In an exclusive chat with Metaverse Post, Gala Marija Vrbanic, CEO of Tribute Brand, discussed her recent achievement of raising $4.5 million.
Digital fashion brand Tribute Brand The company has managed to gather $4.5 million to create digital haute couture for the Metaverse.
The funding round received significant support from a venture capital firm concentrating on crypto. Collab+Currency Additionally, noted investors such as Flamingo DAO, Lattice Capital, TCG Crypto, and several prominent VCs and DAOs contributed to this investment.
These raised funds will be allocated towards launching their interoperable platform alongside a fresh collection of digital fashion.
In an interview with the CEO and creative director of Tribute Brand, Metaverse Post uncovered her aspirations for the Metaverse and what the future holds for digital apparel. Gala Marija Vrbanic The following discussion has been refined for brevity and clarity.
Gala, what sparked your inspiration to launch a digital fashion label?
With roots in conventional fashion—given my mother’s background as a designer—I've always been immersed in this industry. I previously founded a physical brand that leaned toward fashion critique and saw quite a bit of success, earning multiple awards and showcasing at events like London Fashion Week. While reminiscing about my gaming experiences, I noticed how I would purchase outfits for my avatar in GTA, only to realize that this virtual spending mirrored real life. Platforms like Instagram have become venues for individuals to curate their identities and social interactions, making physical garments less vital.
Despite the bear market, you recently secured $4.5 million. What was your strategy?
I'm confident that our investor would have backed us regardless of market conditions. Tribute Brand embodies a vision that aims for long-term success.
Gmoney, a well-known crypto influencer, is among your angel investors. He is branching into a lifestyle platform — should we anticipate collaborations in the future?
We'll have to wait and see. He seems to be venturing into the fashion realm indeed. announced the launch How does Tribute Brand distinguish itself from others in the digital fashion sector?
I wouldn't categorize us as competitors. The field is quite niche, and each organization has its unique perspective on digital fashion's potential. Our distinction lies in being not merely a fashion label but also a tech-driven fashion house, where we create tools for wearable digital items. Our journey necessitated developing technological solutions for digital fashion, as the landscape was still emerging when we began. Yet, the essence of creativity and fashion remains central to our mission.
The garments featured on your website look flawless in images — are these enhanced with augmented reality filters?
We refer to it as our premium fitting service. While it's largely automated, we incorporate manual elements as well. We regard this as an innovative utility within couture. Although we have augmented reality capabilities, which are complimentary and instantaneous, there remains a significant gap before automated fitting reaches the finesse of designs touched by human hands.
Every digital garment listed on your site is marked as s sold out . Are they offered in limited runs?
We view these items as utilities and chose to restrict the number of owners to create exclusivity. The next collection we are preparing will be available as NFTs, allowing owners the ability to customize the fitting to their photos. Associated AR utilities will be included free of charge with the NFT.
Later this year, we plan on launching these offerings. Having spent six years in this domain, this new project encapsulates everything we've been developing to date.
Tribute Brand has also established a presence in Decentraland. Can players purchase garments there?
When does this come?
Absolutely! You can buy pieces from our role-play line for your Decentraland avatar using $MANA.
Will you also consider designing shoes and accessories for digital environments?
Yes, but I envision that in virtual spaces, the need for conventional categories like shoes could diminish. Why replicate shoes if they serve no practical purpose? I believe traditional categories might fade or blend.
Are there plans to release basic digital clothing lines?
This has been a complex dilemma for me for quite some time. Not every individual desires to adopt outlandish styles in the Metaverse. What’s the equivalent of basic, simplistic fashion in a digital context? We aren't looking to duplicate physical t-shirts in a digital format—physical garments still hold more appeal. However, we do recognize the need to cater to those who prefer a more straightforward aesthetic.
Numerous established fashion brands are currently making their move into the Web3 landscape. During a panel discussion at NFT.NYC, you noted they might be missing the mark. What guidance would you give to traditional brands aiming to enter this space?
They must recognize that a significant portion of their income will soon derive from digital items. Thus, learning to translate their brand identity associated with clothing into the digital realm is crucial.
DressX has become the inaugural digital brand to unveil a collection on Roblox.
Gucci has recently revealed a stunning array of digital wearables for avatars within the Metaverse.
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Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines Valeria holds a Master's degree in Public Communications and is pursuing a second major in International Business Management. In her free time, she enjoys photography and fashion styling. At the tender age of 13, Valeria initiated her first fashion blog, igniting her passion for journalism and style.
