Where does digital fashion find itself in today’s landscape? For a small yet rapidly growing community of people, this answer knows no bounds. Founder of Digital Fashion Designer’s Council (DFDC) and Cash Labs, David Cash, visual artist Antoni Tudisco, and prolific photographer Nick Knight are just some of these individuals—and they’ve all come together to announce the launch of the DFDC’s Fashion Week Connect, a cross-platform event that will connect brand’s digital ecosystems with its physical products and experiences.
“The integration of technology with fashion is no longer just an experiment; it’s a fully-fledged industry. Digital fashion has become an essential part of how brands and designers connect with their audiences,” shares Tudisco, who is collaborating with the DFDC to launch Fashion Week Connect, in the hopes of moving towards a collective future of the digital fashion industry. Tudisco, who has been known to dream up an array of hyper-imaginative artworks that usually lean off-kilter and otherworldly, is one of many who have no doubt expanded the limits of digital fashion by working with a myriad of luxury brands to bring beautiful visuals and experiences that leave an impact on its audiences.
“This partnership means being at the cutting edge of fashion innovation. They get to be part of pioneering projects that set new trends and redefine what fashion can be in the digital age.”
As part of its ethos, the DFDC will continue to connect and streamline traditional and digital fashion ecosystems with one another, hence providing the resources and spaces for artists like Tudisco to broaden their universe and create experiences that their brands and consumers can truly immerse themselves in. This may be as simple as bringing these experiences onto social media platforms like TikTok or heightening in-game realism with specialised brand-exclusive opportunities.
Sitting at the core of the DFDC and Fashion Week Connect? A simple desire for a brand’s digital universe to be a seamless, effortless extension of itself.”We’re beginning with the core of what a brand is—their physical collection, their seasonal narrative—and then bringing that into the digital space in a way that should feel more natural to the brand and its audience,” explains Cash. Below, Cash and Tudisco speak to Vogue Singapore about the digital fashion industry, the main motives of the DFDC and what we can look forward to at Fashion Week Connect.
What is the main aim of the Digital Fashion Designer’s Council?
Cash: The DFDC’s main goal is to help fashion brands connect with today’s digitally-native consumers. The key is connectivity. All the pieces are already here—gaming platforms, social media, game worlds, etc.—with over four billion aggregate daily active users. But there’s friction in cross-platform experiences.We’re building infrastructure—both technical and social—to make this possible. We’re creating a framework that connects platforms, from social media to gaming to e-commerce, and links them back to physical brands, products, and experiences. It’s about integrating digital fashion into the traditional fashion system by aligning the goals of brands, platforms, and consumers through strategic partnerships and global IRL and URL activations. Our mission is to drive digital transformation in the world of fashion, helping brands connect their physical products and consumers with the digital ecosystems in which their users spend most of their time.
What are some of the current technologies or infrastructures that you hope to share more with the industry?
Cash: At the DFDC, we’re dedicated to creating opportunities and resources that help fashion brands, physical and digital alike, connect with everyday consumers. Our Reality Spectrum Matrix (RSM) integrates platforms from social media apps like TikTok, to game experiences in Roblox, to allow users to experience value being unlocked by engaging with their favourite brands. Beyond technical infrastructure, we’re also creating resources and standards for the artists, technologists, and entrepreneurs running the digital components of the fashion industry– from 3D artists to e-commerce managers. We are building infrastructure to directly provide funding, brand collaboration, and international exhibition opportunities to some of the world’s most deserving talents both emerging and established.
“We’re beginning with the core of what a brand is—their physical collection, their seasonal narrative—and then bringing that into the digital space in a way that should feel more natural to the brand and its audience.”
Why do you think digital fashion is so integral for the future of the industry?
Cash: Digital fashion is vital because the technology driving it is growing rapidly. As technology becomes more complex and integrated into our lives, the role of digital in fashion will only grow. We’re moving towards a future where digital experiences on top of reality will be more common, and fashion will be one of the first industries to embrace this new layer of wearability. In a few years, many physical products will have a digital counterpart, and with the rise of tokenised assets and Digital Product Passport legislation devices, these two worlds will result in physical garments and digital assets and experiences to become deeply interconnected. We believe fashion will lead the way in making this a tangible experience for users.
As someone who is so deeply entrenched in the digital fashion space, how would you say it has evolved since you first started out?
Tudisco: When I first ventured into the digital fashion world, it was like exploring uncharted territory. The concept of fashion in a purely digital format was still novel, and only a few people truly understood its potential. Back then, it was more about experimenting and seeing what was possible with 3D design and animation. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has transformed dramatically. The integration of technology with fashion is no longer just an experiment; it’s a fully-fledged industry. From the rise of NFTs to augmented reality try-ons, digital fashion has become an essential part of how brands and designers connect with their audiences. For clients, this evolution means new ways to engage with fashion—whether through personalised digital wardrobes or immersive brand experiences—breaking free from the constraints of physical production.
In what ways will Fashion Week Connect bridge fashion’s digital ecosystems with its more traditional, physical experiences?
Cash: Instead of beginning with a digital experience and then trying to link it to the physical, we’re turning the approach around. We’re beginning with the core of what a brand is—their physical collection, their seasonal narrative—and then bringing that into the digital space in a way that should feel more natural to the brand and its audience. This approach fixes a common issue brands face when they lead with digital activations that don’t tie back to their overall brand story. This season, we’re taking a brand’s hero collection and leveraging digital tools to extend and amplify their season beyond the runway. For instance, we’re very excited to be partnering with Vogue Singapore for Next In Vogue to showcase how their physical event can be connected to digital experiences, from holograms and XR demos to integrating virtual points and rewards for people who are attending- connecting digital ecosystems to physical space.
What do you think are the current gaps in the fashion industry that you hope the digital fashion space can bridge?
Tudisco: The fashion industry has long struggled with issues like inclusivity, sustainability, and accessibility. Digital fashion offers a unique opportunity to address these gaps. For example, digital garments aren’t limited by size, which allows for a more inclusive approach where everyone can participate regardless of their body type. Additionally, the digital space is inherently more sustainable—no physical materials, no waste, just pure creativity. Clients can explore endless possibilities without the environmental impact of traditional fashion. Furthermore, digital fashion can democratise the industry, giving access to luxury experiences and designs to people who might not otherwise afford them in the physical world. By bridging these gaps, digital fashion can create a more equitable, responsible, and creative fashion landscape.
As a creative working with the DFDC, what are you most excited about?
Tudisco: Collaborating with the DFDC is something I’ve been looking forward to because it represents a collective movement towards the future of fashion. I’m especially excited about the potential for co-creation. Working with clients and other designers in the DFDC allows us to push the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s not just about creating beautiful visuals—it’s about crafting experiences that are interactive, engaging, and memorable. For clients, this partnership means being at the cutting edge of fashion innovation. They get to be part of pioneering projects that set new trends and redefine what fashion can be in the digital age.
What can we look forward to from Fashion Week Connect and the DFDC next?
Cash: Fashion Week Connect and the DFDC will support pop-up activations during New York, London, and Paris Fashion Week, amongst other major fashion events. We’re also thrilled to be one of the title sponsors, and lead innovation partner, for Next In Vogue in October. Additionally, we’re hosting the first-ever ‘Digital Fashion Film Festival’ in collaboration with SHOWstudio, directed by Nick Knight and his team. This festival will be both physical and digital, showcasing the best of global digital fashion. Our full lineup of partners and events, including fashion from top brands like Balenciaga, Mugler, and Loewe, will be announced on 5th September in New York. Moving forward, in Paris, we’re helping to present the Fabrix Digital Fashion Takeover at Paris Fashion Week, featuring exciting digital activations from emerging designers.
Find out more about Fashion Week Connect and the DFDC here.
