NFTs and the Future of Digital and Sustainable Fashion
NFT clothing has recently dominated the digital and sustainable fashion airwaves. NFT’s are non-negotiable tokens that are revolutionizing the fashion industry through its new tech advances. Brands, designers and investors see NFTs as the new form of self-expression and way to consume clothing. It is also a very profitable industry that could bring in millions to clothing companies that are an emerging digital fashion market. The future of fashion can become a gateway for sustainability, move the world to finally see clothing as an art form or just another avenue for the rich to become richer.
What is NFT Digital Fashion?
NFTs are non-negotiable tokens that can be a variety of things. It has mostly emerged as digital art sold at incredibly high prices. NFTs can include being virtual digital fashion pieces and be sold as tradeable design objects.
Ownership of NFT clothing is recorded as an asset on the blockchain to ensure authenticity, ownership and scarcity. NFTs can be collected, worn virtually on social media, sold off to others, auctioned off or even gifted. This is what makes the difference between virtual fashion skins and wearables in games. Yet both options provide the ability for self- expression and identity in a way not available in real life.
Advances, such as NFT’s, certainly bring hope to the myriad of issues found in the fashion industry. It could possibly help prevent clothing consumption and re-envision fashion… but at what cost? NFT’s carry their own carbon footprint, and could end up using more physical resources compared to physical fashion pieces. This is especially concerning when conventional fashion brands selling material clothing have failed to remedy clear cases of theft, waste and explotation. It highlights whether NFT digital fashion is actually contributing towards an ethical and sustainable fashion industry. Advances in digital fashion also calls into question the motives and morale of fashion executives across the world.
Digital Fashion is Not Sustainable Fashion
The value system of fashion is evolving as we speak. Fast fashion brands are on the move to enter the digital fashion market. H&M has started to expand its collections by creating digital pieces to the masses. It could help introduce digital fashion to the masses and help provide more jobs to creative fashion designers. This supply of digital fashion from fast fashion should be closely watched.
Digital fashion works well with the novelty for new clothing and the pressure to curate online content. However, digital fashion is limited in its utility. Digital pieces can be used many times but their design will not change. Digital fashion being an online piece can actually be more unsustainable versus a fast fashion dress. However, these technological fashion developments have certainly advanced the idea that fashion is art. Yet, who will pocket millions through this newfound narrative around fashion? It is concerning that digital fashion is finally making clothing an art form. The quick disposal of fast fashion highlights that most society don’t see their clothing as art given it’s used and thrown away at such a rapid pace.
Digital Fashion Exacerbates Social Injustices
NFT fashion must take into account user affordability and accessibility. This is important when digital pieces can only be used through augmented reality. This requires having access to technology, stable wifi connection, and the tools, skills and time to use digital fashion. NFTs are also limited in their use because the Metaverse is not linked with all existing virtual spaces. Low-income individuals struggling to get by need to be considered insight of tech advances propelling digital fashion. This concern touches on a bigger question. When is it justifiable to advance tech enterprises in digital fashion when millions are starving?
If technology is not serving to meet the needs of the world, digital fashion can certainly be seen as the new (and unnecessary) wave of luxury fashion. Its use and accessibility will be limited to the rich and privileged who have the time, money and skills to wear digital clothing. Yet, the progress of digital fashion could be accessible and give more jobs, but it fails to address the current issues in the fashion industry. Any advances in fashion that are not actively addressing and solving social and economical issues deeply interconnected to the industry is adding to the problem. If fast fashion and luxury fashion don’t remedy its current issues, then digital fashion cannot be a viable solution in midst of the disarray.
Take Action
Digital fashion has the power in revolutionizing the fashion industry as a force for good! If applied the right way, jobs could be created, art can emerge and ….. maybe clearer supply chains could arise.This would allow consumers to reimagine fashion, build a unique sense of individuality and allow fashion designers to envision clothing like never before. However, if advances in digitized fashion continue to be centered to advance over-consumption, this will not be a holistic or effective approach. There is too much at stake for fashion brands to just focus on making digital fashion collections. Consider signing up to my newsletter to receive intentional information and updates highlighting diverse voices in the sustainable fashion industry! And follow me on social media to continue to be plugged into ethical fashion.
