Tell me, are you real or have you become your own avatar?

Laura Scholz

29.3.2023

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

«Choose your fighter» is something you come across in games. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought we were in the throes of putting together our real-life game character.

On 28 March, a metaverse opened its programmed doors for a second time for a Fashion Week in Decentraland, featuring «runway shows, after parties, immersive experiences, shopping and much more.» In other words, everything the consumerist fashion heart desires. But only virtually. None of it is real or tangible. You can’t actually touch any of the designs by Adidas, DKNY, Coach or Diesel, nor can you take a swig of the drinks available at any of the countless parties. That’s a pity really, but it looks like it’s the future. Artificial intelligence in all its forms and facets is relentlessly spilling over into our everyday lives, and alternative realities are slowly morphing into the main venues where it takes place. And what are we doing? Joining in. Gradually also on a visual level.

Full speed into Matrix mode

While some people call the trend «cartoon fashion» or «comic mode», others are shaking their heads in disbelief. My take? The world of fashion is secretly turning us into our own avatars.

You’ve probably spotted the oversized red boots appropriately named Big Red Boots by artist collective Mschf on the odd occasion. What you might first mistake for a photoshopped meme or a creation of said AI is actually a real pair of giant rubber boots that costs 350 USD and is currently sold out everywhere.

What I associated with computer games or anime series until recently is now waddling through many parts of the real world. Ironically, they claim to escape just that. «Cartoonishness is an abstraction that frees us from the constraints of reality,» Mschf beckons. I wonder if life is truly unconstrained in these boots. I have my doubts.

Maybe my personal escape from reality would be easier in Mario's Boots by Red Wing Shoes. Yes, I’m talking about the same Mario who sports dungarees and earns the rating «excellent» by climbing into pipes and collecting mushrooms. After countless game adventures, he’s even hitting theatres with his own movie in April. Of all the things I associate with Mario, the brown lace-up shoes seemed the most irrelevant to me so far. But now, a real-life version of them can be admired at the Nintendo shop in New York. Currently, the unique pair of shoes is not for sale – but you never know.

And as if shoes weren’t enough, brands including Loewe and A.W.A.K.E Mode are paving the way for you to turn into your own virtual alter ego.

Is this mundane? Or funny? Or strangely creepy? Science fiction movies such as Matrix and Don’t Worry Darling come to mind, and the placid little people from Wall-E in their alternate, fully digitised world. The way they stare at screens without ever lifting a finger, let alone communicating with each other directly.

We’re probably still a few decades away from this happening to us. As for the cartoon shoes and Playmobil looks, they’re probably best taken with a pinch of salt instead of viewing them as bad omens, as I just did. But should a planet-cleaning little robot roll past you one day, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Laura Scholz

Senior Editor

Laura.Scholz@digitecgalaxus.ch

Always in the mood for good hits, great trips and clinking drinks.

Follow

---

Fashion

Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Follow topic

These articles might also interest you