The Old Economy shows digital courage

Fashion means progress – a credo, which doesn’t just stand for creativity in design. Fashion brands increasingly open up to digital options, and question how products can be made suitable for daily life, more functional, and – through the integration of technology – be more versatile. 

To use the smartphone through the Levi’s®-jacket
Levi’s® offers a glimpse into the future with the Commuter™ Trucker Jacket. In cooperation with the Google project Jacquard™, the traditional jeans-manufacturer produced a jacket, which allows the user to use their smartphone remotely. A simple swipe over the sleeve – containing the technological fibres which are sewed into the fabric – can retrieve route descriptions, control music apps or accept phone calls. 

Ultimate wear comfort by Nike
The HyperAdapt-Shoe 1.0 by Nike sets an innovative focus on functionality. The model has the ability to tie shoes with accurately density by measuring and analysing the foot anatomy through sensors in the heel area. With this technological component, through precision and focus on individual needs, ultimate wear comfort can be reached.

Accessories with a tactile surface at Selfridges
The London-based fashion brand The Unsee sets digital standards and creates new creative ways to express yourself. The fashion startup was founded by Lauren Bowker, who describes herself as a ‘material-alchemist’ and creates accessories with a tactile surface. They change colour as soon as UV light hits the surface. The Unseen uses this special kind of technology, which basically communicates with its environment, for purses, necklaces, scarfs, and phone cases, which can be purchased at the London high-end shop Selfridges. Furthermore, the designs by the fashion-tech-company can even be seen at British museums.

© T H E U N S E E N & Max Oppenheim

Technology group Ottobock supports young designers
To make sure that other developments such as these are correctly funded, so that the tech-fashion industry can continue to grow in the future, projects such as FAB LAB in the former Bötzow-brewery in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg, offer appropriate locations. At those, the technology group Ottobock, which produces orthopaedic products, supports young designers who combine technology and fashion. Among the space, the company provides certain equipment such as a 3D printer or CNC milling, and materials such as wood and metals. The FAB LAB doesn’t just offer the opportunity to create and implement ideas and new products, but mainly gives the chance to exchange ideas and improve the communication between young creatives.

The future of fashion is technical
More and more established fashion businesses, which belong to the so-called ‘Old Economy’ dare to join the further growing movement of digital-fashion. That’s because the future of fashion is technical; this is where the innovation power is. Fashion, as well as the technology industry is future-oriented and idea-driven. That’s why it is reasonable to explore the intersection of both areas and create products, which target the functional optimisation and the creative multifaceted nature. To have the courage for progress seems to be the ideal drive.

Further information:
https://atap.google.com/jacquard/levi/
https://www.nike.com/de/launch/t/hyperadapt-1-0
http://seetheunseen.co.uk/enter/
https://fablab.berlin/de/