Founders and influencers of fashion and tech-based startups talk about 'How technology will change the future of fashion?'
6 Degree had organised a fashion tech talk during the Lakme Fashion Week that witnessed founders and influencers of fashion and tech-based startups coming under one roof. Such an event was a first of its kind at Lakme Fashion Week where 6 Degree, a fashion talent and tech platform held a panel discussion between influential personalities in the fashion industry. The participants included Harsh Shah (co-founder FYND), Saumya Gupta (co-founder Ten on Ten), Rajan Srinivasan (CEO Spiral Media) along with Harish Menon (Associate Director of Global Market Development Mobile Business), Mayank Bhangadia (co-founder ROPOSO) and Amit Bharadwaj (COO & co-founder 6 Degree). The topic was about 'How technology will change the future of fashion?' which saw an active participation from all the panelists.
You can read the full press release below:
6 Degree invites fashion stalwarts and technology majors for a fashion tech talk amid ongoing Lakme Fashion Week
The industry experts share their views on how fashion is leveraging technology to embrace change in the industry for future
Mumbai, August 25, 2016: 6 Degree, India's leading fashion talent and tech platform organised a fashion tech talk bringing together top-notch entrepreneurs, founders, and influencers of fashion and tech-based start-ups asMayan part of the much-coveted Lakme Fashion Week 2016. The fashion tech talk themed, 'How technology will change the future of fashion?' involved an inspiring panel of fashion and technology pundits including Harsh Shah (Co-founder of FYND), Saumya Gupta (Co-founder of Ten on Ten), Rajan Srinivasan (CEO of Spiral Media), Harish Menon (Associate Director of Global Market Development), Mobile Business (Akamai Technologies), Mayank Bhangadia (Co-founder of ROPOSO) and Amit Bharadwaj (COO & Co-Founder of 6 Degree). The panellists spoke at length about the infusion of technology in fashion and expressed their views on the same. The event was held at The St. Regis in Mumbai.
The fashion tech talk, which was moderated by Prasad Menon, the CEO of CIBA, a technology business incubator, opened the discussion with his viewpoint on how the fashion industry has made use of technology in the front-end, unlike banking and finance industries that incorporated technology at its backend. He quoted high street fashion brand Zara, as an exception that leveraged its backend logistics automation technology to create the "fast fashion" in the frontend.
Panelist Amit Bharadwaj, COO& Co-Founder, 6 Degree, said, "Although it took time for the fashion industry to combine technology into its services, we can see a correlation between the two. The industry is leveraging different aspects of technology like digital marketing, consumer interface, etc., to target the right kind of audience. It is providing shoppers with the ability to find things that inspire them by clicking a photo with the help of their smartphones. In fact, shopping has come out from the shackles of the traditional storefront."
In fashion, the turnaround time from fiber to fabric plays an important role and the advent of technology has helped to minimize this duration between the two to address the demand in a faster way. From managing all vendor payments, inventory and costs to an easy and flexible adaptation of changing styles, fabrics, and sizes, technology has shown several positive changes in the fashion industry.
Rajan Srinivasan, CEO of Spiral Content Solutions said, "These are extremely exciting times in the fashion technology landscape. The coming together of technology majors and fashion stalwarts explain that we are seeing more than just 'green shoots' and are clearly on the anvil of a #fashiontech revolution."
Ankit Srivastava, Growth Architect at Roposo said, "It is great to be a part of the tech talk at LFW'16. We at Roposo believe that technology is disrupting the fashion industry on multiple fronts, from the discovery of trends and products to community building and connections to commerce and fulfilment. We believe such a forum such is very crucial for further advancements and adoption of technology by the fashion fraternity."
Apart from throwing light on the advances of technology in the fashion industry, the panel members also discussed the need for technology in the formative stage, i.e., the manufacturing stage of garments. They strutted over the need for analyzing the vast data in fashion to understand the current and ongoing trends and address the demand of the customers. They felt that despite technology focusing on creating personalized experiences, there is a need for synchronizing cross-selling of services as per a consumer's requirements using technology.
From industrial looms to e-commerce, technology has revolutionized the fashion world for good. Consumers can now search their favourite brand, designer or retailer online or through their phone at the click of a button. They are able to choose and order whatever they desire, in a matter of minutes. The accessibility to a consumer's favourite style, brand and fashion have broadened more than ever imagined – from mobile technology to social media and other forms of digital technology.
Saumya Gupta, the co-founder of Ten on Ten clothing, appreciated the edifying initiative taken by 6 Degree. "6 Degree is one of the most encouraging platforms for budding designers to associate and grow in their respective careers. We are extremely thankful to be a part of their event, which has brought immense knowledge and thrown light on the modern techniques of the fashion world. Not to forget, they have associated with the best of the best that is, Lakme Fashion Week” said Saumya.
Prasad Menon – CEO – CIBA Mumbai said, "Industries such as banking and finance saw technology at its backend before it moved to the frontend. In case of the Fashion Industry it seems like it is happening the other way around (with the lone exception of Zara – which leveraged its back end logistics automation technology to create the "fast fashion" in the front end) .FashionTech can no longer be in the fringes. How can technology impact the way fashion gets inspired, conceptualised, showcased, produced, distributed and consumed?”
One of India's first fashion talent and tech startups launched in 2014 by Nikhil Hegde and Amit Bhardwaj, 6 Degree has signed a two-year deal with LFW as its official partner wherein the 6 Degree Stage One will be the key highlight. The strategic association will enable 6 Degree to build its brand equity on a global front and grow significant revenue; apart from giving the young and emerging designers an upgraded platform to present their fresh and cutting- edge styles. The partnership for the next four seasons began with Lakmé Fashion Week Winter-festive 2016.
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