Digital haute couture is a niche segment in digital fashion that I believe is only championed by a talented few.

When I come across these spectacular creations of intricate detail, flowing colour palettes and dense design, it’s like mining a rare Bitcoin. I found such a coin. A fashion and costume designer turned digital fashion designer from the Philippines: Lhenvil Paneda. 

When Lhenvil’s business was forced to close during the pandemic, he made the courageous decision to invest all of his savings into teaching himself digital fashion. 

 “It was difficult at first but I persevered in honing that skill through online tutorials as well as trial and error,” Lhenvil explains. 

Glittering gowns, bold bodysuits and deep V-lines, all I can say is Lhenvil has done more than just hone a skill. He’s mastered it. 

Fine artistry 

Embellishments and sequins adorn Lhenvil’s digital collections. They are a faithful nod to his expertise in detailed trimmings and offer a healthy departure from the current trend of cyberspace and intergalactic features we are currently seeing as the major trend in digital fashion design. 

“My style is true to my aesthetics in real life,” Lhenvil says. “The majority of the clothes I make are evening wear and performance outfits/costumes. It was actually a dilemma at first. I’ve seen that most digital fashion is more futuristic/cyber/conceptual so I did consider changing my style to go with the trend. But it just wasn’t me. So I just stayed true to my style and made digital clothes that I loved.”

His specific focus on reinventing elegant evening wear in a digital context has given Lhenvil the edge in this space. This particular style is almost unseen in web3. Even so, it’s not being overshadowed and is to Lhenvil’s advantage, in my opinion. 

“I’ve been designing for an elegant and confident persona that I have imagined to be my muse,” he explains. “They don’t have inhibitions and are out there to make people’s heads turn. After all, isn’t that what we want to happen when we dress up?”

Yes. And yes, again. 

When it comes to customising looks with digital fabrics and materials, Lhenvil opts for tulle and organza. Tulle, he describes, is the staple material.

“I just love how tulle gives off the illusion of nothingness while still being there. It bares skin but it is there to make sure that things are in place. Tulle is also very light but can give the much-needed volume if necessary.”

Breaking the mould 

Often, fashion designers will layout their concepts in the form of a mood board in order to guide their ideation through the creation process. For Lhenvil however, this is not the case.

“I just find it easier to go ahead. Once I have an idea in mind, I have to work on it as soon as possible and just let things take their course from there,” he says. “Test if things work and adjust if things don’t.”

“It’s not a productive process but that’s what has worked for me. It’s different, of course, for non-personal, commercial projects where a proper design workflow is necessary.”

Next on the list to conquer is digital fashion wearables. Lhenvil has a desire to increase the scope and utility of his designs so they can be appreciated on more than one level.

“I’ve only been doing commissions for other people’s designs but seeing my own designs be worn digitally and distributed to a larger market is one of my goals,” he explains.

“There’s also game and metaverse utilities but that is still new to me and it might take time for me to fully understand the pipeline. But we will get there, in time.”

An ode to his success, Lhenvil has partnered with DRESSX and is selling some of his most impeccable work for you to own (view the collection here).

Or, if you prefer, you can always buy him a cup of coffee here :)

Connect with Lhenvil Paneda on Instagram here.