Junyi Chen: Revolutionizing Fashion Industry with Virtual Try-On Technology
By Cindy Lin
Junyi Chen quotes the “10,000-hour rule" from Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers: The Story of Success, which states that 10,000 hours of deliberate practice is necessary to reach mastery. Chen’s lifestyle reflects this quote as he emphasizes the importance of passion and repetition in developing different skills to achieve tangible results. He credits his motivation for self-discipline and consistency to his 5-year-old black Labrador, Broccoli, who gave him a heightened sense of responsibility as a dog dad. The critical takeaway is to be proactive by making intentional decisions and dedicating time daily to deepen your knowledge and build experience.
Junyi’s journey in the fashion industry is driven by a personal mission to drive positive change. His focus on offering sustainable solutions, such as virtual try-ons, is not just a career choice but a deeply ingrained personal mission. With a Master of Science Degree in Digital Media and Design Research and a Bachelor of Science in Design & Merchandising, his expertise spans multiple fields, including fashion design, product development/production, brand management, and software engineering. This diverse skill set has empowered him to lead his start-up “Root Fashion,” which offers digital solutions to reduce carbon footprint. His educational background at Drexel University and professional development required significant dedication. This commitment to sustainability is not just a job requirement but a passion he brings to every aspect of his work.
As a seasoned professional in both the tech and fashion industries, Junyi's versatile skillset enables him to effortlessly combine traditional design practices with cutting-edge digital advancements. His academic and work experiences provided a strong foundation in creativity and business, making him a visionary in both sectors. He works daily to further his knowledge of creating innovative solutions to revolutionize brand and customer experiences. His 3D clothing for virtual try-ons is a prime example of his unique approach to significantly impacting sustainability efforts—an alarming problem in the fashion industry.
His current project involves developing a digital wardrobe that allows prospective customers to test garments before purchase, increasing the chance of customer satisfaction and reducing the need for returns. Substantial challenges in the fashion industry include complex inefficiencies in the concept-to-creation cycle and the negative environmental impact of overproduction. The traditional fashion calendar causes delays in design release and availability, resulting in misaligned inventories and reduced consumer interest. Inaccurate demand projections result in significant economic loss and irreversible damage to Mother Earth.
Root Fashion offers a groundbreaking solution by integrating advanced technology to advocate for sustainability while enhancing the customer experience. This new interactive, immersive, and personalized virtual try-on method transforms the shopping journey, ultimately resulting in increased visual appeal and engagement as users are drawn to the novelty and convenience offered by these groundbreaking tools. Users can learn about the negative impacts of overproduction and overconsumption through Root Fashion. They realize they can positively contribute by utilizing these virtual systems that reduce the need to produce, ship, and return products by making informed purchasing decisions.
Root Fashion envisions a world where creativity has no bounds. With innovation at heart, sustainability is the standard, and every individual is reminded of their power in shaping the future of fashion. As the front-end developer of Root Fashion, Chen leads the development team and coordinates efforts by setting timed goals. The primary focus is crafting the user interface and experience using WebGPU to create intuitive and visually appealing designs. To him, 10,000 hours of quality assurance is paramount, with code reviews and optimization to ensure a seamless user experience. His commitment to continuous learning and overall improvement ensures that Root Fashion remains at the forefront of forecasted trends in fashion technology. His perseverance is a dynamic force that drives positive change in the industry by seamlessly integrating traditional fashion practices with technological advancements.
Under Chen’s leadership, Root Fashion paints a future where creativity flourishes boundlessly, sustainability becomes intrinsic, and individuals are empowered to shape the future of fashion. By creating an accurate virtual try-on platform, he tackles industry challenges head-on to reduce environmental impact while enhancing the customer shopping journey. Despite facing technical intricacies and challenges, his unwavering dedication and perseverance prevail, leading to the successful creation of an immersive and interactive platform. His journey demonstrates the transformative power of passion, dedication, and commitment. Through his efforts, the fashion industry takes a significant step towards a more sustainable and customer-centric future, inspiring others to make a lasting impact on the planet. As Junyi Chen continues to redefine the intersection of fashion and technology, the future of Root Fashion remains bright, promising continued success and a positive impact on human nature. Consistent practice promises growth by committing time daily, as in his favorite Gladwell quote, “Ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness.” Time is literally money that can be used wisely to generate more.