Meet the virtual me, a.k.a. my “ditto,” created using the virtual try-on feature available from Bay Area startup Ditto, which just announced $3 million in funding led by August Capital this week.
The online eyewear retailer allows shoppers to create virtual 3D versions of themselves using a webcam recording. When you visit the site, you fire up your webcam and follow the instructions. Finalizing the video took up to 10 minutes for me (but that could obviously be the molasses-like web connection I’m working with today). Once that was done, there I was, staring back at myself, only with oddly smoother looking skin (thank you for that, Ditto).
Because I’m vain (and because I knew my virtual me was probably also going to show up over here), I created a second ditto after seeing that the first was staring out at just the right angle for me to gaze right up its (my?) nose. Nobody needs that.
When you create your own ditto, a few tips:
- Look at the webcam during recording, not at your face.
- Tuck your hair behind your ears. Otherwise, the camera can’t accurately record your face.
- You can smile, blink, change expressions, and those will appear on your ditto.
Shoppers can use their dittos to try on optical and sun frames ($112-$700+) from labels such as Chloe, Starck Eyes, Alain Mikli, Persol and 3.1 Phillip Lim. If you find a pair you like, Ditto offers free prescription lenses, shipping and returns.
And of course, there’s that feeling of being less alone in the world, now that your very own virtual you is out there making it happen. Too bad virtual me can’t step in and help me out with my impending date with jury duty.
- Large frames like these by Alain Mikli are my usual go-to. I’m not sure, but I might actually be this pale in real life, too.
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