Ralph Lauren Sees the Future — and It Starts in the Try-On Room

The future is here, and it's in Ralph Lauren's dressing rooms. The company has announced its ongoing plans to roll out high-tech try-on rooms in partnership with a company called Oak Labs. The special dressing rooms feature custom lighting as well as a computer mounted in the mirror, which senses which items have been brought in via radio sensors on the price tags. The sensors identify the item and its size, making it much easier for retail associates to help bring another size or style in if needed. The idea is that, if shoppers have fast and easy access to the right pieces, they will be more inclined to make a purchase.

Right now, Ralph Lauren has installed a number of the dressing rooms at its flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. There are plans to roll out the features at other locations soon. Ralph Lauren's move comes on the heels of a similar program introduced last year in Rebecca Minkoff's first New York store.

The high-tech rooms are the latest exciting development at Ralph Lauren, which announced the appointment of a new CEO, Stefan Larsson, back in September. Ralph himself is still involved with the company but in a slightly new role as executive chairman and chief creative officer.