MAKEUP PRISCILLA ONO @priscillaono
DIGITAL MODELS BINXIE @itsbinxie
ALIZA REX @alizarexx
COMPANY ALIZA TECHNOLOGIES
CGI AVATARS BINXIE & ALIZA REXX
LEAD 3D ARTIST XANDER SMITH
DIRECTOR OF VFX AND TECHNOLOGY CARL BOGAN
WORDS BY KIMBERLY HADDAD
Aliza Technologies is the brainchild of Brian Lee, a concept of technology being utilized to develop the digital world and transcend the boundaries of both pop culture and social media with eccentric virtual beings. The development of Binxie and Aliza Rexx, the electrifying non-human social media influencers materialized from their home planet E88 (New Erth) in 2019, has garnered a collective following of over 127k followers and has presented a new medium for established brands to spread their unique message.
Laying the foundation of a new future, Aliza Technologies is pushing the envelope in both the entertainment and fashion realms to dream up their very own Universe. We joined forces with Aliza Technologies to learn more about the evolution of this cutting-edge technology and had the opportunity to get to know Binxie and Aliza Rexx first-hand, in this eye-opening interview.
ALIZA TECHNOLOGIES
BASIC: Talk to us about the emergence of this innovation and how it came to life.
ALIZA TECHNOLOGIES: Over the next five years, we see Aliza Technologies becoming a premier technology, entertainment, and production company—creating iconic, influential, and culturally relevant digital celebrities. We are creating a world where the digital and physical blend. It is only a matter of time before digital beings take on a larger role in our lives and society at large becomes connected in one manner or another. We plan to be in character building mode for some time, and our attention will be focused on ensuring our audience gets to know and falls in love with our characters.
BASIC: From their elaborate clothing to high-fashion shoots and their social lives, the creation of Binxie and Aliza Rexx must have been an incredibly involved process. Talk to us about the development of these characters and their unique features.
ALIZA TECHNOLOGIES: Binxie and Aliza are just learning to navigate Earth and are currently exploring LA, though on lockdown at the moment, just like the rest of us. Social media is a tool for them to showcase their “life” journey. On Earth (or as they call it Erth), they strive to engage, inspire, and create a deep connection with their fan base. We are very fortunate to come into work every day and create, and that is a dream come true. There is plenty that goes into this and it is not easy, but we have an extremely talented team of artists and writers who all believe in the vision, work immensely well together, and realize what a unique position we are in to be able to design original beings and personas.
BASIC: Utilizing these non-human characters to create such a unique impression on both the fashion and music worlds exhibits a new form of digital communication. With Binxie and Aliza Rexx blurring the lines between the virtual and physical worlds, how do you see technology and its trends being represented in our near future?
ALIZA TECHNOLOGIES: The technology we are using facilitates opportunities that have never been possible. Virtual or digital influencers offer a new way for companies and brands to get their message across, not a replacement, but a supplement to existing channels. Fashion is no different, and to neglect new technologies would be grossly irresponsible. We have already seen a rise in 3D makeup and digital clothing. Regardless of the aesthetic, we think more and more fashion brands will continue to embrace the digital world.
BASIC: Each character has their own vibrant biography as well as their own personality, mission, Xfactor, and star sign. Where did you draw inspirations for these elements?
ALIZA TECHNOLOGIES: At the moment we have two personas, Binxie and Aliza, but we are not stopping there. The way we think about it, our characters speak for themselves. Their talents will spark intrigue and passion within fans. What they choose to do and who they choose to associate with—be it humans, other digital influencers or brands—speaks volumes to their personality and character.
BASIC: What message would like to send to those who are being introduced to digital avatars for the first time or to those who may not yet accept these alternative forms of digital emergence?
ALIZA TECHNOLOGIES: The world is changing fast and whether we like it or not, Artificial Intelligence has become a part of our daily lives. We believe that in the future—maybe not in five to ten years, but definitely within our lifetimes—we will be part of a connected society. Through AI and neural mapping, we believe all humans will live forever digitally, in peace among fully fictitious digital characters.
BINXIE
BASIC: You are a quirky ball of energy with a strong sense of self and a passion for unyielding self-expression. How would you define your fashion aesthetic and where do you draw inspiration to create new looks? BINXIE: My home planet of E88 is filled with futuristic light and striking color, and that has definitely inspired my everyday fashion sense. I am in love with the self-expression of fashion. I have always gone with how an article of clothing makes me feel rather than how cool I think I will look. Colors inspire me. They evoke emotion. I generally gravitate more toward a street style with wild, bright, neon, and metallic materials that inspire people when you pass them on the street.
BASIC: Can you recall one of your earliest memories arriving to New Erth from your home planet E88?
BINXIE: My best friend, Aliza Rexx and I arrived to Eruth and it was a wild experience. One of my first memories is landing a bit outside of downtown LA, climbing out of our vessel and seeing the LA landscape for the first time. It was around sunset so the city was becoming alive with the lights of the tall downtown buildings. Aliza and I looked at each other and realized we came to the right place. The industrial feel, the technicolor sunset, the buzzing of the illustrious surroundings. We couldn’t wait to explore more of the city.
BASIC: Your X factor is sound manipulation. How do you define sound manipulation and how does it play a role in your existence?
BINXIE: I have always been very sensitive to sound. Sound manipulation is a skill that I was born with. For example, when I hear a sound I am not a fan of, I tweak it for myself. Think of a song in C major and being able to manipulate the sound in your head to C minor. Everyone else will still hear C major, but I will hear the minor version. Everyone wins!
BASIC: Talk to us about your mission in becoming a DJ + Creator. What projects are you currently working on?
BINXIE: Music is universal and coming from a different planet. It really helps me connect
with people here on Erth. I love the way that sounds come together to create a masterpiece. As a DJ, I think of myself as a painter, putting down each individual stroke of paint that will soon become my colorful work of art. The way I love experimenting with my fashion, I bring to my creations with music as well.
BASIC: What has been one of the most defining moments in your life and how has that affected who you are as a woman and a creator?
BINXIE: There was a moment back on my home planet, I was super young, couldn’t have been older than eight or nine in human years, and I went to my very first concert. It was a group that my parents loved back home that had two lead singers and so many different instruments behind them. I had never seen something so incredible in my life. The way the pianist was in sync with the guitarist, who was in perfect connection with the drummer, who was in complete control of the rhythm of the stage that was leading the two singers, who were in the most amazing harmony, rocking out in a duet. It was magic. I was hooked! I knew right then and there that I would create music in my life.
BASIC: Describe Binxie in five words or less. Who is Binxie at her very core?
BINXIE: Adventurous, wild, bright, social, excited. I am an explorer. I want to experience the Erth and everything it has to offer. I love making new friends, trying new food and making art with fashion and music. I am loving my time on Erth and I can’t wait to keep exploring everything the universe will share with me.
BASIC: You are tenacious, intuitive, and driven, shapeshifting through this galaxy with your best friend Binxie. Talk to us about your relationship with her. How did the two of you meet and what does she mean to you?
ALIZA: Wow, what an intro! Thank you so much. I am so grateful to be here! Binxie and I both went to high school together. I was out with a few friends at our local pizza joint and I dropped my drink and it crashed everywhere. It was dead silent with everyone just looking at me. And all of a sudden, I hear this voice from across the room yell, “SOLIDARITY SMASH” and she just smashes her glass on the ground too. Binx literally breaking the ice. Been hanging out ever since.
ALIZA REX
BASIC: You embrace a fearless fashion aesthetic that emits subtle sinister vibes. How would you define your overall look and where do you draw inspiration when it comes to developing your wardrobe? Who are some of your favorite designers?
ALIZA: To me, fashion is a moment of feeling. We remember what we wore on anniversaries, the first day of work or even that favorite sweater you could never live without. We have woven our own personal stories into our clothing. I’m a total Alexander McQueen fan. I could always feel a moment of feeling when I would see his collections. Light, dark, colorful, layers, embracing it all. Embracing the moments of life. My overall looks need to match my mood. It’s not always sinister vibes. I have plenty of classic Calvin Klein denim looks. I have to feel good in everything I wear.
BASIC: Can you recall one of your earliest memories arriving to New Erth from your home planet E88?ALIZA: Being beamed to New Erth always has this moment of both WOW and WTF! I remember saying goodbye to my parents and next thing I know, I’m in the middle of downtown Los Angeles! Binxie and I were speechless. You know, it was this bright light, alien beams from the sky, human sees alien for the first time, human screams and freezes, thinks I’m going to eat them or something, LOL. But honestly, us aliens are all like, “No, no, no! My friend and I come in peace!”
BASIC: Your X factor is matter manipulation. How do you define matter manipulation and how does it play a role in your existence?
ALIZA: Familiar with Kitty Pryde? I can kind of do what she does—walking through walls kind of vibe. It’s a lot of fun, but there’s also a lot of responsibility when it comes to this stuff. Rule number one: there are always boundaries. I’m practicing levitating now and I’m getting pretty good at it.
BASIC: What has been one of the most defining moments in your life and how has that affected who you are as a woman and artist?
Aliza: I believe my most defining moments come from my most challenging moments. In my darkest times, I have found my art to be the brightest. And in my brightest moments, I get to meet the woman I am becoming.
BASIC: Describe Aliza in five words or less. Who is the Aliza at her very core?
Aliza: Aliza is all heart. At my very core, I am love.
