mistina Collins, Grace Whelan, SterlingZen Harbor, Miaa Rebane, Sequoia Nightfire, Ireland Anthony, Liliya Avedon, Anastacia Markova, Kay Fairey, Mimmi Boa and so many others. It seems as though I meet new people on a perpetual basis and it would be really hard to list them all. In addition, all of the amazing and talented designers I have met and have been priviledged to know – from those working their way up in the fashion world to those that are well established, top designers. However, nothing and no one inspires and supports me more than my partner, Maxwell Silvansky. I can honestly say without his support, I would not be where I am today. He encourages me when I am down, lifts me up when I have failed, and is behind me 100% through thick and thin. He is truly the reason I have the strength to keep going on bad days and he always sees the beauty that is me, the real me behind the avatar, the beauty I try to show through my avatar. He believes in me and gives me strength to believe in myself even when others may try to bring me down.

Please help us congratulate Emma once again by commenting below! It is thoroughly deserved and we look forward to seeing Emma within the industry indefinitely!

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