In a ground-breaking exploration of the synergies between fashion, opera and technology, the 2023 Metaverse Fashion Week (MVFW 2023) will open with the premiere of Alastair White’s new Fashion-Opera #CAPITAL
#CAPITAL charts the history of human exchange, drawing a line from the first time human beings exchanged a token for an object, or a symbol for a word, through to the exchange of gold bars to bank notes. The work ends in the present day, where the physical is exchanged for the virtual through the creation of the metaverse. White frames the story as one of “dematerialism and symbolism where everything is always possible”. The performance will take place on 28 March at an opera house within the virtual Dragon City, Decentraland and will showcase the award-winning soprano Kelly Poukens, alongside dancer Zara Sands.
The concept of a “Fashion-Opera” was proposed by White and Gemma A. Williams and seeks to reimagine the relationship between garments and music. The genre is truly interdisciplinary, sitting at the intersection of fashion, music, drama and dance, incorporating each medium on an equal footing. To date, the pair have produced five works (WEAR, ROBE, WOOD, RUNE and Hareflight), each exploring a different aspect of new and emerging technologies, including virtual reality, artificial intelligence and the multiverse through contemporary dance, immersive theatre, experimental music and fashion collections.
In MVFW 2023, it is garments that take centre stage and this is no different in #CAPITAL, which will feature designs from the digital fashion brand CHENPENG, curated by Williams. The brand began their journey into the virtual clothing domain with the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and later released a collection of digital designs during Shanghai Fashion Week. Notable fashion houses, including Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, COACH, adidas, DKNY, Vogue Singapore and numerous others will also showcase their work at the MVFW 2023, highlighting the embrace of digital fashion across the sector.
With numerous fashion brands embracing the possibilities of new technologies and White paving the way for opera, 2023 presents an exciting opportunity for pioneering artists from across the performing arts world to step into the metaverse.
