HAIRSPRAY - Mark your calendars, hair enthusiasts: Hair Fair 2008 is coming and the call has gone out to all corners of the grid for vendor entries. The third annual event brings together the best hair designers in Second Life for a charity event benefiting Locks of Love. SLNN sat down with Washu Zebrastripe, co-owner of the Hairspray sim and Hair Fair committee member, to discuss the event.

"It's a chance to bring the hair community together," Zebrastripe said when asked about her personal attachment to the three-year-old event. "This has always been important to me, being the hair inventor and having the first hair mall. Bringing together the SL community is fun and exciting."

Created in 2006, the brainchild of Gurl 6 owner, Six Kennedy, the purpose of the first Hair Fair was to bring together the then relatively small group of hair designers in one location.  Though the number of virtual hair stylists has grown since that first event, the purpose remains the same: to bring together the best and brightest established and up-and-coming hair designers from across Second Life in one event, give SL hair enthusiasts the opportunity to discover new favorites and rediscover the tried and true, and, for the second year, raise some money to benefit the

Locks of Love organization.

Zebrastripe noted that: "Designers should participate for several reasons. First and foremost, a percentage of proceeds go to Locks of Love. We are giving to a great cause. Secondly, it's one of the biggest events in SL. It's a chance and time to get your name out to the shoppers. It doesn't matter how small your shop is. When you are in the Hair Fair, people will see you, love you, and talk about you."

Headed by Chairperson Kennedy, the Hair Fair organizing committee has teamed up with Rezzable and now has four full sims that will be dedicated to hair style and innovation. In addition to showcasing hair designers, there will be several events through out the week including Name That Designer and Bandana Day. 

One particularly unique event will allow designers to collaborate together to create a group wig that will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting Locks of Love.

Hair Fair 2008 will take place August 22 through September 7, 2008 and designer applications are due by July 1, 2008. Designers are asked to create three to five new hairstyles each that will debut at the event and to donate 50% of the proceeds from one style to the Locks of Love charity.