At the Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show, STAFFONLY orchestrates a collection of intriguing disruptions between the human form and technology through the use of "error" mapping. Set within a simulated 3D modelling environment, STAFFONLY extends the brand’s narrative to the very limits of technological dominance, probing contemporary societal definitions of "reality" and the ensuing trust crisis. This immersive presentation guides the audience into the realm of "Lost in Errors."
In an era of accelerating technological supremacy, information streams are inundated with pristine, high-definition visuals and meticulously logical AI constructs. However, the accompanying noise warrants attention. The hallucinations produced by large-scale models have been captured, and the surge of fake news and deepfakes has sparked societal incidents, suggesting that what is deemed "real" may, in essence, be a more intricate and fragile construct. This season, STAFFONLY employs unexpected visual dissonance to parody deepfakes, digitally replicating and superimposing faces onto reality. These cross-dimensional manipulations result in the emergence of illicit hybrid figures within 4D modelling software, appearing slightly glitchy within the shadowed runway space.
STAFFONLY utilises unconventional editing techniques to "acidify" digital images, dismantling the adhesive bond between the modeled and real spaces. This induces a sense of disorientation, liberating us from the seamless technological vaults and propelling us into digital uncertainty, thereby allowing a renewed, hazy perception of reality. As Hito Steyerl aptly observes, “Poor images mock the promises of digital technology; here, so-called ‘errors’ are not only accepted but encouraged, becoming a form of resistance against the pristine facade of digital capitalism.” This rebellious “mistake” is precisely the “error” that STAFFONLY cultivates in this collection.
The typography for LOST IN ERRORS is sourced from Nonsense Saver by KAUKAU Design. This typeface serves as a timely response to the viral proliferation of fake news, visualising the emotional connections between viral spread and misinformation, thereby further critiquing the trust crisis in the digital information age. As a visual concept, Nonsense Saver extends from the typeface into the runway space, featuring distorted fonts and fragmented green screens. Within a realistically simulated 4D modelling environment, KAUKAU and STAFFONLY explore how potential technological “failures” reveal the organic chaos of reality—the uncertainties and volatility inherent within digital spaces.
Turning attention to the garments themselves, STAFFONLY’s designs this season extend the discourse on “reality” through tactile visual experiments. The prints employ common camouflage materials such as eco-friendly wood veneers, mimicking the textures of repeatedly painted and peeling surfaces. Combined with techniques like knitted jacquard, these temporary camouflage materials are deconstructed to create perpetually evolving dynamic patterns. Details such as the peeling neckline and the optical distortions of enclosed pockets offer a richly layered experience within the intricacies.
“In creating within chaos, we acknowledge the inherent imperfections of all systems, whether human or non-human.” The pursuit of flawless perfection is undermined by the recognition that all systems possess intrinsic flaws. The rugged real pixels dazzle with their complexity, while superficially perfect cultures become mundane. Amidst chaos, the “errors” crafted by STAFFONLY are not accidental but a deliberate reflection on the precision of technology. These digital dissonances mirror the diversity of identities, questioning the authenticity and consistency of human perception in an era dominated by technology. By intentionally incorporating “error” mapping, displaced graphics, and three-dimensional spatial effects, STAFFONLY challenges the perceived authenticity and uniformity of human experience.
Through these fissures between the real and digital worlds, STAFFONLY disrupts the inertia of digital precision and realism. We witness not only the potential for transformation but also the necessity of imperfection. In an age of technological dominance, what is deemed “real” may essentially be a more intricate and fragile construct. Thus, “errors” are not merely born out of aesthetic curiosity but also reflect a growing scepticism towards the digital realm.
Step back, sharpen your focus, and find your viewing position within the seams of the smooth screen, witnessing the gradually disjointed reality. In the adhesive world of STAFFONLY, everyone is invited to immerse themselves in disorientation, contemplating the underlying meanings and significance of errors, no matter how complex, perplexing, or fleeting they may be.
