Hi everyone!
We have now reached the end of May, which means it is time for another monthly magazine!

This month has been an exciting one for the News Team, as we have welcomed our three new members – Emmienem, Kofod & Callum – to the team. If you would like to get to know them better, check out their introduction article here. We are looking forward to working more closely together in the months to come, to keep bringing you fresh content regularly here on the news page.

Before we let you move on with the rest of the magazine, we would like to remind you to send in your user appreciation nominations. As mentioned previously, this page will no longer be featured in the magazine every month. This means that it is no longer a requirement that the nominee has done something “special” during the month to be featured. If you know someone you think deserves some appreciation, then send a message to the NewsTeam account with their username and why you think they should be featured.

We hope you enjoy the magazine!
~ NT

This month, we’re starting off the revamped User Appreciation (previously known as User of the Month) by appreciating the user BunnyButts. I asked her a couple of questions to get to know her more, and some of her friends what they appreciate about her, all of which you can read down below.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Well I’m BunnyButts, I'm 21 and a leo sun, scorpio moon and gemini rising. I think I'm an ENFP, but I have a terrible memory for that stuff. I just graduated college with a major in fashion, so I'm an official adult now, and I love making and having friends.

You recently made a thread for new users. Where did the idea come from, and what motivated you to make that thread?

The idea actually started off as a joke, something small with basic info and majority jokes. It didn't take long for it to turn into something serious; in a day or two after posting it became a really nice and thought-out guide for newbies on the site. The motivation was from the sudden mass of new players from the tik tok comp, and you know. We just kept getting asked the same questions, and instead of answering them all individually, I thought a master post would help get them started. Though I might have started the thread, I want to thank everyone who helped make the thread what it is, from the blog post owners I linked, to everyone giving me ideas, checking my spelling, and taking care of the new users when I miss their questions.

I would say you're known as a very positive presence on vp - how do you feel about being perceived that way?

Oh, it makes me blush every time, but I really appreciate it; like of all the things to be remembered for, I think positivity is a good one. Sometimes I worry about people not perceiving me as positive, especially on bad days, but I have so many friends here that are so fast at reminding me that it's okay to have bad days, and that I'm still the same Bunny they love. But really I just have a lot to love to give and making people happy just makes me happy.

What do you appreciate about BunnyButts?

Ellem:

Bunny is honestly amazing. There's no other user who spreads as much joy and warmth in me as Bunny, she’s always so sweet and fun. She’s incredibly easy to talk to and.. it’s very hard to not love her. I guess that’s what I appreciate about Bunny heh. 💕

Nesta:

Bunny is one of my newest, but also one of my closest friends on here. We got to meet each other last summer where we bonded over bunny butts (yes, pictures) and sourdough bread. What I've come to appreciate the most about our friendship is that she will stick out with me in all types of weather and that we can converse about literally anything. She's compassionate and understanding. She tosses love in all directions (as I think many of us have witnessed.) I think her joining VP has brought a much-awaited dose of positivity. And, if you haven't noticed it yet (unlikely), she's insanely skilled at fashion\costume design. She's so hardworking and passionate about what she's doing. I really appreciated she came into my vpea existence. [Insert picture of a bunny butt.] Thank you, for being you, bunny!! 

Claire:

I met BB in a game called Cocoppa Play when she was in HIGH SCHOOL and I was in school for my art; this week she graduated from ART SCHOOL. On CCP BB was COMPETITIVE - we ran a club together with another girl called Roosu who is BBs good friend still to this day.

EVERYONE on VP knows that BB is NICE and FUN and A TALENTED ARTIST but I feel like I'm the only person who knows that when this girl wants to compete she will win. And I'm sure this competitive spirit helped her get her degree. They don't just hand out fashion design degrees. It has been SO EXCITING for me to see BB's art. Like this woman is really talented and works really hard on her art.

Reconnecting with BB on VP has been one of the most MAGICAL internet experiences of mine. This girl looked at my username and my avatar... like "Hmmmm red hair.... Claire.... this aesthetic with this name....... uhm I think I know this person." And that's magic. The internet has billions of people on it- and of those billions of people how many play dress up games online? Millions? But finding a friend from one dressup game in another dressup game- it's some kind of magic that makes the world feel more connected to me. 

BB is supportive and kind and she's kind though her own struggles. She's a person with a very deep inner world and lots of feelings and she has hard days and she Chooses Kindness.

A major thing has happened on VP this month: There was a site update! And not just a regular checkup, but we actually got a feature that has been asked for for a long time. The limit on how many items you can wear in each category has been raised from 10 to 15, so it is now possible to wear even more elaborate combos. Hopefully this means that we might get other updates that have been asked for for a long time too. 

This month’s Auction took place on May 8th, and lasted for the usual 24 hours. The sets were some gorgeous ones, with the pd sets being matching purple ninja-inspired sets made by Allie, whereas the female cr set was a Catwoman inspired one made by Solovey. The final set, the male cr one, was a punk one made by Askr.

The Mega Credit Week started on May 3rd and featured many stunning sets. The males had a chance at getting their hands on sets made by Ouch, Askr, Trainor and Melk, while the female sets were made by Helmi, Evie, Teddy, Melk and Solovey. According to the poll in the Mega Credit Week forum, the most popular set was the 2 Euro female set; a very cute set with hoodies and jumpsuit made by Helmi. The most popular male set was the 6 Euro one made by Askr, which featured suns, converse and a headband. 

There have not been a lot of team updates this month but the BloggerTeam made sure to give us something to write about for this page, they are hosting applications! 

The BloggerTeam announced that they are hosting applications on May 9th and the deadline for the applications just closed, on May 30th. They are looking for both writers and layouters and the BT have announced that there will be a bootcamp. Even though the applications just closed, you still might want to learn more about what their application looks like and you can do so by checking out the applications announcement blog here or you can check their Q&A forum here.

We in the NewsTeam would like to wish all the applicants the best of luck!

This spring, some of VP’s most fashionable users competed in season two of VP’s Drag Race, hosted by Callum. And as the grand finale just concluded the season a couple of days ago, I thought it would be fitting to take this opportunity to speak to the final four - Babooshka, Dwaal, Melk and Moss - and hear their thoughts on the competition! 

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How was your overall experience on VP's Drag Race?

Babooshka: I had a good overall experience! It was fun, but took a lot of effort and time, you had to dedicate all of yourself, a very thrilling experience. I could show myself to VP's World, the best of me and who I am. I hope that people liked it, if not, well... not really my problem! But if you want more from me, ask Callum for an All Stars season in the future, maybe I can lose again! HAHAHAHA

PS: Callum didn't pay our participation fee, wait for my lawyer's call.

Dwaal: I loved being on the show! It was one of my favourite things I've ever participated in on VP! I loved how it was planned and managed, and overall it was a very fun experience. 

Melk: Being on VP’s Drag Race was absolutely challenging and frustrating at times, but it’s been fun to see how each contestant has challenged themselves and made beautiful looks. There were so many strong contestants this season I’m proud of us all. 

Moss: Drag Race was definitely a fun experience as I love making looks and styling my avatar. A few of the themes really challenged me, and it was always interesting to see what the other contestants would come up with! The way the "show" is executed is also very commendable. 

Do you think your VP style has changed or evolved in any way from taking part in this competition?

Babooshka: I am a perfectionist so I was very loyal to my values. I love avant-garde, high fashion, and any kind of art, my looks are always inspired by them. So, I would say not really because I think Callum selected people who already had a finer touch to make looks, but being attached to a theme is really challenging, it is like a Fashion Contest but without the tactical voters, of course.

Dwaal: I don't know if my style has really changed. When I make looks I almost always strive to make something unique and good-looking, and in that manner I don't think VP's Drag Race has had any impact. I do think the show has helped me take better notice of others' looks and appreciate when looks are very well put together, it's all in the details!

Melk: I’m not sure honestly, but I have absolutely got to cultivate my royal flamboyant sense of style. 

Moss: Not really, haha. 

Which one of your own looks from the competition is your favourite, and why?

Babooshka: I love every look I did, so that is a really hard question for me. I put a lot of effort and time on them and all of them have a unique concept that I made sure to be clear in the descriptions! The alien look, the 70s look, the granny queen look from Drag Family Values, the super hero look, the Pop Art look... BUT I would say the final look because I was finally using sinner red & sacred gold, a recurring colour theme this season along with the royalty theme! 

Dwaal: I think my own favourite look was the look from the Non-d theme, I just feel like I poured my heart and soul into that look and was so happy how it turned out! It was a first for me to work with a restriction like that while making looks, so it was truly a challenge, and I'm so proud that I pulled through! So yeah, the non-d look will always have a special place in my heart! 

Melk: This hot man over here (below) is my fave. I feel like you really can tell who he is just by seeing the look. What a moment honestly! 

Moss: Looking back, I don't really remember most of my outfits. During one challenge, I got to pick a fashion era as I had won the previous week, and I chose "Victorian fashion." I made an outfit for this challenge that I didn't end up submitting because it didn't feel "Drag" enough, but in retrospect, it's probably my favorite outfit that came to be during the competition. 

/ Babooshka & Dwaal’s favourite looks

What is your favourite look made by another contestant, and why?

Babooshka: My favourite look by another contestant is definitely the "In the Jungle" one by Iriss. Very well-made without looking overdone, everything is on point and makes the look jaw-breaking. It's savage, it's high fashion and it's jungle couture! Iriss did a pretty good job this season. I was hoping to be on top 4 with Iriss, sadly it didn't happen!

Dwaal: I really really LOVED Melks finale look, it was absolutely stunning! To me it just screamed QUEEN and winner, it was so well thought through and put together, it definitely deserved to win! 

Melk: I loved Moss’ Super Villain Eleganza look form episode 6. It was well put together, what a moment! 

Moss: I was blown away by everyone's look at some point, but our King Melk had a very nice outfit in the finale.

 / Cheetah by Iriss & super villain by Moss

And lastly, Melk, as the grand winner, how do you feel? 

It was very fun to see my own name pop up when the winner was announced and it really made all the hours I’ve spent making looks worth it. I’m not complaining about the cash prize either.

/ Melk’s favourite and final look

 

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A huge congratulations to Melk for winning the season, and  to all the contestants on their incredible looks!