WANT DESIGNER CLOTHING BUT CAN’T AFFORD IT? NOW YOU CAN WEAR IT DIGITALLY

Dr Harry Destecroix, Icon of the Year

Science Creates founder wins Icon of the Year at Barclays Entrepreneurs Awards

Scientist, entrepreneur and founder of Bristol-based Science Creates, Dr Harry Destecroix, has been crowned Entrepreneur Icon of the Year at the Barclays Entrepreneur Awards.

A unique virtual fashion brand is making exclusive and expensive fashion available to those of us with much smaller pockets.

The Stroud-based brand, called republiqe, says it is the “world’s first fully digital luxury fast fashion brand that designs unique creations”.

Not being in their target customer age group, our editor had to ask for a bit of clarification on what they were doing. “Does the clothing exist in physical form?” No, they said.

“You browse the collection, choose a piece then send a photo in. Republiqe photoshop the image on to your photo and email back for you to share online.”

This service is aimed at the digital generation, Gen Z, who want to look good online but don’t want to harm the planet in the process (or presumably pay for the real thing).

Big brands like Balenciaga, H&M and even Nike are getting involved, and now republiqe has announced that it is the first all-digital, UK fashion house and the first to create a partnership with a luxury accessories retailer, Monnier Frères.

The partnership began late last year with 24 digital garments from republiqe being available for purchase via the Monnier Frères website.

James Gaubert, founder and Creative Director of republiqe, said: “Our partnership allows both brands the chance to reach out to new customer bases. As little as 12-14 months ago, digital fashion was not as readily available as it is now, with virtual fashion perceived as something to be purchased for a video game character or avatar.

“This partnership signifies a first step for digital clothing becoming more mainstream as the lines between physical and digital blend further.”

James has more than 22 years’ luxury fashion experience, having worked with brands such as Chanel, LV, Burberry, Bulgari, Net-a-Porter, Harrods, Tag Heuer and Tiffany’s.

In 2014, Harry set up his own company, Ziylo, which was purchased in 2018 by pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk in a deal worth up to $800 million.

Sciences Creates grew out of Unit DX which he set up in collaboration with the University of Bristol in 2017 to help commercialise similar companies.

Science Creates offeris specialised incubator space, a £15 million investment fund and a network of partners to nurture science and engineering start-ups and spinouts.

Harry said: “No matter the quality of the research and discovery, the right ecosystem is fundamental if we are going to challenge the global 90 per cent failure rate of science start-ups and create many more successful ventures.

“This award puts Science Creates and Bristol on the map as a place for deep tech start-ups.”