Los Angeles, CA – [December 11, 2023]: LAFW, a N4XT Experience, showcases a collaboration between VFILES LAB and Lab Fellow Chimera (vfiles.org), Bigthinx (bigthinx.com), and SAP.iO (sap.io) following LAFW 2023. VFILES x Bigthinx, in partnership with SAP.iO, introduce a new collection, showcasing the capabilities and world-building nature of AI-generated fashion. Led by two female founders, VFILES’ Julie Anne Quay and Bigthinx’s Chandralika Hazarika, the duo will unveil a fashion collection on a virtual runway accessible via LAFW.net, also led by LAFW President and N4XT Experiences Co-Founder Ciarra Pardo. In addition, the collection will also be available to order at VFILES’ physical store on Mercer Street in Soho, New York and in a virtual store created by Bigthinx, going live soon.
Earlier this year VFILES Foundation worked with VFILES LAB 001 fellow Joshua Mudgett and his AI project Chimera to create a VFILES Fashion capsule that was based on data from historical collections and competitor markets. Chimera is a first of its kind generative AI tool which designs custom 3D garments and the patterns to make them. The designs featured in this show are generated from data gathered from past VFILES collections, competitors and a whole series of individual design ideas.
“The opportunity to bring them to life with the Bigthinx team was the missing link for us as we, as a Foundation, try to find ways to produce fashion sustainably and without waste. Not only in how we can animate the designs but as well with their innovative technology that allows us to take this all the way through to the sales process and simultaneously world-build for our audience and fans.” Explains Julie Anne Quay.
The show takes place on a virtual 12 Mercer Street, home of the VFILES store, and features iconic VFILES RUNWAY moments from the past – Lamborghinis, the Poodle, the VFILES SPORT PLUS energy drink… and of course starring VEE_Files, their collaborative Bratz doll from 2015. Big Thinx have brought to life a Luxury collection featuring Ball Gowns, Suits and sportswear, all with a twinkling VFILES accent.
“Bigthinx is delighted to bring back visually stunning fashion shows after a two-year hiatus. The company has focused on perfecting its AI technology that automates the 3D content creation of digital fashion twins from photos, making it scalable and economical for brands to adopt en masse.” says Chandralika, co-founder of Bigthinx.
SAP.iO, SAP’s startup incubator, is committed to accelerating early-stage startups aligned with their strategic goals. Their vision of fostering innovation aligns perfectly with LAFW’s commitment to empowering designers and creatives, creating a collaborative space for innovation in both technology and fashion.
In the new digital era, virtual fashion shows are transforming the fashion landscape, making this collaboration and partnership a forward-looking venture for the industry. This collection serves as a study on how forthcoming AI-generated collections can be experienced and merged with IRL events and physical products. This delivers an immersive experience for collectors, fans, and technology enthusiasts alike. It’s important to acknowledge the influence of technology in fostering sustainability, promoting inclusivity, and enabling global reach irrespective of budget constraints.
“This collaboration between VFILES and BigThinx in partnership with SAP.iO epitomizes the key pillars of LA Fashion Week—seamlessly blending innovation, technology, and sustainability with a keen eye on the future of fashion. It’s a remarkable testament to the convergence of creativity and cutting-edge technology, and we are thrilled to showcase this pioneering venture through our extended LA Fashion Week eco-system.”
– Ciarra Pardo, President LAFW and Co-Founder N4XT Experiences
In perfect alignment with the key pillars of LAFW, which seamlessly blend fashion, technology, beauty, and sustainability, this collaboration and its innovative collection exemplify N4XT Experiences’ commitment to pioneering groundbreaking fashion experiences within the digital tech space.
The experience will be available on TBD on LAFW.net
