3 Lenses on Fashion Digital Transformation
The fashion industry is finally discovering technology innovations beyond e-commerce and 90s design software.
From cloud-based collection management platforms to the ability to design, model, and test the fit of clothing virtually — these technologies will continue its 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 fashion digital assets that can be used to style avatars before purchasing; exploring digital worlds; and creating digital content for social media or even become a cryptocurrency are keys for the long term financial sustainability of any fashion business.
Here we lay down 3 perspectives on how 3D Digital Acceleration can positively impact your fashion business:
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 tech available today helps you work more fluid 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 to market faster than ever before. Moreover, it will make you achieve that sustainable milestone (we hope) you have set.
Think here about 3D Design Softwares, 2D CAD patternmaking, Digital Material Library, and cloud-based PLM systems. Which of these are you missing?
2 — Helping you see and act
Technology can help you understand the impact of your decisions in a way you might otherwise not, by revealing the story 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 engage with your customers.
Technology can spot that you have an inventory problem. It can suggest a new design based on consumer insights and data. It can spot 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 collection management out there. Not to mention the plethora of CRM solutions, algorithms, data analyzer, and body scanning apps.
3 — 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.
Provide an environment where learning and development not only flourish but are expected. When it comes to 3D Design implementation, for example, starting by choosing your focus: digital volume or digital value; digital sampling or digital selling. After that, engage the whole workflow — from design to market — 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 means and ends.
The time has come! 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. We are shifting from a fashion digital transformation to digital acceleration.
The world is more digital than ever before and fashion must evolve to exist digitally and in a sustainable way. An outfit can clothe a persona physically and digitally, and so must exist in both forms.
What stages of your fashion business operation are currently analogic and which ones can be digitally transformed? We hope you found some insights.
