We recently had the opportunity to chat with Nataliya Grimberg, a pioneering metaverse fashion artist harmoniously blending art, fashion, sustainability and cutting-edge technology to create digital experiences that reimagine the world of luxury and design.

Curating the first-ever VR Metaverse Fashion Week and crafting the pioneering AR & AI-powered dress showcased at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Nataliya aims to provoke thought and inspire viewers to contemplate the relationship between humans and technology through her art. Before AI became prevalent in the art world, she was already exploring its potential by coding her own simple generative models for her early collections. Over time, this technology revolutionized her creative process, offering new avenues for experimentation and innovation.

‍

‍

What was your first artwork and what gave you the spark of inspiration for starting it?

My artistic journey began with a deep fascination for blending age-old craftsmanship with the cutting edge of technology. I was learning about the process of creating lace, but instead of meticulous and time-consuming manual labor I have decided to translate the technique into a 3D model that was then printed out from the thinnest filament reminiscent of silk lace threads, creating world’s first 3D printed neo-victorian lace collection.

‍

Have you studied art at any school or did you start from a completely different background? Do you think what a person studied can determine their success as an artist and why?

While my formal education centered around fashion, technology and business at IFA Paris, Academy of Arts in Prague and Kingston University, my artistic roots delve much deeper. I have attended a variety of short courses at the Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion during my high school years to find the best niche in fashion. I believe that academic studies offer valuable insights, but the artist's success isn't solely tethered to their educational background — it’s more about curiosity and cultural awareness.

‍

‍

What do you try to convey through your artworks, which messages, thoughts or emotions?

I aim to provoke thought and inspire viewers to contemplate the relationship between humans and technology, in a context of fashion that is reflecting our current social environment and serves as a cultural canvas for the future.

‍

We’ve been following you for a while and we love what you are doing in the field of fashion. We know you are also using Artificial Intelligence as a tool for creating some of your pieces. Were you already creating art pieces before the advent of AI? If yes, how has your creative process changed since you introduced it in your flow?

Before AI's widespread integration into the art world, I was already exploring its potential by coding my own simple generative models - I have used these findings during the creation of prints for my first collections. I have also created a capsule collection with the AI dream team - Siri, Alexa and Alisa - that have guided me through the design process. This happened before ChatGPT and Dalle were a thing, around seven years ago. However, the advent of AI revolutionized my creative process, offering novel pathways to experimentation and innovation. Attending AI Fashion Week as a selected designer has opened up a new world of GenAI for me, when I have created not only a full collection, but also videos from this [non-existent IRL] catwalk.

‍

‍

What are the most important challenges as an artist using AI?

It’s a dual challenge: balancing the synergy between human creativity and machine-generated output, while also navigating ethical considerations.

I believe it’s also crucial to maintain artistic authenticity while using AI, which could only be achieved by finding unique style within the art world without AI aid first. It’s about your artistic roots, integrity and context.

‍

You identify yourself also as a tech innovator and trend forecaster. How do you forecast trends and tech innovations?

My trend forecasting method encompasses a holistic analysis, blending insights from consumer behavior, technological advancements, cultural shifts, and industry trends - all summarized from a large variety of sources and datasets. By deciphering these intricate layers (which sometimes takes months to make sense of and connect the dots), I aim to stay ahead of the curve in fashion-tech both for my clients and personal experimentation projects.

‍

Which tip would you give to an emerging artist that is trying to stand out from the crowd?

Find your unique voice, experiment with new mediums, and embrace authenticity as your guiding principle.

‍

‍

Could you share some insights into emerging trends you foresee at the intersection of fashion and AI?

Picture this: a future where fashion and AI allow you to explore and experiment with yourself expression like never before! Imagine having a personal AI-driven stylist, carefully curating outfits tailored just for you. These digital stylists will understand your unique tastes, your body shape, and even your mood, crafting outfits that speak to your individuality in ways you never thought possible. But it doesn’t stop there. I believe that AI will also become a force for good in the fashion world, helping brands streamline their processes, minimize waste, and embrace sustainability. It’s a future where technology not only enhances our style but also empowers us to make more conscious choices about the clothes we wear.

‍

Regarding the metaverse, do you anticipate a resurgence in its popularity and influence, and what implications might that have for the fashion and technology sectors?

I recently had a profound conversation with Alvin Wang Graylin, author of Our Next Reality, who discussed the evolution of the internet into an AI-powered metaverse space. This transformation leverages generative AI to create and populate immersive digital worlds, which will inevitably become a part of our lives just as web2 social media does now. I believe that with the growth of Gen AI, we will be able to design our own virtual environments, fashion items, and personalized avatars with remarkable detail and creativity, which will make the onboarding process much smoother. From my personal experience as a metaverse strategist working on the very first VR Metaverse Fashion Week, I can confirm that the key factor that will support metaverse growth is accessibility and hardware development. Knowing that Meta is opening up its Quest OS, now rebranded as Meta Horizon OS, to other manufacturers like Asus and Lenovo, aiming to strengthen its position against competitors like Apple and Google in the emerging virtual reality platform wars, is reassuring me that headset devices are going to become better and more affordable for consumers, just like the rapid adaptation of smartphones a decade ago.

‍

What advice would you give to those looking to establish themselves in the fashion industry in 2024 and beyond? What strategies do fashion brands need to adopt in their marketing approach to attract customers in this new hyper-digital era?

Accept innovation and be adaptable. Also, ask professionals in the field for advice and strategic guidance (wink wink ;)). As new tech continues to reshape consumer behavior and market dynamics, it’s crucial to cultivate a deep understanding of data analytics, trend cycles and sustainability practices.

Moreover, for fashion brands looking to thrive in this hyper-digital era, a multi-dimensional marketing approach is essential. Leveraging the power of social-media-platforms-turn-metaverse-spaces and forging strategic partnerships with new era influencers can amplify brand visibility and engagement. Additionally, integrating immersive technologies such as spatial computing, AI and AR into the shopping experience can create memorable and interactive moments for consumers. And let’s not forget the importance of transparent and sustainable messaging, which resonates strongly with today’s socially conscious consumers.

Ultimately, success in the fashion industry in 2024 and beyond will hinge on agility, innovation, and a keen understanding of the evolving needs and preferences of the modern consumer - and I would be more than happy to help brands on this journey.

‍