Marking a digital fashion milestone, on July 25th 2023, DRAUP’s generative gown, Antheia, was sold at Christie’s in Gucci’s Future Frequencies: Explorations in Generative Art in Fashion sale.
The auction explored themes of autonomous systems and fashion and included 21 pieces from renowned digital artists such as Claire Silver, Tyler Hobbs, Maya Man and Botto.
After a week long sale, the piece was won by fellow exhibiting artist, renowned AI poetess Sasha Stiles.
Whilst Christie’s and Sotheby’s are renowned for their luxury sales, Antheia marked the first time a digital fashion brand has been auctioned at a major auction house.
About Antheia
Borrowing its name from the Greek divinity, Theia, Antheia was created by DRAUP with artistic direction from digital artist Nicolas Sassoon.
Theia was renowned in Greek mythology for her role in providing vision and giving gold and silver its intrinsic worth.
Drawing on this symbolism, the name Antheia is a commentary on the piece's appearance, as well as its aim to help viewers see the value in digital couture.
Drawing design inspiration from archive pieces from the likes of Gucci, Paco Rabanne and Halston, Antheia melds elements of Optical Art, Art Nouveau and early computer graphics to create a garment born from digital craft.
Generating a Gown
Antheia was created by a generative process tailored for the creation of digital fashion.
This system determined not only the gown’s 2D elements (its print), but also its 3D components such as its silhouette and structure.
Antheia’s final design was selected from hundreds of algorithmically generated outputs, each with their own unique shape and pattern.
Antheia’s fan-like appendage and folded pleats were chosen for their striking relationship to the garment’s textile print — the contrast between a classical design and a hard-edged abstract pattern. Plus, as the gown moves it glimmers like gold.
Read more about the Antheia and the Future Frequencies auction in WWD, Vogue Business, Jing Daily, Decrypt and Hypebae