What happened: Following the launch of its first meta-retail exhibition at Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysées, SPIN by Lablaco brings its pioneering, multidimensional vision to Paris Haute Couture Week. The circular retail platform Web3 has invited several of its CFS Center designers including Weinsanto, DRESSX, Grace Ling and Miss Sohee to show previews of their couture collections during the event using NFT phygital, augmented reality and VR.

For the exhibition, the atrium of the iconic Parisian retailer has been transformed into “a vision of the future” using a combination of Web2 and Web3 technology. Visitors can try on digital garments using state-of-the-art software, promoting a retail experience immersive and efficient.

Therefore, the mixed reality project advocates for ownership, zero waste, and sustainability. And so, to avoid dead stock, all creations are available to purchase through an ethical make-to-order system. Each design will arrive as a digital NFT twin along with its physical counterpart.

SPIN by Lablaco is bringing some of the most prolific names in haute couture to the metaverse through its latest project. Photo: Lablaco.

The Jing take: A company of this scale represents a huge step forward for fashion and Web3. The project is evidence of the long-term development of the industry in the digital space. It will also increase accessibility within the notoriously exclusive world of couture, allowing more clients to own and appreciate the designs. For traditional fashion enthusiasts wary of the prospect of Web3, a demo of metaverse couture — and its considerable potential — it’s a smart move. And one that could sway (even the strictest of opinions).

Platforms like Lablaco are leading this move towards mainstream adoption. The next-generation innovator has already kicked off 2023 with a bang in the metaverse, partnering with one of the world’s most celebrated fashion retailers to take its digital ecosystem offline.

But the project is more than smoke and mirrors, something Web3 is often criticized for. The retailer also wants to encourage consumers to make more informed and conscious purchasing decisions. All items for sale during the event will come with IoT-enabled QR codes powered by SPIN and backed by the Flow blockchain, which allows holders to track the journey of the design they are interested in purchasing.

This innovative approach aims to give consumers a sense of responsibility and knowledge about the origins of clothing. At the same time, it also elevates shopping from a chore to a thought process. — one in which customers are empowered to make informed and conscious purchasing decisions.

As Web3 snowballs, brands will feel compelled to jump on the digital bandwagon. But Lablaco is showing how innovation can be embraced in a way that goes beyond simply taking advantage of the latest trend. The metaverse marks a pivotal moment in fashion. But for the industry to survive, it depends on commitments like Lablaco’s to pave the way towards a sustainable, inclusive and democratized future.

Jing takes it reports on a top story and presents our editorial team’s analysis of the key implications for the luxury industry. In the recurring column, we take a look at everything from product launches and mergers to heated debates raging on Chinese social media.