Digital fashion allows for limitless self-expression and exploration of personas in virtual spaces.
Companies need to take responsibility for creating fair working conditions for 'ghost workers' and labor laws should adapt to changing technology.
Deep dives
Digital Fashion: Redefining Self-Expression
Croatian fashion designer Gala Maria Verbonich has created Tribute Brand, a company dedicated to digital fashion. She designs virtual garments that can be worn in photos on social media and in video games, allowing users to express their unique identities. Gala sees digital fashion as a way for people to transcend physical limitations and freely explore different personas. With the advent of augmented reality glasses, she envisions a future where people can choose their virtual appearance, whether it's dressing like a peacock or a superhero chest plate. This new era of fashion offers endless possibilities for self-expression and creativity.
Ghost Work: The Invisible Workforce Behind the Web
Anthropologist Mary Gray highlights the often invisible workforce that supports the smooth functioning of online platforms like Uber and Amazon. Workers in these 'ghost work' roles perform tasks such as content moderation and data labeling that are vital to maintaining user experiences. Although these jobs are growing rapidly, they are often low-paid and lack labor regulation. Mary argues that companies should take responsibility for creating reliable and high-quality working conditions for ghost workers. Additionally, she emphasizes the need for updated labor laws that address the evolving relationship between technology and work.
The Rise of Digital Identity and Fashion in Virtual Spaces
Digital fashion designer Gala Maria Verbonich explores the emergence of digital identity and fashion in online spaces. She notes the trend of young people reselling physical streetwear brands immediately after purchasing them, as they primarily value the image of owning the garment rather than its physical presence. Gala's company, Tribute Brand, creates virtual outfits that allow people to express their identities creatively and experiment with new looks. With the rise of augmented reality glasses, Gala envisions a future where people can customize their appearances in mixed virtual and physical realities, expanding the notion of personal style and self-expression.
The Intriguing Possibilities of Cyber Fashion
Gala Maria Verbonich, a trailblazing fashion designer, has ventured into cyber fashion, creating boundary-pushing virtual garments. This innovative digital form of fashion allows individuals to experiment with unconventional and fantastical looks, unconstrained by the limitations of physical apparel. Gala's designs can be worn exclusively in the digital sphere, whether in video games or social media platforms. Encouraging inclusivity and freedom of self-expression, cyber fashion offers a creative outlet for transforming personal identity and challenging societal norms. Gala's work illuminates the potential of fashion in both virtual and augmented realities, expanding the horizons of style and personal representation.
Everything is not what it seems. We can easily disguise ourselves in both the digital and physical world. This hour, TED speakers explore the ways we go incognito... from espionage to virtual reality. Guests include former CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez, artist Holly Herndon, anthropologist Mary L. Gray and digital fashion designer Gala Marija Vrbanic.
