Diving into the metaverse and other launches
This week, the first Future Narrative projects are starting to make their way into the world...
There’s a strange gap between starting something and the fruits of your labour starting to make their way out into the world. This week is one of those weeks that lots of them are starting to become visible, which is tremendously exciting.
A white paper I wrote for Alvanon around the future of the Metaverse and 3D design is out, which was part of their event I spoke at a few weeks ago. Download it here!
Alvanon is a fantastically interesting business, this is really for anyone wanting to understand the full ecosystem of digital garment design, but you will also find it interesting if you’re just trying to get your head around what the Metaverse is, and what the business opportunities might be, particularly if you’re in the fashion industry. If you click the link, you can watch the sessions from a couple of weeks ago. They’ve brought together many of the brightest minds in the digital fashion/NFT/Metaverse space (people who have been operating in this space way before it became a buzzword).
Future Narrative has also been getting some press:
Glossy: How 3D digitized models are changing the fashion production game
Apparel Resources: Pivoting a sustainable fashion future with 3D and Digitalisation
In Bed with Social: Spotting trends: the tricks used by trend catchers
While Future Narrative was just an idea percolating in my brain, I did a little bit of work on future content and consumer strategy with Sali Stasi, a woman who only improved in my estimation the more I got to know her. Aside from unexpected and much appreciated wine deliveries, this project helped me fall back in love with my work, and gave me the courage to properly start Future Narrative.
I’m so excited to see that Her Black Book (which Sali is launching with her twin Julie) has achieved a $5m valuation before it has even launched. They already have 300 brands on board and an compelling Instagram presence. The sky is the limit from here.
Stylerunner co-founders aim to shake up digital coupon market
The Great Awakening (no, not the Qanon one)
HR experts are rebranding the great resignation as the Great Awakening, something I’ve written about here in reference to remote work before.
This new mindset is attributed, in large part, to the realisation by many people that life is short, and you need to make the best of it.
But there are so many other grand awakenings taking place - our emerging climate consciousness or Covid driving a desire to live more authentically and lead a more balanced life that is less capitalism-oriented.
My own personal one is still emerging, but a little over a month ago, I woke with a sore back. By the end of the day I was headed to A&E with the most excruciating pain I’ve experienced. By 1am I had lost all movement in the bottom right quarter of my body. Without boring you with all of the dull medical details, I spent two weeks in hospital (no visitors, due to Covid protocols) and another two at home on an IV. I’m still learning how to walk again (although I’ve now graduated from wheelchair, to walking frame and now to a hot pink walking stick we’ve nicknamed the flamingo). While I’m getting better, I’m really focused on celebrating progress over perfection, something that maybe we can all apply to other parts of life? (But RIP my Instagram).
I don’t know what post traumatic growth will come from this, but even while I’m still processing how quickly and illogically things can go from banal to apocalyptic (again), I’m filled with gratitude for all of the people who made the past month less awful. From books and care packages dropped at hospital reception, to playlists, flowers, memes, hair cuts, voice notes and face times, I am reminded again and again of the value of the communities we are lucky enough to belong to.
I’m also (obviously) incredibly excited to be getting back to work.
Upcoming Events:
Moscow/Online: November 2: Cyber Fashion Conference. I’ll be talking about the business opportunities around digital fashion and the Metaverse.
Singapore/Online November 26-27: Horasis Asia Annual Meeting. I’m hosting a session on wellbeing in Asia. Horasis is always an interesting event bringing together quite a diverse group of people across government, NGOs and the private sector.
Melbourne/IRL December 7: Ethical Enterprise Conference: Do people really care about sustainability? Navigating the gap between intention and action.