TECH
" Digital clothing and fashion NFTs will change the future of fashion and support the vision of protecting our planet ."
So , what are NFTs ? Non-fungible means that something is unique . A non-fungible token is made up of individual units that are not interchangeable . These digital assets are traded on Blockchain , which allows the interchanging of ownerships , similar to purchasing shares on the stock market . The difference is that each NFT is unique , similar to high-value collectables such as art ; there is only one of its kind as opposed to owning one share in a public company . If you buy or create an NFT , it cannot be replicated ; therefore , you are the sole owner of the asset until you decide to sell it to another person . For example , you may have purchased a limited edition handbag from a high-end brand such as Chanel as an investment to sell on at a later date when its value has increased . You can now do this in the form of buying an NFT fashion item where you can still purchase a unique , high value , luxury item without the need for it to be physically produced and , in some cases , worth much , much more . NFTs allow artists , musicians , photographers and designers to monetise their creations by selling them directly to their fans - it can be anything digital , including text , art , videos and music .
With almost 50 % of all Instagram posts being fashion-related , NFTs could be the solution to the fast-fashion issue . The crisis is more problematic now that brands can reach their customers directly via social media platforms and advertise affordable , quick and relevant fashion , which is generally worn once to create content and is discarded ready for the next item on-trend .
Using the latest technologies in 3D software , companies such as DressX , The Fabricant and Tribute are creating digital clothing , i . e ., clothing made of pixels . Some amazing options are available , from your basic logo print tee to a futuristic space-bound type outfit ; you really can find anything your heart desires . Each retailer has a different concept for purchasing these digital wonders . For example , DressX ’ s procedure is that you would send a photo of yourself ( ensuring your image has your desired pose and backdrop for that like-worthy grid post ), select the digital garment and send it on to their team of talented 3D digital designers , who will seamlessly fit the item of clothing to you on your photo . Once done , you can download it and post it straight to the gram .
Digital clothing and fashion NFTs will change the future of fashion and support the vision of protecting our planet .
When producing a digital item of clothing , the carbon footprint is 95 % lower than that of a tangible piece . However , there is quite a substantial amount of energy required to Mint and Mine NFTs , which is something industry experts are tirelessly working towards reducing as much as possible . These digital garments are not just for photos on your social media accounts . Many use them to personalise their Avatars in online games , such as Roblox , Fortnight , Grand Theft Auto and The Sims . The gaming industry is one of the tech world ' s market giants , with an average of 3 billion people gaming every day . 46 % of those gamers are women , so it ’ s no surprise the leaders in the fashion market are tapping into this world . Some brands are now offering a digital item along with your physical purchase , allowing you and your ava-tar to both wear the latest Nike Jordan ’ s , for example , thus enhancing your own unique digital identity that mirrors your real-world self . During the pandemic , sales in digital fashion hit unprecedented highs . Brands have had to re-work their old business model and change it up at an accelerated rate to fit into the digital world in the absence of the physical one we all have known . Nike has created their own bespoke digital world called Nike Land with showrooms , pop-up shops and online events to showcase their latest products . Content creators have been able to produce new and exciting content for their followers without leaving the house or even getting out of their pyjamas .
Digital fashion is still very new to the masses . It will take time before it becomes mainstream . Still , with more brands joining the digital movement and increasing demand as people spend time locked into the Metaverse , I think we will be seeing a lot more of digital fashion moving forward . •
www . mannermagazine . co . uk 25