Astroporcelain arises from the tremendous digital expanse, where the bounds of creation are continually being reinvented. She creates digital fashion that transcends physical reality by seamlessly merging the delicate nuances of porcelain with the limitless grandeur of the universe. From her serendipitous encounter with a digital fashion piece during a poignant moment in her life, to her profound inspirations drawn from literature, science, and the mysteries of the universe, Astroporcelain's creations are a testament to the transformative power of art and technology.
As we embark on this adventure, we'll get a glimpse into the mind of an artist who, despite not having a traditional education, has established a niche for herself in the realm of digital fashion. Astroporcelain invites us to explore a world where fashion is about narratives, emotions, and the infinite possibilities of the digital realm, with a heart profoundly anchored in astrophysics and a passion for storytelling.
Join us as we unravel the tapestry of her inspirations, challenges, and vision for digital fashion's future. Be prepared to be enchanted by the universe of Astroporcelain.
Mismir ( M ): I believe that most artists are born with the desire to create. This spark dwells within the soul of every artist, whether it creates fashion, music, paintings, or any other type of art. I feel that some artists are born with the spark ignited whilst others need a catalyst in their lives to ignite the flame and turn the interest into a passion. What is your case, and when did you say that fashion is what you desire to create?
Astroporcelain ( A ): My journey into digital fashion began in February 2022 after I gave birth to my youngest daughter. After spending many long days and nights in the NICU with her, I came across a piece by digital fashion artist Stephy Fung in collab with Dead Fellaz. I wasn't exactly sure what I was looking at (Was it fashion? Was it art?). However, I knew I wanted to create in that way too. So I set out to learn as much as I could about digital fashion and subsequently web3 and crypto. I hopped into as many Twitter spaces as I could, and subscribed to a gazillion YouTube channels and newsletters, as well as launched my own digital fashion blog on mirror.xyz. My journey into the traditional fashion industry began when I was about 21 years old and living in South Africa. I was accepted into a fashion internship at Marie Claire magazine with the hope of becoming a writer for them at some stage. I was only paid ZAR 500 a month (about USD 25 per month) and that pipe dream quickly ended. Digital fashion has given me another opportunity to have an impact on the fashion industry and I am excited about the future.
M: Every artist has a muse in their life. There is always a place, an experience, a thought, people, or even themselves that plays a significant role in their path. What do you consider to be your most impactful muse, and why?
A: I draw most of my inspiration from literature and science, specifically astronomy and physics. I am deeply passionate about space and the broader cosmological theories out there that give plausible and very rational explanations as to how we came to be. People often describe science as cold, distant, and unsympathetic because of its heavy reliance on testing hypotheses and theories using mathematics. But, I find that seeking the truth or edging closer to it, creates a sense of warmth and a deep emotional connection to everything around you.
M: Life, like any creative endeavor, has ups and downs. It is a natural cycle that assists us in becoming who we want or have to be. At some point along this journey, I believe there will be a specific challenge that will reshape our approach and perspective to our craft. Did you have such an experience? Can you tell us about it, and how you think it influenced your artistic journey?
A: I guess the biggest challenge for me was the learning curve that digital fashion and crypto presented. I am not a designer of any kind, let alone 3D or a fashion designer, and so learning the software was a big barrier to entry for me. There were many times I would download Clo3D or Blender, only to delete the programs each time I encountered a hurdle. But looking back, those obstacles seem so minute because of the progress I have made. Even though I am nowhere near a professional level, I can see the improvement which shows me that I am growing as a digital fashion creator.
M: One of my favorite things to do with the artists I get the privilege to talk to is to invite them on a journey of self-reflection. Thus, I'd like you to join me on this short voyage and go back to the first day you started creating. Then, as you reflect on your journey, I want you to return to the present moment. I enjoy doing this because I want both the readers and you, the artist, to see how you've evolved through time. Hence, how would you say your approach or style has changed from when you first began to now?
A: When I first started out, I placed all of this pressure on myself to choose a niche and select a category that I wanted to be known for. Unfortunately, that method of thinking instantly boxed me as a creative. Sure, as a brand, a large degree of focus on the product direction and general brand message needs to be there, but as I am still on this journey of self-discovery as a digital fashion creator, it wasn't the smartest thing for me to do. Initially, my style was focused on creating couture-type dresses. Later, I shifted to designing purely monochromatic garments with a streetwear edge. After that, I niched into digital beach wear where I created bikinis, surf suits, and bathers which I had a lot of fun doing but felt like that again was too limiting. So right now, I am trying to dig a bit deeper and merge my passion for astrophysics with digital fashion but without limiting myself once again. But let's see how I do!
M: Fashion, whether digital or physical, worn or made, is akin to armor. In today's society, we harness it as a shield. A shield that reflects our values and beliefs rather than the knight's proveniences or status, among other things. It is the shield through which we express ourselves. When you think about the “armors” you keep creating, how do you see "Astroporcelain" reflected in it?
A: The beauty of digital fashion is that it knows no time or space like physical fashion does. I can virtually wear my garments at the same time as someone else halfway around the world from me who is in a different timezone through technologies like AR, for instance. So the fact that digital fashion is shattering this idea of exclusivity that the traditional fashion industry tries to perpetuate so often, especially with luxury items, is what really excites and inspires me to continue to grow within this space. I see it less as armor and more as a tool to emit, rather than shield or protect, our truest selves because digital fashion is only constrained by our imaginations and current capabilities as creators.
M: One of the things I love most about your creations is that each one tells a story. I couldn't find a single one that didn't have a backstory. Whether it's surf and beach culture, Wimbledon, or even the saltiest lake on earth, there's something there that can be tied to a tale. Are these inspirations natural to you (from what you love and are passionate about) or do you just surf the web, see an article or other piece of content, something clicks in your mind, and then you start creating?
A: The themes I chose have woven themselves into my life in various ways. I am a writer by trade and as I have traditionally used the written word to tell a story or communicate a narrative, digital fashion has now become another medium through which I share these experiences.
M: For me, fashion is more about expression, reflection, and connection than it is about other things. I believe that if we look through our closets, there is a piece, whether created or bought, that speaks to us the most. The piece in which we find ourselves the most. Is there one of your creations in which you honestly believe there is more of you than in any other? (I feel that each creation carries a part of the creator, but some creations have more parts than others)
A: Great question! There is one piece that I submitted to the ARTISANT called Mourning of the Wedding which, to this day, I truly adore. I clothed Eva, one of the ARTISANT’s avatars, in a dark red one-piece with spiked details and a long veil. The piece is an ode to passion in all of its forms. There is a fine line between love and hate. Though these two emotions are commonly seen as polar opposites, they both find common ground in passion. They are both passionate feelings but with different motives. I tried to play on that in this piece. Although weddings are typically associated with love and happiness, for some, it is also a time of disdain and fear of the unknown.
M: Porcelain. This, I believe, is an essential element of who you are as an artist and your creative path. I mean, it's even in your moniker, Astroporcelain. How do you see this element evolving in the digital world, and how do you integrate it into fashion?
A: There is a fragility yet robustness about porcelain as a physical material. In the digital realm, materials like porcelain have the chance to exist indefinitely and can be used in ways that would be restrictive in real life. This speaks to me as a creator in that I have felt restricted by what I can create in the physical world but once I enter the virtual realm, the restriction becomes less. I now have the opportunity to create as far and wide as my skills (and software) will allow me.
M: One of the traits I like in you as an artist is your desire to experiment. I've seen you use several AI tools and 3D software to make your creations come to life. How do you think this interplay of tools aids you in your creative journey, and how do you see this collaboration between these apps evolving in the future?
A: AI has definitely assisted with the ideation process and initial concept design. In the past, I would have to scour the internet and pull different references together to try and Frankenstein an idea together. But with an AI text-to-image generator for example, I can use words, which I am more familiar with, to create references that are more aligned with my thoughts. But of course, many of these generators come at a price and can be expensive. Same as with 3D software in general. The typical workflow to create a digital fashion piece can be quite massive and time-consuming. One would typically start off creating a custom avatar in Daz Studio, then import the avatar into a cloth simulation software like Clo3D, Marvelous Designer, or Style3D (this is a new software), then take the file into Adobe Substance Painter to texture the garment, then export it to software like Blender, Maya or Cinema 4D to create the environment in which the garment lives and then finally a video editing software like Adobe Premier in order to make a video campaign of the garment. This excludes the time it takes to render a file which can take hours (obviously using electricity). There are other pipelines that branch off depending on what you want to do with the garment, like if you want to optimize it for metaverse platforms like Decentraland, ZEPETO, or Roblox, or even to wear in AR, which is a whole other ball game. The point is, these software each come at a cost (except Blender which is open source) and that can make the barrier to entry into digital fashion quite costly and unattainable for many. For me personally, I have downscaled the production process to just Clo3D and Premier where I texture in Clo using Substance community assets which are free as well as rendering and creating environments within Clo as a way to maximise the amount I am paying on the subscription plan. There is an alternative software, Style3D, which offers free 3-month trials that often get extended. However, I know of up-and-coming designers who have reached out to them for these trials and have not been given access. Blender does have a cloth simulation plugin but apparently, that is quite a nightmare to use haha
M: I believe that there is a purpose behind each artist’s journey. What is your purpose as a fashion designer, and what do you want your garments to say to people?
A: Since I began last year, my perception of my role in this space has shifted multiple times. I started off as a writer who wanted to pioneer digital fashion publishing within the space. Then I transitioned into designing digital garments myself and wanted to concentrate on becoming a digital fashion designer. Now, it’s more about contributing my skills to helping other people upskill and realize their dreams in this space. That gives me the most joy above everything else.
M: What book is on your nightstand right now?
A: Essential Astrophysics by Kenneth R. Lang, Tales of Horror by HP Lovecraft, and Fashion Writing by Judith Watt
As we get to the end of our journey through Astroporcelain's digital universe, it's clear that her creations are more than simply fashion; they're a symphony of stories, emotions, and limitless imagination. Her enthusiasm for fusing astrophysics, literature, and digital arts exemplifies the digital age's boundless potential. Astroporcelain's dedication to not only creating but also empowering others to achieve their aspirations in this realm is deeply admirable.
Those interested in learning more about Astroporcelain's world are encouraged to follow her on social media ( Twitter - Instagram )and visit her website. In her digital gallery, you'll find a treasure trove of digital masterpieces, each of which tells a unique narrative just waiting to be uncovered.
We are grateful for the opportunity to share this enlightening journey with you, our cherished readers. Astroporcelain's stories and insights deepen our comprehension of the ever-changing aesthetic landscape.
While the first season of Storied Strokes has come to an end, our collective odyssey is far from its conclusion; indeed, it's an ongoing saga. Stay with us as we continue to traverse these captivating narratives together. Stay connected with our social channels ( Twitter - Lens - Instagram ), where information about Season 2 of Storied Strokes will be shared in the upcoming weeks!! If you are an artist and would love to be part of Season 2, please feel free to reach out to us on any of our social sanctuaries!
Thank you!
