Key Sentence:
- Pioneering digital fashion house Auroboros takes over the V&A with flourishing crystal gowns, like those worn by interactive Android Ai-Da.
Alexander McQueen and Damien Hearst LFW Model Artist, Louis Vuitton and Richard Prince, Comme des Garons and Cindy Sherman. The culture of collaboration between artists and fashion houses has a rich and complex history. That can only be traced back to the 1930s and Elsa Schiaparelli’s longstanding partnership with Salvador Dali.
Some artists, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, took part in fashion shows. While others made famous Tumblr installations in the middle of the desert and imitated Prada stores. But what about this idea in the contemporary context of virtual design and digital art? The designers at cyber fashion house Auroboros updated this old trick and worked with the first humanoid artist, Ai-Da, to show off her metamorphic outfit in physical form.
Presented as part of the 19th London Design Festival, currently taking LFW Model Artist place in the British capital until 26 September. Ouroboros has developed a multi-layered project both in the physical spaces of the Victoria and Albert Museum and at Metaversum. So let’s break it down. On her modeling debut, Android I-Da conquered the corner of the V&A fashion gallery.
Where she is currently wearing a personalized Auroboros dress. The dress itself grows in real-time through an oxidation process that hardens a special liquid into sparkling colored crystals. And while all this was going on, Ai-Da would paint a self-portrait that was visible through the camera in her eyes.
Which caught the reflection of the gaze developing in the neighbor’s mirror.
In addition to the show, visitors can interact with the robot by asking questions. And exploring some of its newest artwork, including a glass sculpture and a golden egg for computer games. There’s also an Instagram filter to try remaking and a digital campaign. That includes a virtual version of Ai-da in Auroboros’ VR design.
The show’s undisputed star is the sculptural physical garment made of mullet, recycled plexiglass with crystals, absorbent paper with geometric patterns, and embroidered panels. The design is based on the storytelling AW21 and features Biomimicry, the first VR collection to be featured on the London Fashion Week schedule.