“Over time, I think (augmented reality) will be as key as having a website,” said Tim Cook, Apple CEO, in an interview published by Vogue Magazine. Major tech companies like Apple & Google are not failing to push AR forward. While the technology has been around for quite some time, it was not until very recently that the consumers started getting a taste of it. There has already been a forecast by the consulting firm, Digi-Capital, for 900 million AR-enabled smartphones by the end of 2018.
The reason it is believed that AR will transform Fashion & Retail industry once & for all, is that a huge amount of surveys & studies have reflected the impact of AR in the said industries. Studies by Google show that 34% of users say they would use AR while shopping, and 61% prefer stores that enable AR. It is of no surprise that brands have already started incorporating AR in their user experience. For example: L’Oreal launched their AR based beauty app, Makeup Genius that let people try-on beauty products on their phones. The app became a massive success. This led other brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Sephora & Rimmel go the same way. Famous clothing brand Burberry has taken fun, interactive approach with Apple ARkit. Users can overlay illustrations by artist Danny Sangra on their own pictures through the camera lens, and post on social media.
It is actually particularly interesting how fashion industry can utilize AR in their processes. To none of our surprise, designer garments are expensive, and there is hardly anybody who can be assured of the fit & experience. AR & VR can be the most cost effective yet interactive solutions to these. Virtual Reality can bring a whole fashion show to your doorstep. With just putting on a VR set, you can experience being present in a fashion show where the collections are being launched. In the year 2017, Gap announced their plan to create augmented reality dressing rooms for users to try out clothes from their homes.
But what’s particularly interesting is, possibilities of AR in fashion go far beyond clothes. Shoes, accessories, jewelries, and cosmetics are in the range of augmented accessibilities.
AR & VR are powerful tools that can be used to digitally influence purchases, create new consumers & retain previous base. 2018 is the year when AR is at its toddler stage and is ready to be taken up by businesses. Once successfully incorporated, AR can prove to be game changing to them.
Need some assistance in AR or VR? Or simply want to know more about it? Hit us up, our team of experts will be happy to sit with you over a cup of coffee.