VR news and archive

Walmart launches influencer-curated virtual shopping platform, Walmart Realm

Walmart has launched a new immersive online shopping platform designed to gamify consumers' shopping journeys. Dubbed Walmart Realm, the virtual platform features three different shopping environments that are driven by social trends and curated by social media influencers. The online shopping ‘realms’ include the underwater world of So Jelly,...

BusinessFeatured

The new tech-led jobs transforming the fashion industry

Jobs in fashion don’t look like they used to. And fashion professionals no longer follow traditional paths to enter the industry. With last year being the breakout year for generative AI, 2024 will see its accelerated and widespread use within our future-driven industry impacting the workforce in unforeseen ways. It’s an exciting time for those...

BusinessFeatured

Tech tools for combating poor fit and returns: data analytics, AI and VR

About This article was written for FashionUnited by Helen Scurfield, Innovation and Development Director, Asendia. What is causing returns on this scale? A massive 46 percent of US consumers in a recent Harris Poll gave ‘poor fit’ as the prime reason for returning garments, ahead of damage (38 percent) and poor quality (36 percent). This issue...

Fashion

Manolo Blahnik spotlights craftsmanship with new VR experience

Luxury footwear and accessories brand Blahnik is celebrating artistry and artisans with its new virtual room in its online archives, alongside a new multisensory experience opening at Xydrobe Mayfair later in the month. ‘The Manolo Blahnik Archives, The Craft’ virtual experience on the brand’s website will focus on showcasing eight key areas of...

Business

L’Occitane joins virtual store revolution with Emperia experience

French beauty brand L’Occitane has entered the digital world with the launch of a virtual store experience designed to transport its heritage and products into a new setting. Created by virtual store developer Emperia, the platform exhibits an online retail environment that communicates the brand’s narrative beyond the physical world, in a bid...

Business

Meta launches VR subscription service

Fashion brands have been slow to embrace the potential of the Metaverse as a new sales channel, despite its promises. The industry's cautious approach is partly due to the significant investments required in hardware, software, and infrastructure for virtual reality (VR) technology. Concerns about the unproven return on investment have further...

Business

DMIx launches photo-realistic virtual models

German company ColorDigital, together with its digital platform DMIx, has unveiled a series of customisable virtual avatars in a bid to drive fashion brands’ end-to-end digital workflow. Developed in partnership with Verce, the two products, DMIx StudioAvatars and DMIx 3D-Studio, each hope to contribute to more sustainable production methods, as...

BusinessFeatured

Inclusive design to exclusive communities: What to expect from digital fashion in 2023

Digital fashion continues to be at the centre of discussion within the industry. However, its swift evolution over the course of 2022 has seen it expand beyond virtual clothing collections and gaming collaborations. As this sector proceeds into new realms, FashionUnited has assembled some trends in the digital fashion industry that could be...

Business

Puma launches new UK app with virtual try-on feature

Sportswear brand Puma has launched a new app in the UK complete with a virtual try-on feature that allows shoppers to see products in 3D animations. The relaunch comes on the back of the app’s “successful” roll out in North America, which built on Puma’s continued growth strategy. Next to the latest products and exclusive content, the virtual...

Business

Very introduces virtual make-up try-on to app

E-commerce retailer Very has unveiled a new virtual make-up try-on to its app, allowing shoppers to virtually try an arrangement of lip products from different brands. The feature utilises technology from the L’Oréal-owned tech firm ModiFace, which has integrated augmented reality (AR) features that customers can use via their smartphone...

Business

Aesthetics skin doctor Barbara Sturm opens virtual retail store for brand

Aesthetics skin doctor and founder of Molecular Cosmetics Barbara Sturm has unveiled a new virtual store that will allow shoppers to shop her skincare collection in an interactive, virtual environment. Created by Emperia, the store comes as an extension of Sturm’s physical shopping experience that she offers through her brick and mortar Spa &...

Retail

Macy’s adds Claire’s installations and digital bra fitting technology to stores

Department store chain Macy’s has unveiled some new features that have been introduced to a number of its stores, including a new partnership with accessory brand Claire’s. The deal has seen Claire’s store-in-stores added to over 20 nationwide Macy’s locations, including eight of the group’s flagships. A selection of the brand’s hair...