On December 7, step into a futuristic realm fueled by folklore and fantasy. A spellbinding narrative, woven by Netherlands-based artist GLITCHOFMIND, originally from the Dominican Republic. Following a stellar debut of the SYKY platform at London Fashion Week 2023, SYKY has returned with a second luxury fashion collection that is set to drop during an exclusive event at Art Basel Miami. At the highly celebrated intersection of art, luxury fashion, digital design and web3, GLITCHOFMIND’s collection entitled, ‘INTERLôR VOL. 1: Awaken’, is the epitome of storytelling couture.
Described as “a tapestry of digital couture and immersive lore”, ‘INTERLôR VOL. 1: Awaken’, is composed of three bewitching artworks that draw inspiration from biomaterials:
THE SEED: A unique 1:1 editorial digital couture piece available through auction, where the collector will be granted an intimate meeting with GLITCHOFMIND and SYKY’s CEO, Alice Delahunt..
THE SEER: A limited supply of this editorial digital couture piece will be available to all bidders of ‘The Seed.’
& THE WEAVER: An editorial digital couture piece inspired by mycelium, available as an open edition for a limited 72 hours to mint.
The auction and open edition are available to mint for three days, beginning on December 7, 2023 at 9am (UTC -5).
GLITCH Magazine had the pleasure of delving deeper into this web3 marvel with GLITCHOFMIND himself.
The INTERLôR VOL. 1 Collection is a masterpiece of editorial fashion. Bringing storytelling to the forefront of fashion design is a great way of creating a mindful process for both the designer and the viewer. How do you hope to make an impact in the fashion industry through this medium?
My goal is to extend my work’s impact beyond just the visual aesthetics. Through this digital medium, I aim to redefine what digital fashion and editorial means, as well as give the fashion world a new way to think about what digital editorial fashion could be.
I want to evoke a sense of fantasy, ignite imagination, and connect with my audience on a much deeper level. Fashion, to me, is one of the most powerful tools we have to express ourselves and our story. Identity and expression through fashion are choices we make as children, and are at every moment of development in our lives. From choosing our favourite colours to choosing what we first wear to school, to how we choose to identify ourselves in the bigger world, fashion choices are some of the first choices we make as humans.
Through INTERLôR, I’m not just creating a beautiful image; I’m fostering a connection with my community, emphasising the artistry and narrative behind each design.
Being a designer in the industry, how would you describe the shift towards a future that merges the likes of art, luxury, fashion, and digital culture?
This paradigm shift is transformative and revolutionary. We’re at a point where art, luxury, fashion, and digital culture are blending into a cohesive, holistic experience. In this modern technological era, art is not solely confined to galleries, luxury is not merely about opulence, fashion goes beyond wearable aesthetics, and digital culture is not just virtual. We are seeing a multli-faceted directionality in all of these realms – digital culture is impacting IRL fashion; luxury means more than a high price point; art is everywhere from the streets to your mobile phone. Today we are seeing the lines between these realms blurring, ultimately giving rise to a holistic approach that embraces the synergy between disparate parts.
This shift represents a democratisation of creativity in a way we haven’t seen since the advent of ‘arts and crafts’ in the 19th century. High art and fashion have never been more accessible to a global audience at any time in history, which is a result of the current digital technological revolution. It’s more than just wearing a garment or accessories; it’s about immersing yourself in a story and engaging with a brand’s story on a digital stage.
As a designer – but first and foremost, as an artist – I embrace the fusion of these worlds, seeking inspiration from the past while embracing the possibilities of the future.The intersection of art, luxury, fashion, and digital culture allows us to craft a unique narrative that resonates with a more diverse and interconnected community.
Can you shed some light on your design process for this collection including the process you went through in creating each archetype?
The design process for this collection has been quite fun and enlightening. My work, at its core, is an exploration of the concept of ‘self’, my experiences, and my identity. This collection represents a rebirth amid chaos.
I weave these personal elements with symbolism and folklore that resonate with me, such as the decaying rooms symbolising how the mind’s state can be in flux. Another central theme throughout this process was using the moth as a representation of transformation and how we as individuals are constantly in a state of metamorphosis. For the Sentrons (the main characters of INTERLôR VOL. 1), I envisioned them as beings connected to the Earth through mycelium, which is reflected in the fabric textures inspired by mycelium derivatives, like those used in Stella McCartney’s 2021 collection.
The Seed represents the idea or catalyst for the entire collection, but also the concept of how we have a singular driving force that creates new beginnings all the time. The Weaver represents the collector of memories and stories, and how memory constantly evolves. The Seer represents the “visualiser”, a part of us that, when truly present and accepting of the nature of our surroundings, can feel the vibrations of our imagination activated and amplified by the experience.
The INTERLôR VOL. 1 Collection follows the story of the Sentrons. As technology advances at an increasingly rapid pace, what are your thoughts on where we may be headed and what we (just as the Sentron) can do to save our collective future?
Technology, when harnessed with intention and responsibility, has the power to shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and interconnected world.
The story of the Sentron serves as a metaphor for the symbiotic relationship we must cultivate with technology and nature. While their awakening signifies hope and renewal in a world of chaos, it could also carry a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked human desires and bias that get embedded in the core of technological pursuits.
Just as the Sentron aims to guide humanity towards a rediscovery of imagination and balance, we, too, must approach technological progress with ethical considerations.
Throughout the collection, you drew inspiration from Victorian design and African hair style like Bantu Knots. Were there any other things that inspired you to create this collection? If so, what are they and how did they influence your work?
I think my little obsession with volumes and dramatic shapes began in my teenage years, after watching “Pride and Prejudice” (with Keira Knightly of course). It became one of my favourite movies, which I still watch regularly. The elegance and restraint of the garments captivated me, seeming to encapsulate the characters’ emotions, while simultaneously hinting at the intense feelings brewing beneath the surface. It’s the subtle tension and intimacy, conveyed through mere glances and touches, that truly resonated with me.
With that cinematographic sensibility in mind, the storytelling and collections draw inspiration from varied influences. This includes Afro-surrealism, an art movement rooted in expressing the surreal aspects of Afro-diasporic experiences and the recognition that nature — encompassing human nature — often creates experiences more surreal than any artificial process. Additionally, my work delves into Mesoamerican folklore, exploring spirituality and consciousness through rich symbolisms and narratives.
INTERLôR VOL. 1 symbolises my creative rebirth, a journey that I can only describe as an emotional rollercoaster marked by my decision to join the SYKY Collective; a group of people that have reinvigorated my love for fashion as a form of expression and art. Just like the Moth in The Seed and The Weaver, symbolising rebirth and a shift in my artistic expression.
When did you discover your passion for design?
My love for design was sparked early in my life, playing with Barbies and staging home fashion shows for my grandma as she clapped watching me and my sister walk down the hallway. I felt so free as a kid around her. At that age, I never thought of becoming a designer, because where I come from, being an artist wasn’t necessarily the most aspirational thing you could become.
One of my earliest memories is watching my mother sew dresses to sell at church. In my culture, fancy Sunday church attire was not just about devotion but also a moment of fashion and social gathering. As my mother mastered her sewing skills, she passed a few tricks to me about using the sewing machine. But, a boy wasn’t allowed to make dresses because that was a “gay” thing, and at that age, confused and terrified of my queerness, I rejected following anything that would make my queerness more ‘obvious.’ This all changed when I came out at 16 years old. I began to repurpose my mother’s clothes using her sewing machine, transforming them for nights out at the gay club with friends. It was in these moments, dancing freely, that I truly felt free.
That, combined with my love for anime and later, photography, kept fueling this passion throughout my teenage years. I found myself constantly drawing and creating new outfits and costumes. I was particularly drawn to Sailor Moon, and would draw their bows and skirt pleads until they were perfect, creating new outfits that would fit into their universe. The escapism that anime provided me inspires me even to this day.
It was in Amsterdam while experimenting with 3D art and diving head first into the web3 space, that I truly embraced digital fashion design. Encouraged by my friend and collector Clare Maguire, I joined the SYKY Collective and have found unparalleled inspiration and drive with the support of the SYKY and Alice Delahunt, who understood and encouraged my vision for what editorial digital fashion can be.
What or who is your current muse?
Nature, Afro-surrealism, Tim Walker’s photography, and all the women in my life, are my current muses. I view nature as the ‘divine feminine’, as fluidity itself, untamed, and it is always a constant in my artistic journey. Melodic synth music also plays a vital role in my creative process, helping me visualise ideas as if directing a music video.
What does the next chapter of the fashion industry look like to you? What do you predict it will be VS What do you hope it will be?
To me, one of the most fascinating things about the fashion space we are currently navigating is that there isn’t a clear direction it is heading toward. Digital fashion and new tools keep evolving every second, providing new forms of expression and of creation. So for me, I just want to embrace this journey and shape my position and voice within it.
With so many voices now being heard that were historically under-represented for centuries, I am more excited about being wowed by all the new ideas, stories, and cultures that are finally getting a chance to show the world what fashion means to them.
The future of fashion is an ever-evolving tapestry of technological advances and diverse creative visions. I hope to see the industry embrace a wide array of cultures, stories, and inspirations, moving beyond vanity to freely express our innermost selves. I’m excited about the new inspirations and collaborative opportunities ahead.
Stay tuned for SYKY x GLITCHOFMIND: ‘INTERLôR VOL. 1: Awaken, launching exclusively on SYKY.com on December 7, 2023. For more information about SYKY, connect with its designers, and sign up for GLITCHOFMIND’s collection waitlist, please visit syky.com.
Written by Ashley Jade Callahan
Words by GLITCHOFMIND & SYKY CEO, Alice Delahunt
