Beyond the Interface: AVØLVE Is the New Go-to Web3 Platform to Meet Your Digital Alter Ego
Raúl Cerezo, Founder and CEO of AVØLVE, on creating a high-end digital fashion house that strives to facilitate expression, opportunity and utility within Web3.
Beyond the Interface is a fashion-tech series that explores the vibrant spectrum of next-gen designers and artists. The series provides an inside look into the industry’s most promising names and explores the radical shifts challenging all creative practices.
For the eighth installment, Hypebae speaks with Raúl Cerezo, Founder and CEO of AVØLVE, a high-end digital fashion house that strives to facilitate expression, opportunity and utility within Web3 to empower the creators of the future.
Who holds the power to shape the future of fashion? Ask Raúl Cerezo, the CEO and Founder of AVØLVE, and he’ll tell you that it’s not just about one person, but about all of us working together. If there’s one thing we’ve learned this year is that the concept of the metaverse has been built from different ideas and perspectives, making it abstract and hard to grasp. But what we can’t deny is our curiosity to explore Web3 and embrace our digital selves.
Raúl tells us, “We wanted to bridge the gap between the physical and the digital, pushing the boundaries of technology and design. We wanted to create digital assets that can grow and evolve with us.” Crafting our digital personas isn’t easy and often we rely on the limited options available in software. That’s why Raúl decided to transform his artistic vision into a real solution that captures our experiences, becoming a true reflection of our digital identities. He adds, “We didn’t want to create static digital entities, but dynamic avatars that can express our diverse and evolving personalities in the digital world.”
The foundation of AVØLVE is based on the belief in the power of collaboration. Raúl envisioned a community of creators coming together, sharing their ideas and making AVØLVE a reality. “Together, we’ve poured our collective energy into creating AVØLVE—a digital fashion experience that captures the vibrancy and dynamism of our digital personas.” AVØLVE’s first NFT drop, dropping on June 29 2023, will consist of 4,000 avatars designed to thrive in high-end virtual worlds, blending the worlds of digital fashion and gaming culture. The possibilities for the platform are endless and the goal is to empower co-creation by collaborating with top brands and releasing next-level phygital collections.
To truly understand how AVØLVE is redefining luxury through groundbreaking digital fashion, merging cutting-edge technology with visionary design and embracing the revolution of co-creation, we sat down with Raúl for an engaging conversation.
AVØLVE
As a child, were you an avid gamer? If so, what is your all-time favorite game and do you still play?
When I was younger, I was all about sports, especially football. FIFA became my favorite game to play with my brothers and friends. But my true gaming obsession began when I finally got my hands on a Nintendo GameBoy and discovered Pokémon, where I got captivated by the stories, the characters, the evolution and the vibrant culture surrounding the game, online and offline.
AVØLVE
What aspect of the ongoing merger between humans and avatars excites you the most? Where do you believe AI tech is heading?
I believe avatars will forge a deep connection with ourselves, enabling us to authentically express who we are without limitations in the digital landscape. The virtual self represents a heightened version of ourselves, empowering us to grow as both creatives and individuals. I am thrilled to explore this intersection between our real and digital identities.
AI is currently a hot topic in every roundtable discussion and can be intimidating for some. However, at the end of the day, it’s just another tool we need to learn to leverage. In a few years, this technology will become commonplace and everyone will use it in one way or another.
AVØLVE
How do you perceive the relationship between gaming and high-end fashion within AVØLVE and where does your work fit into this dynamic?
Every fashion collection comes from a spark of inspiration that motivates us to create, invent and design. At AVØLVE, storytelling is the stitching of everything we do. We believe that inspiration can be led by narratives that drive the values of the brand and help us engage with our community on a whole new level.
When we’ve got a captivating story, that’s when our brand comes to life. It’s the starting point for us to grow and thrive alongside our community and fellow creators, giving them awesome opportunities to enjoy this amazing journey with us. Gamified experiences are like epic moments where brands and customers unite, coming together to expand and evolve alongside our community and other creators. It’s all about giving everyone a chance to have a blast and be part of this incredible adventure.
AVØLVE
In what ways is AVØLVE setting new standards in high-end digital fashion? How do you see AVØLVE’s digital fashion contributing to the broader fashion industry and what unique opportunities does it offer?
We’re all about pushing the limits of digital fashion, not just on the surface but also behind the scenes. We’re creating tools that harness the full power of Unreal Engine, enabling us to produce high-quality work at scale without sacrificing our craftsmanship. Our mission is to assist brands in seamlessly translating their legacy into the virtual realm. We believe it’s crucial for brands to recognize the significance of upholding their values and maintaining their level of quality when venturing into the world of virtualization. Our goal is to ensure they stay relevant while preserving their unique heritage, without blindly chasing trends that may not align with their essence.
We’re here to set the bar for high-end digital fashion standards that fashion brands demand. We provide the foundation for them to continue building upon their rich legacy, ensuring their brand story evolves with the ever-changing digital landscape.
AVØLVE
What can we expect from your upcoming NFT drop? How does AVØLVE’s approach to NFTs go beyond mere ownership and value and how do you see the future of NFTs evolving within the digital fashion landscape?
The [AVATR—CLL®] is your key to entering the AVØLVE ecosystem, where you’ll connect, share and create experiences with like-minded creators and influential individuals in the web3 and fashion industries. From creative directors to designers, CEOs to CTOs, our community is already filled with fascinating profiles.
Over the past two years, we’ve been tirelessly building AVØLVE to ensure that we not only deliver the highest quality in the market but also provide innovative utilities and forward-thinking solutions for our community to grow and evolve together as we rewrite the script. AVATRS® holders can expect top-notch digital wearables and phygital items created in collaboration with exciting global brands. They’ll have the opportunity to unleash their AVATRS® in the metaverse, elevating their digital identities to new heights. Additionally, they’ll gain access to a multitude of in-real-life events and community rewards. And these are just the beginning… In the coming months, we’ll be unveiling more information about upcoming phases. There’s so much more we’ve been building that I can’t wait to share with you!
AVØLVE
What is the inspiration behind AVØLVE’s matrix-style designs?
AVØLVE thrives at the dynamic crossroads of streetwear and future couture. We proudly embody the role of visionaries and unabashed trendsetters. Our mission is to cultivate inclusivity while empowering forward-thinking individuals and creators to fearlessly express their unique identities, unrestricted by conventional boundaries. With a focus on authenticity and unapologetic self-expression, AVØLVE provides a platform where individuals can fully embrace their individuality and leave an indelible mark on the fashion landscape.
AVØLVE
Can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations that AVØLVE is excited about and what they aim to achieve? What’s next for the brand?
While I can’t spill all the beans just yet, I can share that AVØLVE has some mind-blowing brand collaborations on the horizon.
Personally, the most exciting part of this journey is to be able to co-create with talented designers from all over the world and welcome them into the AVØLVE family. I want to give a well-deserved shout-out to the amazing creators and artists who have joined our team and are participating in our upcoming [AVATR—CLL®] with our core team and Bose Collins team. We have an incredible roster that includes Orthodoxx (Amé Raaphorst & Saskia Roturier), who are revolutionizing fabrics and textures, Adrián Besada (Besada.Studio), a talented digital fashion designer from Spain, Adriana Valenzuela with her beautiful organic shapes and style, Andrea Arice, the brilliant designer behind the iconic Adidas drops and VIZION, who is taking Unreal Engine virtual experiences to new heights. And this is just the beginning; many more talented creators are joining soon.
What is next for the brand? We are cooking up a whole series of thrilling online and offline activations and experiences that are set to shake things up. We’re ready to make some serious noise and take the digital fashion scene by storm. Get ready to witness the dawn of a new digital fashion revolution!
AVØLVE
