Oculus Launhpad Intro and Vision

[mbenitez]

Hello Oculus Launchpad!

It's been a roller-coaster of a summer. All the energy and momentum from the May 21st Bootcamp was zapped when on May 26, my mother passed away. For the next two months I had to deal with all sorts of chaos in my hometown (which meant limited access to my computer). I started conceptualizing my idea forthe project, doing research, and reading forum posts/tutorials on my phone. I finally made it back home towards the end of July and had limited time there and now I am away again to install an exhibition opening the 22nd of August at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. All this meant I had very little access to my university' lab during the summer but was able to refine my concepts for the project. I'm currently collecting my thoughts and research as the scholarship deadline is approaching. I'll be posting a few catchup posts between now and the deadline on August 27.

INTRODUCTION
Hello! My name is Margarita Benitez. I'm incredibly honored and excited to be part of this 1st Launhpad cohort and am enjoying the sense of community that has developed over the past few months. Here is a little about my background - which wasn't traditionally in fashion but at the intersection of art + tech. I have been an artist and designer working with computer animation and new media since 1996. I grew up with intellivision, commodore, nintendo and a tandy computer made it to our home in 1984. I have a bachelors degree in new media art and animation (2000) and I received my MFA in Studio Art specializing in Art + Technology from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2008). I'm currently working as the Fashion Technologist and am an Associate Professor of Fashion Design at Kent State University(started in 2010). During my studies, I worked on creating immersive environments with a one walled cave system with a flock of birds tracker and was programmed in Ygdrasil. Following that I worked on a multi-year, multi-institution, immersive sound work titled 'new atlantis.' I have a background with 3D modeling for interactivity and in my current job I've worked with all sorts of fashion CAD software. At school, I have access to digitizing and digital fabrication tools. With all these, it is possible to leverage them via VR in order to experiment what the future of the fashion industry should be.

VISION
VR, mainly video, has been used in fashion. I believe that VR and fashion can blossom to create a new way to experience and create fashion and as a platform that can be harnessed to allow for new method of retail and experiences between brands, designers and their respective consumers. The use of VR can change the fashion production cycle and create a more sustainable industry. I am interested the exploration of an immersive fashion experience, not just limited to experiencing a fashion runway, but more on the level of an interactive fashion film where one is immersed and has agency within. This could allow for co-creation and mass customization to exist in a new and exciting immersive experience. There is so much that could be done at this intersection of fashion and VR and there is so much research to do to make it a reality. This could change the way we design, shop, and manufacture clothes; a complete disruption to the current fashion industry. This is why I believe it needs to be brought to life.

mode++ ATELI3R
During the summer, I've started investigating the workflow for fashion VR. It's been slow on the front end as I've had only brief access to my computer this summer. Two integral components have been established: a company and project name.

I setup a company for my fashion tech experiments: mode++ (modeplusplus.com). Mode++ will serve as the repository for this VR experiment with fashion and technology. Mode is the German word for fashion and the ++ is coding terminology which indicates the use of code and software as an augmentation to fashion. The company will be home to fashion and technology experiments (not just VR but also including wearables and material experiments).

I've established the name for my VR fashion platform: ATELI3R. Atelier is defined as a workshop or studio, especially one used by an artist or designer. Atelier is a traditional design space, a workshop, but it can also be a space where work is presented intimately. I believe that the play on the word, ATELI3R, will gives the user suggestion of entering the sacred space of design or an intimate space where design is presented.

Thanks for reading and feel free to contact me via email or through Facebook! All for now!!!

~margarita

Reposted due to my originally posted in the general forum

[sienamedia]

Hi Margarita, I enjoyed reading your post. My condolences on your mom's passing; I know it's been tough. My grandmother passed in mid-April, and its been difficult to maintain consistent pace and focus. Your energy and momentum will continue to increase with every milestone. Looking forward to seeing more of Mode++ and ATELI3R. Congratulations!