Upon entering Decentraland, one of the first creators I encountered was DOCTORdripp, who immediately made an impression with his lively character and strong work ethic. Like myself, he is among those creators striving to translate his real-life passions into the web3 space. At the end of the day, individuals driven by such enthusiasm, like DOCTORdripp, are destined to leave their mark on the history of web3.
Meet DOCTORdripp
Hello! I’m DOCTORdripp, a skateboard enthusiast and tech aficionado from Southern California. My professional pursuits include building websites and designing custom lighting for show cars. A significant aspect of the DOCTORdripp brand stems from my passion for crafting custom headlights and managing an automotive e-commerce platform that specializes in LED lighting kits. My career journey has also taken me through various sectors, including streetwear e-commerce.
Discovering the Metaverse
I ventured into Decentraland in October 2021, and within just a few days, I had launched the glowing Backwards Hat wearable. With years of experience in Photoshop dating back to version 5.5 (released in 1999) and a foray into 3D modeling since December 2020, when I acquired my first 3D printer, expressing myself in Decentraland felt remarkably intuitive. Thus, I’d say “natural” is indeed the right term to describe my experience.
Real-Life Fashion vs. Metaverse Fashion
There is definitely a connection between real-world fashion and Metaverse fashion, which I find particularly exciting as a skateboarder with a background in fashion. My interests lie at the intersection of streetwear, skatewear, and high fashion. However, the relationship between physical fashion and its digital counterpart is just one facet of Metaverse fashion. The capabilities of creating imaginative designs—both forward-thinking and fantastical—are leading to an evolution in fashion, driven by the creativity of wearable developers and game designers. These innovative interpretations may eventually detach from our current real-world fashion norms and pave the way for entirely new styles.
Your Vision for Metaverse Fashion
In my view, the progression of Metaverse fashion will hinge on how deeply society adopts blockchain technology. Currently, we enjoy the simplicity of basic 3D designs as NFTs, which are sold casually. The next phase could involve “phygital” designs—physical items embedded with RFID chips, merging the realms of high-end digital creations and real-world brands. What happens after that largely depends on the integration of decentralized technologies within the fashion and retail sectors. Coupled with the rise of accessible Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences for shopping and social interaction, I believe the fashion landscape could transform dramatically.
Understanding ‘Utility’ in the NFT Space
The term “utility” has become a popular buzzword lately, and it carries multiple dimensions. Utility can differ between NFT projects and wearable NFTs but fundamentally represents a promise to reward token holders. This can manifest in various ways, such as future airdrops, exclusive access to NFTs, invitations to private events, or early purchasing opportunities. For musicians and digital artists, utility might include access to exclusive downloadable works. While wearables don’t always need to offer utility, art projects that lack any form of utility often raise red flags, suggesting a potential scam where funds might be misappropriated. Conversely, projects that pledge utility but fail to deliver are equally concerning. Recently, I’ve become interested in Play2Earn wearables, especially those with perks already in place, as they tend to retain their value, assuming the game developers don’t undermine them by introducing newer items with similar or superior perks.
Inspirational Creators in the Community
There are countless creators I admire in this space! My collection boasts over 2,000 wearables. However, I’d like to highlight those who inspire me the most and who craft their designs entirely in-house: Doki, Nikki Fuego, Michi Todd, Mr. W & Mr. J, Yannakis, Miguel Amargo, Meta Jewels, Roustan, Tangpoko, Arnj Joe, Digifun x Yaping Chen, and KJ Walker.
The Futuristic Aesthetics of Metaverse Fashion
Having come from traditional fashion, I perceive Metaverse fashion as experimental and somewhat cyberpunk. I only watched the movie Ready Player One after joining Decentraland, and it helped me understand our current experiences in the Metaverse. Much of the inspiration for this aesthetic comes from futuristic themes, early metaverse concepts, video games, and pop culture. I am genuinely excited to witness innovations that are yet to be conceived.
The Challenges of Being a Digital Creator
The primary obstacles I face as a digital creator include finding time to create within a hectic schedule and maintaining personal motivation. These factors continually impact my work, either slightly or significantly. While market conditions, sales, and competition are temporary challenges, the struggle for personal motivation and the drive to learn from my environment is an ongoing battle for me as an artist.
Is the Metaverse Your Full-Time Pursuit?
Not at this point, but I sense that as new opportunities emerge and I solidify my brand in the digital fashion arena, I may find myself dedicating more time to this venture and potentially reducing my work with show cars.
Advice for Newcomers
For newcomers to the Metaverse, I understand that the initial experience can feel daunting! When I first joined, I felt like a bystander at social events, which is completely normal. As you attend more gatherings, you’ll begin to recognize faces, and conversations will flow more naturally. To get started, I recommend exploring Decentraland-related Twitter spaces where you can listen and perhaps meet a few friends. For aspiring creators: don’t focus too much on sales, especially during a bear market. Keep creating and learning new skills, engage with the community, and support others. You are still early in this journey, and by following this advice, opportunities will come your way.
Why Choose Decentraland?
I appreciate Decentraland for its open-source nature, which is as decentralized as it gets; it provides a repository filled with tools to create custom games and user experiences. This accessibility makes it easy for newcomers to start building in the Metaverse. While I may consider expanding my designs to other virtual worlds as they gain popularity, for now, Decentraland is where I feel most at home.
