The fashion industry is finally discovering technology innovations beyond e-commerce and 90s design software, and it’s about time too. From cloud-based collection management platforms to the ability to design, model, test the fit, and sell clothing virtually - these technologies will continue their rapid spread across the fashion industry.
The process through which clothing is designed, prototyped, and approved for production is where many primary business decisions are made. Therefore, managing your product development on the go; creating digital fashion assets that can be used to style avatars before purchasing; exploring digital worlds; creating digital content for social media or even explore blockchain technology are keys for the long-term financial sustainability of any fashion business. To survive businesses must evolve or perish, as the dinosaurs will glumly attest.
But what are exactly the main benefits of leveraging digital fashion? We’re glad you asked. Here we lay out three perspectives on how 3D Digital Acceleration can positively impact your fashion business and how you can start:
1 - Helping you achieve
Every company has goals they aspire to, but often our motivation alone isn’t enough. We need to have our team engaged and the right toolset of technology - from 3D design software, 2D CAD patternmaking to simple-to-use PLM platforms.
The technology available today helps you work seamless so you can still be productive whenever and wherever. It can make your design process more dynamic and fitting sessions more agile. It can bring your team together to collaborate. It can help you save money, time, and insert your product into the market faster than ever before. Moreover, it will make you achieve that sustainable milestone (we hope) you have set.
Consider 3D Design Softwares, 2D CAD patternmaking, Digital Material Libraries, and cloud-based PLM systems. Which of these are you missing? Getting all your ducks in a row in terms of your technology tools is the first step to taking advantage of what digital fashion has to offer.
2 - Helping you see and act
Technology can help you understand the impact of your decisions by revealing the story that your company’s data tells. That story may highlight a dissonance you never realized existed — big or small, efficient, or unsustainable. If used with sensitivity and in combination with the right tools, such information can change the way your business operates and engages with your customers.
For example, technology can spot that you have an inventory problem. It can suggest a new design based on consumer insights and data. It can recognize and connect you with the right suppliers. It can improve your communication with stakeholders. It can bring your collection management with you wherever you go and, therefore, you will always be ahead of the fashion cycle.
There are great cloud-based platforms for data intelligence and product management out there. Not to mention the plethora of CRM solutions, algorithms, data analyzers, and consumer insights software.
3 - Help you innovate
Innovation is crucial for any company to thrive. Digital tools are now enabling Fashion brands to rethink and redesign their business models. In this case the major innovation is ridding ourselves of the dreaded specter of unsold inventory.
By streamlining e-fashion (3D Fashion) across the digital value chain, a brand can start selling digital goods first and only produce them on-demand, after the point-of-purchase. Meaning: no overproduction or deadstock.
Brands can also use 3D Fashion to create more engaging experiences placing the consumer at the center of the creation process, allowing them to customize the product according to their preferences, ultimately increasing sales conversions and brand engagement.
The same 3D assets can be streamlined even further in the value chain and be integrated within a digital-to-digital experience like skins for videogames. Companies like SKINVADERS are merging the gaming and fashion worlds together by allowing fashion brands to sell in-game skins and assets to a huge community of gamers. Through this new realm, companies are exploring a new market, a new brand activation channel and even a new meaning (or value) of fashion.
4 - Ever-testing
A significant portion of your technology should be in a test-and-learn state to understand how your team operates and how your customers behave. Find out what enhances an experience and uncover what backfires. Run simple A/B or multivariate tests. Also, consider exploratory tests in controlled conditions to understand what works best for your company and market. If you are uncertain about something, run a test. And if you think you know everything, run a test anyway. You’ll surely find new insights that make it well worth your time.
Provide an environment where learning and development not only flourish but are expected. When it comes to 3D Design implementation, for example, start by choosing your focus: digital volume or digital value; digital sampling or digital selling. After that, engage the whole workflow - from design to sales - on a holistic approach. You will see that once a product is created in 3D - and you start to create your own digital library - it will be scalable and ready to be used in many contexts.
The rise in digital sampling comes not only at a time when companies are embracing efficiency but also at a time when people are increasing their digital proficiency. The Fashion industry is now starting its acceleration towards more digitized and sustainable practices.
The world is more digital than ever before, and fashion must evolve to exist digitally and in a sustainable way. An outfit can dress a person physically and digitally, and so must exist in both forms. By taking advantage of the latest tools both the physical and digital realms can be enriched and your brand will remain relevant in a changing fashion landscape.