I'm fascinated with how fashion moves between digital abstraction and being worn on the body: from clicking and swiping to doorstep delivery, from designs in software to retail rack. For some clothing, software is a routine, parochial part of design and production, guided by, say, flat illustrations in ADOBE software or tech packs sent back and forth from design office to factory. Yet clothing also opens people to entire virtual worlds, from live-streaming runway shows to the virtual worlds in a headset. Or a novel. Or an INSTAGRAM story. Video game characters can become style inspiration (see how STREET FIGHTER IV informs LUKA SABBAT), while fashion designers work with game developers to lend in-game realism within a fantasy frame. Ensembles worn by characters in the game YAKUZA were recently produced for a limited-edition sale. In virtual reality, dressing one’s avatar may eventually reach fashion (it has precedent, when ARMANI opened a store in SECOND LIFE), and I could see some fascinating collaborations pushing the boundaries for what can be achieved—if it's done well. Imagine dressing in a gaseous cloud or having dynamically changing logos loaded onto a t-shirt. This could become reality (in virtual reality) if VR becomes as large a market force as video games are today. Give VR a try if you haven't already. In other parallels between computing and clothing, JEFF IHAZA draws comparisons between streetwear and cryptocurrency. When hype, currency, and value collide… For informed customers, tracing the supply chain has become a pastime and a motivation to buy. MAURA BRANNIGAN’s story on responsible cashmere is a great look at how brands are grappling with transparency in a market driven out-of-whack by pushing a farmed fiber—from living, breathing flocks—to scale. As sustainability initiatives move forward, can the desire for scale be balanced with responsible sourcing? Can brands risk not putting their money where their marketing is? The most loyal customers are out there, taking notes. Take the change in manufacturing of the BALENCIAGA TRIPLE-S as one indication. I find the story less about the "made in" label and more about the fact that customers are paying attention. They notice the change and look for differences in the product... Briefs: Learn from the mistake... BALMAIN released a capsule collection of evening gowns... Going airborne for the GRAILED 100.