The world of fashion has always been one associated with opulent fabrics, high-quality design, artistic flair, and the recycling of styles. Technology has been seen as somewhat the opposite: detailed designs, precise utilitarianism, attention to functionality, and the ability to innovate and embrace the new. But these two disciplines are drawing ever closer together, and indeed the lines that separate them have become blurred, as fashion adopts technology and technology embraces the design and aesthetics provided by fashion.

 

The surge in wearable technology has manifested itself in a myriad of ways. There are a number of coders as well as fashion designers working on pioneering the next generation of wearable garments. From smart fabrics that change color, monitor body temperature and emit vibrations according to their environment, to vests designed to help motorcyclists indicate which way they intend to turn, the innovations emerging are the product of imagination and design acumen. But how does one get to broach the field of wearable tech? In the past, two experts from either field might have collaborated, but it is becoming more common for one individual to learn all aspects of design and technology, and that means at least understanding the basics of coding and other technologies that might be involved in smart clothing making, as well as knowing how to sew or even design patterns.

 

Below, we’ll look at some of the people at the forefront of the fashion tech revolution.

 

 

ElektroCouture

Based in Berlin, ElektroCouture is a fashion technology house which serves as a consultancy for fledgling fashion tech companies, but also develops its own in-house products. Recently they have collaborated with Finesse Design on their Inforce Yoga gear. The collection was designed for the modern yogi who wants to use technology to augment the process of seeking enlightenment. Made from various smart textiles including 99% pure silver, the fabrics are designed to be odor-neutralizing and redirect warmth back to the body. The team also creates various 3D-printed jewelry pieces, as well as garments containing EL wires in various designs that could be described as avant-garde cyberpunk.

 

 

Adidas

 

 

Sporting giant Adidas has also seen the vast possibilities of technology and fashion, and has responded in kind Futurecraft, a 3D-printed and personalized shoe. The idea is that a customer can walk into a store, have his or her foot measured, and come away with a fully-customized, breathable shoe that will exactly match the contours and pressure points of the sole based on obtainable performance data. This will especially benefit runners who need pronate or supinate-specific trainers, but it can also be highly beneficial to people who have trouble finding shoes in their size or who wear a different size for every shoe.

 

 

Ralph Lauren

The outlier of the list, Ralph Lauren is more associated with traditional, high fashion rather than experimental fashion tech. However, with the Polotech Shirt, Ralph Lauren is changing this perception. The shirt utilizes various sensors within the fabric to track a user’s biometrics in real time, which are then transferred to an iPhone or Apple Watch. This allows for the documentation of heart rate, calories burned, breathing depth, balance and even the number of steps taken. This data can then be used to study fitness trends, track progress and streamline training techniques.

 

It’s definitely fascinating to think of where combining fashion and technology can take us. On Attire Club, we often explore the fascinating world of wearable technology, state-of-the-art fabrics and everything derived from this world. In the first issue of our InCompany magazine, you could even read an interview with Gary Cass, the inventor of a dress made from wine, one made from beer and one made from champagne (seriously). We also explored the latest in design in terms of practicality and functionality in our “Fashion Ahead” section. In the second issue of the InCompany by Attire Club magazine, we interviewed doctoral student Deepika Raj and Dr. Jung Ha-Brookshire from the University of Missouri, who are researching the intersection of technology and fashion and examines the collaboration between designers and engineers for wearable technology innovations as well as sustainable production and consumption of textile and apparel and much more. In the third issue, we’ll explore even more fashion technology meetings, so make sure to stay tuned!

 

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. We want to hear from you! What do you make of the innovators in the fashion and technology field? What type of garment would you like to see produced? What would you like to read about in the InCompany by Attire Club magazine? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!