Diving Into Digital: Our Favorite Fashion NFT and Web3 Projects of May 2023

In the ever-changing and rapidly evolving Web3 landscape, the opportunities for creative expression are reaching new heights. Technology seamlessly integrates into various artistic practices, transforming the current state of art, fashion and performance. At the heart of this transformative shift lies the concept of the metaverse, which transcends being a mere place or application. It embodies the phenomenon of adding value to digital spaces and fosters a sense of shared experiences and collaborations within a community-driven approach. This community-centric ethos is evident across a multitude of releases spanning different artistic domains.

This month has witnessed captivating projects that exemplify the intersection of technology and creativity. Besides, the campaigns produced during this period have set a new standard for excellence, exuding a sense of futurism in their high-quality execution. Casablanca mesmerized with their Spring/Summer 2023 campaign, flawlessly blending AI prompt-technology with their signature aesthetic. Meanwhile, Vaquera challenged industry norms by unveiling AI-generated red-carpet looks at the prestigious Met Gala, sparking discussions on authenticity and pushing the boundaries of creativity. Additionally, Leipzig Opera House astounded audiences with "Fusion," the world's first AI ballet.

As the lines between the physical and digital realms continue to blur, these projects stand as testaments to the limitless possibilities offered by Web3. They redefine our understanding of all artistic mediums, inviting us to embrace a future where technology and creativity intertwine, forging an era of innovation and expression. On that note, Hypebae's "Diving into Digital" white paper, exploring the relationship between online and offline style and packed with 20 expert interviews from emerging designers to luxury favorites, has just been published.

Continue scrolling to see our favorite cyber collections and Web3 initiatives this May.

Pillz Inc. showcased stylish ways to wear NFTs in latest fashion-forward campaign.

Hardware studio Pillz Inc. launched a captivating campaign, seamlessly integrating Web3 into the world of fashion and accessories to bridge the digital-physical divide. Spearheaded by creative director Valeria Enilova, the brand unveiled a stunning showcase of wearable NFTs that transcended traditional boundaries. With Pillz Device's cutting-edge technology, users are able to effortlessly incorporate customized NFTs into their personal style, forging a meaningful connection between their digital and real-life identities. Photographer Miroslav Kovalenko lent his creative vision to the campaign, drawing inspiration from iconic '90s advertising campaigns and infusing the visuals with a nostalgic flair. By highlighting the practical application of NFTs in everyday fashion, the campaign sought to promote acceptance and foster a deeper understanding of this emerging technology.

AI took center stage in Casablanca's SS23 campaign "Futuro Optimisto."

Casablanca launched their Spring/Summer 2023 campaign titled, "Futuro Optimisto," featuring their first venture into artificial intelligence. The campaign was a collaboration with British photographer and artist Luke Nugent, known for his AI editorials that blended realism with dreamlike elements. Nugent created artwork using advanced AI software, combining composition, environment, character and storyline. Working closely with Casablanca's Creative Director Charaf Tajer and a full creative team, the campaign brought the collection's distinct color palette, optimistic approach and psychedelic space cowboy themes to life. Each image in the campaign symbolized the fusion of AI with human emotion, bridging the gap between nature's beauty and progressive technology.

Vaquera's AI-generated ensembles reigned supreme at the Met Gala 2023.

Vaquera made a splash at the Met Gala 2023 with their AI-generated red carpet looks. Designers Patric DiCaprio and Bryn Taubensee used the AI program Midjourney to create captivating outfits that defied convention. The ensembles featured an inflatable skirt, pillow-like contraptions, a custom plastic dress with an elegant hood and a dress made of balled-up trash bags. However, these eye-catching looks were never worn on the actual red carpet. Instead, they were the result of Midjourney's AI-generated images, which were created based on text prompts. The designers experimented with various phrases, spending hours to achieve the desired results.

Prada crypted marks milestone with one-year anniversary of Timecapsule NFT collection.

Prada's NFT ecosystem, Prada Crypted, launched its 41st Timecapsule Collection. This release celebrated the first anniversary of the offering, through which limited-edition physical garments, accompanied by NFT clones, are exclusively available for 24 hours on the first Thursday of each month. The May 2023 drop featured unisex tank tops inspired by basketball jerseys crafted from upcycled fabrics sourced from Prada's archive. Each item in the collection came with a gifted NFT, inviting customers to join Prada's exclusive Crypted NFT community on Discord. Additionally, Prada offered a Discord community member the opportunity to attend Prada Mode Tokyo, an event curated by architect Kazuyo Sejima at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum.

The Vancouver Art Gallery presented new exhibition "Fashion Fictions," a glimpse into the future of fashion.

The Vancouver Art Gallery presented "Fashion Fictions," an ambitious exhibition that explores experimental design practices at the intersection of fashion and cultural production. With over 50 international designers, the exhibition examines the influence of research-based, material-driven approaches on the global fashion scene. Divided into three sections: "Material Futures," "Aesthetic Prophesies" and "Responsible Visions," the showcase delves into the relationship between technology and materials, the fusion of cultural traditions with speculative creations and the importance of sustainability in fashion. Notably, the exhibition includes works by Indigenous designers and artists addressing social and environmental issues.

L'Oréal's NYX released exclusive NFT drop, "GORJS Dream Vortex."

NYX Professional Makeup announced the launch of the Dream Vortex NFT collection, which marked the first artist collection for the GORJS DAO. The collection consists of 4,150 unique NFTs created by nine selected artists known for their impact on the 3D avatar community. Participants had the opportunity to mint an NFT pass via OpenSea, granting them access to exclusive avatars. Dream Vortex symbolizes a new era of beauty, focusing on diversity, inclusion and creativity. The Team Alpha artists were compensated with upfront stipends and will receive royalties from primary and secondary sales. They also retained ownership of their avatar intellectual property, representing a shift in the creator economy.

The Fabricant and Cornerstone joined forces to create next level, hyper-realistic digital fashion destination.

Digital fashion powerhouse The Fabricant and photorealistic metaverse Cornerstone joined forces to create a cutting-edge digital fashion environment. This collaboration aimed to showcase virtual garments at the highest visual quality, pushing the boundaries of industry aesthetics. Utilizing Cornerstone's cloud-rendering technology, users can access the immersive experience through a web browser. The showcase event, titled "Wholeland, Primal Rave," unveiled The Fabricant's digital couture pieces within the Cornerstone metaverse. The ultimate goal was to build a value-generating ecosystem, allowing users to wear virtual items and enabling customization for brands and creators.

Zara unveiled Fairy Magic Idols: A captivating blend of fashion and fantasy in the metaverse.

Zara unveiled "Fairy Magic Idols," an enchanting metaverse fashion capsule collection that merged nature and fantasy. The collection featured six avatars that combined Idol and Fairy traits, blurring the line between the physical and digital realms. Physical pieces were available on Zara's website, while the Zepeto app exclusively offered digital items. The physical capsule included denim items, tops, bags and sandals, accompanied by Zara Beauty products. The digital collection showcased lace-adorned sandals, fantasy wings and exclusive sunglasses designed specifically for Zepeto. Additionally, a Snapchat lens was created to enhance the immersive experience of the capsule.

A new era of dance: Leipzig Opera House launched "Fusion," the first AI ballet.

Leipzig Ballet presented "FUSION," a groundbreaking ballet production at Oper Leipzig that combined art and technology. Directed and composed by Harry Yeff (Reeps100), it was the world's first AI ballet, using generative AI to inspire all aspects of the performance. The music, created in collaboration with Gadi Sassoon and Teddy Riley, blended contemporary classical compositions and beatbox techniques. Choreographed by Mario Schroder, FUSION explored the dynamics of unity and balance in humanity, incorporating AI technology and synthetic voices. Harry Yeff's remarkable journey as a neuro-divergent artist and technologist added depth to the production.

RSTLSS joined forces with AI visionary and artist Claire Silver to create innovative collection.

London-based fashion brand RSTLSS, in collaboration with artist Claire Silver, launched "Pixelgeist," a collection that merged fashion, art and technology. It featured exclusive digital artwork by Silver, available on the RSTLSS platform. "Pixelgeist" offered an interactive experience, allowing users to influence the final product through questions during the minting process. Early access pre-sales were available for RSTLSS KEY and RSTLSS X CrypToadz holders. Each garment included a rigged avatar and the opportunity to use the NFT as a profile picture or garment mode. With 183 exclusive artworks, the collection was limited to 2,136 total mints, ensuring uniqueness and collectibility.

Parsons School of Design and Roblox delivered first-ever metaverse fashion showcase.

Parsons School of Design and Roblox collaborated to launch the first-ever digital fashion design course, aimed at preparing the next generation of fashion designers for a future where digital fashion would play a significant role. The partnership acknowledged the influence of platforms like Roblox, where millions of users expressed themselves through digital fashion, with Gen Z noting that it influenced their real-life style. On May 16, Parsons students showcased their graduation work, featuring an immersive hologram projection exhibit, a screening of a student movie and interactive displays. All of the students' artworks were made available for purchase through the Roblox Marketplace.

Jeff Wan launched an NFT capsule collection in collaboration with Tech Girl for charity.

Luxury designer Jeff Wan has recently launched an exclusive NFT capsule collection in collaboration with Tech Girl. The collection includes five digital artworks that beautifully depict iconic cities such as New York, Milan, Paris, London and Tokyo, alongside Wan's highly acclaimed Lunch Box bag. Customers had the opportunity to purchase the bag for $250 USD and in return, they received one of the five NFTs showcasing these remarkable cities. Alternatively, the NFTs were available individually for $100 USD each, and a significant portion of the proceeds was dedicated to supporting scholarships for underprivileged girls pursuing technology-related fields.