How do you guys know each other? When and how did the project start?

DO: Let’s say that the project was conceived before we all met. Duccio and I went to the same high school, but we studied different subjects, whereas for NIIO, it’s a bit different.
NIIO: I met Domenico few years ago when I had to take some pics for my pages and I needed unique pieces of clothing that could fit my personality. I remember that I saw and asked the permission to Domenico to have this black and red technical jersey and the photo while I’m wearing it, became my official profile photo and I’m really proud of it. Then of course, the commodity of the future in this Era, I’m talking about collaborations and arts exchange, led me to return the favour and produce for DO ™ the soundtrack of Vilnius Fashion Show.
DO: I can definitely say that he did his best! Coming back to the project, I’ve always felt the need to communicate and express my personal vision of the world through clothing – not just as something to wear, but especially perceived as a protection in the surrounding environment and as a shell that protects us in the hardest moments. We don’t need more garments, we know that, we need to actually tell something through what we’re wearing.

I sense some Rick Owens edginess with a hint of Ann Demeulemeester’s dark romance reminiscence mixed with Heliot Emil form and function driven by an experimental approach, minimalistic aesthetic and a sportswear twist. Tell me about your influences and where are you aiming to position your brand.

DO: I grew up among art books, since my father is a painter and sculptor, football fields and extreme sports, which have always been my passion. Since I was a child, I have been used to looking at things with an artistic eye, moving away from the common judgment that could distort my thoughts and my overall view. My vision takes shape at the exact moment when I can focus on a singular element, whatever it may be: an object belonging to an extreme sport, an urban element such as a scaffold etc.. I like to mix these elements with familiar shapes inside my mind in order to mold a new whole. I am mostly carried away by the creative flow that is generated by my mind combined with my instincts, until I arrive at an idea that subsequently develops into a concrete concept.

Functionality is a keyword for your brand’s universe. How do you fuse technology and wearability in your designs?

DO: I believe that the most interesting and fascinating challenge of my project is to blend new technologies with artisanal techniques, which instead rely on manual and human dimensions. I think that they are two intrinsically complementary and necessary aspects of each other throughout the entire process. 3D printing and digital 3D are two fundamental aspects of our brand and are perfectly integrated with the rest. During the collection development, after creating the pattern and deciding on the shape of the garment, we move everything to CLO3D and preview how the garment fits, in order to avoid material waste and downtimes. If we like the result, we proceed with the actual sample.

I know also 3D design is such an important side of your brand overall. In which ways do you incorporate it in your work? 

DO: It is essential for us to keep in step with the times and take advantage of everything that the world of 3D can offer us. We aim to provide our clients with a complete shopping experience, a journey into the world of DO ™, in order to fully explore and get to know our community.
The ‘Hybridverse Bunker Experience’ is our shop created in collaboration with 3D artist Duccio Schiumarini, who is part of the team, and the Backdoor team, key external support for our website coding. Duccio is a professional in his subject and will surely help me better explain the whole world behind the 3D.

DS: I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of 3D design technology. It has opened up new avenues for creativity and imagination. By blurring the boundary between the concrete and the intangible, 3D design has given us the ability to create immersive experiences that transcend traditional mediums. As a result, I am currently working on the new DO ™ 3D website that aims to take users on an unforgettable journey that fuses reality and the digital realm. With this project, I hope to push the boundaries of what is possible with 3D design and showcase the limitless potential of this technology.

You also have a music component. Could you talk about that? I am confident with the links between fashion and music; especially nowadays, I think art in general has overcome the boundaries between different media, giving a more fluid and open perspective. Just think about Virgil Abloh and how he combined those two together.

NIIO: Music and fashion go hand in hand, the role of translating into sound what you see is crucial nowadays. My role in DO ™ is to approach, through dark tones and melodic harmonies, individuals close to the world of clubbing and give them a visual audio experience. I strongly believe that DO ™ concept reflects and shapes this vision and has an impact in my sound and in what comes from this synergy.
DO: I completely agree with NIIO, and looking back to the event in Vilnius, his soundtrack, produced exclusively for our show, has created a very unique atmosphere.