AI Art by Nataliya Grimberg
Have you ever felt like the Metaverse is light-years away from becoming a reality? It’s actually closer than you might imagine, and not as complex as it seems — let us explain!
- FUTURE SOCIALS
Our resident Meta-expert, Nataliya, believes that the Metaverse is simply the next evolution of the social media landscape, but with a twist—more immersive, personalised, and interactive. Take, for instance, Threads, introduced by Meta, which goes beyond being a mere Twitter rival. If you delve into Threads’ Terms and Conditions (though who does, really?), you’ll discover a phrase that hints at its metaverse potential: “Future versions of Threads will work within the Fediverse, a new type of social media network that allows people to follow and interact with each other on different platforms.” So what is it exactly? The Fediverse is a collection of interconnected social media platforms that let you engage with users across various sites, much like different neighborhoods in the same digital city.
Moreover, a closer look reveals that signing up for Threads also ties your fate to your Instagram profile – you can’t delete one without deleting another. So, in a way, you’re hooked. And sooner or later, the “Fediverse” concept is likely to emerge, leaving us with little choice but to join this new iteration of the Internet. Well, at the very least, our digital alter egos have the chance to dress-up in Valentino as they drop the newest virtual fashion collection specifically for Meta‘s platforms.
Valentino to Dress Meta Avatars in Digital Fashion
- GAMIFICATION OF E-COMMERCE
The gamification of our lives and online personas, one of the Metaverse‘s most entertaining aspects, is already underway. If you haven’t heard about the recent TikTok trend involving NPC streamers, you’re in for a treat. In a nutshell, people are transforming themselves into video game characters in real life, and they’re making millions doing it. It’s quite mind-boggling, isn’t it?
TikTok is also giving Amazon a run for its money with a $20 billion shopping pilot, where online influencers will take over our shopping experiences and sell directly through their live streams. These individuals, with their large and dedicated followings, have the ability to sway consumer behavior and drive sales.
In April, Tencent Cloud released an intelligent, low-cost digital human production platform (yes, you read it right!), lowering the barriers of meta-human development across China, predicting a huge rise in local virtual streamers. In many ways, e-commerce live streaming shows are simply a new generation of ads: infomercials. But since everything is live, audience members can interact with the influencer, who can charm the audience to purchase more.
TikTok Streamer @Pinkydoll
- K-POP 2K23: REAL OR ILLUSION?
The emergence of virtual performers is reshaping our perception of what’s real and what’s not. For instance, Charles & Keith has enlisted a virtual K-pop artist APOKI to host a rooftop party and perform her singles on The Sandbox virtual world. Their immersive virtual house showcases the latest collection, complete with an NFT gallery, quizzes, parkour challenges, and even a secret room to unlock a digital wearable.
On the flip side, aespa, once hailed as the pioneers of the K-pop Metaverse, are stepping out into the real world. Their human members – Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning – are merging cyberpunk with more naturalistic vibes in their upcoming EP, “MY WORLD“, expanding beyond the pixelated world of their previous albums.
For businesses, virtual idols carry substantially lower risks compared to real-life celebrities, given their lower likelihood of becoming entangled in scandals. And for fans, especially the Gen Z squad, these digital darlings offer a dash of novelty with their fabulous, stylised personalities.
Virtual K-pop performers are a growing trend in South Korea
- MASS TO LUXURY
One of the largest retailers, H&M, has taken a leap into the Metaverse by launching “H&M Loooptopia“ on Roblox, letting players experiment with materials and patterns to create virtual outfits. It’s a playful take on fashion, with social interaction, mini-games, and alternate worlds to explore.
High street retailer Weekday has taken further steps into the digital realm with the launch of two NFT collectibles in collaboration with digital fashion house The Fabricant.
Yves Saint Laurent is also diving headfirst into the digital world by filing Metaverse-related trademarks, with plans to release NFT‘s and digital-ready beauty products. YSL Parfums intends to open online retail stores featuring virtual cosmetics, perfumery (how & why?), and other beauty products, bringing luxury into the Metaverse.
Meanwhile, Gucci is rewarding NFT holders with exclusive physical products. Participants in the Gucci Grail project will gain access to exclusive items, turning digital fashion into tangible luxury. This intriguing offering includes a duffle bag deemed “baggage you’ll want to carry” and a wallet that needs no seed phrase (a.k.a. password but in Web3 lingo). It’s worth noting that the bag, co-branded with 10KTF, holds rarity value that money can’t buy.
It’s clear that both mass-market and luxury brands are betting on the Metaverse becoming more than just child’s play or a gamer’s haven.
Weekday launches phygital drop Artifact 001 with The Fabricant
- AUGMENTING REALITY
And then there’s Apple’s Vision Pro headset newest release, a game-changer in the tech world. Unlike its clunky predecessors, this mixed-reality headset opens doors to the real world while enhancing it with cutting-edge features. It’s not just a gadget – it’s a glimpse into the future of computing.
As this headset undergoes refinement, we can anticipate a future where wearing it becomes as common as donning sunglasses, but with an augmented layer of the world around us. Imagine having Google Maps, messages, and FaceTime right in front of you without the need for handheld devices. This development also heralds the era of virtual fashion – and at USP, we can’t wait for all the funky AR outfits we’ll soon be able to wear!
