Kadine James is a storyteller. A pioneer in the digital fashion space, she’s constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible both technologically and creatively.

A UK-based creative tech leader, James traveled to Singapore last week to meet with people in the local web3, fashion and metaverse world to share her insights.

Although this was her first time visiting Singapore, in 2022 her digital fashion and metaverse arts collective, The Immersive Kind, collaborated with Crypto Art Week Asia on a socially-driven NFT storytelling project. Called Migrants NFT, it was created by foreign migrant workers with the goal “to take ownership and tell their own stories in the metaverse,” according to their manifesto. The Immersive Kind also curated a project with digital fashion designer Estelle Pearce who rendered a 3-D animation of a physical dress designed by Singapore-based foreign domestic helper artist Rini Nurhayati. It was then minted as an NFT on OpenSea.

I caught up with James to get her thoughts on the latest technological developments and trends and their impact on storytelling in the immersive fashion space. The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

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Decential: As a creative technologist, you work at the intersection of art, technology, and innovation. Already there is a hype around the skills of AI prompt engineers. How do you see the role of creative technologists evolving in a world where AI and machine learning are advancing at a rapid pace?

Kadine James: Creative technologists can leverage AI and machine learning tools to push the boundaries of art and technology. They can explore new forms of creative expression, develop innovative applications, and contribute to the ethical and responsible use of these technologies. We will need to have better regulation and standards in place for AI to ensure artists protect their work from the growing power of generative AI.

D: Apple's new Vision Pro has introduced groundbreaking capabilities for augmented reality experiences. How will these advancements shape the future of immersive storytelling and interactive art?

KJ: Apple's Vision Pro and advancements in augmented reality have the potential to completely revolutionize immersive storytelling and interactive art and Apple has moved the dial. These capabilities in the hands of artists will create more realistic, beautiful and interactive augmented reality (AR) experiences.

D: What opportunities do you see for artists and creators to leverage these technologies and push the boundaries of digital experiences?

KJ: AI is unleashing a next wave of creativity and it’s such an exciting time to be a designer with all of these incredible tools to create immersive installations, interactive artworks, digital fashion powered by AI along with dynamic narratives that engage audiences in new and exciting ways.

“These technologies are providing tools for future storytelling, spatial design, and sensory experiences that expand the possibilities of artistic expression with limitless possibilities.”

— Kadine James

D: What is your vision for your ideal metaverse experience?

KJ: My ideal vision for the metaverse experience involves a seamless blend of virtual and physical worlds, [a] hybrid incorporating [the] digital, immersive and real world where people can interact in the physical world and create and explore a mixture of diverse digital environments. Our Legacy of Tomorrow contributes to this by providing a platform for shared narratives and collaborative experiences in a hyper-photorealistic, chic and stunning environment. We feel really proud of what we have have produced and the response we have had from brands and the wider digital fashion community has been incredibly positive.

Above: Legacy of Tomorrow was a Metaverse Fashion Week event built in Unreal Engine and showcased designs in a luxury, desert wonderland-themed environment. The event was created by Berlin-based studio Artificial Rome on their SOIL metaverse platform.

D: The concept of phygital experiences aims to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds. With the rise of virtual reality (VR) and AR, how do you see the integration of these technologies in phygital experiences for brands?

KJ: Phygital experiences have great potential to enhance brand interactions by merging the physical and digital realms. This integration will include AR overlays on physical products and VR simulations that enable consumers to explore products or locations virtually from anywhere in the world. We need to ensure these spaces are beautifully designed and inclusive.

D: What are your thoughts on the Open Metaverse and reaching true interoperability between platforms? Is that something we should even be aiming for? How else can metaverse founders collaborate?

KJ: True interoperability between platforms in the Open Metaverse is going to be crucial for a more inclusive and expansive metaverse. However, we are certainly not there yet and many are walled gardens. If we are to have an Open Metaverse we would need to bring studios together and foster new ideas and ways of thinking about how we navigate this. An Open Metaverse would allow users to seamlessly navigate between different virtual worlds and experiences and carry their digital assets across those worlds. We are not at that stage. Wallets, wearables and interoperability will adapt to the tech which will also continue to evolve and push the next iteration of the Internet. Metaverse founders can collaborate through open standards, protocols and partnerships to build a cohesive and interconnected metaverse that is safe and protects users from cybercrimes.

D: How can these technologies empower designers and creators while addressing sustainability and authenticity challenges?

KJ: By utilizing digital tools and platforms, designers can reduce physical waste, experiment with sustainable materials virtually and create immersive experiences that raise awareness about environmental issues and climate and animal justice. Technologies such as blockchain can also help to enhance authenticity by providing transparent and immutable records of ownership and provenance for digital creations.

Domestic helpers entered the Metaverse with a fashion NFT collection - a collaboration between The Immersive Kind, Estelle Pearce and Migrant NFTs at blockchain art festival Crypto Art Week Asia 2022. Real life dress is modeled by its domestic helper artist Rini Nurhayati. Digital image modeled by Kadine James’ avatar. Nurhayati’s works have been displayed at MetaJam Asia in Singapore (above), Artaverse.Asia in Hong Kong and Rug Radio Gallery at NFT NYC.