Fashion and Technology
One of the main issues facing the fashion industry today is how to meet the growing demand of consumers and making production as efficient as possible at the same time. Smart fabrics are the way of the future. Companies are becoming more conscious of the environment and the amount of waste that is associated with the production of garments. While implementing innovative technology into fashion, the only setback the industry faces is how to make smart fabrics appeal to the consumer (price and style). This is where designers can get creative. By making smart fabrics consumer- and environmentally-friendly, fashion can continue down this path towards the future. An example of innovation with smart fabrics is the Embrace warmers for premature babies born into poverty. Four graduate students were challenged to come up with a low-cost incubator design and the end product looks like a quilted sleeping bag that is durable and portable. It requires only 30 minutes of electricity to warm up using a portable heater that comes with the product. The product also improves the mother-baby bond that is vital in the first days of birth.
I personally love when a brand takes interest in being environmentally-conscious. That is why H&M is one of my favorite places to shop because they make it known with pride that they sell clothing that is recycled, but is also excellent quality at an affordable price. I like seeing what brands can do with the futuristic trend of smart fabrics from shoes to t-shirts. As an observer of trends, it gives me hope that fashion has something to look forward to and combining two of my favorite worlds is exciting to me as a consumer. Since we are already attached to technology in general, it's like when you are with a friend or are close with someone for a long time-you eventually begin to take on their habits. I was wondering how long it was going to take for us to resemble or act like our technology. Doesn't seem too far away now...
http://theconversation.com/can-technology-help-fashion-clean-up-its-act-59888
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-23817127