Technology Archives - Page 2 of 3

September 19, 2023

Column by Ann for De Tijd : Blockchain makes business models more sustainable

A myriad of individuals converge at blockchain events, an occurrence not limited to Belgium. This technology finds application across domains, fostering sustainable practices in sectors like fashion while elevating creator recognition.

March 30, 2023 – De Tijd

My recent and forthcoming weeks orbit around the world of blockchain once more. A stint in Paris marked my presence at the Paris Blockchain Week, where I addressed the audience at an event spotlighting Metaverse Fashion Week (unveil more details through #MVFW23). Presently, I hold a slot among 35 speakers at the inauguration of Blockchain4Belgium, elucidating the profound impact of blockchain on diverse business paradigms

What consistently astonishes me is the sheer scale of these events. Paris once again beckoned 10,000 enthusiasts (merely three weeks post the NFT Paris event, which drew 18,000 attendees). Belgium, too, has embraced blockchain with fervor, boasting a professional cohort of about a thousand aficionados.

Thursday heralds a physical rendezvous, with 300 attendees assembling at Blockchain4Belgium, an initiative spearheaded by Mathieu Michel, the Federal Secretary of State for Digitization. Here, insights and requirements will be exchanged, paving the way for policy recommendations. The purview encompasses regulations, along with educational and sectoral support.

Blockchain, inherently a versatile technology, encompasses multifaceted applications. Notably, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) serve as ownership certificates within the blockchain realm. Naturally, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum also have their role. My primary focus, however, pivots away from cryptocurrencies. I even believe it should be nearly invisible, a facet pivotal to seamless integration of blockchain technology into widespread business models. Increasingly, platforms offer dual payment options – cryptocurrencies and traditional fiat (euros, dollars, etc.).

Phygital. Blending the Physical and Digital Realms.

For Metaverse Fashion Week we are launching a phygital with Mutani.This entails the simultaneous purchase of physical and digital assets, intertwined through a chip. This unique offering graces an ordinary e-commerce venue hosted on the Shopify platform. Thanks to our partnership with Belgian Venly, NFTs are available in our webshop, including a design cycling jersey, attainable in both physical and digital formats.

The buyer pays in fiat and does not have to go through complicated procedures. Immediately upon purchase, the buyer receives the NFT and its digital iteration, accompanied by a blockchain-linked certificate of ownership for the physical jersey. All of this is bundled into a digital wallet, generated for the customer and delivered straight to their email inbox, streamlining the entire process.

For our designers, this marks an evolution in crowdfunding, an advanced realm where digital prototypes carry no carbon footprint, circumventing overproduction. The certificate of ownership establishes a precious rapport between the consumer and their acquisition, transforming it from a disposable item into a cherished possession. Furthermore, this certificate enables future resale, with designers garnering royalties. As the second-hand market gains traction, smart contracts ensure the original creator’s enduring involvement.

My curiosity is piqued regarding the cycling jersey buyers and their perception of the digital variant and accompanying NFT. As with any technological stride, adaptation to customer and corporate needs remains paramount. Government’s role, too, is pivotal, albeit a work in progress.

September 18, 2023

“Introduction to Web3 & Metaverse” presentations by Ann

Ann Claes has been giving presentations to companies and organizations in the field of fashion, communication, real estate, entrepreneurship, … The aim is to give an introduction to the different concepts and keywords of web3 and metaverse, besides sharing different use cases. But above all, create an open discussion where there are no stupid questions and everything can be on the table.

She has been introducing these kind of presentations to Lola Liza, MMBSY, Voka Antwerpen, Dewaele Vastgoed, MAD Brussels, FinTech Belgium, Furt’her, etc.

September 18, 2023

Ann co-founder of WEB32, Belgians web3 and metaverse movement

WEB32 is where the Web3 movement in Belgium begins and grows.

At WEB32 everyone comes together to contribute, share knowledge, and network. We offer a yearly conference on the impact of the new internet on business strategies. WEB32, the largest Belgian Web3 movement, brings speakers from both within and outside Belgium exploring the potential of blockchain, NFTs and the metaverse.

WEB32 started as a community of digital natives, software developers, consultants, creative professionals, and other enthusiasts around blockchain and NFTs.
Ann kickstarted this movement, together with Gilles Den Haese and Thomas Lambert early 2022. Today, WEB32 is still entirely driven from the bottom up by an enthusiastic team.

The events serve as inspiring and informative moments to discover tangible applications of Web3, such as digital ownership, decentralization, next-level privacy, the metaverse, and AI. Beyond the hype, towards real value!

Why Web3?

Web3 is a vital tool for addressing the many new societal challenges of our disruptive era. WEB32 aims to drive the adoption of Web3 in Belgium by inspiring businesses and entrepreneurial minds with the possibilities of blockchain and related applications, such as NFTs and the metaverse.

WEB32 offers tangible examples of what Web3 can mean and how we need to rethink principles like ownership, privacy, and validation, and their potential impact on new business models. Web3 does not necessarily mean throwing out your current strategy; instead, it can add a valuable extra dimension. Key business pillars such as customer service, loyalty, and sustainability can be significantly enhanced with Web3.

Who is WEB32 for?

WEB32 offers valuable insights for innovation managers, C-level executives, marketing and communication managers, and entrepreneurs in the creative industry looking to monetize or expand their work. It’s the perfect opportunity for any curious entrepreneur to learn about blockchain technology through practical examples, gain an inspiring glimpse into the future, and network.

Students and alumni are also welcomed. This young generation is bound to encounter Web3 in their careers or may already be actively involved. WEB32 is, therefore, the perfect chance to learn about Web3, network with entrepreneurs and other professionals, and kickstart their career!

Ann Claes & WEB32

Ann coordinates the general organization with the core team, co-curates the content on stage & the experience and is eager to build partnerships. She is also the spokes person for WEB32 and loves sharing her enthusiasm about it.

September 18, 2023

Consultancy & jury for ZEB Young Talent awards

Ann Claes has advised ZEB in setting up a Young Talent award. She was also part of the jury next to An Vandevorst, Filip Arickx, Isabelle Samson, Tommy Fjordside and Farah El Bastani.

ZEB Young Talent Awards

With this prestigious competition, ZEB wanted to enrich the experience of alumni or students within fashion, graphic design and product design and promote their talent. The winner walked away with a great prize: their own Limited Edition capsule collection with name and logo on it, a sum of 3,000 euros and a mentor program by ZEB professionals from various departments.

Arno Camps, Aysegül Öz, Lucie Baseke Kaisala, Marguerite Tenot and Zexian Liu are the five winners. Each piece from the winning collections is produced in a limited edition — 100 numbered pieces per design — and sold through ZEB. The ZEB team joined forces with the young designers over several months.

September 17, 2023

Interview with Leslie Holden and Ann for Fashion United on the digital revolution

14 Mar 2023

Can the digital revolution enable a sustainable transformation of the industry?

In the light of the European Fashion Alliance conference at Gran Canaria, Fashion United sat down with Ann Claes and Leslie Holden from the Digital Fashion Group to discuss the digital revolution.

The European Fashion Alliance (EFA) together with the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, organised the first Gran Canaria Summit last October 2022. Various leading fashion councils came together defining first actions that contribute to a mutual vision and mission in creating a better and more sustainable future in the fashion industry.

During the summit, the EFA organized a series of videos entailing different panel discussions or interviews stressing the driving points of sustainability, positive change, emerging talents shaping the future of the fashion industry.

In this video, Leslie Holden (Digital Fashion Group) and Ann Claes discuss how digitalization portrays a great opportunity for the fashion industry to become more sustainable in areas amongst production, the reselling market and narrative of the garment. Especially, manufacturing the garment can be significantly digitalized as some brands already do through the implementation of the digital product passport. Thus, reducing waste through sampling and extra travel costs, for example.

Watch the talk on the website of United Fashion

September 16, 2023

Podcast de Tijd by Ann: Start to Metaverse

DRIES CEUPPENS May 12, 2022

In the new podcast series ‘Start to Metaverse’ by De Tijd we look for the secrets of the metaverse. What is this new digital world? What can you do with it? Can you make money with it? In this new series we want to introduce everyone to the possibilities and pitfalls of the metaverse.

In the second episode of our podcast ‘Start to Metaverse’ we visit companies and entrepreneurs and listen to how they use the metaverse and what opportunities they see in it. You might even be surprised at how many companies are already working on the metaverse or developing the technology that would make a metaverse possible.

Our first stop is OneBonsai in Vilvoorde, where we talk to co-founder and managing partner Evarest Schoofs. OneBonsai creates training environments in virtual reality. Or as he puts it: ‘If it is big, expensive or dangerous, definitely consider virtual reality.’ Consider, for example, fire exercises or tactical intervention training for the police and the army.

We also talk to Ann Claes, co-founder of the digital fashion start-up MUTANI and one of the driving forces behind the web3 and metaverse conference WEB32. We learn how you can start with the metaverse as an entrepreneur and what the added value it can be for your company. According to Claes, it is clear: more and more players, including the big boys, are starting to experiment with the metaverse and this often involves considerable budgets.

September 16, 2023

Consultancy & jury for Lola Liza Fashion School

Ann advised Lola Liza to set up their Fashion school and was part of the jury.

As a Belgian retailer with in-house designers and expertise in creation, Lola Liza finds it important to keep an eye on new talent and offer them a platform. The LolaLiza Fashion School is a competition open to anyone with ambition in the world of fashion.

After a first selection based on their portfolio, 10 candidates get the assignment to design three different dresses that fit the LolaLiza DNA. The participant who was able to convince the jury the most sees their dresses actually go into production and sale.

Ann advised the Lola Lisa team on the set up, criteria and communication. She was also part of the jury of the first edition, next to Elodie Doret, Catherine Kosters, Emilie Vandepoel, Cathy Pill, Myra Nurski.

The winners of the first edition are Liesl De Ridder, Femke Thijs and Nanook Cools.

September 14, 2023

Ann partnerships manager for Future Front Row, the digital fashion show

FUTURE FRONT ROW, the holographic catwalk you don’t want to miss

As our lives become increasingly digitized, many people are already crafting a digital representation of themselves online. FUTURE FRONT ROW has the mission to illuminate the potentials of this virtual space through an immersive digital fashion runway in a physical setting.

By deliberately designing Future Front Row to mirror the hallmarks of iconic high fashion runways, we’re making a bold statement: digital fashion doesn’t just belong to the future; it’s claiming its rightful place alongside traditional couture.

Our mission is about more than aesthetics; it’s about accessibility. FUTURE FRONT ROW democratizes digital fashion, pulling it from niche corners and placing it front and center for all to experience. By providing a stage for digital fashion designers, many of whom have never had the opportunity to present their work in a tangible setting, we’re ensuring a more inclusive and diverse fashion future.

It’s a visual and experiential testament to where the future of fashion is headed, as the lines between our online personas and physical selves continue to blur.

The narrative of FUTURE FRONT ROW is one of evolution and revolution. As society pivots from tangible to intangible modes of self-expression, fashion — an age-old medium of identity — is poised for digital transformation. Through the digital runway, attendees witness the journey of fashion from its material roots to its digital future. The significance lies in its mirror to our evolving identities: as we craft digital representations of ourselves online, fashion evolves alongside to cater to these new digital personas.

As a sustainable alternative to traditional fashion shows, it can also offer a more inlcusive and creative view on fashion today, opening up to a broad audience. At Felix Meritis we welcomed over 700 visitors in september ’23 to see the show by Augmented Weaving, Avolve, Dress X, The Fabricant, Polygon Dressing, Code Couture, Suzanne Vos & MUTANI.

Ann Claes & Future Front Row

Ann is partnerships manager and supports the founders Antonio Talarico and Isabelle Udo to bring their concept abroad. After a succesful launch at Amsterdam Fashion Week we are preparing for a next edition. Do reach out if you see opportunities to partner or bring Future Front Row near you!

September 13, 2023

Webinar with Ryan Gill and Ann, How to sell your work as NFT?

Ann Claes interviews Ryan Gill, founder and CEO of Crucible and Open Meta for Flanders DC. In this webinar you will get insights on how to sell your work with NFT’s but also a good basic introduction to the concept.

NFT’s – non fungible tokens- have been a hot topic in recent months. Is this the new way to trade digital creations and a new channel to promote your creations? Discover together with Ryan Gill in this webinar what NFT’s can mean for you and whether you as a creative entrepreneur should use it.

For this webinar Ann Claes goes into conversation with Ryan Gill. Ryan is the founder and CEO of Crucible, an open source software company looking to the future where you can use your digital identity across all platforms. His whole career he has been moving between technology and finance. Blockchain technology and crypto-economic design have no secrets to him. The perfect speaker to introduce us into this new universe.

September 12, 2023

Webinar on AR and Metaverse for Flanders DC

Ann Claes is curator and moderator for this webinar on Augmented Reality and metaverse applications for the creative industry.

During this webinar of Flanders DC we delve deeper into the technologies Augmented Reality (AR) with PLAYAR and metaverse with Howest. We show the possible influence and opportunities for the fashion and design sector using concrete examples. We also explain what the business potential can be per application, with a strong focus on experience and retail.

Bas Gezelle is one of the owners and strategy lead of AR agency PLAYAR. They develop augmented reality experiences for brands on all social media platforms and on the web. From stores that get an immersive experience, trying on virtual fashion to other products that come to life virtually.

Digital Transformation Valorization Manager Kurt Callewaert explains Howest’s initiatives and ambitions within Web3 and Metaverse. Researcher and business consultant Jonathan Maes takes you through the immense potential of the metaverse using a real life use case.

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