Introduction

In a bold move to redefine the fashion landscape, the Hong Kong-backed digital fashion initiative, FabriX, made a spectacular return to Paris Fashion Week with an exciting lineup of emerging designers. This year's showcase included a cutting-edge, Tamagotchi-shaped virtual try-on kiosk located at Palais de Tokyo, allowing fashion enthusiasts to explore new digital outfits between shows.

Partnerships and Technology

FabriX has joined forces with top-tier tech companies such as Avery Dennison for digital identification solutions and Genesis-One for fashion commerce infrastructure, along with ZERO10, specialists in augmented reality and artificial intelligence. The newly unveiled AR try-on kiosk, dubbed edition 2.0.1, showcased creative digital pieces from six promising designer brands: Bianca Saunders, Charles de Vilmorin, Florentina Leitner, Paolina Russo, Ponder.er, and Wilsonkaki.

Interactive Experience

Running through Monday, the interactive kiosk presents visitors the chance to capture digital outfit photos and preorder exclusive digital items, including special avatars designed for Roblox. According to Shin Wong, FabriX’s project director, this experience embodies a "See Now — Try Now — Buy Now" philosophy, opening doors for emerging talents to exhibit their creativity in luxury-dominated Asian malls.

Enhancements to Technology

Wong expressed excitement about the event's focus on digital fashion, emphasizing the importance of interacting with industry professionals to promote this innovative concept. She noted significant enhancements to the kiosk's camera technology, allowing for more detailed and nuanced virtual try-ons. "Small changes have made a huge difference in our testing," she remarked.

Next Steps at Pitti Uomo

Exclusively confirmed to WWD, FabriX is gearing up to bring its kiosks and a fresh set of designers to Florence for Pitti Uomo following the Paris showcase, in partnership with the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

Designer Highlights

For designer Charles de Vilmorin, showcasing one of his couture collection’s standout pieces, a striking black skirt with a unique metallic structure, perfectly captured the aim of FabriX. He described the experience as a "giant playground" for experimentation, where virtual tools can unleash creativity impossible in physical fashion.

Adding to this narrative, Paolina Russo showcased an oversized sunset tie-dye hoodie paired with matching jeans, emphasizing the fusion of video gaming with fashion. The brand is already making strides in digital fashion, having previously collaborated with Sknups to introduce key looks from its Fall 2023 collection into the Roblox universe.

The Impact of K-pop

The rising popularity of K-pop has notably spurred interest in Russo's designs, with the brand recently collaborating with NewJeans. "Their support has been incredible," Russo expressed, reflecting on how they’ve donned her pieces since their debut.

Florentina Leitner's Vision

Florentina Leitner shared her vision of marrying the digital with the analog, showcasing a romantic white dress adorned with leather floral details. With Asia now representing over 60 percent of her business, especially in South Korea and Japan, the demand for her unique designs continues to surge.

About FabriX

Founded in 2022, FabriX is on a mission to "weave a new reality for fashion," dedicated to bridging local talent with global audiences. The initiative, supported by the not-for-profit creative hub PMQ, boasts a robust funding of approximately $13 million from the Musketeers Education and Culture Charitable Foundation, with additional sponsorship from Create Hong Kong.

Conclusion

As digital fashion continues to gain momentum, FabriX is shaping the future of the industry, leaving an indelible mark at events like Paris Fashion Week and looking forward to the anticipated showcase at Pitti Uomo. Get ready for the fashion revolution—this is only the beginning!