Nicola Formichetti, the stylistic brains behind Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress and former creative director at Mugler and Diesel, is moving into digital fashion. On Monday, Formichetti took the title as digital fashion platform Syky’s Artistic Director, a role in which he will a role in which he will enhance Syky’s presence at key fashion and cultural moments, act as an ambassador for the brand, and help expand Syky’s universal reach beyond the tech realm.
“I joined Syky captivated by its vision for a future where digital and physical fashion worlds coexist,” Formichetti tells Jing Daily. “We’re creating a dynamic space where digital innovation meets traditional fashion, forging an exciting new path in the industry.”
He will also be responsible for nurturing emerging talent through the Syky Collective.
With years of experience in the traditional fashion space under his belt, Formichetti earned his reputation as one of the industry's most-forward thinking changemakers. The former fashion editor began working with Lady Gaga in 2009, styling the pop superstar in notoriously viral ensembles including MTV awards meat dress and the Grammy’s egg suit. He has also worked in both creative and artistic director roles at Diesel and Mugler, as well as a stint as fashion editor at Vogue Hommes Japan. Formichetti will remain an advisor for the singer’s beauty label Haus Labs, and as creative fashion director at Uniqlo, alongside his new position at Syky.
The tie-up marks an optimistic milestone for the digital fashion community. Having the backing of one of the industry’s most-lauded insiders will likely spur more traditional style devotees to pay attention to the burgeoning arena. Alice Delahunt, founder and CEO of Syky, also describes Formichetti’s appointment as a new chapter for Web3 – one in which it can finally cement its status as more than a fad.
“[Formichetti’s] expertise in meshing the worlds of pop culture with luxury fashion mirrors our ambition to innovate in the luxury digital fashion arena. His track record showcases his talent for capturing the zeitgeist, and his vision aligns seamlessly with Syky’s goal of redefining luxury for a digital-first audience and supporting emerging designers,” Delahunt tells Jing Daily.
When it comes to breaking down barriers between fashion and tech, not everyone has been so open to the idea. Web3 and the metaverse was initially met with universal hesitation and speculation when it entered public consciousness in 2021. But the tide is shifting, as both investors and brands begin to recognize its potential. Last year, Syky raised $10.5 million in a funding round backed by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian’s venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, which was used to launch the startup’s first NFT and build the Syky Collective talent incubator.
Formichetti and Syky’s team-up also signals a broader trend, where tech-native companies are bringing in more established artistic talent to capture new markets. In Syky’s case, the platform sits at a lucrative intersection where high fashion and emerging tech can work in harmony. “It’s a community that’s not just adapting to the future, but actively shaping it,” Formichetti says.