Metaverse Fashion Conference 2024
MFC24 through the eyes of ORBYLINE
This year, ORBYLINE has participated in Fashion Metaverse Conference 2024 (FMC24) with the Glimmer Frost dress. It was an extraordinary experience that we’re eager to share with you our insights and interview.
About Our Selected Art Piece “Glimmer Frost”
Our approach to digital fashion is mostly directed towards the relation it has to the physical reality, because we believe that we’re arriving to a point in time in which we are getting closer to a workflow completely intertwined with technology to challenge the status quo and reach smart design. So we crafted a roadmap that goes to that direction.
Glimmer frost was actually an experimental artwork to go more or less through the same process. So, creative-wise we wanted to combine softness and delicacy with a hard and solid material like metal, so no sharps edges and continuous spirals and a very feminine silhouette mixed with a harsh material like metal so it appears like a soft harness. And then we made the wearable into AR to bring it closer to reality and crafted the pair of earrings into practical ergonomy and measures that is ready for physical production. The main artwork is not showcased here but it was supposed to be an out of this world atmosphere in which the pieces exist it, and then we slowly take them from that world and that character and bring it closer to our reality.
Together with Zero10 app, we mad it possible for you to try this wearable art piece. you can also try-out this piece on our Snapchat. You can also check-out our AR page to scan the QR code to try-on the body piece.
Future of Digital Fashion and Virtual Conferencing
We felt that FMC24 was a great representation of how Digital Fashion and Virtual Conferencing will look like in the near future. bringing together artists, designers, and industry pioneers from diverse background and findingourselves among a vibrant community of visionaries, exchanging ideas and experiences that completely went beyond geographical boundaries, which will be game changer. What was so evident was the limitless potential of digital fashion, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of technology in shaping the industry and ways of communicating.
Throughout a virtual conference such as this one, we had the opportunity to engage with a diverse array of artists, designers, and industry leaders from all over the globe all at once, and discuss the intersection of digital fashion, AI creativity, and Web3 technologies.
This being noted, we will probably witness a whole new era of virtual events that are not necessarily in regards to Digital Fashion nor Web3, but taking part with a wider range of sectors, such as entertainment, Education, live talks and so on, even for the completely different fields that don’t revolve around anything related to digital fashion. This will for sure increase the utility of Digital Fashion in general, as virtual spaces do require virtual attires, regardless of whether the virtual meeting is about engineering, a classroom, or a virtual concert.
FMC24 definitely provided a lively and interactive journey through different virtual places, allowing people to discover, get involved, and connect in new ways. There was the possibility to travel across multiple virtual landscapes, navigating through diverse environments, taking part in discussions and participating in virtual activities such as playing games or searching for treasures to acquire attractive digital clothing for use within the metaverse. The most interesting fact was the inclusivity the whole experience brings. As we all remember, the traditional Fashion industry has not been the most inclusive industry compared to similar industries related to Art or Design. Even though many big players and brand from the Fashion Industry have already opened the gateway to gamification and the virtual world, we definitely expect a rapid mass adoption and more inclusivity in Virtual events and the mass usage of Digital Fashion interconnected to the existing Fashion Industry.
Collaboration and Community at FMC24
The diversity of voices and perspectives became increasingly evident during last days. From renowned artists and designers to forward-thinking founders and thought leaders, FMC24 provided a platform for individuals from all corners of the digital fashion landscape to come together and share their insights.
One particularly compelling aspect of the conference was the emphasis on collaboration and community building. ORBYLINE had the opportunity to connect with fellow creatives, forging new partnerships and exploring potential avenues for future collaboration. It was inspiring to see how individuals from different backgrounds were able to come together, united by a shared passion for innovation and creativity.
Digital Fashion's Transformative Potential at FMC24
Throughout the various sessions and discussions, a common theme emerged: the transformative potential of digital fashion and its role in shaping the future of the industry. From AI-driven designs to virtual fashion showcases, it was clear that technology is driving a paradigm shift in how we think about and interact with fashion.
As ORBYLINE navigated through the virtual spaces of FMC24, we were struck by the sheer creativity and ingenuity on display. From interactive exhibitions to immersive art installations, the conference offered a gateway into the boundless possibilities of the metaverse.
Our Vision
Now, let’s shift our focus to our interview, since we both had issues with the connection during our live session, we wanted to share our insight to the questions merged in the discussion and share our insights on the intersection of fashion and technology, and our vision for the future of digital fashion so you can also get more familiar with our vision. we hope next time we can have better condition to continue on a live interview!
As you go further, you will notice that there are some questions we prepared our answers separately since thy were more personal and some questions that our vision as a co-founder of ORBYLINE is same.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got involved in Fashion and AI?
- Sogand: Sure! I’m a multidisciplinary designer, creative director, and owner of “Nobahar Design Milano,” specializing in contemporary jewelry and decorative products. My core expertise lies in contemporary jewelry and unconventional techniques, such as additive manufacturing within the industry. I try to leverage my skills in the digital world as Co-founder and Co-creative director of ORBYLINE.
- Nastaran: I’m Nastaran, creative director, Designer and digital-to-physical execution specialist, mostly focused on tech wearables and in general tech-focused Fashion design, and I also operate my activities as the Co-founder and Co-creative director of ORBYLINE.
What drives you to create and how do you stay inspired?
- Nastaran: I don’t stay inspired actually. I don’t think if there is any way to force yourself to stay inspired, and I think that’s exactly what creates space for the times that I am inspired, to push the moment of inspiration into a design product or an artwork. So there are times that I simply do not find a source of inspiration and I let it go, and by letting it go certain things like a story, a feeling, a concept an atmosphere gets my attention and becomes a source of inspiration for creations. Sometimes they get developed in my head for a long time and after that sometimes I decide to bring them to life and other times I get bored with the idea and put it away.
- Sogand: I like learning new things, I’m constantly experimenting with new materials and techniques, trying to think out of the box of what jewelry can be, even in the digital world. Of course, today, I’m still passionate about creating physical products and jewelry that bring joy to people’s lives, but I’m pleased that my horizons have broadened. So I think we can say what motivates me today and give me inspiration is about innovation while remaining true to the essence of beautiful conceptual design. Today, I believe it’s crucial for a designer to understand the potential that digital transformation can offer, particularly in connecting the physical and digital worlds.
What is your view of digital fashion?
- ORBYLINE: As we previously mentioned, we both have roots and years of experience in traditional fashion and contemporary jewelry, so we naturally see this as an incredible medium to merge with our main profession and transform it to the better and more innovative rather than it merely being a completely separated sector. So, we see digital fashion fitting into different parts of our workflow, from AI-driven designs to virtual try-ons, as an extension of the physical industry. Our approach is to blend the digital world with our physical reality through augmented reality and virtual try-ons, creating bespoke solutions that integrate technology seamlessly into our designs.
How AI has impacted your creative process and what do you see as its potential for the future of fashion?
- ORBYLINE: AI has become an integral part of our creative process, aiding us in visual concept drafting and providing valuable insights for our research. We view AI as a collaborative tool, enhancing our ideas and pushing them to new heights. In the future, we believe AI will play a fundamental role in every aspect of the fashion industry, from creation to marketing, offering endless possibilities for innovation and creativity.
How do you approach the ethical considerations around using AI in your work?
- ORBYLINE: We approach the ethical considerations of using AI by ensuring that our creative process retains the human touch. We manipulate AI settings to align with our artistic vision and manually edit results until they reflect our personal style. Our goal is to create designs that resonate with authenticity and soul, avoiding the pitfalls of soulless automation.
What challenges have you faced while incorporating AI into your fashion designs and how did you overcome them?
- ORBYLINE: One of the main challenges we’ve faced is maintaining the soul of our designs while using AI. Sometimes, AI-generated visuals lack the emotional depth and persona that define our work. To overcome this, we manipulate AI settings and train it to capture the essence of our artistry. Additionally, technical errors can arise, requiring us to refine our approach and ensure that our designs meet the technical requirements for production.
How do you balance the Artistic and Technical aspect of your work?
- ORBYLINE: Balancing the artistic and technical aspects of our work has become second nature to us. Even during the creative process, we consider technical feasibility and solution-oriented approaches. With years of experience, we’ve developed a seamless workflow that integrates artistic vision with technical precision, ensuring that our designs are both visually captivating and technically sound.
What role do you see for AI in making fashion more sustainable and ethical?
- ORBYLINE: While AI holds promise in contributing to sustainability and ethics in fashion, we believe it’s not the ultimate solution. AI-driven initiatives like virtual try-ons can promote sustainable practices, but true change requires addressing systemic issues within the industry. AI can play a role in providing valuable information and alternative behaviors, but achieving true sustainability requires a holistic approach.
What advice would you give to other artists interested in the intersection of AI and fashion?
- ORBYLINE: Our advice would be to explore and experiment. The intersection of AI and fashion may seem daunting at first, but diving in and experimenting firsthand is the best way to demystify the process. Don’t be afraid to push boundaries and embrace innovation, as this intersection offers endless possibilities for creative expression.
How do you measure success in your work and what are your ultimate goals as an artist?
- ORBYLINE: Success, for us, is measured by the impact and reach of our work. As artists and designers, our goal is not only to create revenue but also to drive social change through design. We aim to expand our knowledge, share our expertise, and foster inclusivity and sustainability within the fashion industry. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to a more innovative, ethical, and interconnected world of fashion, where creativity knows no bounds.
More...
You can visit the metaverses on Spatial through the link provided on the Fashion Metaverse conference website. And to read more detailed information regarding the FMC24 you can check-out beautiful articles on Red-Eye magazine & Sticker Fashion.