Unlocking New Avenues in Fashion with AR and VR
‘That looks amazing on you!’ my friend exclaimed, guiding me in front of a virtual mirror at a high-end boutique in downtown Dubai. To my surprise, the image reflected was not just me but also an enigmatic avatar bedecked with the very dress I was contemplating to buy.
Ever had this thrilling experience of metamorphosing into your digital self on a fashion spree? Welcome to the fascinating world where fashion collides with technology, unlocking new avenues for the modeling business through Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).
Statistics suggest that the digital transformation sweeping through the fashion industry is not simply a fad. The AR and VR market is projected to reach a whopping $1.8 billion, thanks largely to AR in fashion by 2022. As we embrace this digital shift, it’s worth pondering on the implications of technology for the future of modeling and fashion.
AR and VR: The Game Changers in Fashion
‘This innovative marriage between fashion and technology is breathing new life into the modeling industry’, said a top designer in a recent chat. By adding a virtual layer to our physical existence, AR and VR technologies serve to empower consumers with personalized shopping experiences and unique fashion narratives.
In modeling, these technologies offer avant-garde ways of perceiving and experiencing fashion. It’s like stepping into an episode of ‘Black Mirror’, only this time you’re in control. With AR, models can strut down the runway from the comfort of their homes, and spectators can catch every fine detail of the ensemble on their AR devices. It’s like physically being at a fashion show, sans the jostling crowds — truly the best of both worlds.
Ever imagined modeling for a brand? VR, on the other hand, puts you right in the shoes of a model. With a VR headset, you can walk down the runway – except you’re really just pacing in your living room. It turns monotonous dress rehearsals into an electrifying prelude to the actual event. Personal wardrobes get a dramatic overhaul too – with ‘VR fitting rooms’, as they’re fondly called, you get to try clothes virtually before buying.
Transforming Customer Engagement with AR and VR
Traditional nuggets of modeling wisdom advised ‘knowing your audience’, but with AR/VR, you can get to ‘be your audience’. It is this dynamic connection that these technologies establish between the fashion brand and the consumer that holds immense potential for redefining customer engagement.
Brands can now use AR/VR to showcase backstage action, weave immersive narratives around collections, or enable virtual try-ons, crafting unique, interactive experiences for each customer. What was once exclusive to the runways and fashion weeks of Milan, New York, or Paris, can now be experienced within the four walls of your home in Dubai. Coupling exclusivity with inclusivity, that’s the magic of AR/VR.
For aspiring models, this intersection of fashion and tech means a plethora of opportunities. As an aspiring model navigating this new terrain, you don’t have to suppress your creativity. Now, you can be a part of an art piece and also participate in its creation. You can redefine norms, professional inclusivity and, in doing so, find an authentic voice in a space that celebrates diversity.
Embracing The Future of Fashion
AR and VR are not the future, they’re the now.” As we journey on this digital highway, it’s important to keep an open mind, to unlearn and relearn. Because the metamorphosis of fashion, just like the fluttering butterfly emerging from its cocoon, promises to be a spectacle worth beholding.