The fashion world has gone digital, and everyone is front row. On June 10 to 11th, the world’s first hybrid Global Talents Digital project – presented by the Russian Fashion Council – streamed live on Russia Fashion Week’s online platform. Both digital designers and real fashion designers from all across the world showcased their collections. Fifty participants from roughly 20 countries presented collections, some offering digital presentations using Augmented Reality (AR) and virtual avatars. The show drew streams on more than 100 websites and Instagram pages throughout the world.
With several changes, due to lock-down restrictions, the Fashion Week experience went from exclusive locations to couches and bedrooms. Dressing up is replaced with satin pajamas, the access requirement being a smartphone or laptop with reliable Internet. Although part of the show featured animated visual art, 3D and AR, artists still designed digital works specifically for the Global Talents showcase.
The list of participants for the shows included South Africa’s first very own virtual model Kim Zulu, who debuted her first collection, ‘Unemulo,’ which translates to “the coming of age.” When asked about the response to her collection, the model said, “The response has been positive. It has allowed us to open further conversations within fashion around issues of sustainability, amongst a whole lot of other discussions. In addition, we are looking to release the collection and hope to build further on this momentum.”
With the amount of talent that was highlighted, it was not easy to choose; however, here are our top five highlights from the Global Digital Talents: Mercedes-Benz Russia Fashion Week
KIM ZULU – South Africa
Zulu’s debut AW 20/ 21 collection is themed around the concept of Afro-Futurism. Our post-COVID-19 world will present various challenges around how people interact with each other in private and in public. This will have ramifications on what type of garments people will want to wear and how they style themselves, and Kim’s collection has been created with this in mind to present a possible future.
The response has been positive. It has allowed us to open further conversations within fashion around issues of sustainability, amongst a whole lot of other discussions. In addition, we are looking to release the collection and hope to build further on this momentum.
Kim Zulu
JAKE LUI – Australia
His collection No, Everlasting Eternity embraces his signature style and alludes to the concept of deconstructing modern beauty stereotypes. The collection includes shimmery trousers, silky kaftans, and corsets to convey a flamboyantly futuristic aesthetic.
CHAIN – Argentina
The digital collection Reconstruction of Constancy was developed by the ZAT team and graphic designer The Digital Mary. Smooth flowing lines, delicate pastel shades, interesting cuts, and rich hand-made decor all characterize the new collection by the Argentinean designer.
ANNAISS YUCRA × IVAANY – Peru
The entire collection is an explosion of color, perfectly incorporating non-standard silhouettes with blockings of contrasting hues. The new collection, titled Matriarchy, tells about generations of women who differ in skin color and worldviews.
RAHEL GUIRAGOSSIAN – Switzerland
The new collection emphasizes the beauty and personality of each woman. The main materials of the designs are silk and satin. Ultra-short dresses with magnificent sleeves vividly contrast but as complements. Pants with cuts sliced above the knee as well as flounce and pleated skirts give lightness and freedom to the collection.
