Maison Valentino – which in 2020 outfitted the characters of Nintendo’s ‘Animal Crossing’ video game – recently collaborated with Meta to create digital fashion looks for its avatars. Now, people can dress their avatars, which are available in Meta platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Messenger and Meta virtual reality experiences, from a selection of six men’s and women’s looks that have been carefully curated from Valentino’s recent collections.. The label did not specify the price of these six outfits. When Meta launched its Avatars Store, it indicated that the virtual designer outfits commercialised on it would be priced between $2.99 and $8.99.
In a company release, Valentino revealed that it is taking “a step forward toward commerce in the metaverse” by exploring the possibilities of digital clothing. “Encouraging individuality and building community is a constant conversation and exploration. Over the years, digital communities have strengthened this pursuit, building an even more powerful, open-to-all ethos.”
Maison Valentino X Meta
The Maison will continue to explore digital communities to open conversations and introduce the latest in culture and technology to its customers, as part of its vision of an immersive retail experience. Per L’Official: “From pieces in Pink PP and the iconic look in the Toile Iconographe to the Maison Valentino Essentials looks, participants can choose from various head-turning outfits to dress their avatars that can be utilised in Meta’s platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and its various VR experiences.” There are whispers of a second drop with Meta in the pipeline, which will be announced shortly.
Seems like Valentino has the right business strategy in place. The maison is steeped in in its rich heritage while allowing creativity to take the reins and remain relevant be it physical collections or foraying further into the metaverse. Per Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli on the official website of Valentino: “I am interested in the idea of humanism that nourishes creativity. The human connection that forms this Maison is for me the best team possible. Here I have discovered that no innovation can exist without a profound knowledge of tradition. At the same time, I know that the sense of limit that springs from this awareness gives you the freedom of thinking of how to trespass it. This, in synthesis, will be the new Valentino direction. A human narration, personal yet unanimous, of a story that is yet to be written.”
Jasmeen Dugal is a senior writer and author for FashionABC where she is responsible for writing stories that cover the fashion industry as a whole, from fashion events to innovative brands that are transforming the industry through the use of the metaverse, sustainability, and new digital solutions. She is also very active on Instagram with more than 92k followers.
Before joining FashionABC, Jasmeen worked with Condenast India as Digital Editor, and she was instrumental in launching Vogue India’s official website. Her experience in the industry spans over a decade, during which time she has gained invaluable insights into the workings of the fashion world.
Four years ago, Jasmeen embarked on a new adventure and launched her own luxury portal, where she continues to focus on telling the stories of the people behind the brands. Her unique approach to editorial has helped her stand out in the industry, and her work is highly regarded by her peers.
Jasmeen is also an active social media user and can be followed on Twitter at @jasmeenGdugal and Instagram at @jasmeengdugal. Her social media presence showcases her expertise in the industry and provides her followers with valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the world of fashion.
