The Institute of Digital Fashion Took Over The Oscar’s Red Carpet

Having already brought their digital manifesto to last year’s Fashion Awards in London, the Institute of Digital Fashion upped the ante this awards season by crashing the Academy Awards red carpet on Sunday evening. The latest IRL x URL activation from IoDF involved dressing the Gen-Z star of Avatar: The Way of The Water, Bailey Bass, in a digital garment inspired by a Zac Posen design. The completely virtual wearable was created with RCGD Global & CLO Virtual Fashion as IoDF continues to drive conversations on fashion's sustainable future.

As the ultimate digital accessory, an otherworldly shawl floats around the rising star, showcasing the boundary-pushing capabilities of virtual fashion. It was made to accompany Bass' IRL custom couture gown designed by Zac Posen. Putting sustainability first, the bespoke design by Posen was made of TENCELTM LUXE, a wood-based biodegradable filament that is often regarded as an alternative to silk.

‘I’m thrilled to have partnered with RCGD Global on this amazing eco-conscious gown,’ explains Posen. ‘For me, this piece exudes minimalist glamour and highlights Bailey’s youth and natural beauty. I wanted to create something that was enjoyable for her to wear and felt like a second skin, allowing her to glide through the room with grace and ease.’

The 1-of-1 digital and physical garment is just the latest in IoDF’s efforts to showcase how technology can create a more sustainable future for the fashion industry. The BBC reported that an average of18.7 million Americans tuned in to watch the annual award show, making it one of the IoDF’s biggest platforms yet. As digital fashion technology continues to develop, who knows where IoDF will bring their IRL x URL initiative next.