Metaverse platform Roblox has released a comprehensive report addressing digital self-expression, fashion, and beauty in the virtual realm.
The surge in web usage, accelerated by the impacts of Covid-19 and lockdowns, has underscored the growing need for individuals to express themselves online akin to real life.
With the escalating adoption of the metaverse and avatars, there is a heightened demand for a more realistic virtual environment and digital identities. Customization options, spanning fashion, makeup, skin, hairstyles, and more, have emerged as essential components for creating human-like avatars.
The recent Roblox report, based on surveys conducted from January to September 2023, draws insights from 1,545 Gen Z members from the UK and US active on metaverse platforms. Notably, 56% prioritize styling their avatars over their physical appearance, while 84% acknowledge the significance of digital fashion.
Roblox substantiates these findings with platform statistics, revealing a 38% YoY increase in avatar updates (165 billion) and a 15% YoY rise in digital fashion item purchases (1.6 billion) during the first three quarters of 2023.
Furthermore, the report emphasizes a shift in influence dynamics, with 84% admitting their avatar styles influencing their real-life looks. This trend benefits fashion brands entering the metaverse, as 84% express a likelihood of considering a brand in the physical world after experiencing it virtually.
The intersection of fashion and beauty is evident, with 35% expressing the importance of daily or weekly avatar makeup customization. Leading brands, such as NYX Professional Makeup and Clinique, already recognized and responded to this need, releasing diverse makeup collections and campaigns to foster inclusivity in the metaverse.
The report also highlights key strengths of virtual self-expression, as 40% of Gen Z find it easier to present their authentic selves online due to “freedom of expression” and “creative options.” The metaverse offers a space where individuals feel they “can be whoever we want” with less judgment.
Building upon last year’s report, Roblox reinforces consistent needs and percentages that have intensified. As these trends gain momentum, the metaverse is poised to replace Web2. A report by Chalhoub Group predicts that metaverse fashion and luxury retail will reach $50 billion by 2030, indicating a transformative shift in the digital landscape.
