BTC Markets first crypto exchange to partner with Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022
BTC Markets, Australia’s leading home-grown cryptocurrency exchange, announced its official partnership with Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW) 2022 – a first for the industry in Australia.
Under the partnership, BTC Markets will collaborate with Sydney-based designer Daniel Avakian on an exclusive NFT based on a couture dress featured in the Daniel Avakian runway show, on Wednesday 11 May at Carriageworks, the home of AAFW.
Unlike most fashion NFTs, the BTC Markets and Daniel Avakian collaboration will present the couture dress both physically on a real model and virtually in a photo-realistic hyper-real animated avatar format. The NFT dress will be available in Daniel Avakian’s virtual retail store for immediate purchase, both as a real garment and as an NFT.
Commenting on the partnership, Caroline Bowler, Chief Executive Officer of BTC Markets said: “There is a growing community of crypto-savvy women in Australia, and we are excited and proud to be the first Official Cryptocurrency Exchange Partner to engage with them at the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week this year.
“With crypto being traditionally male-dominated both on the industry and investor side, we understood that as a crypto company led by a female CEO and COO, we had to break new ground, and AAFW offered us with the right opportunity to do so.”
According to the recently launched BTC Markets Investor Study Report1, the rate of growth for women opening crypto trading accounts in 2021 was almost twice that for men (126 per cent vs. 83 per cent).
“The past twelve months has really changed everything in terms of mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrency and women in particular are viewing crypto as a means to build wealth for the future,” she said.
Women, on average, are investing larger amounts compared to their male counterparts, according to the BTC Markets report. In 2021, the average initial deposits made by women on the platform were higher than males ($2218 vs $1978), while average portfolio sizes inched closer to that of male investors ($6761 vs $7028). This is despite female investors trading less frequently on a daily basis (2 times vs 3 times for males).
This behaviour reflects traditional female investment patterns in other asset classes, with women typically taking longer, doing more research, and subsequently investing larger amounts.
“As our platform shows, women have done their research and are now committing to investment – with a long-term, considered view,” she added.
Designer Daniel Avakian said: “The Daniel Avakian brand is excited to be the first fashion brand to offer true to life yet virtual fashion imagery that can be purchased both physically and as an NFT. I firmly believe that fashion NFTs purchased with cryptocurrency will help ensure an exciting new dimension and future for fashion.”
Commenting on the industry first, Natalie Xenita, Vice President, Managing Director, IMG Fashion Events & Properties Asia Pacific, said: “IMG is proud to join forces with BTC Markets this year in support of Australian designers during this crucial period of economic recovery and rebuilding of the Australian fashion industry. The first of its kind, this partnership positions BTC Markets as a key player driving the continued evolution of fashion week from a trade event to a consumer integrated model. Through the sale of NFTs, Daniel Avakian’s participation in AAFW can further unlock ROI through the creation of new revenue streams whilst also driving investor interest amongst female fashion fans.”
AAFW is an IMG event proudly supported by the New South Wales Government, through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, and is scheduled to run between 9-13 May in Sydney, offering access to runway shows from some of the industry’s most notable names in Australian fashion.
BTC Markets CEO Caroline Bowler will join a speaker panel for “Digital Fashion: The New Frontier” talk on 10 May 2022. Tickets are available at AAFW.com.au.
