Today, a trio of unlikely fashion talent – Drag star Tayce, top celebrity designer Chet Lo, and the Next Gen metaverse Ateliers Institute of Digital Fashion (IoDF) – reveal both physical and digital Second Skin Couture, in their first collaboration together to celebrate Absolut Vodka’s #BornToMix vision to bring different minds together for a greater purpose.
Absolut’s #BornToMix will see unexpected and diverse creatives work together on a series of projects designed to drive conversation and progress in the UK. The first project, Second Skin Couture aims to challenge existing stereotypes and perceptions of fashion and provide a vision of the future – a world where what you wear isn’t tied to the binds of gender, seasonal trends, religious expression, or function.
The hero piece from the collection, a physical garment modelled by non-binary model and breakthrough star of Drag Race UK, Tayce, features Chet Lo iconic light, translucent and futuristic fabric. In what is his first ever collaboration, Lo’s ‘second skin dress’ aims to blur the line between skin and material, symbolising how the wearer can express their true and purest self on the outside in future fashion. The physical design, hand knitted by Lo, will also be showcased IRL by Tayce at an exclusive catwalk at BOXPARK Shoreditch, London, on 11th May.
They have worked alongside next gen collective IoDF, to give fans across the UK the chance to experience what Second Skin Couture looks like on themselves too, through a one-off couture piece that will be added to IoDF’s metacloset. The digital filter will be available to access via social media platforms from early May to coincide with the launch event in London.
Known for their unmissable role on UK RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2, and now a FROW favourite, Tayce is a non-binary visual artist and performer, who has been slaying the game ever since they left our screens and is widely known for pushing gender boundaries through expressive outfits and disruptive performances.
Drag Icon, TAYCE said: “I want everyone to be able to show their true selves in whatever way they want, and that’s why I’ve mixed things up this year with Absolut Vodka (delish!) to help design the new Second Skin Couture, hand knitted by Chet Lo himself. And what’s even better is that not only I can rock it, but you can too through this new IoDF virtual filter, it’s the future of fashion don’t you know! I can’t wait to slay it down the runway IRL with you at BoxPark next month, see you there!”
Marnie Corrigan, Brand Director at ABSOLUT said: “Absolut was born as a spirit crafted to be mixed and has always believed that whether its cocktails, ideas, or people, life is most interesting when we mix things up. Which is why this year, we’re so excited to kick off our #BornToMix collaborations with Tayce, Chet Lo and the Institute of Digital Fashion to give our consumers a glance at what the future of fashion can mean to them, and how Second Skin Couture can inspire people to show their true identities, and we can’t wait to see fans to try it on themselves through IoDf’s virtual fashion lens on social media.”
Even before the outbreak of COVID 19, London based designer Chet Lo believed that people were not excited by the future. His unique and alternative designs aim to change that narrative – and now his visionary pieces are being worn by the likes of Kylie Jenner, Dua Lipa, Doja Cat and Zara Larson.
Fashion designer, Chet Lo said: “I’m so excited to be working with Absolut on such a beautiful and creative project. Drawing from my own personal experience around identity, race, culture, and heritage, I wanted this project to portray the inclusivity around my work and create a beautiful piece. The marriage between all collaborators in this project is so fulfilling and we had so much fun creating together. Fun is an important part of my brand ethos, so it felt natural working with Absolut on this project.”
The Institute of Digital Fashion has not been shy of entering the metaverse with a bang. With 6 industry worlds firsts, notably the non-binary avatar a digital double of Cattytay, their digital couture collection for Paris haute couture and the LFW activation making digital fashion wearable. Now they will be offering their unique digital lens to completely transform and elevate the usual fashion collaboration.
Fans can experience Second Skin Couture IRL and virtually – Apply here for tickets to see Tayce transcend the runway as they showcase the new garments in style at BOXPARK Shoreditch 11 May. And keep your eyes peeled on Absolut social channels where a digital version from the innovative IoDF collective will be unlocked.
Find out more about the Absolut Born to Mix programme is https://www.absolut.com/uk/borntomix
