FASHION FORWARD... | A.T.E.Z

FASHION FORWARDFASHION FORWARD

2022 Fashion Week FORWARD virtual virtual to METAVERSEFORWARDto METAVERSE

hired to contribute to the building of this virtual universe. Right now the different realms are:

Some current Metaverse platforms are: Decentraland (oldest platform/occupant - 3D virtual reality world powered by Ethereum blockchain) Users can create buildings such as homes, galleries, malls, concert halls, or theme parks and charge other players who visit them.)

CryptoVoxels – Project was inspired by Minecraft. This platform is being collaborated on with CryptoArtists from all of over the world. There are many art galleries and the community is active.

Roblox - Metaverse platform where users play games made by other users.

The Sandbox – Players can build, own and monetize their gaming experiences in the Ethereum blockchain using NFT’s and $Sand (the platform’s utility token)

Somnium Space – For those that have high end VR devices. It has its own somnium builder which is similar to the SIMS builder.

Stageverse – Social VR Platform that features virtual venues, digital content and interactive experiences. It allows multiple viewers to experience concerts together through 360 degree 3D footage captured from multiple angles around the venue.

WAX (World Asset Exchange) – one of the best platforms on the Metaverse for crytpo projects on the market.

Spatial – Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) collaboration platform that turns any room into a 3D workspace

Remember Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement that Facebook would become Meta several months back.

Remember? It was during the investigations into COVID Misinformation. It was pretty random at the time, and did not provide much information, but it seems this name change was to usher in the new Metaverse. Which is timely since 2020 has taught us how to pivot and still get work done while quarantined and/or sheltering in place.

In the past year, meetings and doctor appointments happened over Zoom, work was transferred over the internet and shipments/packages where coordinated online and via phone. Dance parties and learning also became virtual ways to connect socially.

Metaverse: a collection of 3d virtual worlds where virtual avatars connect for social events, work, school, travel, and entertainment.

We’ve also been hearing about NFT’s (Non-Fungable Token) and digital artwork being sold for thousands with the original creator receiving royalties each time their artwork is sold. Justin Beiber just bought a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT for $1.29 Million. These NFT purchases occured virtually.

NFT: (Non-Fungible Token)- a digital asset that represents real-world objects like art, music, in-game items, video and more. Blockchain technology is used to create something unique in the digital world. The unique codes attached to each piece identifies the true artist/creator establishing authenticity.

There have been concerts performed virtually, (April 23, 2020) Travis Scott had his first performance on Fortnite where about 12 million live viewers attended as he debuted

his latest track "Astronomical". His avatar interacted with the digital world and the avatars of the viewers during the performance. Recently, The Foo fighters announced they will perform virtually in the Metaverse for Superbowl Sunday (February 13th), as the Los Angeles Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at 8pm PT.

Did you know that fashion has also crossed into the Metaverse? Nike, an apparel and sneaker giant, recently purchased a virtual shoe company RTFKT Studios. In November of 2021 Nike started quietly filing trademarks and around December of 2021 announced Nikeland on Roblox.

Why would digital fashion be important? As mentioned above 2020 has changed how a lot of us work. Metaverse itself is now actively hiring for people to work virtually. These employees, teachers, engineers, artists, executives, models, etc create Avatars who will be a stand-in for themselves during meetings and work. Of course, these Avatars will need clothing. In many video games we played in the past we had to pick an avatar and purchase accessories or clothes for it, this is the same concept. Today, Avatars can become the digital fashion extension or expression of a person.

The fashion world has taken note and many companies are vying for locations within the Metaverse to grow beyond traditional fashion. The first Fashion Show will be held in the Metaverse in March of 2022. Decentraland will host the four-day event on its platform in the Metaverse. It is set to take place from March 24th through March 27th, 2022. There will be virtual shows, parades, stores, and events featuring dozens of global brands and thousands of visitors.

Large fashion brands are seeking collaborations with game developers, consoles, and esports teams, or launching on their own in certain game worlds.

Picture this, you’re in the front row viewing the latest fashions in showrooms, perusing and purchasing from stores, attending talks and other events from the comfort of your home. And yes, some purchases and swag acquired during this event in the Metaverse can translate to the physical product being shipped or mailed to your house. No need to make a trip to Paris or New York! Note: Keep an eye on Decentraland to see when VIP access becomes available for purchase if you want front row spaces.

Hugo (part of the newly rebranded Hugo Boss) was one of the first brands to announce its participation in the upcoming fashion show. Other designers/brands that are expected to present are: Glenn Martens ( Y / Project and Diesel ) collab with Jean Paul Gaultier Barbie and Olivier Rousteing de Balmain. Kim Bekker will take over from Isabel Marant

Virtual Avatars will walk the runways in items that are for purchase. Some are for purchase virtually for your avatar (D2A = Direct to Avatar) and physically for yourself IRL (in real life) which is the model we are most familiar with, D2C (Direct to Consumer). That magic place where physical and digital meet has been called Phygital, real-world experiences with digital components. We mentioned NFT’s previously, the virtual items that you purchase during fashion week can also be sold as NFT's.

Anyone can attend the Metaverse Fashion Week, but to make purchases you might need either a cell phone/ computer to scan the QR codes in virtual shops, and an Ethereum wallet. Cash is used to purchase Ethereum which is a digital currency that will be stored in the Ethereum wallet.

The excitement, elaborate runway sets, and creative fashions attract people every year, IRL. Fashion powerhouses have been working with creatives to further push their artistic styles beyond physical into digital. To reach consumers virtually, old and new.

Decentraland.org

~Shontel