Decentraland and Over stage second Metaverse Fashion Week
Nicola Mira
After a first edition that relied on novelty appeal, Decentraland is staging the second Metaverse Fashion Week (MVFW) on March 28-31. The official calendar includes presentations by labels such as AdidasDundasTommy HilfigerDKNYDolce & GabbanaBalmain
MVFW’s first edition relied chiefly on virtual runway show experiences (you can read our mixed review of the event here
Dundas and Adidas will be the main names showing this year, respectively on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm CET. MVFW will also showcase 11 designers operating exclusively on the metaverse (lacknode, Roustan, Xalax, WJ Designs, Kirzoz, Hexroid, StoneyEye, SoultryDubs, FabeeoBreen, Digifun, and Dappcraft).
The ‘Dear Vivienne’s Anti-Fashion’ show will pay tribute to Vivienne Westwood
MVFW will also host various conferences, although Decentraland did not specify whether they will take the form of video-conferences projected on a screen located in the virtual universe, as last year. The conferences’ topics will range from retail in the metaverse to fashion’s ‘digi-physical’ future, to tips on how to become meta-outfit designers, and the blockchain’s role in authenticating products in the metaverse.
MVFW’s calendar will be mostly busy with parties, in which very real DJs will get virtual avatars dancing, and commercial/marketing initiatives. Tommy Hilfiger and Coach
DKNY will present its new virtual store concept, with its New York vibe. Jewellery brand Ben Bridge has promised that its first virtual store will feature exclusive wearables. Similarly, Balenciaga
Another metaverse, Over, is joining MVFW this year, and announced it will stage a hybrid event in Milan’s piazza Duomo on March 31. Several presentations will showcase collaborations such as Balmain x Space Runners’ Unicorn, Ilona Song x VoguePinko
The following tips will be useful for first-time attendees: there is no need to install ad hoc software or pay to enter Decentraland; the metaverse is available directly on web browsers, through which one can move their personalised avatars via keyboard and mouse commands (please read “Metaverse Fashion Week: a guide for first-time attendees
MVFW events will be held at various venues on the Decentraland virtual map: Genesis Plaza, Dragon City, Fashion Street, District X and Metatokyo. The coordinates and schedules of each venue are easily accessible via the event’s dedicated page. Daily yoga and meditation sessions will be held at 3pm for highly stressed avatars.