With the advent of the metaverse, virtual space has become the next big thing when it comes to the creative expression of art. By adopting this new form of technology, many fashion houses will showcase their collection in the metaverse for the first time in March. Shortly after fashion week ended with the physical presence of models and fashion lovers, the virtual world also experienced its first fashion week.
The Metaverse Fashion Week (MVFW) will be organized from Thursday 24 March by Decentraland, a metaverse platform. The four-day event, ending March 27, will focus on digital fashion collections staged on virtual catwalks and a glimpse into ongoing shopping experiences.
Legacy fashion houses joining digital-first entities include Paco Rabanne, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Tommy Hilfiger, Dundas, Cavalli, Nicholas Kirkwood, Elie Saab, and Imitation of Christ. Other fashion brands that will showcase their collections include The Fabricant, Auroboros and DressX, who will also host runway shows and immersive spaces. Digital accessories from brands such as Coach, OSOI, Ester Manas, Wandler, Axel Arigato and Eytys will also be available in a virtual store created by digital fashion house Republiqe and retailer Monnier Paris, Vogue Business reports.
Giovanna Graziosi Casimiro, head of Metaverse Fashion Week, told Vogue Business that the participating brands will primarily showcase new collections or new interpretations of existing pieces, rather than repurpose physical designs for the metaverse viewers.
Casimiro told Dezeen that MVFW will be accessible to everyone around the world. She also added that one of the drawbacks of traditional fashion shows is that they are “too restrictive for the average person and are almost always by invitation only. MVFW will be free and of course since it will be digital you will only have a computer and an internet connection,” Casimiro told Dezeen.
Dundas founder Evangelo Bousis spoke about his MVFW collection to Vogue Business, saying the goal of the metaverse is to dream and create fabulous looks that you can’t wear in real life. Bousis added that the Dundas collection will showcase a mix of digital replicas of his recent collection and more experimental designs that are not necessarily designed to be physically produced. “I’m telling Peter Dundas to jump on the train or you’ll miss the train. We think this is the future,” Dundas founder Evangelo Bousis told Vogue Business.
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