Technology

Ask Alison: The Shazamification of fashion



MuseStyle

This month’s column from regular DRG contributor, fashion & retail insights expert Alison Bishop explores the latest moves in how taste-making got shoppable…

Since fashion is now shared instantly across social media, it’s no wonder how we shop for it has become more instant too. From Instagram to Pinterest and Tumblr, these platforms have become a visual marketplace for fashionistas, brands and retailers. Most important are the style leaders or ‘taste-makers’ that other users follow – and they’re the ones responsible for a new Shazam-style of shopping.

Snap it, search it, buy it
Just as another season’s month-long fashion week circus kicks off, there is a raft of new apps that target the street-style set with instant-hit fashion, at the click of a photo search. I’m calling this the ‘Shazamification of shopping’, since the practice of snapping what someone is wearing, then searching, then buying it, mimics the music identifying app Shazam. Last year Shazam announced it would broaden its service by recognising content from TV shows, so that when people ‘Shazam’ a show, they can link through to buy items worn by presenters or actors. (more…)



Three’s a trend – Burberry opens experiential ‘Beauty Box’ store in Covent Garden



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The fashionisation of beauty is rolling along at a jolly pace isn’t it? Following both Chanel and Dior with their standalone luxury beauty stores comes Burberry and its all-singing-all-dancing Beauty Box. The store opened yesterday in Covent Garden’s King Street selling make-up, perfume and accessories.

From the entry-level nail polishes and perfumes plus associated sunnies, scarves and bags, it’s but a short jump to the coveted trench or coat. And thus (the mega-brands hope) a loyal customer for life.

Naturally, a Burberry store isn’t a Burberry store without some digital wizardry at play. So if you haven’t time for a mini mani, try the Digital Runway Nail Bar instead. This ‘playful virtual experience’ lets you try the latest Burberry runway shades by placing the polish onto a radio-frequency identification-enabled platform to match your skin tone to the required colour.

OK, I’m not actually sure what a radio-frequency identification-enabled platform is but it sounds sufficiently snazzy enough for me to seek it out next time I’m in WC2…



Nike Fuelband for the luxury millenial



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Vanessa Friedman wrote about wearables in the FT yesterday, suggesting that tech companies need to get fashion people on board if they want their wearables to look halfway decent. I’d say Nike is ahead of the curve in this sense, it’s just released its Nike FuelBand SE in a very luxe-looking black version accented with rose gold. (more…)



Buy it now: Smythson’s iPad Air sleeves



Smythson is the market leader in posh tech accessories in my book. So it makes sense that it has produced these iPad Air leather sleeves in record time. Choose from classic red or navy, or the more adventurous zingy neons…


Red Smythson iPad Air sleeve, £225

Smythson-ipad-air-sleeve (more…)