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Me and
Metaverse fashion
My Journey with the Metaverse
As someone passionate about spreading metaverse fashion, I believe that this new frontier can unlock a world where self-expression knows no bounds. Here, I’ll share my personal journey into the metaverse and my vision for its future.
How I First Discovered the Metaverse
I first encountered the concept of the metaverse in 2021, during my third year of university. Having grown up with little interest in video games or online worlds, the term “metaverse” felt like something far off—just another buzzword. But everything changed when I participated in a business project at my university celebrating its 100th anniversary. The words "100,000 yen in funding" caught my attention immediately. I'll admit, I was drawn to the scale and excitement of it all!
The project tasked us with creating a business plan in teams of 5-6, and we had six months to bring our idea to life. My team’s idea? Recreate the university campus in the metaverse and offer virtual tours. Although the project didn’t succeed as we’d hoped—the virtual campus was simplified, and we had minimal engagement—it sparked something in me. Even with its setbacks, the experience of inviting people into a virtual world and hosting events was exhilarating. It opened the door to endless possibilities.
My Research in Graduate School
Fast forward to graduate school, where I dove headfirst into the metaverse. As part of my media studies program, I explored how fashion could serve as a form of self-expression within the metaverse. While the metaverse had piqued my interest before, it wasn’t until this point that I truly connected it with my passion for fashion. It was like an idea simmering in the back of my mind, waiting for the right moment to take shape.
For my master's thesis, I focused on self-presentation in social VR, specifically looking at the furry subculture. While I’ll dive into the details in another article, this project was the catalyst for my deep dive into virtual fashion and the metaverse. Around the same time, I was lucky enough to start interning at Dolami, Inc., a company specializing in avatars for social VR platforms like VRChat. Working with like-minded individuals who share my passion for avatar fashion has been an absolute dream. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of avatar expression and grow this vibrant community.
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What’s So Exciting About Metaverse Fashion?
The most thrilling aspect of metaverse fashion is the freedom to break free from the limitations of the physical body. While this idea is often mentioned, it’s still revolutionary: you can design your ideal body, wear it as an avatar, and use it to build new relationships in a virtual world. For individuals struggling with gender identity, for example, the metaverse offers a safe space to experiment. Clothes that might be daunting to wear in real life, such as skirts for someone assigned male at birth, can be worn freely in the metaverse. Nobody cares who's behind the avatar. Even I initially imagined the people behind the avatars, but over time, as I became more immersed in metaverse culture, that instinct faded.
Creators in the metaverse are constantly pushing the envelope, striving to recreate human bodies with more precision, smoother movements, and better details. Watching this evolution is like witnessing the rapid development of modern Asian cities—there's a palpable energy and momentum. Take this post, for example, where a creator is sharing a new way to depict muscle movement in avatars. People are going wild for it!
https://x.com/oyatsu009/status/1839961491346456609
But the metaverse isn’t just about recreating human bodies—it’s about expanding what’s possible. Imagine a world where your body shoots beams of light, or where your clothing glows in the dark. These are the kinds of futuristic possibilities we’ve dreamed of, and they’re already becoming reality in the metaverse.
https://x.com/ZekkVRC/status/1840786470027616311
What’s even more amazing is the community’s dedication to supporting these creators. In my role running avatar media, I’ve interviewed countless creators and influencers, and they all say the same thing: the metaverse has a strong foundation of support for creators, and many of them want to give back to that community. There’s a collective spirit here, a shared drive to uplift avatar fashion and body expression in the virtual world.
The Future of Metaverse Fashion: Where Do We Go From Here?
So, where is metaverse fashion headed? The fact that major real-world fashion brands, including luxury labels, are jumping in speaks volumes. Gucci, in particular, has been aggressively pushing into the metaverse, and it’s only the beginning. With the growing influence of both real-world fashion and digital creators, the future of metaverse fashion is bound to be limitless.