What is wearable technology?
In most cases, wearable technology refers to accessories such as watches and bracelets, equipped with cutting-edge, technologically advanced functions. In reality though, it also encompasses all sort of fashion accessories and clothing pieces, which combine features of a garment with technology we know from all kinds of electronic devices. Fashion of the future vastly focuses on a combination of the utilitarian function of the apparel and the more advanced one, which apparently has to make our lives easier in countless, diverse scenarios.
In this way, wearable technology is today defined by projects like intelligent clothes, which react to ambient conditions. Fashion projects from the nearest future consider some improvements like innovative fabrics providing our bodies with maximum of personalized protection. What does that mean?
It means that clothing will secure a customized temperature, protect us against bad weather (rain or freezing cold), and even send us a message with an advice for a sustainable training for the most effective results.
The fashion of the future starts now!
The last mentioned issue sees plans coming to life. But a swimming competition at the Olympics had its controversial final as the length record was beaten 25 times. How’s that possible? The specially developed swimsuit of the swimmer featured extremely streamlined body profile reducing bubble formation and increasing effectiveness of muscle work. It’s now illegal because it happened to be a factor which gives an advantage over other swimmers who didn’t have a chance to use new technologies in a sports attire.
Fashion of the future is most commonly used in sportswear and outerwear. Interestingly enough, Nike’s famous self-lacing sneakers from the cult movie ‘Back to the future’ from 1985 are in fact a product we can buy today. Even though the brand has not yet developed a technology that would allow an easy and practical use of those sneakers, the fact is that what once seemed to be an abstract idea from the distant future is already becoming part of our reality.
Projects that aim to find alternatives to clothes used by instagram influencers also deserve special attention. It’s no secret that a good part of them is being purchased for a single post. That’s why Carlings came up with an idea of virtual clothes, that you can borrow and place on your Instagram photo. It’s surely one of the most unusual new pieces of technology in terms of fashion of the future.
Iris van Herpen’s innovative fabrics
Innovative fabrics is also a topic, that doesn’t cease to amaze and inspire the greatest creators. Iris van Herpen who specializes in outlandish, yet fascinating projects, leads that field. She uses 3D printers and other innovative technologies - not necessarily electronics-related but with usage of innovative techniques for producing materials and tactile structures.
New technologies are being keenly used by well-known brands and fashion houses. Tommy Hilfiger recently designed a hoodie that is equipped with chip that tracks its owner, while Louis Vuitton in the 2020 Cruise collection presented bags with pre-loaded screen that can be adjusted to your image or surroundings.
Fashion of the future and innovative fabrics are already a part of our reality. It’s time to get used to the fact that clothes are going to change our everyday functioning in a tangible way. Is chip-armed sweatshirt an essential product for us? Should an outfit that gives better results approved for swimming contests? And finally, should socks, shoes and T-shirts get information from our bodies and give specified data about what we need to improve our physical form?
It’s crucial to remember that with new, alluring and helpful function of clothes, wearable technology can threaten our privacy and our right to personal and intimate information about our lives.
