For years, major tech giants like Amazon and Google have been striving to make virtual try-ons engaging, aiming to boost online shopping. Meanwhile, startups have ventured into using AI to solve fashion inspiration and fit challenges. Enter Doji, a fresh player in this space with an app that promises to make apparel try-ons both fun and social. By creating personalized avatars, Doji offers users different looks that might inspire them to expand their wardrobes.
Early adopters are already raving about Doji. Just days after its public launch on the App Store, the startup announced a significant $14 million seed funding round led by Thrive Capital, with participation from Seven Seven Six Ventures. This investment will help enhance Doji’s AI models, making the app even more appealing.
Doji’s existence is a testament to recent AI advancements. The company utilizes its diffusion models to craft personalized avatars, making virtual clothing try-ons more lifelike and engaging.
Founded by Dorian Dargan and Jim Winkens, Doji cleverly combines their names (Dorian + Jim) for its branding. Dargan brings experience from Apple and Meta, while Winkens joins with a background from DeepMind and Google. Their shared interest in fashion was sparked on social media, leading to the birth of Doji. Inspired by the avatar creation app Lensa, Dargan envisioned a blend of fashion and AI in a photorealistic manner.
Thrive Capital partner Miles Grimshaw, captivated by the app, sees Doji as a way to transform online shopping from a chore into a fun experience. The social component encourages users to share their new looks with friends and family, adding to the app’s charm.
Although still in invite-only mode, Doji guides users through creating an avatar by taking selfies and full-body images. The process takes about 30 minutes, and users can select their favorite brands to see relevant items. Unlike some apps that use a single image, Doji’s thorough setup promises higher-quality avatars and better fashion matches.
The app displays potential outfits, allowing users to experiment with different combinations. Additionally, users can post links to clothes online to see how they’d look virtually dressed.
During tests, some avatar images appeared to alter body proportions, but the app offers options to retrain the avatar if users are dissatisfied. Although Doji currently focuses on appearance rather than fit, the team is working on improvements to address this.
Furthermore, the Doji team aims to streamline the virtual try-on process and integrate purchasing within the app. Available in over 80 countries, the company hasn’t specified when it will open access to everyone, but excitement is already building.
Dargan highlights that Doji stands out by offering an entertaining way to explore fashion. He believes their avatar representation is superior due to his extensive experience in design. “We’ve invested significantly in technology to make sure how you see yourself is both inspiring and engaging,” he shares.
As Doji pushes the boundaries of virtual fashion, it promises to make online shopping an exhilarating adventure for users worldwide.
