Gaia Online Teams Up With Christian Siriano For Virtual Prom

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Posted May 14th, 2008 by Padma "LadyLotus" Fuller

Gaia Online just announced they they have decided to host a virtual Prom this weekend that will begin at 12:00pm PDT on May 16 and end at 9:00 am PDT May 19th. To enhance this great Gaia Prom, they have enlisted the help of Project Runway's Season 4 Winner: Christian Siriano. Christian designed a series of prom dresses and outfits for Gaian's to buy and wear for this grand occasion.

Here are the details of the event:
"SAN JOSE, Calif.-- Designer prom fashions, check. Dance-offs, check. Annoying chaperones, not here. Gaia Online, the world's most active online community of more than five million users, today announced it will host its first ever virtual prom, Prom Crashers. As part of the event, Project Runway's Christian Siriano has designed an exclusive line of avatar prom garb to ensure all Gaians – both veterans and newbies – are stylin' for the big event. Prom attendees will also have the opportunity to enter to win a real-world original Siriano garment custom designed for the winner. Unlike the real-world prom, Prom Crashers isn't one night only; the virtual blow-out kicks off on Friday, May 16 at 12:00 pm PDT and the fun lasts until Monday, May 19 at 9:00 am PDT.

Prom is a rite of passage for millions of teens each year; however this tradition isn't all tuxes and tiaras. In fact, a recent online survey of nearly 60,000 teens revealed that prom stresses them out – from what to wear, to finding a date, to actually paying for it all. The survey also revealed that most are wishing that their social event of the season was a little bit different, a little less like their mom's prom.

Christian Siriano designs

Teens have spoken and Gaia Online has answered. Beginning today, Prom Crashers attendees can start getting ready for the big event by purchasing prom fashions, including exclusive limited edition Christian Siriano pieces, looking for a prom date or a group of friends to go with, chatting with others in the forums about their plans for prom and much more. At Prom Crashers, by way of their custom-built avatars, Gaians will be able to participate in dance contests, create user-generated play lists, take pictures, sign the yearbook and, of course, socialize. Prom-goers ages 13 and older can register for the free virtual prom at gaiaonline.com/prom.

"We all know real-world proms can be a little played out, so I'm excited to be part of an event that brings some creativity and originality to this time-honored tradition," said Christian Siriano, Project Runway Season 4 winner. "The prom fashions I designed for this event are fierce, flawless and fabulous and will really let Gaians express their unique style!"

Siriano's exclusive virtual prom designs will be available in-world for purchase with virtual Gaian currency, Gaia Gold, or with standard U.S. currency, known in-world as Gaia Cash.

"At Gaia Online it's important to us to listen to our users and provide them with a place to hang out that is a natural extension and enhancement of their real-world experiences," said Scott Kinzie, vice president of creative and user experience, Gaia Online. "With Prom Crashers, we wanted to take a completely new spin on an old tradition, and who better to help us than an edgy young fashion designer like Christian Siriano who embodies the independent and innovative spirit of our Gaians."

Here is a sneak peek at what Christian Siriano's Gaia Avatar looks like: