Streamline Media Group Showcases The Fashion Industry's First Immersive Gaming Experience with Balenciaga's Afterworld: The Age of Tomorrow

Today, Streamline Media Group  announces its key role in developing Balenciaga's Afterworld "The Age of Tomorrow" game. This project turned the fashion industry on its head in December 2020, delivering the first prominent interactive, immersive 3D gaming experience to launch its Fall 2021 Collection.

"Afterworld is a game-changer," says Sallyann Houghton, Epic Games Innovation Lab. "A guiding light in the industry that allows people to see that interactive media is the future of marketing."

Afterworld: The Age of Tomorrow is a prime example of how the enterprise can incorporate video games in the digital transformation of the global economy. Streamline's production team, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, worked directly with a worldwide network of collaborators from Balenciaga, Substance and Inhalt, Dimension Studio, and others. The group then pulled together the concept, cinematics, audio, and streaming elements in the Unreal Engine to bring this experience to life. An experience that Vogue called "a quantum leap for the fashion industry.

"It was amazing to work with non-gamers on a creative project of this magnitude," says Alexander Fernandez, CEO and co-founder of Streamline. "Their creative concepts had no limits or constraints, it was a welcome challenge to bring this vision to reality. It helped us deliver, and showcase to the world, an advanced interactive experience that is now a key milestone for the games industry in the enterprise."

While Balenciaga is not the first to incorporate interactive gaming into its brand, it is the first time an international luxury fashion brand has launched a wholly digital in-game experience. Over its 20-year history, Streamline has supported global brands across entertainment mediums to deliver ground-breaking creative technology to mainstream audiences. Notable examples include the Coke Zero AVTR commercial tie-in with the world's top-selling movie, Avatar, a multi-purpose virtual television studio for BBC Sport, and the first virtual reality TV show, Rival Peak by Genvid Technologies.

It's not hard to see the future of the enterprise gaming space. The 'Metaverse' will open up new opportunities for product discovery, commerce, virtual co-working, education, and social interactivity.

"This is only the beginning," continues Fernandez. "Digital transformation of industry has arrived and video game technology is the infrastructure that will bring immersive interactive experiences to every aspect of life. Welcome to the Metaverse.”

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The Sperry Sock Debate - With or without socks?

When sailor and inventor Paul Sperry created the first non-slip boat shoe in 1935, he inadvertently launched one of the most enduring debates about personal style in the history of fashion: Do you wear boat shoes with or without socks?

Very few style statements evoke such a polarized response.  John Legend, Sperry's Global Brand Ambassador, threw down the style gauntlet recently, stepping out in his cropped trousers and boat shoes asserting his bare ankles.  "It depends on the cut and fit of your pants, and how cool you are," he says of his sockless style.

Retailer J. Crew's men's style team shows Sperry boat shoes worn with their playfully patterned socks, while author of the New York Times bestseller Men and Style, David Coggins, prefers the sockless look.  "We can't have our feet shackled with grotesque tube socks, corseted and constrained," he says. "Go forth with a liberated ankle!" 

For those who want to wear socks with boat shoes, Brian Davis, owner of Wooden Sleepers, a New York based vintage American menswear brand, online store, and showroom sets some guidelines. "First things first - no 'fun socks.' This is not a time for stripes, argyles, or novelties. Grab a crisp pair of white cotton socks and wear with your favorite chino shorts (cut above the knee!) and pair with a worn-in polo, rumpled oxford cloth shirt, or breezy patch madras.  For a cooler day, substitute the shorts with a pair of chinos (not too slim, not too baggy) or a lighter wash denim like a broken in 501, and a vintage military shirt, cotton sweater, or chore coat," he instructs.

Others, like menswear editor and owner of the sock brand Bombas, Randy Goldberg, find a happy compromise in the no-show sock, cut low especially to be worn with boat shoes, without being seen. "Once the no-show sock is inside your Sperrys, it will disappear completely, giving you the advantage of stealth comfort. Sockless looks, sock feels. Best of both worlds," he says.

Elizabeth Drori, Sperry Chief Marketing Officer, strikes a happy medium. "The Sperry Authentic Original boat shoe is a timeless classic. Socks or no socks, with cuffed jeans or a skirt, wear them in a way that expresses your personal style."

Where do you stand? 

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Saks Fifth Avenue Unveils Here for the Future Spring Campaign Starring Tiffany Haddish and Maluma

Saks Fifth Avenue unveiled its Spring campaign, Here for the Future, starring comedian, actress and producer, Tiffany Haddish and global Latin music idol, Maluma. The 360-degree campaign celebrates forward-looking, innovative designers, artists and activists that are shaping the future of their industries and who Saks believes are creating the future. Here for the Future underscores the luxury retailer's focus on evolving for the future to continue delivering the best in fashion and beauty through a personalized and seamless experience.

"Saks is committed to using our voice to engage with our customers in meaningful and authentic ways," noted Emily Essner, Chief Marketing Officer, Saks Fifth Avenue. "As an arbiter of fashion, culture and lifestyle, Saks strives to elevate timely and relevant topics that are of interest to our customers. Here for the Future reflects the important issues impacting our world today and our focus on championing voices who are using their creativity and passion to help secure a bright future for us all."

Here for the Future spotlights an array of designers who push boundaries and deliver unique points of view through their collections, including A-COLD-WALL*, BruceGlen, Busayo, Christopher John Rogers, Farm Rio, Kimberly Goldson, Reese Cooper and Tove.

Saks' women's Spring 2021 Fashion Book includes the Saks It List, a forecast of the season's must-have trends, such as easy breezy dresses, statement earrings and knit dressing. Similarly, the men's Spring 2021 Style Book features Need Now, with trends like loungewear, high-top sneakers and sport luxe.

"As a fashion authority, Saks is focused on delivering the most distinctive and powerful luxury assortment for our customers," said Tracy Margolies, Chief Merchant, Saks Fifth Avenue.

"Our customers look to us for inspiration and to provide the best and latest in fashion. This season provides us with an amazing opportunity to use our platform to bring emerging designers to the forefront, so they can continue to pave the way for the future of luxury fashion."

The campaign, which can be found across Saks print and digital channels, is also featured in the iconic Fifth Avenue windows of the Saks New York flagship. The women's and men's Spring Books can be found in Saks stores or online at saks.com/c/content/catalogs.

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Fifth Anniversary Blue Jacket Fashion Show Featuring Billy Porter, André Leon Talley and More Goes Virtual

Billy Porter wearing Thom Browne at the Blue Jacket 2019 runway show during NYFW.

The fifth annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show in support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation will be held virtually—and with a newly personal approach—at 7:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 4, 2021, which is also World Cancer Day. Janssen Oncology, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, will return as the official healthcare sponsor of the event, which helps raise awareness about the devastation of prostate cancer and the importance of screening and early detection, as well as treatment options across the disease continuum.

The event will again unite the fashion, entertainment, healthcare and media worlds to openly discuss prostate cancer, with a new emphasis on racial disparities and underserved communities—and with the models' individual homes and personal spaces standing in for a shared runway. The behind-the-scenes glimpses into participants' personal lives will hope to inspire viewers to take charge of one's own health and treatment.

The program will feature virtual one-on-one discussions with leading celebrities and fashion, medical and research experts, and conclude with a socially distant version of the initiative's traditional Blue Jacket runway show.

Event participants include fashion industry icon André Leon Talley, actors Billy Porter, Mario Cantone and Dominic Fumusa, TV personalities Mike Woods, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Don Lemon and Bill Nye, and celebrity stylist Ty-Ron Mayes. Top fashion designers including Michael Kors, Thom Browne, Stephen F, Duckie Brown, Nick Graham, Ben Sherman, Tommy Hilfiger, Bruno Magli and Michael Strahan and Joseph Abboud for Men's Wearhouse will reimagine the traditional "blue jacket" that participants will then model in their own unique ways.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung cancer. Approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime. Risk factors for prostate cancer include increasing age, African ancestry, family history of the disease, certain inherited genetic conditions, as well as other factors (e.g., diet, chemical exposure, smoking). Men should talk to their doctors about prostate cancer screening options starting at age 50, or 40 if in a high-risk group.

"Janssen Oncology is thrilled to be a part of the Blue Jacket Fashion Show once again to raise awareness of prostate cancer. This year, we are especially proud to help shift the focus to reflect patients most impacted," says Rodney Gillespie, VP of Sales & Marketing at Janssen Oncology, and himself a participant in the event. "Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Black men, who are also twice as likely to die from the disease as white men. Janssen Oncology is committed to raising awareness of the disproportionate impact of prostate cancer in Black communities as we work to eliminate health inequities for those living with and impacted by prostate cancer."

"As we discover how genes work in prostate cancer in order to detect it far earlier and treat it far more precisely, we accelerate the end of death and suffering from prostate cancer," says Jonathan W. Simons, MD, president and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. "The Prostate Cancer Foundation prizes our partnership with the Blue Jacket Fashion Show. It heightens awareness of prostate cancer, encourages every man to talk to his doctor about personal and family risks, prioritizes screening and stylishly encourages a healthier lifestyle."

To reserve a "seat" at the 2021 Blue Jacket Fashion Show, you can register at www.bigmarker.com/blue-jacket/2021. All attendees must register by Wednesday, February 3, 2021. After the event, the show will be available for viewing on Blue Jacket's YouTube channel.

Donations toward prostate cancer research can also be made on the Prostate Cancer Foundation's website at www.pcf.org/bluejacket.

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