As the digital age continues, the fashion industry has been a slow adopter of Augmented Reality (AR) experiences. However, with the rapid advancements in technology, brands are now exploring the world of virtual try-ons, adding an innovative touch to their customer experience.
Adopting the AR Revolution
With the ever-growing popularity of AR, the fashion industry is now venturing into this realm. Although complex due to the unique body shapes and movements of users, brands are investing in Lidar cameras, body segmentation, and pose estimation technologies to make these experiences possible.
Research by Shopify reveals that AR can improve conversions by 97% and cut returns by up to 40%, proving the high potential of this technology for the industry.
Brands Leading the Way in Virtual Try-Ons
The rise of AR has encouraged brands to allow their customers to visualize clothing pieces before purchase, giving them an edge in the fiercely competitive market. Here are some brands that have started offering virtual try-on experiences.
Social AR Virtual Try-Ons
AR has become a major part of social media experiences. In 2021 alone, over 700 million people engaged with AR on Facebook and Instagram every month. Snapchat has also been a major player with more than 200 million individuals participating in AR experiences daily.
Snapchat's introduction of AR try-ons for fashion in 2021 marked a significant step towards virtual shopping. The platform's 3D Body Mesh and cloth simulation technologies allow clothing pieces to follow the user's movements, creating a more immersive experience.
Farfetch
Farfetch, a luxury fashion retail platform, was an early adopter of AR. After a successful AR feature on its app that allowed shoppers to try on sneakers in 2020, the company has now started experimenting with Snapchat's apparel try-on tool. Users can virtually try on jackets from Virgil Abloh's Off-White collection using voice commands, blending the real and virtual worlds.
Prada
The Italian luxury fashion giant, Prada, is also testing Snapchat’s try-on tool. It offers a unique experience by incorporating Snapchat's Hand Gestures technology, allowing users to change handbags with a simple hand gesture.
Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs has launched a Snapchat try-on lens that enables users to "try on" bags from their recent "The Tote Bag" collection.
Dior
Dior has utilized Instagram's AR capabilities to celebrate their Fall 2019 collection with an AR try-on filter for their reversible bucket hats.
The Fabricant
The Fabricant, a decentralized digital fashion house, made headlines in 2019 with their "Iridescence," a digital blockchain dress, which sold for $9,500. The digital agency Dept later combined NFTs with Snapchat's full-body tracking tool to release a virtual AR apparel line of NFT puffer jackets.
Getting Started with Virtual Try-Ons
AR technology is no longer out of reach for fashion brands. With the help of companies like tezda, brands can start selling their products with these integrations:
1. Instant Messaging: Instant messaging feature enables real-time communication between buyers and sellers, fostering trust and transparency in the e-commerce transaction process. Whether it's answering product questions or providing support, instant messaging streamlines communication and enhances the overall shopping experience.
2. AR/VR Experience: Tezda provides an immersive AR/VR shopping experience, allowing customers to visualize products in real-world environments before making a purchase. This interactive experience enhances customer satisfaction and reduces the likelihood of returns.
3. Decentralized Marketplace: By leveraging blockchain, Tezda creates a decentralized marketplace where buyers and sellers can interact directly without the need for intermediaries. This eliminates the reliance on centralized authorities, reduces transaction fees, and fosters a more transparent and efficient trading environment.
Virtual Try-On: Tezda offers a virtual try-on feature. This innovative functionality allows customers to digitally sample products before making a purchase, enhancing the shopping experience and reducing the likelihood of returns.
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Conclusion
With the advent of AR technology, the fashion industry is at the cusp of a major transformation. The virtual try-on experience not only enhances customer experience but also reduces returns, making it a win-win situation for both brands and customers. As the technology evolves, it is only a matter of time before virtual try-ons become the norm in the fashion industry.