Emerging Tech Reinvents the Definition of Fashion

In the ever changing technological world, fast-paced technology and AI has started to change the landscape of fashion. Different technologies are being utilized to design and create fashion pieces that are much more sustainable and innovative. With these tools, fashion is being produced and consumed in ways never seen before, and new patterns are coming to light. This article will delve into some of these emerging technological fashion trends that are taking the industry by storm.

The first realm of technologies that have made a huge impact on the fashion industry is 3D printing. 3D printing has allowed for designers to create products with great detail and intricacies. Computers have become much more steady and detail-oriented, and the power of 3D printing has created some phenomenal pieces.

The dress in this picture was created by designer Travis Fitch. It was made in 30 different printed sections with a multi-material. Multi-material is a flexible material that can be used by certain 3D printers to bring a designer's project to life and seem like real fabric.

3D printers often take in reused materials to give it a new life. That is why this form of fashion has such great sustainability measures as it can be made 100% from recycled materials.

The main drawback of 3D printing fashion is the immense time it takes to create each piece. The dress pictured took over 2000 hours to print. The more details that are incorporated into the design the longer it will take longer to print.
The next tools that have been changing the fashion industry are Virtual Reality and AI. This development has given people an avenue to try on garments and different fashion pieces without having the physical item. Designers can now digitally build their pieces and see it on a person before even starting a project, revolutionizing the design process.

A lot of retail stores such as Tilly’s have also begun to use Virtual Reality platforms as a feature on their websites to allow customers to virtually try-on their clothing.

Another branch of this kind of technology, Artificial Intelligence, is increasingly being used in the fashion realm. AI relies on large datasets and algorithms that allow modern shopping applications and websites to boost images or items that they predict the user would enjoy. This new way of consuming goods is heavily influencing the fashion industry, as customers are more easily able to find exactly what fits their tastes and preferences.

The last piece of technology that this article will discuss is that of smart fabrics. Smart Fabrics are embedded with sensors that can be used to regulate body temperature in cold climates and much more. Currently, most people are familiar with wearable technology such as an Apple watch. However, this sector of tech is growing rapidly and is intersecting with fashion to give us clothes made of microtechnology. The dress pictured below was designed by Ying Gao, made from photo luminescent thread and embedded eye tracking technology, which is a type of technology that gives a response when they detect a pupil or eye looking at it.

Smart fabrics are being incorporated into design more and more in the hopes that they help increase the standard of living for people.

As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the synergy between technology and fashion design presents endless possibilities for innovation and sustainability. Technology allows for more intricate, personal, and unique designs and a whole new wave of fashion. The future of fashion is embracing this technology which brings unparalleled creativity into the industry.

Featured Photo Courtesy of SCHOHAJA Photography