3D Avatars From Makip Offer A Fantastic Home Shopping Fashion Experience
In the fashion world, advancing technology is constantly changing how we shop for the latest styles. Makip is currently leading the charge by announcing an upgrade to its Unisize sizing recommendation engine. In my latest news article, I will share how this tech will help you view how your next clothing purchase will fit (without even needing to try it on!). Carry on reading for more.
Makip Brand History
Makip was founded in Tokyo, Japan, in 2015 as a sizing technology specialist (offering support for online and e-commerce fashion brands). The Makip name derives from the mantra “Make it possible,” which focuses on transforming the impossible into the possible. They already have well over 300 brands taking advantage of their technology (with a top share in Japan).
The Financial Pitfall Of Clothing Returns
For many online retailers, the cost of returns continues to damage their monthly profit margin. Retail Economics (a highly rated independent economics research consultancy company) conducted a study that revealed in 2024, 17 out of every 100 products sold online were returned (which is a considerable amount of lost profit!). Furthermore, the fashion industry endured return rates that were even higher (30%) thanks to incorrect sizing issues.
Unfortunately for e-commerce stores, many online shoppers are more than happy to order multiple sizes, colours, and styles of an item (with the intention of returning the majority of the order once they have enjoyed a mini fashion show at home).
The CEO and President of Makio (Shingo Tsukamoto) has spoken out and said, “The average return rate for the UK fashion industry is 26%. One in every four items purchased online is returned, usually at the expense of the retailer, we feel that this cannot continue. In recent years, some retailers have taken a stand and started charging customers for returning items, however, we approach this from the view of customer experience. If we can provide customers with more accurate sizing options at the time of purchase, this leads to a reduction in returns. This has been proven across our Japan-based fashion clients with the average return rate dropping by 20%.”
The Unisize 3D Avatar Revolution
The latest iteration of Unisize will allow online shoppers to utilise a 3D avatar of their individual body shape, which can allow them to observe from four angles—front, back, left, and right. This will advise would-be buyers to see what the latest fashion trend will look like when worn (before splashing out the cash and waiting for it to arrive in the mail).
Advanced Functionality
Accurate Sizing Data: The system uses the dimensions of the clothing and the user’s body shape information to build a 3D avatar. This allows the user to check the overall fit of the clothing (such as whether it is too tight or loose) before finalising the purchase.
360-degree View Of The Avatar: This highly detailed 3D model can be quickly rotated a full 360 degrees, so users can check out how the garment will fit across the chest or arms and even how it hangs down from the hips to the ankles (ideal for trousers or denim).
Viewing Trouser Length With Footwear: For traditional 2D online sizing, images of the products were displayed barefoot. However, the latest 3D option can now showcase different footwear styles (such as trainers, shoes, or even heels for the ladies). You can observe how the hem of the trousers falls with a variety of footwear so that you can consider different outfit choices depending on the occasion. (Currently, this ability is only available for specific avatars.)
Additionally, Tsukamoto shared his thoughts on the future of online sizing technology (and how more businesses are taking advantage of its abilities) – “In recent years, platforms like TikTok and YouTube have normalised individually tailored content, influencing all generations. Similarly, personalisation in apparel e-commerce is expected to become an essential element of the online fashion industry. We will continue to expand our services with a focus on Personalisation.
We already have the FaceChange feature within Unisize, which allows users to upload an image of their face onto the model used for the fashion item, and our personalisation database allows returning users to compare previously purchased items with new items to see how the fit matches or differs.”
Final Thoughts
Thanks to their amazing systems, Makip is continually growing as a business (they even established a presence in the UK with Makip London Limited earlier in the year), which shows that their current marketing strategy is connecting with many clothing brands across the globe.
What are your thoughts on my latest fashion news article? Would you like to read more about this sector? Please share your thoughts below.
