Display combines fashion, robotics and virtual reality for a fresh shopping experience

Display combines fashion, robotics and virtual reality at the Orchard mall to deliver a fresh shopping experience

A large robotic arm (above), the centrepiece of the display at Paragon, picks up and moves different boxes with fashion pieces so that shoppers can get an all-round view of the items.
A large robotic arm (above), the centrepiece of the display at Paragon, picks up and moves different boxes with fashion pieces so that shoppers can get an all-round view of the items. PHOTO: DIOS VINCOY JR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
A large robotic arm, the centrepiece of the display at Paragon, picks up and moves different boxes with fashion pieces so that shoppers can get an all-round view of the items (above).
A large robotic arm, the centrepiece of the display at Paragon, picks up and moves different boxes with fashion pieces so that shoppers can get an all-round view of the items (above). PHOTO: DIOS VINCOY JR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

Shopping centre Paragon has launched a visual merchandising display with a difference.

Yesterday, the mall revealed an eclectic display on its first level that combines fashion with robotics and virtual reality.

The display will be up until Oct 15.

Not only can shoppers watch fashion runway shows at two stands, which project the shows on the floor, but they can also put on virtual reality goggles to get a 360-degree view of a unique fashion show of mannequins morphing into models strutting along the runway against Paragon as a backdrop.

The Samsung VR Gear experience was created by multimedia and fashion design students from Raffles College of Higher Education.

It features apparel and jewellery from 11 capsule collections created by 11 students from the school's fashion design course.

Apart from virtual reality, robotics also has a part to play in the display.

Remote video URL

A large robotic arm, typically used for precision engineering, is the display's centrepiece. The arm picks up and moves different boxes containing fashion pieces such as bags and shoes, giving shoppers a 360-degree view of each item.

The arm is on loan from automation firm Weltron Equipment, which specialises in the design and manufacture of semi-to fully-automated machinery and equipment.

Until Oct 1, the display will feature items from Moschino's Fall/Winter 2017 collection.

From Oct 2 to 15, the mood will change as athleisure collections take over the high fashion items. Sporty and casual fashion pieces will be on display from brands such as Puma, Star360, DKNY, AX Exchange and Diesel.

Speaking to The Straits Times during the media preview yesterday, Paragon's head of marketing communications Zagna Heng says the Orchard Road mall has been constantly evolving and creating campaigns to engage shoppers.

"The fusion of technology and fashion is something different and we hope it injects buzz and excitement to the Singapore retail scene."

She says the non-traditional and non-static form of visual merchandising also lets the mall showcase merchandise from a wide variety of tenants.

"We hope shoppers can appreciate this initiative. That it will attract them and make them curious to want to stop and have a look."

WATCH THE VIDEO: Robotic arm fashion display at Paragon. Go to http://str.sg/49Zw

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 26, 2017, with the headline Display combines fashion, robotics and virtual reality for a fresh shopping experience. Subscribe