My cell phone wakes me up in the morning, Google provides geographical directions to an otherwise unknown location demanding my presence, and I purchase basic, household goods (like paper towels, tape, shampoo, etc.) without leaving my home– thank you, technology! Technology’s reach is never ending and in the next few years, adaptations to the fashion world will be moving from the science fiction realm into our realities.
A fashion brand in Scotland called Pringle incorporated laser-sintered nylon fabric into it’s garments for Winter 2014 by using 3D printing techniques. Bands of the printed material were used to decorate garments in the form of cuffs for jackets, while larger bits were dedicated to creating diamond-shaped Argyle patterns on pullover and sleeveless tops.
Interested in buying a bikini made perfect for your body shape? Continuum Fashion and Shapeways are offering bikinis made according to individual body scans!
Could the days of the human model be numbered? Scientists at the UK’s Manchester Metropolitan University have been experimenting with 3D body scanners and Hollywood-style motion-capture equipment to ultimately create chillingly realistic, flawless, digital renditions of he human body. These digitally created avatars can then be “dressed” in whatever clothing the programmer desires and then topped with all the movement and appearances of an actual model.
Color changing fabrics are on the rise, and I’m not talking the shiny embellishments we found frequenting clothing throughout the 80s or 90s. Color changing fabric technology is stemming from very scientific principles and is being tested at various universities throughout the United States. The US Military has already expressed interest in the technology in hopes to improve camouflage patterns. Though this technology does not currently frequent the marketplace, it is of no doubt that it will one day be available for the average consumer. After all, the Internet as a whole was originally created for military access only and look where we are now!
The concept of self-healing fabrics may seem something out of this world– its actually a lot more simple and realistic than that. Scientists around the world are working on fabrics that heal themselves under specific atmospheric characteristics. For example, fabrics that mend themselves under a certain temperature are being tested and improved.
You might be thinking, “how on earth could I fix my raincoat with heat? By placing it in the oven?” No! Do not place your raincoat in the oven! This kind of material is fixed by an act as simple as placing your clothes in the wash and then drier.
NFC (or Near Field Communication) is already changing the world of retail. This kind of technology allows retailers to offer wireless forms of payments, furthering their abilities to target marketing. Besides wireless payment capabilities, the NFC chip, if placed onto a clothing garment, could be scanned by the consumer (using their smartphone) thus leading the shopper to a look-book of possible outfit combos featuring the scanned article of clothing. Amazing!
XOXO @BlowtiqueSalon
Blowtique 