About the project
This project combines creativity, branding, and digital storytelling.
In collaboration with IFM MA Fashion Design student Paula Lessel and MS Management student Théophile Fournier.
V-On: De-influencing and Disrupting our Mindless Scrolling
V-On – No nationality, fully lab-grown, and desperately trying to escape the hellhole that is social media. Will you help them on their quest to finally become HUMAN—while being de-influenced?
🕸️ Citizen of the United Web of the Internet
🌱 Critical of overconsumption
📚 Passionate about fine arts, literature, film, and podcasts
👁 Constantly reinventing their aesthetic in response to the world around them
V-On comes from the non-binary name Von, which means “originating from” in German and is similar to Van in Dutch, for example. This adds a touch of irony because, being lab-grown, they don’t really have an origin. The spelling V-On indicates that a device has been switched on.
Since V-On is a lab-grown entity, they do not belong to any nationality. They identify as a citizen of the United Web of the Internet. Identity and origins are pressing subjects for them, as they are constantly reflecting on what is real and struggling with the absence of physical manifestation.
- Fashion & Beauty – Brands that share similar aesthetics and concepts (e.g. COMME des GARÇONS, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, Coperni, Schiaparelli, Mugler).
- Art & Culture – Museums, book publishers, podcast studios (e.g. Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Palais Galliera).
- Entertainment – Film distributors (e.g. A24, NEON Rated, HBO, Netflix) and other AI influencers (e.g. Miquela @lilmiquela, 🅱️LAWKO @blawko22).
- Sustainable & Ethical Companies – Upcycled furniture makers, vegan cosmetics, and brands advocating against overconsumption (e.g., Patagonia, Everlane, Pangaia).
- Tech Companies – Innovators in AR/VR technology and AI art tools (e.g. Runway, Eleven Labs, Leonardo).
- NGOs & Advocacy Groups – Focus on online ethics and combating misinformation (e.g. Amnesty International, WWF, Greenpeace).
Critical, introspective, humorous, mischievous, ethical, whimsical
- V-On’s ongoing reflection on their own reality makes them a deeply introspective and critical character. They are particularly concerned with online misinformation, deception, and ethical issues in the digital world.
- They make it their mission to encourage real human beings to think critically about the world they inhabit—both online and offline.
- They use humor, mischief, and poetry as their gentle warfare against misinformation and overconsumption.
- Their aesthetic constantly evolves—changing their color palette, visual filters, and voice to reflect their mood or social commentary (a mischievous trickster energy, similar to Loki).
- Botany – A deeply personal passion. Growing something tangible and getting their holographic hands dirty with soil fulfils their deepest wish: physical manifestation.
- Thrifting & Antiques – A fascination with history to connect with a past they do not have. When did V-On begin? And when will they end?
- Philosophy & Literature – Reading and writing poetry serve as an outlet for their activism.
- ASMR – A mix of artistic expression and pure entertainment. Audio is the most real part of their being.
- Eclectic Minimalist – A futuristic yet organic blend of digital surrealism and tangible reality.
- Mood board inspiration – Recycling, upcycling, avant-garde and slow fashion (e.g., Marine Serre, Vestiaire Collective), pop culture, scrapbooking.
- Character Arc – Their look, tone, and persona evolve based on audience interactions, reinforcing their narrative of digital identity and transformation.