rag & bone and Microsoft Created a Virtual World That Challenges the Status Quo.

rag & bone unveiled a preview of its Spring/Summer 2021 collection with a dynamic teaser film, Metamorphosis, created in partnership with Microsoft.

Metamorphosis explores new ways of bringing collections to life through the integration of innovative technology.

Metamorphosis is a special stand-alone collaboration that spans the creative worlds of design, technology, and filmmaking to bridge the authentic craft of rag & bone with technology to reveal elements from the collection.

Creating the unexpected between rag & bone and Microsoft began with the Spring/Summer 2020 show, which featured real time point cloud data capture technology. The partnership will continue into 2021 with concepts aimed at simplifying how consumers digitally engage with rag & bone collections.

Now more than ever, it’s important that we connect with our customer through content that is meaningful and innovative. Working with Microsoft allows us to experiment with new technology and reinvent the creative process.
— Marcus Wainwright, rag & bone Founder and Chief Brand Officer

Set in a fantastical vision of New York, Metamorphosis represents a virtual transformation of movement, fabric detail and the versatility of rag & bone signatures. Through the use of Azure Virtual Machines for Cloud Rendering, classic outerwear, feminine meets masculine silhouettes, relaxed tailoring, and easy to wear essentials are mixed and matched to redefine an everyday wardrobe.

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“We’re excited to continue our partnership with rag & bone, together pushing boundaries in the digital fashion landscape,” says Maruschka Loubser, Director of Strategic Brand Partnerships at Microsoft. “The Metamorphosis short film is an initial examination of how the use of Microsoft technology can evolve the craft of digital creativity to bridge the user-experience gap.”

Created remotely on the Cloud and supported by Azure Virtual Machines, an avatar figure was generated to capture key looks in the collection. Through a variety of camera movements and atmospheric plays on light and dimension, the avatar explores a New York City that shifts perspectives of space and dimension. Each small and highly defined detail in the looks are created on the cloud using Microsoft Azure Solutions. Additionally, Microsoft Azure allows for powerful remote GPUs and other services that optimize the output of a virtual rag & bone collection. 3D software was utilized to run virtually in the cloud to facilitate direct renders of each piece featured in the teaser to cloud GPUs. A musical arrangement by DJ Kris Bones was created to round out the film’s surreal and imagined landscapes.

Available to view from today, Metamorphosis launches across rag & bone and Microsoft’s channels worldwide. A new set of look book imagery featuring expanded looks from Metamorphosis will accompany the film’s debut. Through a virtual articulation of how Cloud Computing has shaped the ways in which fashion can be interpreted, the partnership with Microsoft highlights rag & bone’s ongoing commitment to creating digital first experiences that are uniquely their own.

Behind the Scenes

rag & bone
www.rag-bone.com

Since its origins in New York in 2002, rag & bone has established itself as a critical and commercial success in the international fashion world. Combining English heritage with directional design, the brand has become synonymous with innately wearable clothing that has an edgy yet understated New York aesthetic. rag & bone offers a full range of men’s and women’s ready to wear, denim, accessories and footwear collections.

All images courtesy of rag & bone.

Tags: 2021, apparel, clothing, collection, digital, digital fashion, fashion, fashion design, fashion designers, Metamorphosis, Microsoft, rag & bone, Spring, Spring/Summer 2021, SS 2021, Summer, Top, virtual fitting, virtual merchandising, visual merchandising