Hearst is home to 20 U.S. titles and over 300 international editions. In an effort to keep with the times, this publishing powerhouse has committed to connecting the worlds of fashion and technology. Currently, this has meant a Hackathon during NYFW and e-commerce stores opening up relating to each unique title.
Hearst Fashion Hack, its first ever Hackathon, took place over this past weekend. Designers and programmers were paired together to create innovative and new ways to display information, combining computers with culture. The winner, Drobe, allows users to mix and match clothing in an Instagram-esque way. Using Drobe, you can arrange looks, get inspirations or suggest outfit changes to your friends. The app is also linked to online shopping sites, allowing you to purchase that perfect article to complete your outfit. The grand prize was an exclusive VIP pass to NYFW and $10,000, as well as the opportunity for additional funding.
The more recent, none competitive, technological attempt by Hearst is its dive into e-commerce. Hearst has partnered with The Hut Group, an online e-commerce platform who boasts to be the leader in multi-website sales platform. Together with The Hut Group, Hearst has created online stores unique to each title. Beginning with Men’s Health and Digital Spy, more stores are set to open over the course of 2013. This innovative move enables customers to shop products picked out by the editors and purchase simply. The individual titles select items that represent its brand to sell.
These moves by Hearst further emphasize the importance of the evolving relationship of technology and fashion. We can’t wait to see what they come up with next!
