Augmented Reality is Entering the Runway - Behind the Niche with Piper ZY

When’s the last time you used a Snapchat filter? A few seconds ago? A day ago? A week ago? Snapchat filters have allowed millions of people to express themselves through shimmering effects, playful distortions, and fantasy-inspired looks. But have you ever thought about the technology behind it—or better yet, the people who are turning that same tech into fashion? 

Augmented reality (AR) is no longer confined to your phone screen for entertainment. It’s becoming an artistic tool, a design platform, and for creators like Piper, a futuristic fashion runway. 

Designing for the Digital World 

Piper is an artist and designer reimagining fashion through augmented reality. Her pieces—rings that glimmer and twirl, headpieces that float and morph—aren’t made of silk or leather, but code and creativity. For her, AR is more than a novelty; it's a language. 

“I feel like it's such an opportunity for everybody to take their perspective and put it into the digital world,” Piper shares. “It’s a chance for artists from all backgrounds to move their existing skills into this new space and create something unique.” 

That movement—from physical to digital—is reshaping the design process itself. Designers like Piper don’t just sketch on paper or sew in studios; they prototype in software, sculpt in 3D, and imagine pieces that defy gravity, physics, and the traditional rules of fashion. 

Survey Says - Break the Rules 

Unlike conventional fashion, AR fashion is not limited by material constraints or functionality. Piper leans into this freedom. 

“I love to break the rules,” she says. “I just like that kind of tension… the conversation where it’s like, what if the world looked like this?” 

This philosophy is visible in her “Dancing Diamonds” ring, a virtual piece designed not only for aesthetic impact but for dynamic movement. 

“I was just thinking about movement, and I was trying to challenge myself… I wanted to push it further and challenge that to be more graceful,” she explains. “So then that came—those kind of, like, dancing elements.”

Her work sits at the intersection of digital sculpture, fashion, and animation—demanding viewers to rethink what counts as “wearable.” 

That Video. 

Piper didn’t wait for digital fashion to become trendy—she helped create its foundation. 

“I made a digital fashion music video over ten years ago, and it got not even a hundred views,” she laughs. “So I was just, like, this kind of weirdo doing this out into the ether.” 

Today, digital fashion is emerging as a legitimate discipline, bolstered by platforms like DressX and tools like Lens Studio. But for Piper, it’s more than a trend—it’s a culture. 

“It feels good to have found the AR community… people that I’m aware of that actually kind of have been trying to do the same things.” 

There’s an inherent courage in being an early adopter, especially in an art form that’s still being defined. But Piper finds that risk empowering: 

“Like, it's just so freeing to think, okay. I can take this little ring and totally deconstruct it, but make it seem like it's actually being worn. Yeah. I love that.” 

AR VS AI 

As digital tools evolve, so do the ethical conversations around them—particularly with AI. For Piper, there’s a clear line. 

“I think the tech itself is very cool, but then it gets misused… especially big artists with the capital going for AI-generated things versus hiring a creative. It doesn’t overlap with my political and ethical views.” 

This stance is significant in an era where AI is both enabling and crushing critical thinking. Piper’s work champions the human touch, the handmade—even when what’s being “made” doesn’t exist physically. Her designs might live in a phone screen or virtual space, but their origin is deeply personal and intentional. 

The Second Act 

Following the widely hyped—and ultimately underwhelming—launch of “the metaverse,” many dismissed AR and VR as fading fads. But Piper sees it differently. 

“There’s this whole infrastructure building that includes AI, AR, and VR that will complement each other… especially the more assistive or accessibility-related things. I think it will resurge back.”

In Piper’s view, the future of AR lies not in escapism, but integration. Think virtual accessories for your Zoom calls, wearable AR filters at concerts, or augmented makeup for digital avatars. 

Art That Speaks Its Own Language 

Despite the novelty of her medium, Piper holds onto an old-school artistic goal: a recognizable voice. 

“And that's, like, my biggest, that's always my aspiration in art is, like, that it has a distinct style to it.” 

That style—a mix of elegance, abstraction, and fantasy—makes her work stand out in a sea of algorithmically generated visuals. It’s not just about visual flair, but storytelling, emotion, and intention. Each of her designs tells a story not just about fashion, but about the act of imagining what isn’t there. 

Laying Down The Foundation 

If she had the opportunity to debut her work on a major platform like Times Square, Piper knows exactly what she’d do. 

“I love a good marketing campaign,” she laughs. “It’s tempting to just have some kind of provocative statement… but I think I would have to use that opportunity to promote [my] collection of physical items.” 

That blend—digital-first thinking grounded in a real-world sense of presentation and impact—is Piper’s signature. She’s not trying to replace physical fashion, but expand it. She’s designing for a future where filters aren’t just playful distractions, but deeply personal expressions of style, identity, and imagination. 

And in that future, Piper isn’t just a participant—she’s helping build the runway.

Final Message - The Rippling Effects of Innovation 

With the rise of AI, a majority of the world has expressed their disdain for AI creating art. So what about AR and the implications of AI in itself? 

Piper’s work reminds us that technology, when used with intention, can enhance human creativity rather than replace it. Augmented reality isn’t about outsourcing imagination—it’s about amplifying it. It’s a canvas, not a shortcut. 

While AI tools can offer support or inspiration, Piper makes a clear distinction: it’s the artist’s vision, not the algorithm, that should lead the process.

“When a big brand or artist chooses using generative AI instead of hiring a creative, even a creative who uses AI tools in some way, it’s not just lazy—it’s erasing people who have something to say,” she reflects. 

Her perspective is a call to fellow creatives: embrace the new, but stay rooted in your voice. Use tech as a tool, not a crutch. Let it serve your ideas—not swallow them. 

As we move deeper into a digitally integrated future, it’s this mindset that will keep art authentic. You don’t have to reject innovation to remain human—you just have to be conscious about how you use it. Piper’s career proves that you can be on the cutting edge without compromising your values. 

In the end, it’s not about AI versus the artist—it’s about intention, creativity, and staying curious. The future of art isn’t coded—it’s crafted. And it still belongs to the hands and hearts willing to shape it.

xoxo, Anisha Dwarka, Content Director