Technological Revolutions in the Fashion World

Face it, we all live in a fast-paced world with a fast-paced lifestyle in tow. Without a doubt, technology definitely makes our lives easier and more comfortable despite all the little inconveniences. Our world is a better place to live in given these technological advancements that have been created and developed for our convenient disposal. Advancements in technology are actually seen in more places than one, given our modern times! It can be seen in cooking, in reading, in planning vacations, in communication—all these everyday mundane things that were once thought to be simple to do on their own have experienced a facelift. Today, some form of technological advancement affects almost everything we engage our senses into.

And aside from these everyday things, this technological bug has indeed kissed the fashion world as well. Would you believe that there are a number of retail stores out there that make use of 3D technology and augmented reality so that you wouldn’t have to fit the clothes anymore? Yes, this is just one of the many examples of how advanced technology is making its mark (but more of an impact) in the world of fashion and style.

3D / Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality, though still not familiar to many, has begun to infiltrate the world by its creative use of technology to make things more amusing and interesting. Apart from its entertainment component, augmented reality also serves to make lives more convenient by streamlining the use of technology and other things in life that usually require a lot of work.

Augmented reality, in a nutshell, is a live and indirect view of the physical world that is done using technology and science. What it does is that it gives off an idea of what is out there—similar to virtual reality, but within arm’s reach.

Although the Philippines has yet to adapt this technology to our fitting rooms, a number of retail brands in the United States and London such as Topshop and Tommy Hilfiger, have been introducing this technology to their stores. What a customer usually does is that he or she enters the fitting room where an assortment of clothes is displayed. All they have to do is to mix and match and see which ones fit them best. What’s great about it is that it’s no-frills and hassle-free, making it convenient to shoppers who are in a hurry or in need of a dress in a jiffy.

3D Printed Accessories

Another growing trend in the fashion industry is the use of 3D printed accessories. What’s best about it is that if you get them from the Etsy store (www.etsy.com), which positions itself as a global handmade and vintage marketplace, you can have them shipped to Manila.

3D printed accessories aren’t your typical fashion pieces that are flat and commonplace. These accessories are bolder and can stand on their own. These accessories are indeed a cooler alternative to the standard necklaces and bracelets that we see all over the place. They have more body and shape, and are best paired with closet staples such as a plain white shirt (for casual wear), or a simple black dress (for a more formal affair).

These 3D printed accessories, if you are determined enough, can be also found in a number of high-end boutiques around the metro such as Aldo, Topshop, Accessorize It, among others. This new breed of fashion accessories definitely revolutionizes the way technology meets style.

Eco-Friendly Clothes

Let’s not forget about the environment! Now, a sustainable lifestyle is also achievable with the various sustainable fashion options available in the market today. That’s right, this advocacy has even spanned right down to our own clothing. It’s really amazing what technology can do to not only raise awareness about our need to be more responsible with our choices, but also create the means to achieve them—and eco-friendly clothing is just one of those.

An example of these brands exercising their social responsibility is Uniqlo, which has recently made its mark on Philippine soil. Uniqlo has always been great when it comes to their social responsibilities, with great focus on the environment. Even then, during their humble beginnings in Japan, Uniqlo introduced a Fleece Recycling Campaign in its stores that accepts any clean, unsoiled, and dry clothing, and recycle them into new ones to give to those in need.

Other brands that exercise environment-friendly clothing are Zara, Mango, and Dorothy Perkins, which all have clothing lines that are made from recovered materials. These can usually come in the form of a plain shirt, altered a bit to have some style, but still carry the brand.

So if you want to exercise your green thumb and save Mother Nature, buy clothes that are eco-friendly and you’ll be amazed at the difference you can do for the world.

RFID Tags

Here’s something interesting—did you know that listening to a specific music genre could trigger your clothing choices? That’s right! Marketers have taken advantage of this study, pitched it to technological developers, and as an output, the musical fitting rooms were born. Through the use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), customers can experience what they wear through the use of music.

Levi’s in the United States has begun to insert RFID tags into their clothes, so once a customer tries them out in the fitting room, the music attached to those RFID tags will play, allowing him or her to get a feel of their style, and the music that it matches with. This generation is very musically inclined, as seen in the growing rate of musicians everywhere. In fact, it has proven to be one very profitable investment, having this RFID technology to assist the retail outlets.

Another way this technology is manifested is in Hong Kong’s RFID-enabled mirrors. All the customer has to do is hold up the clothes in front of a mirror, and a screen beside it will display how he or she would look like in them. It’s definitely a breakthrough in the fashion and retail industry, and we should cross our fingers that they bring this form of technology to the Philippines soon. But given the influx of fashion brands from around the world, it should be highly likely.

Laser-etched Products

Even lasers have found their way to fit in the fashion industry! The use of technology has indeed been maximized even into the tiniest accessories for those intricate details.

Laser engraving used to be the in-thing for metals, ceramics, and the like; but today, it seems as if it has also taken a leap to fashion accessories. Belts from high-end brands such as Nautica and Armani undergo the laser engraving process in order to come out with their intricate designs here and there. Not to forget the bags! Leather bags by Hermes, Furla, and Coach have been using the laser machine for the longest time in order to come up with top-notch designs that have gotten every brand-conscious lady to go crazy over their products.

These modern times have indeed redefined the use of technology in everyday life. Not only is it limited now to computer-related entities, but also in the world of fashion. Safe to say, technology is indeed inescapable, unless of course, you go and chase the wilderness. These advancements have significantly improved our lives and have made things more convenient for us all.

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