‘Fashioning’ the metaverse: A qualitative study on consumers’ value and perceptions of digital fashion in virtual worlds

Abstract

The field of fashion is rapidly evolving, as it has surprisingly arisen as one of the most inclined to adopt digitalization and virtual realities to transform its business model, motivated by the apparent plethora of options and advantages that these technologies have to offer. The metaverse is one of these digital emerging trends. The aim of the present study is to investigate the context-specific consumption values associated with the use of the metaverse in fashion practices. Based on a theoretical framework rooted in the “theory of consumption values”, a qualitative study was employed. Semi-structured interviews with 13 metaverse users and professionals were conducted to derive context-specific consumption values. Our findings enrich and extend the theory of consumption values literature by redefining the five consumption values according to the metaverse usage. The five values have been identified as: utilitarianism, social identity, personification, hedonism, and personal beliefs. Technology provides and fashion brand managers can capitalize on these findings to develop new digital experiences and enhance the metaverse users’ engagement.