Nataliya Grimberg, a pioneering fashion futurist based in Prague, Czech Republic, is rewriting the rules of the fashion industry. Fusing cutting-edge technologies with the art of haute couture, Nataliya is carving a new path and reimagining the future of fashion in the Metaverse. She’s a highly acclaimed speaker and trend forecaster in the fashion and tech spaces. This trailblazer works closely with luxury brands and tech companies to help them navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of web3 with future-proof strategies and Metaverse activations. Nataliya is an active member of the Somnium Space VR Metaverse, We’re Next (a Fashion Week event), Unique Style Platform (a Trend Forecasting Agency), and MOYA (a digital fashion interoperability platform).
“I have recently accomplished my MBA Fashion Technology degree at IFA Paris, earning a distinction award,” she proudly reveals. “For my Master’s thesis, I delved into immersive Metaverse experiences, and I’ve undertaken numerous projects centered around the latest tech advancements — haptics, machine learning and human engineering.”
Breaking Boundaries in Fashion
From being the first designer to incorporate 3D printing into a fashion collection, to showcasing the first AR and AI‑powered dress during a global fashion week, Nataliya continues to challenge traditional norms and inspire a new wave of creativity in the fashion industry. “I’ve always had a passion for pushing boundaries in traditional fashion and exploring uncharted territories, which led me to being a ‘first‑ever’ in many industry use cases,” she shares. She excitedly reveals her current work with emerging technologies: “I’m engrossed in developing a pioneering fashion experience in the Metaverse. This project involves creating an immersive virtual showroom built by a top‑tier Metaverse architect for my upcoming phygital brand and overarching consulting agency, which is set to launch at the start of 2024.” Her mission? “To evoke a sense of wonder and amazement in others,” she explains. “My goal is to break through the limitations of their current reality and make them question what is already possible to create with current tech solutions. By infusing practicality and aesthetic vision into my work, my ultimate goal is to inspire brands to believe in their own story and embrace a future where fashion and technology intertwine to create truly extraordinary experiences within their brand universes.” With an impressive resume spanning luxury brands and tech companies, Nataliya is more than just a designer; she’s a visionary shaping the fashion industry’s evolution in the digital era.
The Fusion of Luxury and Web3
At the heart of Nataliya’s work lies a desire to help luxury brands navigate the complex landscape of web3 technologies, future‑proofing their strategies and creating engaging Metaverse activations. “I am empowering luxury brands by guiding them to embrace innovation and adopt web3 technologies in a meaningful and aesthetic way,” she says. For Nataliya, emerging technologies empower her to envision and bring to life protopias representing realistic and aspirational futures that surpass the current state of affairs and enable her to imagine and shape a tomorrow that is markedly better than today. “By encouraging the exploration of these protopias, together with brands and emerging technologies, we cultivate a sense of hope, innovation, and progress, driving us as a society towards a future that is both inspiring and achievable,” she believes. Driven by her passion for creating aspirational futures that go beyond the current status quo, Nataliya is currently developing a pioneering fashion experience in the Metaverse. Using the latest sensory and haptic technologies in VR, she aims to build an immersive virtual showroom to redefine how fashion is experienced. One of Nataliya’s proudest achievements is the creation of the first‑ever VR Metaverse Fashion Week. The ground‑breaking event, which featured immersive virtual activations and brought together many innovative women‑led companies, not only showcased their extraordinary work but also fostered collaboration and networking within the virtual fashion industry.
Inspiring Positive Impact Through Emerging Tech
A firm believer in the transformative power of technology, Nataliya envisions a future where fashion and technology intertwine to create truly extraordinary experiences. “Technology enables us to transcend the confines of our current reality and escape the mundane — virtually and IRL,” she states. By harnessing emerging technologies, Nataliya promotes hope, innovation, and progress, inspiring society to work towards a captivating and achievable future. “With every breakthrough, such as AI, XR, or web3, technology acts as a catalyst for transformation, challenging the boundaries of what we once deemed impossible,” she explains. When asked about the future of her industry, Nataliya identifies several key trends, including collective intelligence, conscious consumerism, dynamic societal norms, and synthetic creativity. “It is through the interplay of diverse intelligence that we can collectively shape a better future and drive positive change,” she says. “I aim to help brands embrace these future scenarios, redefine reality, and create immersive experiences that captivate and inspire.”
The Pursuit of Innovation
Nataliya’s contributions to the innovation ecosystem reflect her unwavering dedication to pushing boundaries and her remarkable knack for overcoming obstacles. “Embracing innovation and taking risks is crucial for personal and professional growth,” she asserts. In her journey, the lack of a roadmap has not hindered her but spurred her on, fuelling her creativity and ingenuity. Her advice to other women forging their own paths in their respective fields echoes this sentiment: “Seek knowledge. Unlock the limitless potential we all have within. Collaborate with other women. Lift each other. Create a world of unity. Embrace your uniqueness. Celebrate diversity. Make a lasting impact.”
Embracing Community and Giving Back
At the heart of Nataliya’s excitement for the future is the community. Being an active member of organizations that support emerging designers, she is deeply committed to providing resources and mentorship to young people interested in pursuing careers in fashion and technology. Nataliya encourages women building their futures on emerging technologies to embrace lifelong learning and personal growth. Her message to the world echoes her personal mantra: “Infuse reality with fantasy. Forge a future beyond your dreams.” Nataliya is not only a powerful woman of the future; she is a leader, an innovator, and a visionary shaping the future of fashion. Through her unique fusion of fashion and technology, she creates a new realm of possibilities, inspires others to dream big, and makes a lasting impact on the world. The future is bright, and with pioneers like Nataliya at the helm, it is guaranteed to be extraordinary.
