SFT gratefully acknowledges the generosity of Della, a Hong Kong-based luxury fashion retailer that specialises in bags, shoes, accessories, and small leather goods, for their research donation. This valuable partnership is made possible thanks to the dedicated efforts of our assistant professors Dr Chloe Ki and Dr Magnum Lam. The research project will focus on exploring consumer preferences and concerns related to fashion metaverse (FaMe) retail strategies, with a particular focus on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) of blockchain-based fashion items and Web 3.0 retail experiences.
The ongoing digitalisation revolution, which includes the emergence of the metaverse, along with advances in AI technology, is causing significant disruptions to traditional retail practices. Whether fashion shopping takes place in-store or online, Web 3.0-specific digital retail marketplaces will play a crucial role in facilitating these experiences.
With a focus on Della's main target audience of affluent Chinese consumers, the project aims to help Della in their development of tailored retail and sales strategies that cater to the evolving demands of Chinese consumers in this space by using modern AI research methods. By exploring the potential of NFTs and other digital fashion assets, we believe that this research project can assist Della to unlock new revenue streams and reach wider audiences through metaverse-based retail and distribution channels.
This donation not only demonstrates that SFT research has real impacts, but also highlights the benefits of industry-academic collaborations. Through such partnerships, SFT can bridge the gap between the academia and industry, drive innovation and entrepreneurship, and contribute to a dynamic fashion ecosystem.
