BNV | Learn more about our story and team of experts
The new currency for fashion in the Metaverse. Learn about FA$H.

The Future of Fashion

Through 3D product creation, tokenisation, launch, community building, and on to digital wearability.

Our Mission

We are a fashion company first and foremost. We understand the expectations, concerns and aspirations of fashion designers, brand custodians and creative teams. We respect the heritage and DNA of our fashion industry partners while helping them navigate the complexities and technical requirements of Web3.0 and metaverse integration. 

Everything we create and sell, and partnerships we enter into, will have high levels of integrity and we will maintain a superior quality of product offering and business execution. We will create the role of the trusted bridge from the real world into the digital while conducting ourselves in a manner that is transparent and professional in keeping with the vision of Web3.0.

OUR STORY

Brand New Vision was originally conceived as a company that would research and develop new technology that could be applied to the traditional fashion industry. Aiming to streamline operations, reduce time to market, wastage and costs involved in business models that had hardly evolved in 30 years.

In 2019 we decided to switch our attention to purely virtual products. With the advent of smart contracts and associated NFTs it became possible to build an infrastructure that would allow the new digital fashion consumer to own, collect and trade limited edition items of clothing, footwear and accessories.

The vision evolved to then create a company that works with brands and designers to build amazing digital fashion experiences, build bridges, and open doors to the future. A future when the items in your digital wardrobe will truly belong to you and not just be rented. Creating access and relationships with immersive gaming and communications apps that will allow you to wear your wardrobe and move between digital worlds.

We have built a team of talented and motivated people to achieve that vision and with our investors and partnerships from the fashion, gaming and crypto worlds and are uniquely positioned to connect brands with the new digital consumer.

Our Vision

To take fashion beyond physical reality and define new spaces where virtual fashion can thrive.

As our society radically transforms, we will create experiences and opportunities for the new generation of consumers and will be the leading digital fashion company of Web3.0.

meet our international team of specialists

The BNV team is a group of fashion industry professionals with decades of experience, connections and networks matched up with technology experts, 3D design specialists and young creative talent from around the world.

Core Team

Richard Hobbs
CEO
CEO
Richard Hobbs

Founder of BNV after decades of experience in the global fashion industry working across all aspects of brand ownership and development, design and product development, sourcing and production, distribution, retail and licensing with a particular interest in applying new tech to the apparel business. Richard also co-founded The HUB, the first international fashion trade event in Greater China and maintains interests in fashion retail, distribution and investments through Entrepot.Asia.

Daniel Lin
CPO
CPO
Daniel Lin

Daniel has worked in various tech industries including fintech, cross-border ecommerce, and gaming tech. Helping brave entrepreneurs and innovators make a difference in the world is his life’s mission.

Frederic Alex
CTO
CTO
Frederic Alex

Frederic is originally from France, and like many of his compatriots, has fully embraced Hong Kong as his home. He has more than 15 years of experience in the investment banking and FinTech industries. While the majority of his career was spent with established corporations, he never abandoned the builder inside him and continues to learn and experiment with technologies such as blockchain and AI.

Lauren Kacher
Creative Consultant
Creative Consultant
Lauren Kacher

KALAU (Lauren Kacher) is a Paris-based American Creative Director and Brand Strategist with 14 years of fashion industry experience. She founded ALTERRAGE, a pioneering Web3 fashion label and gained recognition for creating the first-ever NFT AR earrings. KALAU works as a creative consultant for clients such as BNV, Snapchat, and the Metaverse Fashion Council, focusing on Web3 fashion strategy, project design, and the creator economy.

David Giordano
Global Business Development Lead
Global Business Development Lead
David Giordano

David Giordano is a Brand Developer and Entrepreneur that has been disrupting the fashion industry for over 20 years. He is a born and raised New Yorker who has held Executive positions with several Global Fashion Houses and has been on the founding team of multiple fashion start-ups that have gone from ideation, creation to exit. Most recently David completed his MBA at the Stockholm School of Economics in Sustainability and Innovation.

Jing Zhang
Business Development
Business Development
Jing Zhang

Jing is an editor, journalist and brand consultant with 16+ years in media and a background in Anthropology and Psychology. Having been Fashion Editor at the South China Morning Post, Prestige HK Editorial Director and WestEast Magazine Managing Editor, she is a leading authority on luxury, fashion, culture, creative and consumer ecosystems. Jing is passionate about exploring how blockchain and the metaverse will transform creative industries and social spaces.

Aron Versteeg
Metaverse Tailor
Metaverse Tailor
Aron Versteeg

Aron is a realtime 3D artist from the Netherlands with a background in Architecture. After 21 years of experience in the real estate industry his focus has shifted to fashion related content during the last couple of years. Through continuous self education Aron aim to stay in the frontline of realtime related fashion innovations. At BNV Aron applie this vision to concepts that make Virtual Fashion stand out in the MetaVerse.

Wes Chmielinski
Creative Director
Creative Director
Wes Chmielinski

Wes has 11 years’ experience at the intersection of art and society as an internationally recognized artist, and creative strategist. Leadership & oracle roles across Art, Fashion, Culture, and Tech, now focused on bridging digital and legacy industries through distributed ledger technology.

Phil Siu
Digital Marketing Lead
Digital Marketing Lead
Phil Siu

Philip is an all-around digital marketer from New Zealand with over 7 years of digital marketing, creative content, and growth hacking experience in gaming, real estate, e-commerce, and more. Philip has helped multiple startups accelerate brand awareness, traffic, and sales through out-of-the-box marketing.

Mukeh Kanagbo
Product Manager
Product Manager
Mukeh Kanagbo

Mukeh is a content creator and creative producer with 6 years of experience in video production and content strategy. He has a degree in communication and media and did research on gamified systems and narrative theory at master's level in Hong Kong. As a passionate storyteller, he cares about creating holistic and engaging experiences across digital platforms. He also misses debating at international tourneys and having enough time on his plate to consistently go to the gym.

Ryan Owers
Community Manager
Community Manager
Ryan Owers

Ryan is an enthusiast for all things tech and gaming, as well as a sucker for a fire pair of trainers. Originally studying Digital Media, and an annual participant in Global Game Jam, he has experience with digital content tools. He studied BA Archaeology, bringing with him a passion for curation and human material culture.

Rachel Man
Lead Metaverse Tailor
Lead Metaverse Tailor
Rachel Man

Rachel is a junior 3D fashion designer with a knitwear background. Since graduation from BA Textile Design at UAL, she worked on projects in virtual fashion and fabric, seamless knitwear, experimental photography and social media. She likes wearing colourful eyeshadow and changing her style once in a while.

Simone Berry
Creative Consultant
Creative Consultant
Simone Berry

Simone is a experienced Designer and Entrepreneur. who has been in the fashion scene for years working with some of the worlds biggest brands and personalities. Simone is currently developing her own brand OUIXIST, a digital fashion brand and creative studio rooted in sustainability and innovation. In 2019, she achieved her ultimate goal of being on a different beach/ country every month of the year. She finds joy in diving with sharks, googling every random thought, travel & playing tennis. Personality type: ENFP-T.

Mikhayel Tesfaye
Creative Consultant
Creative Consultant
Mikhayel Tesfaye

Mik has been at the centre of what is now called street fashion and has been instrumental in breaking new ground in apparel, footwear and retail over the last 20 years. He based in the epicentre of street fashion on Fairfax Avenue and knows everyone.

Ji Min Lee
UI Designer
UI Designer
Ji Min Lee

Ji Min is a junior graphic designer with experience working freelance for clients in various industries. At BNV, Ji Min applies her experience in graphic design to build creative and functional UI for web and mobile interfaces.

Hayley Tse
Metaverse Merchandiser
Metaverse Merchandiser
Hayley Tse

Hayley is an experienced professional in the APAC fashion industry. After obtaining her Master's degree in Fashion Marketing and Management at SCAD, she has worked for several renowned fashion brands. From digital marketing to content production, Hayley is experienced in different aspects of marketing for established fashion brands.

Rex Yung
UI Designer
UI Designer
Rex Yung

Rex is a UI/UX designer with experience in smart city industry, and an enthusiast for crypto and Ethereum. With extensive exposure to technologies of 3D interactives, creative front-end development and data visualisation, his vision is to create human-centred experiences that are innovative, immersive and interactive.

Viny Dome
Business Development
Business Development
Viny Dome

Viny has immersed himself in various industries from Music, Press, and Fashion industry with a focus on lifestyle and sport culture. He also changed the face of sneaker retail in Paris with his consignment concept sneaker boutique " WallKicks '' in 2007. Engaging with the NFT world since Nov 2020, he currently serves as the founder of Gouvernance, a hybrid entity which transforms Web2 concepts/ projects into Web3. Viny also sits as co-founder of NFT Factory in Paris.

Sergio Miquel
3D Artist
3D Artist
Sergio Miquel

Sergio is a 3D Artist based in Madrid, where he studied 3D animation and video game development. He has been working on metaverse experiences and NFT-based video games in the past 2 years as a 3D Artist. Sergio considers himself as a multitask 3D artist, he is able to create metaverse-ready 3D assets as well as 3D animation for marketing videos. In his free time he enjoys making art, covers and 3D animation videos for musicians and artists.

Queenie Cheng
Junior Metaverse Tailor
Junior Metaverse Tailor
Queenie Cheng

Queenie is a 3D fashion artist with extensive experience working for various companies. With a solid skill set that includes Marvelous Designer, Substance, Blender, Unreal Engine and Houdini. Queenie is well-equipped to deliver top-quality work on every project.

Odo Wilson
Discord Moderator
Discord Moderator
Odo Wilson

Wilson is from Nigeria. He is a highly focused and emotionally driven community moderator, who has a track record of achievements in this space. He has been working as a community manager for various Web3 communities for 4 years.

Lisa Inn
Junior Metaverse Tailor
Junior Metaverse Tailor
Lisa Inn

Lisa is a multidisciplinary 3D Artist with a Fashion Design background. She has worked with a variety of music artists and fashion brands for 3D projects in the past year. Her best skillsets include virtual fashion, avatar creation and avatar animation.

Michael Wong
Junior Metaverse Tailor
Junior Metaverse Tailor
Michael Wong

Michael is a young 3D artist with experience in various 3D software. He loves to create and discover art. He also has a passion for fashion. He's ready to create the most sickening fashion in web3. People bout to be SICK OF MEEEEEEEE

Diekolola Lawore
Junior Metaverse Tailor
Junior Metaverse Tailor
Diekolola Lawore

Dieko is a junior 3D fashion designer with a background in architecture. Her ability to merge her two passions provides her with a unique perspective, which she leverages to create innovative and striking designs. Beyond fashion, Dieko is well-read and passionate about African literature, eagerly sharing recommendations upon request.

Rémi Annat
Software Developer
Software Developer
Rémi Annat

Rémi has a background in backend development with 15 years of experience, and is using his new arrival in Hong Kong to take a new opportunity in BNV as a frontend/fullstack developer. He is eager to learn new skills and discover new environments.

Orion Wong
Fullstack Developer
Fullstack Developer
Orion Wong

Orion is experienced in Software Development and Computer Graphics. She has crossed fields in data analysis, Architecture Visualization, 3D stereoscopic medical education, Web 3, Robotics and EV. She is avid in sustainability, AI, homomorphic encryption federated learning and committed to make Web 3 more secure and user friendly.

Advisors and Partners

John Storey
Advisor
Advisor
John Storey

John Storey is a brand strategist. He has worked in media, marketing, and management in Tokyo, Paris, and New York for brands including Comme des Garçons and Christophe Lemaire. John has designed, developed and deployed projects for fashion clients including Lacoste, MCM, JNBY Group, Bata Heritage, Victorinox, and Fusalp skiwear.  He has a MFAD from SCAD.

Jesper Lindquist
Advisor
Advisor
Jesper Lindquist

Jesper is an entrepreneur with almost two decades of experience within sustainability and the fashion industry; ranging from all aspects in design & development to branding & marketing. He is the founder of Asian lifestyle brand Dienastie, and has collaborated with many renowned international brands and industry influencers. Most recently he has established himself in the NFT and play-to-earn gaming industry by founding DN Guild, a blockchain gaming guild.

Peter Caplowe
Advisor
Advisor
Peter Caplowe

Peter has over 30 years in the fashion business industry. He initially discovered Evisu in Japan in 1994 and secured international rights and built the global, ex-Japan, business to over US$100Ml. Peter later co- founded The Hub, Asia’s premier branded fashion exhibition, in 2013 before selling to a UK listed Exhibition company.

Alyasha Owerka-Moore
Advisor
Advisor
Alyasha Owerka-Moore

Alyasha Owerka-Moore has over 25 years in the apparel fashion industry and is respected as one of the leading creative directors in the industry with his brand and product output influencing even todays crop of renowned designer. Alyasha is one of the strateigc advisors for BNV.

Leslie Holden
Strategic Partner - Europe
Strategic Partner - Europe
Leslie Holden

Leslie was Head of Fashion at AMFI and a member of the board for over 14 years. He was responsible for curriculum focusing on digitisation and sustainability and the ground-breaking "Hypercraft" minor. A fully immersive 3D Virtual design module. Leslie is a graduate of the Royal College of Art

Sean Chiles
Strategic Partner - Europe
Strategic Partner - Europe
Sean Chiles

Sean is an academic strategist experienced in innovative programme conceptualisation, validation and delivery, and an experienced lecturer, visiting professor, and External Examiner for MA and BA programmes in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, India and China. While head of Northumbria University School of Design he developed and delivered a unique Master Qualification Programme Framework for Fashion and the Creative Industries. Sean is a graduate of St Martins School of Art.

Russell Newell
Advisor
Advisor
Russell Newell

Russel has been managing technical & creative projects for over 20 years. With a background in digital media and digital product development, he has been involved in the creative industries since beginning his career in photography, film, and television. He is also a perfumer.

Alex Brownless
Advisor
Advisor
Alex Brownless

Alex is the co-founder of ArtsThread, the world's leading digital platform for emerging artists & designers. Alex has designed for Banana Republic, Gap, M&S and consulted for Ascential owners of WGSN, Cannes Lions, Coloro and more. He headed up the successful rave label NASA, and Aquent and is currently consulting for Premiere Vision in Paris.

Ash Black
Advisor
Advisor
Ash Black

Ash is a Brand & Marketing Strategist who has spent his career building brands and distribution networks globally. He has worked with large retailers such as Walmart and Bestseller Group through to fashion brands including Dior, Belstaff, and Tommy Hilfiger. He has proven success with creating, launching, and growing brands. Originally with pioneering the first eco clothes hanger, Green Hanger, in early 2007 and most recently with Mr. Blacks Garment Essentials, a brand he has turned into a global success story.