Google’s digital clothes are now available for users of mobile phones to “try on” – but without touching the actual garment.
The free 12-piece collection, which includes a waist-cinching metallic playsuit, glittering padded coat and futuristic dress shoulders, doesn’t physically exist and is simply a number of cutting-edge digital simulations created using 3D software.
Fashionistas, however, can upload a photo to a website to see the pieces they like and then select the one that interests them.
Google launched digital clothing that mobile users can ‘try out’ without having to touch a piece of clothing. Fashionistas will be able to see their designs online by taking a photo and uploading it to designated websites. Then, they can choose the item that interests them. The design is superimposed over it. Below, Bettina Looney designed one of these designs.
A 12-piece collection that includes a glittering padded jacket, a metallic playsuit and futuristic shoulders is not actually physically possible. The 12 pieces are simply digital simulations made with 3D software. Tinie Tempah wearing the coat that he designed
This creates the illusion that the digital garment has been superimposed over the original image.
It is then sent back to the user as an email. It can also be shared via social media making it look like they have a luxury piece.
Digital fashion has been around for over five years, but it’s only in the last couple of years that it has really taken off.
In 2019, a translucent computer-generated dress made by ‘digital couture’ house The Fabricant sold at auction for £7,800, after Canadian tech executive Richard Ma bought it for his wife.
Other companies like Tribute Brand and DressX, which partnered with Google on the new range, offer a huge range of digital garments for prices ranging from £20 to £200. The Google x DressX Material You Collection is available for free.
Jack Guinness is seen’modeling’ his digital coat, which you can try in 2 different colors. The final product is sent to users after they upload an image.
Digital fashion has been around for over five years, but it’s only in the last couple of years that it has really taken off. Here’s the complete Google x DRESSX collection.
Nike and Gucci, are two examples of big-name brands who have joined the trend.
Virtual fashion in gaming is already a high-value market, predicted to reach £36 billion by the end of 2022.
Players can change their character’s appearances, often by paying a fee, meaning games such as Fortnite, which has more than 250 million global users, reportedly earns about £220 million a month in virtual clothing sales (skins as they are called).
Some people see it as a way to combat fast fashion and environmental destruction caused by the whole industry.
Sophie Butler takes a photo in the piece “The New Romantic”, which she designed specifically for digital.
Kyle De’Volle with the daring piece ‘Pixelation’ from the collection (left). Right, Radam Ridwan
This allows image-conscious influencers another option to update their appearance without spending too much effort or money.
Its critics wonder if shoppers would ever place the same value on an item that they won’t use.
The Pixel 6 x DressX Material You Collection was designed by famous names including musician Tinie Tempah and writer Jack Guinness.
Tinie Tempah said that: “As our society continues to embrace technology-based life, we become constantly connected and reliant on 5G, WiFi and other radio waves. My goal was to create a jacket that could double up as protection from all these elements while still being fashionable and functional.
“When I was designing my garment, I used the Pixel 6 for scanning objects such as furniture and industrial equipment to see how they were made. This helped me to get my inspiration and informed my design decisions.
We already have avatars online so it’s incredible to also be able have virtual clothes. It’s been great fun exploring all the possibilities offered by technology and using our Google Pixel phones.