Rounding up the alpha on Metaverse Fashion Week
Industry experts weighed in on the future of fashion and interoperable worlds. Check out our roundup of insights and opinions on MVFW by DCL.

Metaverse Fashion Week has once again stirred up excitement in the digital fashion community. The event showcased the latest in digital couture and user-generated content on the virtual runway, while also hosting panel discussions and parties. The promise of interoperable metaverse lands added to the organizers' attempt to unite the space. MVFW received significant press coverage, and journalists and critics have shared their thoughts on what it means for the future of fashion and virtual worlds, as well as the event's benefits and shortcomings. Our roundup features insights from various articles published on this second edition of Metaverse Fashion Week.

Hypemoon
With the rapid creation of these new virtual worlds, we seem to have a plethora of experiences but not enough people around to enjoy it or more importantly, enjoying it with the individuals they want to share the experience with at any given time.
Metaverse Fashion Week 2023 ⚜️ @decentraland
— AUROBOROS (@auroboros_ltd) April 5, 2023
Auroboros HQ beaming with golden light - a new chapter of Mesmerising beauty showcasing Serpent Armour Wearable from the upcoming Mesmer Collection.
Follow the link to revisit 👇 #MVFW23https://t.co/KLoMbuippf pic.twitter.com/DnXy8554gM
Scandinavian Mind
Even if the metaverse is still in its infancy, this edition offered more exploration and a glimpse of what a future metaverse could look like. However, you did sometimes end up in a perpetual link marathon, sending you across different applications, platforms, social media, and marketplaces.
It’s been an epic ride for Tommy Hilfiger at #MVFW23. Here’s a recap of how we showed up this year. #PoweredbyDRESSX #TommyxMVFW #TommyxVinnieHager #TommyHilfiger pic.twitter.com/uy3L4gEFzf
— Tommy Hilfiger (@TommyHilfiger) April 5, 2023
Jing Daily
Platform accessibility for newcomers to Decentraland or Web3 is reasonably satisfactory, but not exceptional. Accessing Decentraland via a web browser allows guest users to explore the space without commitment and easily connect a wallet. New features added from last year include allowing individuals and brands to make purchases via credit card and renting virtual space instead of buying it. However, this convenience comes at the cost of a subpar navigation experience.
#MVFW23 DIGITAL MEETS CULTURE at @Spatial_io.
— altr (@altr_____) April 2, 2023
altr is honoured to have our work exhibited at @spatial_io and two wearables launched on @readyplayerme. Enjoy your altr outfit in the metaverse!
To curate future outfits, apply to become a curator on https://t.co/f3eXOGxIhG. pic.twitter.com/YTsEAoUFDl
The Verge
Brands are starting to experiment more with what’s possible in virtual social spaces like Decentraland, and big companies like Meta, Epic Games, and Roblox are trying to make their so-called metaverses attractive for those brands, too. But Metaverse Fashion Week is just the latest example of a clunky digital space that seems to exist only for the companies that make it, not for the users that actually visit.
Bringing the New York DNA to Metaverse Fashion Week.#MVFW23 pic.twitter.com/pPm5Im84PF
— DKNY (@dkny) March 28, 2023
Forbes
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that the metaverse does not exist in silos. It’s inextricably bound to the real world with all the same components — from our obsession with tv reality shows to the red carpet moments of the MET Gala and the Oscars plus fashion’s links to the world of music and entertainment.
🙏🏼 @SaraCalandra for sharing this on IG. We just had to share it on Twitter 🥰
— Over the Reality 🌐 (@OVRtheReality) March 31, 2023
OVER Hybrid Fashion Show
Milan, Italy
MVFW23 #fomofriday #MVFW23 pic.twitter.com/pS3TNrSrzd
Charged
Metaverse Fashion Week 2023 brought high fashion to an average consumer, linking a highly exclusive event with online users. In many ways, it offered both brand followers and retailers something a physical world cannot: connection, virtual out-of-this-world experiences and a community. However, MVFW23 invited its guests to a space that seemed underdeveloped and glitchy. The high points were often accompanied by frustration and annoyance, thwarting the chance to fully enjoy the experience.
👠✨𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓐𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓦𝓲𝓷𝓼✨👠@mutani_io are founding members of @hw3_io who are now onboarding creators! Come check out the space in @decentraland for #MVFW23 and our archival @ShayliHarrison look on display!
— 𝓜𝓾𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓲.𝓲𝓸 (@mutani_io) March 29, 2023
🖱️✨https://t.co/yCyRwlpCnb pic.twitter.com/5SF69SbX0V
MetaNews
Perhaps digital wearables have, like so many other things, been lost in the shuffle as AI seizes the industry’s attention thanks to the success of ChatGPT and other tools. Maybe a third instalment of Metaverse Fashion Week will dominate the headlines due to technological advancements and a more favorable market. Another possibility is that fashion houses and clothing retailers entering the metaverse reverse course, motivated by the prevailing mood music and a sense that the metaverse hype-cycle has run aground. Only time will tell.
Introducing Iconic Cash: ARTISANT x David Cash collab for @decentraland #MVFW23 Slay with catchy slogans, accessories & #IconicMe challenge with ETH Prizes 🚀 Mix & match for a unique style🔥
— ARTISANT new NFTs every day 💫 (@artisantnft) March 30, 2023
Shop Wearables: https://t.co/5rrJKf5qUp#MVFW23 #CASHLABS #NFTs #MetaverseFashion pic.twitter.com/MtpmjiZ16r
NFT Evening
Early metaverse pioneer Decentraland recently wrapped up its four-day Metaverse Virtual Fashion Week (MVFW). However, the event struggled to attract users, with only 26,000 attendees. This marks a 76% decline compared to last year’s 108,000 unique attendees. This is also despite the participation of top brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, and Adidas, the maximum number of users signed in at one time was just over 1,000.
Stepping into @decentraland #MVFW23, we were blown away by the stunning world they created for both emerging digital designers and established fashion houses. #MADGlobal@krwn_studio @TommyHilfiger @dolcegabbana @FollowWestwood @dkny @lancia_official @auroboros_ltd @benbridgejwlr pic.twitter.com/utDFKPtt0C
— MAD Global (@MAD__Global) April 6, 2023
Campaign Asia
Falling on the heels of Facebook’s rebranding to Meta and ‘the metaverse’ being hailed as the latest hype tech, last year’s show – which was the first of its kind – was marketed by Decentraland as a breakthrough event in the global fashion industry. However, Metaverse Fashion Week 2023 ran within a very different climate – where major brands have made recent headlines for scaling back investment in metaverse-related products and sentiments about metaverse marketing seem to have shifted among advertisers.
#MVFW23 came to a close last Friday after 4 days splitting at the seams with parties 🥳, trailblazing fashion 👠, thought-provoking panel talks 🎙️, giveaways worth working & waiting for 👗, and so much more!
— Decentraland #MVFW23 (@decentraland) April 6, 2023
Catch the highlights:https://t.co/VNXhmcwJMx
Decrypt
It appears that just because the novelty of the metaverse has worn off, it doesn’t mean that virtual worlds lack massive potential to engage and entice users. Unlocking that potential, however, may take more now than just showing up.
Can't get enough of the #MVFW23 in @decentraland! From the fashion shows to the immersive experiences and unforgettable parties, this event had it all.
— DIVERGE (@diverge_meta) April 5, 2023
Just take a look at these stylish divas @maryanaDCL and Lyss who absolutely rocked the Diverge RGB Leeloo Jumpsuits & It-Bag. pic.twitter.com/rJbojJ4SfV