Who says virtual reality (VR) hardware can’t be fashionable? HTC Vive put that to the test recently by partnering with GQ for Shanghai Fashion Week, with its first runway show featuring fashion designed in VR.
As part of menswear brand PRONOUNCE’s launch event the label showcased clothes that were designed using the HTC Vive Pro head-mounted display (HMD) and which were paired with the Vive Focus standalone for the catwalk finale, with Alvin Wang Graylin, China Regional President of Vive taking to the catwalk.
Featured designers used the HTC Vive Pro create concepts in Google Tilt Brush vs. drafting on paper. Graylin walked the runway as a guest model in the VR designed tailor-made clothing while wearing the Vive Focus standalone device, taking the headset off at the end of the runway.
“Vive has always strived to enrich the VR ecosystem,” said Graylin in a statement. “We’re very excited to present Shanghai Fashion Week’s first show this year together with GQ, another exciting partnership that once again underscores VR’s unlimited potential across multiple industries. As with any breakthrough technology, social acceptability and fashion acceptability are key to VR’s mass adoption. Events like this show the public that VR is not just a technology for geeks and gamers – it will represent a new chic lifestyle that will enrich all parts of our lives.”
In addition to appearing on the catwalk HTC Vive also collaborated with Whaley VR to capture the show’s moments through a 360° video. To see the content go to Whaley VR on Viveport or its smartphone app and watch the video from early next month.
The Vive Focus standalone headset launched in China in January, with the company confirming last week that it would see an international release later this year. As for the HTC Vive Pro, that’ll arrive next month retailing for £799 GBP/$799 USD, with pre-orders now live. For normal HTC Vive users, Viveport has release several Ready Player One experiences to mark the launch of the Hollywood blockbuster. VRFocus will continue its coverage of HTC Vive and its new headsets, reporting back with any further updates.
via Mint VR