Taiwanese innovation stole the spotlight at London Fashion Week SS26, proving that the future of fashion isn’t just on the runway. It’s a fusion of physical and digital. As Portal:M and designer JENN LEE unveiled a two-day “phygital” fashion showroom at Village Underground. Combining VR technology, immersive storytelling, and sustainable design, the event marked a breakthrough moment in the fusion of tech and fashion.
Developed by fashion-tech pioneer Portal:M, the showcase reimagined how brands engage with audiences through interactive “phygital” experiences. In collaboration with JENN LEE, a label known for experimental, tech-enabled design. The installation merged gaming mechanics, 3D design tools, and live collections to create a fully integrated showroom. The project was supported by TAICCA and leading Taiwanese garment manufacturer Makalot.
This showcase redefined how brands can connect with consumers through immersive storytelling, sustainability, and sales-driven innovation. With over 400 attendees over the 2-day experience, this event also showcased the public’s desire to be included in Fashion Week. And to see behind the scenes of the fashion industry.
The showcase didn’t just display clothes. It created a fully integrated experience that reimagined how brands connect with audiences. Attendees were not passive viewers but active participants. Able to engage with JENN LEE’s “Zipper” collection through interactive experiences that offered digital renderings and technical details. This hybrid format received rave reviews for its ability to provide a deeper understanding of the garments and also the brand story.
The feedback was particularly strong for the VR experience, which transformed fashion viewing into a fun, interactive game. Visitors navigated a digital mansion, “whipping” iconic pieces into existence. The fact that completing the VR journey unlocked a 20% discount demonstrated a clear path for converting engagement into commerce. A model that excited both industry insiders and consumers.
JENN LEE’s 10th Anniversary: A Phygital Exploration of Rebellion and Protection
Celebrating her 10th anniversary, Jenn Lee continued her exploration of “rebellion and protection” with a daring SS26 collection. Known for her signature Zipper Series, the designer used “phygital” storytelling to delve into themes of identity, relationships, and emotional resilience. As Jenn Lee explains, this event leveraged Portal:M’s digital content as an extension of the zipper’s language. “The VR space, with ‘zipper opening and closing’ at its core, connected the exhibits, inviting the audience to freely explore and personally experience how clothing can be reborn in a digital space. Interactive guides and multimedia animations transformed complex craftsmanship and feminine narratives into tangible stories. Allow emotions to be immediately understood and felt, not just linger on the surface of the clothing.
The journey wove together the physical and digital. Allowing visitors to step into a digitally constructed world that invited them to discover their own connection and imagination.
Taiwanese Tech Innovations on Display ; The showcase highlighted Taiwan’s technological strength through a joint effort. Supported by the Industrial Development Administration, MOEA, Portal:M integrated PlayNitride’s Micro LED technology into accessories to create dynamic, physical-digital visuals. Meanwhile, MSI UK provided high-performance gaming laptops to power the interactive VR space. This collaboration sets a bold new model for tech-fashion integration.
About Portal:M – Portal:M is leading the way to digitalise the fashion industry, partnering with brands, manufacturers and retailers alike to unlock creativity and bring new possibilities to the phygital fashion world.
