Virtually clothed, on social media

FIVE years ago, Singapore-based fashion entrepreneur James Gaubert never imagined he would be selling virtual fashion - that is, clothes that only exist online.

Since he started in August 2020, his company has sold over 500 "garments" which customers get to "wear" only in digitally composed photos that are posted on social media. This unique non-fungible token (NFT) way of doing business has helped Republiqe break even, and is a sign of how the crypto phenomenon has entered mainstream businesses.

In tomorrow's BTLifestyle, we look at how digital-savvy fashion, music, toys and other lifestyle companies are turning to NFTs as an alternative revenue stream.

In Design, we visit a family for whom less is more when designing their new semi-detached home. Instead of building up to the max, their brief was for something "adequate" that prioritised privacy and "permanence". For watch lovers, we speak to Cartier's director of style, Pierre Rainero, about gender neutrality in watch design.

And in Dining, we head out to IKO for some casual mod-Japanese bites.