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Dior Eyes and how virtual reality is changing the way we see fashion

When luxury fashion house Dior revealed recently that it was launching its very own virtual reality headset, it was just the latest confirmation that high fashion is getting technical.

The French brand has been working on a headset informally known as “Dior Eyes” that will provide users with exclusive backstage access to its ready-to-wear runway shows via specially filmed footage. A clip by the label detailing the concept takes viewers on a tour of the Dior universe, where photographers, models, make-up artists and the designer Raf Simons are all milling around being glamorous before the show. The idea is clearly to give fans and potential clients a glimpse into the house’s inner workings. The first headsets will be available to test out in selected boutiques as of June.

Dior is by no means the only fashion brand putting feelers out into the virtual reality world. In April the designer denim brand 7 For All Mankind teamed up with tech company Jaunt and Elle Magazine to create a virtual reality film representing its spring collection. The immersive movie, “Visions of California,” portrays a fashion fantasy land set somewhere in a French chateau. It is available in both 2D and 3D versions via the brand’s app.

Elsewhere in Fashionland, designer Rebecca Minkoff is reportedly working on a plan to bring her New York Fashion Week Fall 2015 show to virtual reality. According to Mashable, the collection was filmed with high-tech cameras with the aim of creating a 360-degree view of the show.

Topshop (naturally) is already ahead of the game on this one. The British high street brand gave five lucky fans the chance to witness its Autumn/Winter 2014 show in virtual reality via Oculus Rift headsets last year, with customers at the brand’s flagship Oxford Circus store in London able to relive the experience in the days following the event.

So while only a handful of brands have ventured into virtual reality territory to date, it is clear that the technology is changing the way the fashion industry interacts with its public. Who will be next?

To watch the full Dior Eyes video see youtu.be/_XdFT4hgr9M.