Dharpan.ai’s smart mirrors are changing how India shops

Forget cramped trial rooms and endless outfit changes—this Hyderabad-based startup is transforming how India shops for fashion, one smart mirror at a time.

May 13, 2025 - 02:47

Dharpan.ai’s smart mirrors are changing how India shops

What if you could try on a brand-new outfit the moment it hit your favourite fashion store—without ever visiting it? Imagine getting a notification from your preferred label that a new dress is in stock, tapping it on your phone, and watching it virtually wrap around your digital avatar in seconds—all while lounging at home. This is not the future—it’s Dharpan.ai, the AI-powered virtual trial room startup that’s quietly reinventing the in-store and online fashion experience.

Founded in 2022 by entrepreneur Naveen Kumar, Dharpan.ai brings smart mirrors and virtual trial rooms to fashion retail, helping brands deliver instant, immersive try-on experiences—both in-store and online.

“Customers can now try any color, size, or style available in the store, just by standing in front of our smart mirror. It takes just 2.5 seconds,” Kumar says. “They even get notified when new stock arrives—they can try it from home, from wherever they are sitting.”

A pocket-sized fitting room

Dharpan.ai is a B2B fashion tech startup that has built both its hardware and software in-house, including sleek six-foot mirrors which are installed in retail stores, typically in prime locations near entrances. The mirror uses a custom-built algorithm (not third-party AI) to scan and render garments virtually, allowing customers to select styles, switch colors, and see the perfect fit without entering a physical trial room. Once the user selects an outfit, the mirror also displays details about the fabric—cotton, blended, synthetic—offering a tactile sense through visual intelligence.

The innovation doesn’t stop there. Each mirror also serves as a live stock-tracker for the store. “The smart mirror keeps a count of the available inventory. So what the customer sees is not just a visual, it's real-time availability,” Kumar explains.

Online, Dharpan.ai’s virtual trial room solution replicates this experience for ecommerce users, letting them try on clothes digitally using either uploaded photos or preset avatars. Customers also receive try-on alerts when new arrivals drop, thanks to a notification system built into the platform. “It’s like a virtual fitting room in your pocket,” says Kumar.

How it all started

A second-time entrepreneur, Naveen’s journey to this technology play came through fashion retail itself. In 2021, he launched Boldknight, a menswear store with locations in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Though the brand gained traction, Kumar struggled with operational issues common in fashion retail: poor trial room turnover, indecision at point of sale, and size or color mismatches. These challenges laid the foundation for Dharpan.ai.

“Fashion is emotional. People want to see themselves in a style before committing. But traditional trial rooms are outdated. We wanted to solve that,” he explains.

Dharpan’s breakthrough came in 2023 when it launched its first smart mirror installations with brands like Monte Carlo and My Perfect Fit. Since then, the company has grown to serve 17 clients, including retailers in Australia and Singapore.

Seven brands in Europe are currently piloting the device, and negotiations are under way for a long-term rollout. These European leads came through Dharpan’s regional marketing partner, Glam You Up, which introduced them to fashion labels such as Nunalie, Tombolini, and Roberta Biagi. These brands have already expressed willingness to pay €1,500 per month for the mirror.

From Hyderabad, Dharpan.ai now operates with a seven-member team, including two engineers dedicated to tech development. The startup remains bootstrapped, with only Rs 25 lakh in government grants. Yet, it commands a valuation of Rs 65 crore, the founder says.

“We’ve built this without big investors. It’s all been about product, proof, and persistence,” Kumar says proudly. “We are actively looking for investors from the same industry, who understand fashion.”

Smart mirror subscriptions

Initially, the company sold the smart mirror as a hardware product for Rs 5 lakh, with a 5% annual maintenance fee. But to make the solution more accessible, especially for standalone stores and smaller retailers, Dharpan.ai recently switched to a SaaS model. Clients can now subscribe for Rs 25,000 per month per store, which includes up to 500 product uploads. For multi-store deployments—up to five locations—the price is Rs 35,000 per month.

“The shift to subscription has been a game-changer,” says Kumar. “Retailers now don’t need a heavy upfront investment. They can test, adapt, and scale easily.”

Importantly, Dharpan.ai uses its proprietary algorithm to power the entire experience. “We don’t use third-party AI or open platforms. Our algorithm is entirely built in-house,” Kumar says. This independence helps the team control quality, performance, and IP in a space that’s rapidly becoming competitive.

At present, Kumar sees no direct competitor in India. “Our only competition here is the traditional trial room,” he says. Globally, however, companies like Piobox from Europe have similar smart mirrors - with stronger funding.

One of the often-overlooked benefits of the smart mirror is its impact on customer confidence and store efficiency. “When you eliminate the pressure of a physical trial room, people are more open to trying new styles. And stores convert better,” Kumar says.

Dharpan.ai’s technology is designed to appeal across age groups, from Gen Z shoppers to adults and even elderly customers. “Though kids like this more. They find it fun to watch the clothes as they move closer or farther from the mirror,” he adds.

Dharpan.ai’s is now focusing on expanding in the domestic and international markets. It is in talks to scale across India and finalise its European clients. “We’re just getting started,” Kumar says.

Edited by Jyoti Narayan