We all know the dread of trying on wedding gowns — stepping in and out of 7kg dresses and holding our breath to lace the neverending corset, or buckle an endless track of tiny buttons. But what if there was a magic mirror that could show you how you look in 50 or more different dresses in a matter of seconds?
With bridal boutique, La Belle Couture's recent implementation of virtual fitting room FX Mirror, gown-shopping is no longer a hassle, but a fun and convenient way to play dress-up! Managing Director Teo Peiru introduces this amazing new technology.
Tell us how the technology works.
Basically, FX Mirror is an augmented-reality based virtual fitting room, where the customer's body and skeleton is analysed based on the height, weight and feature points to integrate 3D garment fitting simulation in real-time. All of that takes within 2 seconds, no wires needed. Once that is done, the customers can virtually change in and out of different outfits without removing any clothes!
What kind of companies are currently using this tech?
Currently, this technology has not been implemented in Singapore. In the United States, it has been showcased at special fashion events. In fact, we are not only the first within the bridal industry to use this technology, but the first in the fashion industry as well.
Do you think it will be well received by customers who are not tech-savvy?
Although the idea of augmented reality may be new, we have invited more than 100 ladies to try it out and it was really well received! We introduced FX mirror to ensure that our couples can go through a hassle-free experience and have fun with the interaction. Most of all, the interface is so simple and intuitive that everyone is a pro within a minute.
How many bridal gowns are available for fitting at the early stage of the launch?
For the launch, we are currently starting with 50 outfits that are representative of different cuts and silhouettes. This allows customers to try from various cuts and find out which accentuates their figures the most. Over time, we will continue to put in more designs of varied cuts and silhouettes in order for customers to have a wider selection range.
How much time goes into uploading the gowns into the system?
Uploading the gowns into the system is a long and technically challenging process. First of all, the gowns have to be photographed in a highly controlled environment, from the right lighting and angle, down to the flow of the gowns! On top of that, 3D graphic specialists have to process the images and do high end rendering, followed by fine tuning from our bridal experts to ensure that every gown is an accurate reflection of the dress.
Will the introduction of FX Mirror spark a trend among bridal boutiques?
The introduction of FX mirror aligns with La Belle Couture's belief in enhancing customer experience, as it helps to streamline the process of outfit selection without the trouble of changing in and out of the outfits. We will not be surprised if the trend of adopting the FX mirror, or similar technology, will start amongst some bridal boutiques after seeing our successful implementation.
Is this chargeable or is it complimentary with packages booked?
FX Mirror will be incorporated as a part of our consultation process, utilised by our bridal consultants to give clients recommendations of outfits that will flatter their body shape and confident features. The technology will be used as a tool to not only assist clients in visualising the outcome, but also to be more adventurous with trying a variety of outfits.
