FASHION
BLUP50 TALENT FEATURE // BECCA DUDLEY
BLUP50 member Becca is a successful DJ, presenter and personality. Becca’s career began in 2012 when she was signed up by MTV to front their daily news programme interviewing the world’s biggest music artists, celebrities and beyond including Pharell Williams and Stormzy. Becca now fronts multiple shows for MTV including her own music show, MTV Live Stage, while also covering worldwide music events and festivals for MTV International – including Red Carpet events.
Becca is also a radio DJ for Apple Music’s international station Beats 1. DJing at major venues and festivals across the world, and supporting some of the world’s biggest reggae and dancehall acts.
In 2016, Becca launched her own music platform DEADLY. Born from her life-long love of reggae, dancehall and bashment, DEADLY is Becca’s hub to produce original documentaries, music videos, interviews and live sessions, showcasing artists from the UK, Caribbean and more.
// YOUR WORD FOR 2021
Things are looking up aren’t they! I spent 2020 feeling a lot of doom and gloom, but I’ve been getting into positive phycology and doing a lot of introspection over the last year, so that combined with the fact that summers coming means I’m feeling super hopeful for this year. I think we’ve all realised just how resilient we are and how powerful that can be moving forward, so I’m feeling optimistic.
// WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN ONLINE/INSTAGRAM /TIKTOK / TWITTER THAT HAS STOPPED YOU SCROLLING?
The Social Dilemma was a real reminder of what we already knew! Since then I’ve been really watching my screen time and trying to read more. I don’t bother with Tik Tok or Twitter, even just Instagram is too much for me.
// GIVE US A WHISTLE STOP TOUR OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE
I started presenting in 2012, my first job in this industry was with MTV and I’m still with them to this day. I am also a radio DJ on Apple Music 1, where I host the Apple Music 1 List from London – I’ve been with Apple since the start of their radio journey 6 years ago and it’s been sick to be a part of the growth. I’ve hosted my own live music shows, traveled the world covering all sorts of festivals and events, worked with brands such as Red Bull, The X Factor, ASOS and The Mercury Awards.
I also DJ reggae and dancehall, playing at Festivals such as Glastonbury, and touring with artists such as Protoje and Morgan Heritage. Alongside this I run my own music platform called DEADLY which celebrates Jamaican music through original live sessions, interviews and documentaries. Every year we film with all the hottest talent in Jamaica, so far we’ve filmed with almost 50 artists across the last few years! We have a playlist thats updated weekly with all the sickest new tunes in reggae, dancehall and fusion Jamaican sounds. And we’ve just started doing interviews remotely with our favourite acts on the playlist over on our Youtube Channel.
//WHAT DOES 24 HOURS IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?
Every day is very different… and every day since 2020 has been even more different.
Pre covid there was no routine whatsoever, I’d be in back to back jobs and then in the summer it was working in a different country every week. In between that time I would spend it working on DEADLY.
Now it’s different – because of lockdown I’ve got into more of a routine each day which has definitely helped my sleep and my mental health. I have my regular radio and TV jobs keeping me going and I’ve had a whole load of spare time on my hands to do things for myself like play drums, read, meditate and just chill. Right now 24 hours is a lot of time spent on DEADLY!
// WHAT DO YOU DO TO SWITCH OFF OR CHILL?
I get my slow jams on, light some candles and jump in the bath for about an hour. Absolute heaven.
// WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR BEST CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
Hosting the MTV European Music Awards Live red carpet show with Sway Calloway (total legend!!!) is probably one of my favourite jobs to date. We broadcast internationally to 120+ countries from cities such as Amsterdam, Milan and Bilbao, and the EMA energy is always next level. So much fun!
Launching DEADLY is also a career highlight. Creating my own music platform by myself has been a real challenge, especially for a niche genre, but I’m proud of what I’ve created and the amazing feedback from both artists and music lovers has given me so much motivation to keep going.
// WHAT DO YOU SEE IN YOUR FUTURE?
I see DEADLY becoming THE place to go to for Jamaican music – what GRM & SBTV do for grime, but for reggae & dancehall music. I see events, a fashion brand, maybe even a label one day. I want to be the go to DJ for the new sounds of Jamaica, and I want to be able to bring the music to as many people as possible.
// IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ONE CREATIVE/BRAND WHO WOULD IT BE?
We did an amazing collaboration in 2020 with Trojan Records, one of reggaes most prolific labels, where some of the hottest new artists covered Trojan Classics. I’d love to do more link ups like that.
I love what Red Bull have done for the culture, with Carnival and Culture Clash, and they have their ear to the ground when it comes to Jamaican music. Feel like we could do something sick.
I’d also love to collaborate with Clarks – their link to Jamaica is amazing and I’m always rocking mine!
// WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?
I’m really inspired by the women in my family – strong, powerful black women who have faced a lot of adversity but have come through fighting and also smiling.
I’m also a big fan of what David Rodigan has done for the culture, he’s given me some great advice over the years and he’s given some incredible feedback on DEADLY! Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is also an inspiration to me, not only though his free spirit and talent, but his dress sense is next level!
// WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO SAY ABOUT YOU AT THE END OF YOUR CAREER?
That I’m a genuine, authentic, good soul. That I made a real impact on music and helped spread it far and wide. That I was a voice for the new Jamaican artists to break through.
// WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO NEW CREATIVES?
You have to really love what you’re doing! Cause the journey can be tough in the industry. But most importantly, look after your mental health. It’s easy for people in the creative industry to go hard because there’s no boundaries of a 9-5. But there’s no use going full turbo speed and not taking time for yourself, because you will burn out and then be of no use to anyone – take it from me!
// WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU IN YOUR WORLD RIGHT NOW?
It’s important that we keep talking about the racial issues that are happening across the world. Yet another black man was killed by the American police this month. Say his name – Daunte Wright! I find Shaun King a very key figure to follow for updates in all the racial injustices that are happening.
FOLLOW BECCA
Supreme
Over the weekend, Supreme released a hologram of the late rap icon, to promote their upcoming new spring/summer collection launch.
The Tupac hologram, which was first depicted at the 2012 Coachella music festival, had been digitally altered to show Tupac wearing Supreme box logo boxers. The Instagram post arrived just days before the collection was revealed in its entirety.
The spring/summer collection is set to be obtainable by the public from February 20th, with stock available within stores in London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and San Francisco.
The collection will be made available globally to online customers from February 27th.
Here are some of the stand-out pieces from Supreme’s SS20 collection:
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Article written by Studio BLUP ‘Futurewears’ writer Symeon Oshea
As we venture into what a brand new decade has to offer, it is merely a matter of time before technology and luxury fashion begin to blend seamlessly.
2017 marked the year when augmented reality took centre stage in retail. As the landscape of retail continues to change, brands are facing increasing pressure to either stand out or step away.
Every innovative luxury brand is investing a lot of capital in digital branding now, more than ever. The expansion of our digital ecosystem and the rate at which we are exploring ways to integrate it into our lives indicates that we are nearing a technology-centric network of interconnected perspectives.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The dawn of digital fashion has been marked by revolutionary industry giants. In 2003, Uniqlo released HEATTECH, a collaboration with Toray, the global textile maker. In 2019, Electronic Art’s Maxis and Moschino teamed up for both an in-game collaboration and a limited release of physical goods that were available online and in-store.
Last year, Kering’s Gucci decided to tap into the modding community of the hugely successful Sims franchise, by creating digital in-game content centred around the fashion house. This year, Gucci is back to flaunt its innovative digital presence by partnering with AR fashion platform Wanna to create a virtual watch and shoe fittings. A digital pair of shoes will only set you back £945 on the Gucci app. These items will be sold as accessory packs on augmented reality games like Roblox, with the fashion house making it worth your while to get your digital hands on exclusive virtual sneaker drops like The Gucci Virtual 25.
This is part of a push from parent company Kering to remain at the forefront of virtual reality and digital goods. A trend we hope to see other luxury fashion brands push further.
THE FUTURE OF AUGMENTED REALITY
As the retail environment continues to adapt to changing conditions, many brands are being forced back to the drawing board to rethink a unique digital approach. With more brands in the market now than ever before, standing out from the crowd is the top priority.
Ivy Park x Adidas is a prime example of how digitally conscious the average consumer is becoming. From the exclusive drops, integration into the Adidas app and the digital team at Parkwood who understands their audience and how to reach them. Ivy Park has unknowingly set the standard for marketing to a new kind of consumer. Their “digital-first” product cycle makes exclusivity their biggest advantage by providing shoppers with fit photos (via prominent public figures) and timed shopping to ensure that every region has an equal opportunity to purchase
The new digital-first mindset allows brands the flexibility to offer consumers a higher level of interactivity and customization than ever before. This is becoming more prominent within high fashion as many are racing to implement the latest in virtual reality, artificial intelligence, digital mapping, and UI/UX design.
Yeezy Supply, when it debuted online, featured a shopping experience parallel to none. Customers can choose an outfit they would like to view and then put it on a 3D model walking across the screen. If shoppers would like to learn more about the model, they can click and get a backstory for each muse. Making the experience even more unique, the screen is clean and wordless, apart from the model and garments.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?
As we continue to look towards the future of fashion, the line between traditional commerce and e-commerce is becoming increasingly blurry. More fashion labels will begin to adopt tokenised digital goods and create digital experiences with AR/VR technology to provide a new level of immersion for consumers. The future of digital fashion is immensely exciting with the gaming industry insight, it allows the opportunity to expand into a new digital ecosystem.
Article written by Symeon Oshea [@symeonoshea]
Want to write for theblup.com please contact talent@studioblup.com
Article written by Studio BLUP ‘Futurewears’ writer Symeon Oshea
As part of its sustainability commitment, German sports and footwear giant Adidas has pledged to only use recycled polyester, in all products. This is part of an ongoing effort to make the business more environmentally friendly, with the goal for it to be fully implemented by 2024.
Adidas also rolled out the Stan Smith Mylo™ this year. A new concept where the shoe is completely produced from nature. Mycelium to be exact. Yes, you read that right. Mycelium is the root system of a mushroom, composed of a dense mass of fine, thread-like tissue, which allows for it to be used like fabric or leather. The collaboration between Adidas and biotechnology powerhouse, Bolt Threads, made it possible to ‘grow’ the new line of Stan Smith’s.
Los Angeles-based Ultracor, is revolutionising the eco-luxury activewear market. Launched by female entrepreneur, Asha Kai, her designs are made to order, in the U.S. and in-house, to ensure no overproduction.
Ultracor stands out in the crowd due to its major investment in a vertical fashion. With a waterless and no inventory or waste model, the brand can boast a reduction of its carbon footprint by 95%. Featuring patent-pending ‘Compression 360’ performance technology with ‘best-fit’ engineering to sculpt and support each body. Each couture-inspired piece is sustainably produced in a spectrum of saturated monochromes and alluring, timeless prints.
‘Vertical Fashion’ is when a designer or fashion label decides to go without middlemen or wholesalers. This maximises the quality of goods, as the consumer can provide direct feedback on the process. Vertical means controlling each step of the process; designing, producing and selling the goods independently.
In Louisville, USA, Kenmark Eyewear is becoming a leader in crafting and distributing original optical eyewear and sunglasses.
Paradigm, their independent collection, boasts a continued partnership with the National Forest Foundation. This includes a collaboration on the ’50 Million for Our Forests’ tree-planting campaign, aiming to plant 50 million trees across the country. For every dollar Paradigm receives, they will plant one tree. By participating, Paradigm hopes to help reduce our collective carbon footprint and protect the forests for future generations.
Soorty, Pakistan’s largest vertically integrated denim company, has launched the Soorty Organic Cotton Initiative (SOCI), a new drive towards creating an organic cotton revolution. For their latest project they’ve partnered with the pioneers of organic cotton farming in Pakistan: WWF-Pakistan, and the Department of Agriculture Extension, Provence of Balochistan, along with support and input from the Laudes Foundation. The SOCI aims to stimulate a more sustainable economy and provide a foundation for ethical work environments and conditions.
Yet another unique implementation of reducing the carbon footprint of the overall industry. Apparel and textiles amounts to a large part of the environmental issues we face. It’s a breath of fresh air to see new companies pop up taking initiative, and legacy brands starting to take responsibility for the part they’ve played in the situation we’ve currently in.
Article written by Symeon Oshea [@symeonoshea]
Want to write for theblup.com please contact talent@studioblup.com
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