Since much of the outlandish frock that hits the runways for Fashion Week is meant more for show than real life, it’s not too hard to fathom a growing new trend: designer digital outfits.
That’s right, virtual garments that you can digitally slap on yourself for Instagram and on any online avatars you may have.
A story in Agence France-Presse recounts the work of U.K.-based influencer Daniela Loftus, who quit her job in the traditional fashion industry to devote all of her time to her new venture, This Outfit Does Not Exist.
“When I first started talking about this, my friends were like, ‘What are you talking about?’ But my 14-year-old cousins understood it immediately,” Loftus tells AFP.
For gamers, spending real money on virtual goodies — like overpowered weapons, vehicles, or a new look for their characters, known as a skin — is old hat. But Loftus is taking the concept from the gaming world to the real one — or, arguably, the fake-real one of social media.
The idea being, you buy one of Loftus’ outfits, and with some Photoshop, her dress becomes yours — all without the need to actually get dressed up or to shell out Met Gala-level fashion cash.
Loftus isn’t alone: DressX is another company from which you can buy a fresh — albeit fake — look for yourself, from dresses to hats and other accessories.
In DressX’s case, users can skip the Photoshop. Submit a picture, and a look they’ve paid for is custom “tailored” to their image, which is sent back dressed to the nines — or, more accurately, to the ones and zeroes.