Once seen as prohibitively exclusive, luxury fashion brands are redefining themselves to reach younger audiences. Leading the pack is Gucci, which has released a range of digital avatars and clothes as part of a wider effort to connect with Gen Zers and their distinct modes of self-expression.

After a period of rapid digitisation, in which people relied heavily on the internet to facilitate meaningful connections, modes of visual self-expression have moved far beyond the performative selfie. In this new era of metaversal living, how do people want to curate their virtual identities?

Customization and personalization in the gaming world are integral for self-expression. But while visual personalization is common, being able to customize audio environments and voices isn’t. That’s where Voicemod comes in, a platform that lets users sound exactly how they want to.

2020 rewrote the rules on what it means to be a fan as many of the IRL focal points of shared passions – such as live events – were put on an indefinite hiatus. In this Spotlight on Fandom, we explore what it means to be a fan in 2021 and how brands can connect fans to the things they love.