Roblox, the widely popular gaming platform, has unveiled its latest insights into virtual fashion trends within the metaverse through the 2023 Digital Expression, Fashion & Beauty Trends Report. This comprehensive report draws from surveys conducted among 1,500 active Gen Z members from the US and the UK who engage on platforms like Roblox.
Christina Wootton, Chief Partnerships Officer at Roblox, emphasised the platform's global reach, boasting over 70 million daily visitors worldwide. She underscored the significance of users authentically representing themselves, particularly among friends.
Key findings from the report underscore the growing impact of virtual fashion on Gen Z. Notably, 84% of respondents admitted that their virtual avatar's style influences their real-world fashion choices to some extent. Moreover, 54% expressed inspiration derived from avatar fashion, with 56% stating that styling their avatars holds more significance than their personal attire choices.
Roblox's commitment to virtual fashion extends to partnerships with fashion entities, introducing features like Layered Clothing technology for ultra-realistic digital apparel. The recent introduction of "Roblox Limiteds" has brought about limited-run avatar wearables, creating rarity and enthusiasm, even in resale.
Despite concerns about waning metaverse excitement, Roblox reported robust financial performance in Q3, with US $839.5 million in bookings and US $713.2 million in revenue, marking respective increases of 20% and 38%. The platform also experienced a 20% surge in daily active users, reaching a total of 70.2 million gamers.
The report delves into various statistics, citing a 38% surge in avatar updates and a 15% rise in purchases of digital fashion items and accessories in the initial three quarters of 2023. Furthermore, 84% of respondents emphasised the importance of digital fashion, with 53% noting a significant growth trend from 2022.
Roblox's report also highlights the platform's role in enabling Gen Z to express themselves and experiment with their style, bridging the virtual and real-world fashion landscape.