cowgirl clue
From the fear of catching the dreaded coronavirus to being stuck inside and the economy verging on collapse, it’s no wonder that people are turning to alternate realities to escape the lingering feeling of impending doom. One of our favourite digital experiences happens to also be the debut fashion show of pop princess Cowgirl Clue, who launched her debut fashion collection DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAERIES on an impeccably curated IMVU room featuring avatar models and a custom runway rave score.
These URL looks comprising of animal print, fairy wings and y2k inspired bleach stained cardigans with marabou trim correlate to purchasable pieces IRL meaning that we can fully submit to this preferred parallel universe. We caught up with Clue to chat about launching a collection in the pandemic, utilising digital realms and to find out what you can find in her conspiracy theory farm.
Hey Cowgirl Clue, what inspired you to create a digital version of your debut collection in IMVU?
Debuting Clue Wear's DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAERIES collection was a total rollercoaster in the current climate. It only made sense to create something digital and interactive for viewers to engage with. I was fortunate to become e-friends with Lizzie Klein, and she helped me portray my vision of a Conspiracy Theory Farm themed fashion show for the collection and collaboration on IMVU.
What is a conspiracy theory farm?
In my imagination, it's a farm that embraces the mysteries of life which in itself, is a conspiracy. Beaming UFOs, Fortune Telling DJs, Indigo Skaters, Dalmation Skinwalkers, Dreamy Portals, and Animals of all kinds were represented in the Clue Wear Presentation. Life's unsolved mysteries have always been something of meaning to me since I was a child and I wanted the digital farm to reflect that.
Does your collection fit in with the whole cottagecore aesthetic going on right now?
I've certainly tapped into that aesthetic on and off for a few years now, but more or less it was unintentional.
Had you been an IMVU user before?
I've had a few random accounts over the years but I wouldn't say I was a frequent user. I was only vaguely familiar with IMVU prior to the fashion show.
Why do you think avatars are such a popular art form currently?
I think avatars represent a sense of self-reflection and have limitless options of personas/ideas to expand upon. During the current climate, we all have a sense of wanting to escape or explore new horizons, so in this case, the sky is the limit and so much more beyond with an avatar and digital platform.
Have you seen any other fashion brands using digital avatars for campaigns, and what do you think of them?
I've always been fascinated with mixed media especially digital when it comes to expression, I think, in taste, it can be done extremely well. The crossover with avatars and high fashion has always been just a matter of when. It's really special to see it blossom in this lifetime and to be a part of it.
What was it like playing a set in Minecraft and do you think it works well as a platform for live entertainment?
The Minecraft Music Festival I performed at was really interesting. I wasn't a Minecraft user before the event, so I was intrigued to learn more about the game and create my character. I think the best part from my experience was that when you try to crowd surf on the game, your avatar will glitch and it honestly makes for quality entertainment if you ask me.
Why do you think creatives often overlook these gaming spaces and prioritise the usual socials?
There is a bit of a learning curve, but it is 1000% possible for creatives to adapt to this outlet. The difficult part is server issues if the event is live, learning hacks around certain flaws in a game, or most importantly in my opinion, that most games do not offer the ability to create your own soundscape but in time I think it will become much smoother for the gamer, creator, or music and fashion industries.
How do you think other creatives could utilise these gaming platforms better?
There is an immense amount of room to explore with these gaming platforms. I think the possibilities are truly endless, and the best part is that if you have access to the internet you can most likely be a part of the experience. Tapping into that sort of connection as an artist can be truly unique. I'd love to see more virtual installations, or explorative experiences from artists.
Do you think there’s longevity in using these spaces after the pandemic?
Absolutely! I think if anything this will open the playing fields for artists and allow time to learn software and what-not to let the imagination run wild.
What's next for your clothing and do you have any ideas for your next collection or is it a secret?
Yes, ideally I want to keep experimenting with upcycling garments and continue making unique one-offs for the world. It was truly great working with Lizzie Klein in IMVU to make this virtual experience possible so for the next Clue Wear Collection, I am hoping to collaborate with more artists. I have some secrets on that but I will tell you them in time! As for right now, I am fixing to release a remix project for Icebreaker as well as wrapping up loose ends on my next Cowgirl Clue EP that couldn't come sooner.
interview HATTI RED
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