Smart fashion: how technology is making its place in the fashion world

From the connected fridge to the advent of Bitcoin to 3D printing, high-tech does govern the daily life of modern human beings. It is not surprising that more and smarter technologies and connected devices are being discovered in the fashion world. While it all started with gadgets, such as these T-shirts, whose design could be changed in color via LEDs connected to a smartphone, the sector has now moved to a higher level with inventions of a particular technical nature. Discover the smart clothes that will soon make the headlines.

Imagine a denim jacket that could work on some apps on your smartphone if you tapped it in the right place. Today, it’s possible: with its Jacquard project launched in partnership with Google, Levi’s has launched the online clothing bet, the results of which will soon be available in stores. A touch zone made up of conductive wires capable of detecting gestures and integrated into the left sleeve of the jacket sends a Bluetooth signal to your smartphone, transmitting your instructions to the device. You could control calls, request a voice playback of your SMS messages, or listen to music.

Reality? Yes, but augmented!

Augmented reality is also being introduced in the world of fashion. Between Converse’s virtual fittings through our smartphones, the augmented reality glasses that TopShop used to present its new collection, or the use of “human-models” by Lyst, which we can dress according to our wishes thanks to our tablets and smartphones, AR has its place in stores.

Technology at the service of fashion

During Milan Fashion Week last February, Dolce & Gabbana surprised its audience by replacing its models with a parade of drones carrying its latest handbags. We are nowhere near the fur we wore to protect ourselves from the cold, and this is only the beginning.

Solar clothing to recharge your devices

Thanks to a fabric that integrates both solar fiber and condenser capacity, the “supercapacitor fiber” can charge the devices. A team of Asian researchers aims to revolutionize fashion by allowing fashion houses to produce clothes-loaders. If the project has not been fully completed, it could transform fashion and our daily lives.

 

However, smart-fashion still has many challenges to overcome. For example, it remains to find a way to control the size of the clothes so that they are well-cut, or to combine the different materials into a single garment. Washing is also a consideration. But one thing is for sure; the clothing revolution is well and truly underway!