The Fashion House of The Future by Constantinos Panayiotou

Constantinos has meticulously created an extraordinary collection of 3D footwear explorations through his daily artworks series. In this captivating body of work, he pushes the limits of what can be achieved with a single silhouette, demonstrating his exceptional skills and creativity. By skillfully merging digital expression and fashion, Constantinos draws inspiration from the late 20th century while incorporating avant-garde and futuristic materials, resulting in a truly mesmerizing blend. His artistry has garnered significant attention, with his collaborations quickly selling out, his digital collections making groundbreaking strides, and his work being displayed in esteemed art venues such as the Gucci Vault Art Space. I had the pleasure of speaking with him through a warm and sincere zoom call, where I learned everything about his creative journey and his vision for Pet Liger, “The Fashion House of the Future”.

Amor Díaz: What is it like to be a creative in Cyprus?

I essentially live a very relaxed life out, up in the mountains in Cyprus. It's very rural. It's a very small village. I think there are probably about 60 permanent residents here. Yeah. Um, and they're all sort of above 60 years old - laughs - as well. So, yeah, it's nice and peaceful up here.

AD: Tell me about your journey as a 3D artist. I’m so curious to know how is it that you ended up doing this series of hyperreal visuals.

Yeah, so I initially pursued fine art as a young boy, exploring various creative outlets like copying comic books and developing a fascination for Japanese art in the late eighties and early nineties. However, my artistic focus shifted towards hip-hop in the late nineties and early two thousands. I started writing lyrics, freestyling, and eventually producing electronic music, particularly in the Chicago Duke House style known for its fast-paced 160 bpm tempo.

During this time, I signed with a French record label, released music, and dabbled in DJing. Alongside my music endeavors, I worked as a retail assistant at a renowned fashion brand's flagship store on London's New Bond Street. However, as my music career gained momentum, I made the decision to leave my job and relocate to Cyprus, hoping to dedicate myself fully to music.

In Cyprus, however, I found that the change in lifestyle affected my passion for music. The bustling energy of London and my previous lifestyle had been integral to my creative process. As a result, my motivation to create music diminished.

Despite the shift in my artistic pursuits, I discovered contentment in the peaceful surroundings of Cyprus's mountains and the simplicity of the rural village where I now reside.

AD: So would you say the place you lived in influenced the art you were producing?

Exactly. After settling in Cyprus, I delved into videography and photography, seeking a more introspective form of artistic expression. Initially, I focused on creating music videos for my own compositions. However, my passion for photography quickly blossomed, prompting me to immerse myself in its intricacies. I eagerly acquired lenses, cameras, and honed my skills in this visual medium.

Driven by curiosity, I ventured into the realm of 3D art, crafting surreal landscapes that sprung from the depths of my imagination. Over the course of a year, I dedicated myself to learning 3D techniques, investing three months of intensive study before achieving a breakthrough. It was a transformative moment, akin to a Eureka experience.

I distinctly recall the day this realization dawned upon me. Anticipating hours of gaming on my Xbox, I had just downloaded a new game. However, in a moment of clarity, I questioned the use of my time. Instead of indulging in gaming, I recognized the opportunity to acquire a new skill—creating 3D art. With that realization, I promptly shut off the Xbox, and my journey into the world of 3D began as I downloaded the necessary programs.

Living in rural Cyprus afforded me ample time and lower expenses, allowing me to fully embrace this pursuit. I recognized the privilege I had in being able to follow my artistic passions, a luxury historically reserved for kings, queens, and the aristocracy. I understood that progress would not be immediate and that patience was crucial.

To me, the process of learning is akin to breathing—

“An inhalation and exhalation. Inhaling knowledge and techniques, and then exhaling through the creation of artwork and sharing it with the world.”

Consistently throughout my creative journey, I have embraced the practice of sharing my work online. Whether it was my music or my rap compositions, I have always believed in making my creations accessible. Although I hold a perfectionist's disposition, I have learned not to dwell on overthinking. Instead, I focus on bringing the essence of a concept to life, treating it as an expression, an impression of what is possible.

AD: So tell me about this series of shoes in particular. How did you get there?

As I delved further into the world of 3D art, I found myself constructing digital scenes. However, I felt dissatisfied using pre-existing assets to populate these scenes. It's called "Kitbashing," where I pieced together elements from other artists' work, much like sampling in music. It was then that I made the decision to embark on creating my own designs, coincidentally centered around footwear. While I pursued this path as a means of learning, I don't perceive myself solely as a shoe designer. Instead, I see myself as a sculptor, an artist— an alchemist who distills elements down to their core essence.

If you observe closely, you'll notice that the silhouette of the shoes remains consistent across my work. Over the past year and a half, I have focused on creating iterations of high heels with this recurring silhouette. Each design varies in complexity, some intricate and others more minimalistic. My objective has been to uncover the atomic structure or even the spirit of these shoes, approaching the process with an alchemical scientific precision.

Embarking on shoe design may seem cliché within the realm of 3D modeling, as many artists begin their journey with this subject matter. Nevertheless, as I shared these concepts on Instagram, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Encouraged by the reception, I decided to continue exploring this avenue, recognizing the appeal these shoe designs held for others.

AD: How long does it take you to do one of your designs?

The time it takes to create one shoe design can vary. Sometimes, I may have an idea brewing in my mind for months, refining and developing it mentally. When it comes to actually executing the design on the computer, it could take as little as five minutes. However, the rendering process itself is still quite time-consuming. On average, rendering a single shoe design can take around an hour. Factors such as the materials used can also influence the rendering time. For instance, translucent materials require more time to render from multiple angles. As part of my process, I typically render each model from eight different angles, adding to the overall time investment.

AD: How is it to work with other brands and companies?
During the span of 2-3 years, as I explored different shoe designs ranging from slippers to sneakers and now high heels, I received interest from several brands looking to hire my services. Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. However, I quickly realized that working under their demands and visions somewhat distorted my own artistic vision. While I understood the nature of collaboration, I felt compelled to step away and focus on pursuing my own creative path.

During this time, an unexpected opportunity presented itself when Yeezy, a prominent brand, approached me. They expressed interest in having me join their team in Calabasas. The prospect of such an opportunity felt surreal, but due to my existing responsibilities, I was unable to make the move.

Simultaneously, while engaging in these conversations, I was approached by Wilder World. They offered me a unique project—designing a collection of 100 sneakers, each with its own distinct design. This collaboration marked my first foray into the world of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), an area I had been eager to explore.

AD: Why “PET LIGER”? Tell us about your company, name, and logo.

As we progress, our focus is expanding beyond solely creating shoes. We aim to delve deeper into shaping the brand's identity. Currently, our main focus is on bringing the shoe designs to life. Over the past six months, we have engaged in discussions with top-notch manufacturers and shoe producers worldwide to ensure the realization of our creations.

In the future, I envision the possibility of developing a comprehensive collection encompassing not only shoes but also clothing and other complementary pieces. While our digital presence has been met with great success and satisfaction, exploring the physical realm is something I am eager to embrace.

Regarding the name, "PET LIGER," it originates from my earlier days in the music industry. I had aspirations of establishing my own record label, and one day the name "PET LIGER" simply came to mind. A liger is a mythical hybrid creature, a combination of a lion and a tiger, symbolizing something unusual and almost monstrous in nature—something that defies conventional expectations. The logo, a design created by a close friend of mine, was initially part of a poster for an event, featuring various small animal illustrations scattered throughout.

As our journey unfolds, we seek to shape both the digital and physical realms, continually pushing the boundaries of creativity and identity.

AD: What projects are you working on right now?

We are thrilled to share that PET LIGER has recently announced our unique spin on one of the avatars for Futures Factory. This exciting project revolves around creating avatars where different designers contribute their own distinctive interpretations. We tweeted about our collaboration just a few hours ago, generating buzz and anticipation among our community.

Currently, our primary focus lies in our physical projects. We are in discussions with top-tier professionals in the industry, aiming to create something truly exceptional and executed with utmost precision. Our collaboration with the brilliant minds at Zellerfeld, renowned for their expertise in 3D printing, promises to deliver an extraordinary outcome. Additionally, we have upcoming collaborations lined up, including projects with Phillip Colbert's Lobstars and Amber Parks' Play! Pop! Go!

In addition to these exciting ventures, we are proud to announce our partnership with the Web 3 fashion incubator SYKY. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for PET LIGER, propelling us to the next level and opening doors to new possibilities.

Our journey is in constant motion, with numerous projects and collaborations underway. We strive to continuously push boundaries and unlock new chapters in the PET LIGER story. The momentum and excitement surrounding our brand are unstoppable.

AD: Any advice for your 3D designers?

First and foremost, it's essential to prioritize the creative aspect of your work and let your imagination soar in the digital space. Remember that there are no limitations, so avoid restricting your ideas due to technical considerations. While technology plays a crucial role, it should be secondary to the visual aesthetics and overall appeal of your creations. Ensure that the wearable aspect remains prominent, and let the technology serve as a tool to enhance the artistic expression rather than overshadowing it.

Instead of perceiving your work as merely a product, approach it as a form of art and a means to connect with culture. Avoid getting caught up in the intricacies of technology and focus on creating designs that resonate with you and your target audience. Building a foundation rooted in authentic and relatable artistry will help you establish a strong connection with your followers.

Furthermore, it is beneficial to explore various applications within the 3D space. Experiment with different tools and software to discover what works best for your creative process. Embrace the opportunity to learn and adapt as you navigate this exciting artistic realm. Remember to enjoy the journey, have fun, and let your passion shine through in every piece you create.