There was an amazing turnout at the first ever LA Fashion Camp in Santa Monica, California today. From 10am to 5pm fashion bloggers, PR representatives, and technology gurus met at the intriguing Coloft work space to discuss the impact of technology on the fashion, apparel, and retail industries. I was lucky to have a chance to leave San Francisco for a day of intriguing and informative presentations in SoCal.
Fashion Camp LA
Out of the five presentations the first two were my favorite. Philip Warbasse, CEO of Warbasse Design, gave a fascinating look into the introduction of 2-dimensional bar codes called QR codes. He demonstrated how these codes, shown below, could transform the way individuals connect with the web. Businesses create a code that links to an area of their website. After the code is created the business will then place the code on their print advertisements such as direct mailers, magazines, or newspapers.
When a customer sees this code they will then use their mobile device to scan the bar code which sends their browser straight to the companies url. It’s a genius idea that Japan has been using a lot over the past year. It will be some time before all mobile devices permanently carry the software for scanning QR codes, but it’s definitely something every retailer and consumer should be prepared for.
QR Code
Matt Szymczyk, CEO of Zugara, also gave an outstanding performance on Augmented Reality, the new virtual shopping wave of the future. He demonstrated videos on how Augmented Reality has already changed the way we shop. For instance, one of the most fascinating videos he played was for the United States Postal Service’s flat rate boxes initiative. Many customers have problems determining which boxes to buy for certain sized products. With the USPS’s virtual box simulator customers can hold up a simple piece of paper to their webcam with an augmented reality picture on the front and be able to virtually hold different sized boxes right in their hands. It’s impressive. Take a look at the video below for more details.
I couldn’t be any happier with this well planned conference hosted by a good friend of mine Macala Wright-Lee, founder of FashionablyMarketing.Me, a blog designed to teach brands and retailers how to integrate social technologies into their online marketing efforts. I’d also like to give thanks to Mashable, XCVI, and BurdaStyle for sponsoring the event and to Sprinkles Cupcakes for providing amazingly yummy cupcakes for everyone. Lamik Cosmetics was also at the Coloft giving away free samples of their eco-chic makeup. It was definitely a conference I would attend again. See you all at the next LA Fashion Camp! Check Twitter #fashioncampla for minute to minute coverage. Love Ya!
*Ashley
