●SHIINE work●

shiine me

SHIINE

Critique? Yes, please! (Though preferably not relating to the brightness - I realize scanned work isn't always the best for the colors)

MODEL
Name: Mimi Fiore
Neopet name: mimi555916
Gender: Female
Age: 26
Statement: I used to make my own clothes, but I suppose just wearing them could be fun... I could use the experience, maybe...

DESIGNER
Name: Alex
User name: piratepaintrox5
Gender: Female
Statement: Normally I just do the fashion photography, but designing clothes couldn't be too hard, right? I just hope Mimi taught me enough...!

Past rounds

Scorecard

Button by MM!

Challenge 5

Heheh, I saw this article when I opened Yahoo today, and since the challenge is all about movies and movie posters I thought it was interesting :)

Journey to the Skies Review

Hot air baloons function due to the fact that they have less average density than the air surrounding, because of the great capacity of air within the balloon. Journey to the Skies, similarly, has risen to the top of Neopian film buzz. How will the Ashel Productions film stand up to my critical analysis? Will it rise to become the face of the summer's blockbusters, or will it sink into the oblivion of B-rated films?

The opening sequence is, simply put, breathtaking. Dressed in Neovian clothing that instantly signals the dull character like the horn of an obnoxious trucker, journalist Emma Osbourne is shown penning a kind of journal. As she closes the diary, the narration reveals her lifestyle: routine visit to the bank, the bakery, her workplace, et cetera – nothing special. The contradiction between creative journal writing and a desk job is stark and strange, but intriguing and well thought through.

At this point, and throughout the whole movie, the director took great care in a combination of on-location shots – for the dull, everyday effect – and quiet, in-studio scenes. For example, as Miss Osbourne returns to her home to conclude her daily routine, the hushed atmosphere generated by nightgoers is so believable; I could very well be on that street when I'm watching the movie. But, as she opens the door, the sudden solitude is shocking. The effect is that the viewer realizes that Miss Osbourne is alone – no one special in her life, and nothing bright and colorful. The scene uses a classic fade out.

After being dragged to a local Hot Air Balloon Convention by her fellow clerk, Thomas, Emma glimpses a colossal air balloon scheduled to take off, coincidentally, that afternoon. After a few mishaps, Emma is on the air balloon when it – no surprises here – breaks away. Though predictable in terms of likeliness that an air balloon would accidentally take off in movies, a technique to comment on is the use of CGI animation. The director animated the balloon with CGI, and the rest was a combination of film and green screen, so the audience embarked on a journey, too, united with Osbourne through the almost three-dimensional image.

Much to the delight of the faint of heart, Thomas sets off after Osbourne. The actor's emotions, portrayed in the subtlest facial gestures, indicate deeper feelings beyond the character himself. What makes Osbourne's character so captivating is that treats him with respect, not girlish coquetry or downright ignorance. The stereotype broken, the chase begins in a rather slow-paced but aesthetically amusing scene.

Note: at this point in the movie, the author experienced food poisoning and missed a great deal of the rest of the movie. What follows is her summary of the movie she did see.

The film is bursting with imagination. Colored with beautiful imagery, a lighthearted romance and deeply-rooted metaphors, this masterpiece of Ashel and debut of shining star Jeweliana Von Skipler is one of the most visually astounding movies of the year. Journey to the Skies is enough to let your imagination take flight.

Note: Prior to watching the movie, the author visited the set of Journey to the Skies, and had to say that the balloon is very big.

^Even though I'm not a model myself, never did I think that being a fan would involve movies! Well, reviewing movies, which I guess I'm better at... I wrote the article for the Neopian Times, but I normally write for Style Lava in Moltara. It's my first ever movie review. Before I watched the movie, I even visited the set! Jeweliana herself talked to me, too. Woah! The photo above was taken when I was touring the set, too. That is a big balloon - not a real one, of course.
Photographer's note: I know Clouded posted it late, but man, that was one rushed challenge. To begin with, I didn't even know how to write movie reviews before research, then I didn't have time to finish the review for the rest of the movie ;-; Luckily, I did manage to get Mimi with Jewel's balloon, even if everything is way out of proportion ;)

(Permission to use aspects of Jeweliana's submission)

Challenge 4

^Final Submission

Partner~ Vanesa!

^What a round! Not only did we need to do something with a Neopian place (Alex had some interesting ideas for that), but also to include a partner as well. We asked Kyut and Vanesa to join us. As for location, Alex and I thought of going to Faerieland (because it's been so different since the Ruin, and no models are doing it right now- plus I love faeries!) but Vanesa and Kyut had a different thought- Lutari Island! We took an exclusive ferry straight there. The small resort we stayed at was so hospitable, and all the islanders are so friendly! Kyut and I had so much fun trying on native clothing: beads, feathers, facepaint... the culture is so great, and I hope I can go back some day!
Photographer's note: I'd like to thank my wonderful partner Vanesa for collaborating and giving her ideas and art! If you excuse me, I'll go finish my Flatfruit smoothie... o3o

Challenge 3

Clicks and bangs had followed you up the street before you came to 78 Whistle Street, as the paper slip said. Cog's Togs. But you're not here to talk to Cog; no, she had pointed up the ladder to the next floor. You ease open a pressurized-air door into a room cluttered with paper, dummies, and swatches of different fabrics and materials (which seem to include various metal pieces everywhere). A steampunk (yet rather stylish-looking) blue Aisha glances up from the dummy she is fitting behind a stack of portfolios and takes you in. She guesses who you are instantly, though, and sits you both down to Moltaran cappuccino.

I'm Mimi," she blushes, clearly a bit shy. "I've not been in the fashion industry too long: I started in University of Brightvale, where I got a lot of inspiration. Faerieland was a huge influence, too; its sky-high 'high fashion' is attracting in a surreal way. When Moltara opened up to the surface, I came here and became Cog's apprentice. She taught me different styles and techniques, and gave me the courage to start my own label- Terran- to be sold locally here! Outside of the fashion column I write in Style Lava, a Moltaran periodical, we don't get much publicity because, unfortunately, Moltara is not the place for fashion shows. However, I have a bunch of advertisements, in which I have modeled a good deal of our clothes myself. I've even designed for Neopia's Next Top Model before; here, see for yourself!

Our latest creation, in case you were wondering, was the CogLocked line of evening wear. In Moltara, when a good day's work is done, even Moltarans like to celebrate, and this finery is both elegantly classy for the occasion, yet durable enough to get back to work in a heartbeat! My next ambition? I'm working on a new fashion line called Steampink. I mean, think about it- the last thing anyone thinks about when they think of Moltara is the color pink. It's strange, weird and just completely unheard of. But… that's the best part!" A bright grin flashes across her face, though you doubt the idea is completely sane. Once she shows you some sketches, though, you think she might be onto something. This certainly is one interesting designer…

A whistle suddenly sounds, and you whip around to see an industrially advanced, steam-powered clock chiming. "Oh dear, it looks like my shift is over," she mumbles. "I need to go see the leather fabric swatches at our supplier's across the city, but be sure to come back! I'd love to see my creations on you," she says as she stuffs a bag and runs out the door, leaving you alone, listening to the faint sounds of clicks and bangs on the street…

Challenge 2

^Oh my gosh, my first challenge as an NNTM fan! Wow, I can't believe it! Normally I'm designing the clothes or just doing a little local modeling, but, well... maybe I can be Neopia-wide famous! ^-^ (I felt really good about this outfit, too... trendy and funky all in one place!)
Photographer's note: I must say, Mimi designed quite the outfit :) I can't say my photography wasn't important, though. I do photography outside of Neopia, but photoshoot directing is new! We're looking forward to future challenges! :)

And, because this challenge was so inspiring, I've already started on the rest of the V!brance fashion line!

Challenge 1

Extras

Where is Dartaen?

^ When I heard the news, I was shocked. Dartaen? Missing? No way! Alex and I instantly set out to help find him, wherever he was. I went out to go get my morning Moltaran frappuccino at my favorite place, Magma Cafe. (I'm a young writer, so it's a real hot spot, you know what I mean?) Alex and I had just sat down, when - you wouldn't believe - there was Dartaen ordering black coffee at the counter! We can understand why everyone is so surprised, because no one would expect him to be so far underground! Anyway, we couldn't get a hold of him before he walked out the door. But then, we were spelunking in caves (geology research) when we saw him again! What on Neopia is Dartaen doing in Moltara...?
Photographer's note: I'm a natural photographer, so going all paparazzi on a missing Dartaen sounded like fun! But coffee in Moltara? Really, Taen?

Superhero Challenge- Ice Queen

^My first outside-of-NNTM fan challenge! This outfit was supposed to represent Ice Queen, a frosty mistress with powers of cryomorphosis (that it, the ability to turn into ice) and ice-projectile-generating. Don't worry, it's just acting, I'm not always this cold! *nervous laugh* I really wish I was Ice Queen so I could wear her cape sometime, though; it's so lovely!
Photographer's note: Haha, it's pure coincidence that I just finished my performance in the school play, Chance Fortune and the Outlaws, which is all about teenage superheroes! xD My character was the chill Ice Queen, with the coolest powers ever. The overly-simple outfit, though, was beautified for this Neopian version ;)

Mimi

My name is Mimi Fiore, and I'm a blue Aisha. I was abandoned by my last owner, sitting in the cold and lonely pound, when my mom Alex took me in. She gave me a comfortable room, toys to play with, and - best of all - stories. Tales of distant lands, especially ones about the lands of my cousins Imponachi and Lucky. Especially ones about faeries. Faeries have always... I don't know... enchanted me? Beautiful beings who fly on gossamer wings, using their wondrous magical skills to aid Neopets in need... I've always wanted to be one. My little sister Fyora and I, when I played dress-up with her, would always pretend to be faeries. I thought it would only be a place of my dreams, but... I was so fortunate that it wasn't.
I attended the Queen Fyora Academy and lived there, though the rest of my family still lived back in Neopia Central (Alex said it was too dangerous for Fyora to live at such a high height without real wings). I graduated with top scores, especially in Neopian language (I like writing, so I guess I'm good at it) and I learned some magic there, too. Alex had earned enough money to send me to University of Brightvale, and I rented a thatch Neohome down there to live at during my studies.
It turned out that, in addition to Neopian, I had a flair for fashion. I picked up some styles from locals, and graduated with a diploma, majoring in Fashion & Textiles. I had lived with my family in Neopia Central, but when tonnes of new Neohomes were available, Alex bought a house in Faerieland. Now older, I saw the high fashion everywhere... it was a big influence... A while later, after terrific storms had brewn all over Neopia, a place called Moltara opened. I wanted to do some research about cultural habits (I suppose living so far underground can mean a lot of language and infrastructure differences, no?) and after exploring the industrial streets I stumbled upon Cog's Togs.
It was almost like the moment my life changed - I walked through the door, a bell tinkled overhead, and there she was. Sitting at a mechanical loom, newly-tinkered gear spectacle in hand, a smudge of grime on her face. Cog herself. I'd taken one glance around the shop, and, wow... all I could manage was, running my fingers over a leather bodice... You made this?
She laughed. Here, have a Moltaran cappuccino! Fresh from the Molten Morsels down the street.
We talked for a few hours... about fashion... about all the wonderful styles on sale... about Moltara... when I asked her what felt like the most impending, urgent question of the era. I asked Cog: Can I work for you?
She said yes.
That's how I got working at Cog's Togs. I learned so much from her; she's a wonderful teacher. One day, she even offered to help me start my own fashion label! To be sold right there in her shop! That was one of the biggest moments of my life... such an honor... and Terran was born. I model for some of my own clothes, and took interest in modelling. I started to write for Style Lava, a trendy Moltaran periodical. I still live in Moltara, knowing that every day is a new day... a new opportunity... a new experience. And I love it.

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