InStyle magazine is getting into virtual reality via a partnership with Jaunt, a company that produces cinematic VR experiences. The new feature, called InStyle Virtual, will allow viewers to immerse themselves in the magazine’s fashion shoots and other events in the world of celebrity glamour.
The first InStyle Virtual experience, set to launch with the magazine’s November issue, gives viewers an inside look at Drew Barrymore’s cover shoot for that issue, with a three-minute tour of the studio created with Jaunt’s 360-degree stereoscopic cameras and sound-field microphones.
Users can interact with the experience, directing the “camera” to look in any direction, completing the sensation of actually being there.
Among other things, they can watch InStyle fashion director Melissa Rubini styling the movie star in outfits by Stella McCartney and experience the creative process of photographer Jan Welters from Barrymore’s perspective.
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Barrymore also addresses the viewer directly and shares makeup tips.
Future InStyle Virtual experiences will include a behind-the-scenes look at the InStyle Awards, scheduled for October 26.
To access InStyle Virtual readers have to download the JauntVR app on their smartphones and use a compatible VR viewer (for example cardboard viewers like Google Cardboard).
Last month, Jaunt announced that it had raised $65 million in a new round of funding that included The Walt Disney Co. and several other entertainment firms.
InStyle isn’t the only publication dabbling in VR. Back in April, The New York Times revealed it is experimenting with VR experiences at its NewFront presentation. And in August, cable network Discovery released the first videos for its virtual reality network, Discovery VR.