Phoenix Magazine - Editorial Feature
JULY|2019 - Meet Shudu: The World’s First Digital Supermodel
Created for the cover story of Phoenix Magazine, this editorial explores the collaborative process behind bringing a virtual model to life, combining photography, performance, and CGI to create a new form of fashion image-making.
Featuring Shudu in a series of fashion portraits and editorials, the project utilised one of The Diigitals' long-standing muse models, Misty Bailey, whose poses, expressions, and performance provided the foundation for the imagery. Acting as a physical stand-in, Misty's movements informed every aspect of Shudu's digital presence, creating a seamless fusion between real-world modelling and virtual character creation.
Rather than being generated in isolation, Shudu exists through a layered creative process. Photographic performances are captured first, providing authentic gesture, emotion, and personality, before Shudu is digitally reconstructed as a CGI layer over the original imagery. This approach allows the virtual model to retain the nuance and humanity of traditional fashion photography while expanding creative possibilities through digital production.
The editorial arrived at a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital fashion, as conversations around virtual influencers, CGI models, and 3D design began moving into the mainstream. Through Phoenix Magazine, the project offered a behind-the-scenes look at the technology and creative collaboration driving this emerging medium.
More than a fashion story, the feature examined how virtual models are created, highlighting the contributions of the photographers, artists, performers, and collaborators who help shape each image. By placing Misty's role within the narrative, the editorial emphasised that digital fashion remains a deeply human process, powered by creativity, performance, and collaboration.
The result is a cover story that captures both the illusion and the reality behind virtual modelling, showcasing how photography, CGI, and human performance can work together to create entirely new forms of fashion storytelling.
