January is traditionally the busiest month of the year (February as well).
The one that just ended was no exception. When Katrina Ryback – founder of STUDIO183 Berlin– kindly invited me to the 500KG CO2 event I said to myself “go, it will be a breath of oxygen puff”. And
this is what it was, an oxygen puff of fresh air that fills the lungs (and the heart). The focus is on the upcycling, the future and obviously on the 500KG CO2 drop-collection.
With a new digital-physical upcycling event format, STUDIO183 invited visitors and insiders to dive into the new digital reality where upcycling, independent design and cutting-edge technology merge.
Glitching the lines between consumer, designer, and model, the upcycled collection 500KG CO2enters the digital sphere in a VR Runway format. The influencers’ avatars become models, showcasing the co-designed upcycling looks and setting the new norm for upcycling and digital fashion showcase. As an extension of the VR runway, we experienced the life size holographic showcase.
Why 500KG CO2? I asked.
Reusing 1 kg of clothing saves 25 kg of CO2, so based on this research, the idea for the upcycling collection format “500KG CO2” was born.
The lines between consumer and designer blur, and 500KG CO2 celebrates individuality and aims to revolutionize the fashion industry. This new format empowers the consumer to utilize preloved garments from their own wardrobe to create new items based on pre-existing designs by independent emerging creators.
With a background in upcycling and digital fashion, the design lead Manon Beretti Prenant met with 5 influencers who were invited to bring preloved garments to STUDIO183 Berlin. Upon exploring each talents’ preference, style and body type, and considering the preloved textiles, Manon created design suggestions based on design templates provided by STUDIO183 designers. The selected looks were produced by local creators in a pop-up atelier at STUDIO183 Berlin.
In this immersive experience, STUDIO183 invited all of us to enter the new digital reality 500KG CO2 where upcycling, independent design and tech collide. Aside from the VR Upcycling Runway, visitors could delve (also now) into the co-created upcycling influencer collection IRL via the physical exhibition, and virtually by entering the AR magic mirror, where the collection items can be tried on in the virtual fitting room. Upon entering the VR upcycling showroom, visitors are also invited to experience the upcycled garments up close.
With “500KG CO2”, STUDIO183 showcased how technology can be a catalyst for sustainable practices in the fashion industry, and seamlessly fuses independent design, circular fashion and technological innovations.
Photo Credits:
@irene.marinato
@tichypatrick
@seraares