Thursday 11 August 2022 12:13 AM Meta launches the first drag show in the METAVERSE trends now
Meta will launch the first drag show in the 'metaverse' – a collective virtual shared space featuring avatars of real people.
'Queens of the Metaverse' is a mixed reality drag show that will demonstrate how technology can 'unlock possibilities in fashion design', Meta says.
The firm has enlisted three drag acts – Blu Hydrangea (winner of 'RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. The World'), Tia Kofi (pop artist and star of 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' Season 2) and Adam All (one of the world’s most well known 'Drag Kings').
They will each debut a 'show-stopping drag look' using Meta’s VR and AR technologies, created by three British designers from the LGBTQ+ community.
Anyone who has watched 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' will be familiar with the extravagant fashion designs on display by some of the best drag artists.
But the new show will use VR, AR, and avatars to free themselves from the 'limitations of the physical world' and create even more outlandish outfits, Meta says.
The outfits have all been designed virtually, will be made into physical garments and will be debuted at an in-person event to be held in London next month.
'Queens of the Metaverse' is a mixed reality drag show that will demonstrate how technology can 'unlock possibilities in fashion design', Meta says
Meta has enlisted three drag acts – Blu Hydrangea (winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. The World), Tia Kofi (Pop artist and star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2) and Adam All (one of the world’s most well known 'Drag Kings'). The three drag acts and their designers collaborated on their creations in Horizon Workrooms, Meta’s VR workspace platform. Their respective avatars are pictured here
Tia Kofi (pictured) is a British drag queen from Clapham, South London. He is one of three drag acts enlisted by Meta for the new drag show in the metaverse
'Creative communities are central to the development of the metaverse, ensuring that we are building a space for each and every one of us,' said Ineke Paulsen, Meta's director of EMEA Marketing.
'The metaverse and its technologies will enable these creatives to take their imaginations further than they ever thought possible.
'Drag is art, culture, performance. It’s visual storytelling. The hope is that technologies like virtual reality will help the drag community and other creatives unleash their potential in new and exciting ways.'
The three drag acts and their designers collaborated on their creations in Horizon Workrooms, Meta’s VR workspace platform.
Their digital avatars were able to interact within Workrooms using Meta’s VR Quest headsets.
The designer for Blu Hydrangea is Nwora Emenike, a queer, non-binary stylist. 'Non-binary' is a term used to describe people who do not identify as either masculine or feminine.
Creating for Tia Kofi is Sal Mohammed, a 'queer and genderfluid' NHS worker and life coach who has a passion for drag. Genderfluid refers to someone who does not identify themselves as having a fixed gender.
Lastly, designing for Adam All is Christie Lau, a non-binary Central Saint Martins graduate whose work 'blends physical and digital fashion', according to Meta.
All of the virtually designed outfits will be turned into physical garments, to be revealed at an event in London in September.
Using AR, each outfit will come to life as an animated artwork as the drag artists work their 'show-stopping' acts on the runway.
Anyone who has watched 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' will be familiar with the extravagant fashion designs on display by some of the best drag artists. But the new show will use VR, AR, and avatars to free themselves from the 'limitations of the physical world' and create even more outlandish outfits, Meta says. Pictured is Tia Kofi paying homage to Alan Turing on 'RuPaul’s Drag Race'
A live audience at the event will be able to see the AR elements of the dresses come to life through their phones. The AR filters will also be
