The State of Virtual Fashion

53% of fashion brands are investing in the $300bn gaming sector. Yet less than 10% of designers are Black.

01

Crypto-gaming experts predict that the social gaming segment of digital asset investments can add around $10–20 million to the luxury goods market. 

02

Researched conducted by Institute of Digital Fashion show that BIPOC, Disabled, and LGBTQ individuals feel underrepresented in virtual spaces.

03

Black owned-fashion brands are unable to keep up with luxury conglomerates like LVMH, L’OREAL, and Kering when it comes to innovation .

04

The Problem

We need to create an inclusive metaverse…

But Black Founders received only 1.2% of VC money during the first half of 2021.

​

The Flex Solution

V/FLEX

A physical and digital, gender-neutral handbag. 35% of profits go towards the B/FLEX Fund.

​

​

​

the handbag

WE/FLEX

An extended online community for those who own a V/FLEX bag. The platform will host virtual networking events, workshops to educate the Black community on advancements in tech and entrepreneurship

​

​

the metaverse

B/FLEX

The Black Fashion Lab for Entrepreneurs and Executives is a fund created to support Black founders in the A/VR space

​

​

​

the founders

V/FLEX…the first handbag to be sold both physically and digitally as an NFT. 35% of profits will go towards B/FLEX, a fund for Black artists and creators.

Empowering you to empower others.

​

The gender-neutral bag will comply with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and be made from sustainable materials. We plan to make the NFT ecofriendly, by encouraging purchases with cryptocurrency that use proof-of-stake networks.

V/FLEX

The goal is to use the bag to build community around Black entrepreneurship and empowerment.

WE/FLEX

• The online community for individuals who purchase a FLEX bag.
• Guest speakers, virtual workshops, networking for fashion/tech entrepreneurs

​

THE COMMUNITY

B/FLEX

• The fund that supports Black entrepreneurs in the AR/VR Space.
• 35% of proceeds from the FLEX bag go towards B/FLEX Fund

Case Studies

Megan Markle, Michelle Obama, Voting Collection

Supporting vemale femtnres

AMINA IRIS

• Founded by Wilgolory Tanjon,
• Pays her artisans in Senegal 2x as much as the industry average
• Cult Favorite- Fans call themselves “Irises”
• On track to make $1.2m in revenue in 2022

SHIFFON CO.

• Founded Harvard student, Shilpa Yarlagadda
• 50% of profits go to Startup Girl Foundation (SGF), which has funded 11 female-founded companies

FOUNDER GYM

• Founded by Mandela SH Dixon
• #1 online training program specifically designed to help underrepresented tech startup founders raise money to scale their startup
• Has trained the most Black female founders to raise $1 million.

​

THE PATHWAY

Design and manufacture the V/FLEX bag + build WE/FLEX online space.

​

Recruit talent to run B/FLEX, registering the company, and setting up the fund.

Build connections with industry partners (CFDA, ELC, 15% Pledge)

Marketing + Launch (Influencers, NYC Launch event)

DESIGN

ESTABLISH

INDUSTRY

IMPLEMENTATION

Fall 2022

Spring 2023

Summer 2023

Luxury brands own the market share when it comes to the metaverse…Black designers MUST be there to help make virtual worlds inclusive.

WHY THIS? WHY NOW?

Jasmine Bacchus

EDUCATION

• Brown University, B.A. PPE
• University of Oxford, MSc Social Science of the Internet
• Harvard Law School, Incoming JD Candidate

​

AWARDS

• Executive Leadership Council Scholar
• Inaugural Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholar
• Inaugural Gucci Changemaker
• 3 x Fashion Scholarship Fund Scholar (Technology/Analytics)

​

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Intern @ Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, BCG, LVMH, Saks Fifth Avenue
• Incoming Strategy Intern @ Riot Games (MBA Program)

Next Steps

Capital