KCD’s Digital Fashion Shows open to the public

The Digital Fashion Shows initiative launched by PR agency KCD in 2012 as an invite-only online catwalk series for press and buyers, will be open to the public for the first time this season.

Kickstarting for autumn/winter 2013/14 during New York Fashion Week, the virtual runway shows aim to provide fans with the same “front row experience” as industry insiders. A slicker version than live-streamed affairs, however, they incorporate a pre-recorded catwalk presentation, high res images ready for download, detailed notes about the collection, and even beauty shots.

“The log-in response from non-invitees was tremendous and as it continued to grow with each digital show it became necessary to respond to our client’s request to open the platform’s doors wider for greater exposure,” said Rachna Shah, KCD’s digital managing director.

Accordingly, the now open nature of the platform will also enable users to share each show via email and social media for the first time this season, as well as invite friends to watch.

Designers Peter Som and Pierre Balmain have already announced participation, hosting their runways on the site on Wednesday, February 13 at 9am EST, and Friday, February 8 at 9am EST, respectively.

Som said: “The eye goes through an added process designing for the digital runway. You see the looks more dimensionally and more cinematically which is an inspiring new challenge.” He explained that the format will provide “an opportunity to try out a new platform that can reach a lot of people. The show will tap right into the digital and online presence of my brand and it will allow me to try something new creatively.” It is being shot at Made at Milk in New York and wil feature eight models.

Pierre Balmain meanwhile is using DFS for the second season, previously with a show recorded in Beijing, this time in Paris. Menswear brand Alexander Plokhov will also show on the site on Saturday, February 9 at 10am EST. Further announcements will follow for Paris.

Valentino updates virtual museum, launches in-browser

You may remember Valentino launched a virtual museum in December 2011. Designed as a downloadable desktop app, it was met with somewhat lukewarm reception in terms of its design and more importantly, its technical ability.

It’s great to hear therefore, the team has launched a browser verison. At www.valentinogaravanimuseum.com, users can now explore the archives of the designer within their internet journey. There are still a couple of hoops to jump, such as downloading a plug-in, but the overall result is simpler, more appealing and should help up traffic.

At the original launch last year, Valentino Garavani’s business partner Giancarlo Giammetti spoke about keeping the virtual concept exciting by staying abreast of technological change. He also promised frequent content updates to the museum, including new drawings and videos.

That is finally happening with the web browser launch too. Two new videos have been added: one from Valentino’s collaboration with the New York City Ballet (as below), and the other of the recent presentation of his Commandeur de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres, in Paris. Hopefully there’ll be more to follow.

The site also has a dedicated homepage (before the plug-in) featuring news, pics of the week and an ‘In the Press’ section – nice for SEO and further suggestive of more regular content updates.

Offline, Valentino’s couture archive specifically is the subject of a new exhibition at Somerset House in London, opening this Thursday, November 29.

Digital snippets: Burberry, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Proenza Schouler

Some more great stories from around the web surrounding all things fashion and digital over the past week:

• Burberry opens digitally integrated store in London (as pictured) [Mashable]

• Marion Cotillard presents Lady Dior web documentary [Harper's Bazaar]

• Marie Claire claims UK first with Dolce & Gabbana video ad in October issue [Media Week]

• Ralph Lauren previews SS13 accessories collection on Instagram [WWD]

• Proenza Schouler’s spring collection was inspired by Tumblr [Refinery 29]

• Uniqlo promotes San Fran store with interactive experience starring YouTube cat Maru [TheInspirationRoom]

• Zappos crunches Pinterest data to suggest tailored purchase recommendations [Contagious]

• New York Fashion Week street style is often a billboard for brands [NY Times]

• These virtual models could be the future of online shopping [Business Insider]

Bloomingdale’s pushes wearable technology with Microsoft Printing Dress for #FNO

One of the technology highlights from yesterday’s Fashion’s Night Out in New York, was the presence of Microsoft’s Printing Dress in Bloomingdale’s.

A research project exploring the intersection of fashion and technology, it showcases real-time tweets by integrating computer components and a projector under the surface of its skirt.

Consumers were encouraged to tag their Twitter posts with #MSBloomingdales to then see them appear on the dress.

The award-winning protoype (first presented at the Design Exhibition at the International Symposium of Wearable Computers in San Francisco in 2011) is otherwise made almost entirely out of black and white rice paper.

Although at this stage it’s essentially an art installation, the dress could also theoretically see wearers typing messages on the keyboard incorporated in its bodice to then project for everyone to see.

Bloomingdale’s was also playing host to the Swivel virtual dressing room from FaceCake in its window displays, which makes use of Microsoft Kinect to allow consumers to try-on items by interacting from the other side of the glass. See more in the video below, and read what else Microsoft is up to during New York Fashion Week, here.

Smashbox and Look partner on “blipp-to-buy” virtual shopping wall

Smashbox Cosmetics is set to host a virtual shopping wall at a high street catwalk show hosted by the UK’s Look magazine on October 6.

Enabled through a partnership with image recognition and augmented reality platform Blippar, the initiative will allow consumers to purchase products from the make-up brand directly through their mobile phones while at The Look Show event.

They will also be able to do so through the magazine thereafter, where pages showcasing the key make-up looks and products from the show will likewise be enhanced with shoppable augmented reality.

Stephen Shaw, opportunities director for Blippar, said: “From our initial creative briefings with Look it was clear they understood the tangible levels of engagement and interaction that Blippar could deliver for Smashbox Cosmetics. But just as important was that they realised the power of creating a stunning event and entertaining brand content that would compel their celebrity guests and readers to blipp-to-buy direct from the Smashbox Cosmetics virtual shopping wall and the post-show Look magazine special.”

Virtual shopping walls are a relatively new trend – inspired in the main by the Tesco Homplus subway initiative in South Korea last summer. Two further noteable examples include the Net-a-Porter Window Shop powered by Aurasma for Fashion’s Night Out in 2011, and the Glamour US beauty shopping wall in New York in February.

The Smashbox partnership with Look magazine comes as the LA-based cosmetics company aims to expands its UK presence. There will also be print and online display ads, social media, and homepage takeovers.

Calvin Klein to reveal interactive digital challenge for new fragrance

Calvin Klein is set to launch an interactive digital campaign to help celebrate the release of its new men’s fragrance, Encounter Calvin Klein, this September.

“Dare to Encounter” as the initiative is called, encompasses a virtual journey and a series of challenges for users to unlock and engage with on a dedicated website.

Fronted by True Blood actor Alexander Skarsgård, who was announced as the face of the scent in June, it follows a tale of desire with the brand’s other campaign star and supermodel muse, Lara Stone.

It uses animated GIFs (as shown) to “capture moments from the television advertising shoot and bring them to life in an unexpected way”.

All those who complete the challenge will be granted access to watch the Encounter Calvin Klein short film, and be entered into a prize draw.

The campaign was created by Fabien Baron of Baron + Baron, alongside Calvin Klein’s in-house advertising agency CRK, and interactive media and technology agency AKQA.

Digital snippets: Alexander Wang, Sephora, Moschino, YSL, eBay, Goertz, FIT

Some more great stories from around the web surrounding all things fashion and digital over the past week:

 

• Azealia Banks fronts new T by Alexander Wang campaign (as above) [JustJared]

• Sephora expands digital palette with Pantone color-matching technology [BrandChannel]

• Coming soon: Moschino’s Gennarino bear iPhone cover [DisneyRollerGirl]

• Facebook commenters horrified by the new Saint Laurent Paris logo [CutBlog]

• eBay partners with British Fashion Council to support emerging design talent [Marketing]

• German footwear e-tailer Goertz launches AR-enabled shoe fitting installation [DigitalBuzzBlog]

• FIT museum expands virtual collection [Fashion Notes]

• Debating fashion week’s role in the digital age [Style.com]

• Op-Ed: What’s fit for print in the digital age? [BoF]

• How the web made us a nation of designer fashion bargain hunters [The Independent]

Holographic model animates Paris lingerie windows, AR to facilitate ‘street shopping’

There’s been a couple of great examples of virtual technologies applied to the fashion industry this past week.

The first is from Empreinte, a French underwear brand that showcased a 3D holographic mannequin in its Paris store from May 23 – 26.

The masked and lingerie-clad model, who only appeared after 9pm when it was dark outside, grabbed attention by moving around in the window of the boutique for passersby to see, before disappearing in a shower of stars.

Take a look at the video below:

The second example is actually just an idea, but I loved the pic that went with it, not to mention the very simple concept of being able to see what items people are wearing by using augmented reality.

How many times do we like the look of someone else’s outfit in the subway and never know where it’s come from? And how long until we can, giving new meaning to the term ‘street shopping’…

Warby Parker: style x tech perfection

“Geek chic” might be somewhat of a cliche, but it’s an appropriate term in more ways than one when describing eyewear brand Warby Parker.

The US-based company not only has stylish (and affordable) glasses for today’s hipster set absolutely nailed, but it’s a model example of a company using digital and technology to successfully market itself.

I actually only became truly familiar with the brand at SXSW where it hosted a “Citizen Circus”, a 1920s-themed space filled with live music, vintage clothing stalls, food trucks and of course the brand’s own product. During Internet Week New York this week, it then held a party with Refinery29 called “Style, Specs + Tech”. Both events left me wanting to learn more.

Fortunately that wasn’t too hard. Provide a check-list of top social media sites, and Warby Parker is present across them all: Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram. Each is done brilliantly; tapping into the brand’s stylish existence, storytelling and building dialogue, while always looping back to a focus on exceptional customer service.

On that note, take its second YouTube account as an example. Here, short quirky video responses are posted to individual consumers. Some of them suggest which style to choose, other just say thanks for ordering (see below)… It doesn’t get much more personal than that.

In fact, ensuring satisfaction is seemingly seeded throughout the company’s business model. A wealth of innovative tech functions on its website help decision-making; rotating model shots for instance, or better yet, a virtual try-on tool.

And there’s also a service that enables shoppers to order five pairs of glasses to try-on for free at home. That may not seem about marketing directly, but the delivery encourages users to post photos of their options to Facebook. According to co-founder Neil Blumenthal, the average post then receives five comments, helping to publicise the products further.

The company is also tapping into the physical vs digital world in quirkier ways. Tomorrow its taking its love of Instagram onto the streets with a photo walk around New York. Following the success of a similar event held in January, it invites consumers to join for an “afternoon photo scavenger hunt beginning at Washington Square Park at 3:30pm, ending at our headquarters with Imperial Woodpecker Sno-balls”. Contest categories include ‘signs of summer’, ‘hotdog’ and ‘looking up’. Should make for some great Instagram content, not to mention further affinity with its fans.

If you still weren’t sure whether this is a good company to learn from, they also support a Buy One Get One model – for every pair of glasses sold they provide a pair to someone else in need, check it out. And why not order five pairs to try while you’re at it; I just did.

Swarovski invites users to interact with augmented reality Facebook app

 

Swarovski has launched a Facebook application that employs augmented reality to film users wearing its sunglasses line.

The Be Amazing campaign invites fans to record a 15-second dance video of themselves in the virtual eyewear and then add music and a sparkle filter to their finished product.

The app enables sharing via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Creators of the top 15 in terms of likes or views, will then win a pair of the sunglasses.

Unfortunately, the above spot explaining the process highlights (quite amusingly) all the technical issues with such an app: eyes have to face the camera at all times, nothing can obstruct the view and users can’t step too far away – all slightly challenging when inviting people to dance.

The shared videos will also appear on an interactive map created by Swarovski – not dissimilar to Tiffany & Co’s Love is Everywhere initiative – detailing where each of the uploads have come from around the world. As below:

Swarovski’s ‘The Amazing Map’