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The Top Fashion-Tech Trends Redefining the Fashion Industry
Words Sandra Edmund
Tech Editor explores how fash-tech is changing the industry.
Over the years we have seen technology weave itself through multiple industries from Healthcare to Finance and most especially in Fashion. Fashion-Tech first took its leap in the 19th century when the world was introduced to the invention of the sewing machine. The sewing machine became the greatest advancement of its time which then later became the first practical electric sewing machine in 1889. In 1978 it became the first computer-controlled machine. Fast-forwarding to the 21st century and the fashion industry is currently adapting to the digital era, where the future of fashion-tech will later focus on sustainable material, efficient ways of creating clothes and more form-fitting apparel.
CGI Models
The trend of virtual models has become a rise in the past couple of years and it seems that designers are considering them over human models. You may wonder why, well for a start as COVID took the world by storm, virtual models helped designers to show their latest creation globally. Interestingly enough, the use of CGI models has a positive environmental aspect as it reduces the waste of manufacturing clothes to showcase. Multiple brands from Coca-cola to Louboutin and Samsung have utilised CGI Models in their campaigns and it is crazy to believe that these models have gotten contracts from high-stack brands.
The first CGI model was created by fashion photographer and visual artist Cameron-James Wilson who is now the CEO of The Diigitals, the world’s first all-digital modeling agency. The agency manages the likes of Shudu Gram (first CGI model), Koffi, J-Yung and many others.
VR and AR in Fashion
The combination of physical and online worlds in retail has been one of Virtual Reality's most astonishing applications. This is positively obvious in the style business: one boundless utilization of VR is empowering consumers to essentially take a stab at outfits.
Internet shopping experience connects with consumers longer, as they love seeing the item on themselves prior to purchasing. This, joined with the online media share factor, makes it much more interesting to us as consumers.
Selling digital clothes has become more popular over the years. For example, Ralph Lauren's collaboration with Bitmoji, allowed consumers to create their own Bitmoji look with the new mix and match closet from Polo Ralph Lauren, additionally showing the overpowering force of the e-closet. Louis Vuitton planned "skins" for League of Legends characters and Drest sold digitised versions of Farfetch stock.
Novel Fabric
Novel fabrics are seemingly the future of fashion, as another manner by which designers can separate themselves and allure as a maintainable choice.
The most recent collaborations in printed objects that change tones incorporate a framework made by MIT scientists called ColorFab 3D. This innovation prints 3D articles with "photochromic inks" that change shading when presented to specific frequencies of UV light. One of their first things created was the ring that can be modified into various adjustable tones.
Google fans may before long have the option to wear clothing made by the advanced tech monster. The group behind the Project Jacquard are likewise making shading moves conceivable with Ebb. It is a shading-changing texture innovation that could sometimes be modified to change our state of mind or setting. The Ebb materials could even assist us with leading numerous exercises that we presently do on our telephones utilizing the shading signals, all things being equal. For instance, when you get an approaching call the shade of your sleeve changes.
Virtual Fashion
A shiny new area of computerized fashion is increasing in the fashion industry. Virtual style, as opposed to actual design, is planned and showcased for avatars and virtual stages. Brands are entering the digital world with virtual samples or collections, and a few brands have become completely digital. Here are a few designers in the virtual fashion sector:
Hanifa
A congolese fashion label created by Anifa Mvuemba who is best known for their virtual runway where they used 3D models to showcase their Pink Label Collection. Although the clothes themselves were not virtual, the concept of the runway attracted attention to the next step in digital clothing.
The Fabricant
The Fabricant is a dutch digital design house that was founded by Kerry Murphy in 2018. Originally the founder was working in the film industry as visual effects and she wanted to carry the same path in fashion. Although the all-virtual brand was founded in 2018, it gained attraction in 2019 when they sold their Iridescent Digi-couture dress for $9,500. Since then the brand has collaborated with the likes of Tommy Hilfiger and Soorty.
Tribute Brand
Founded by Gala Marija Vrbanic and Filip Vajda, the all-digital fashion brand based in Croatia exclusively creates virtual items which are inspired by video games such as Tekken and Grand Theft Auto and priced between $29 to $699. As the founders had a passion for sustainable design, the creation of virtually made clothing allows for there to be no wasted material.
Carlings
In relation to virtual fashion, the Norwegian fashion house has been classed as one of the most advanced fashion brands. In 2018, Carlings released a virtual collection called “Neo X” which contained 19 pieces that were priced between $9 to $30 and it sold out. It gained a social media buzz and influencers such as Daria Simonova modelled their clothes.
Moschino
One of the major fashion brands to come into virtual fashion. A couple of years ago, Moschino released a Sims inspired capsule collection which launched in The Sims 4, Sims Mobile and Sims FreePlay.
Alongside The Moschino x The Sims Collection, the brand released their first virtual clothes which were the Freezer Bunnies from the capsule collection where avatars could dress and style themselves in Moschino design.
Dress-X
Dress-X is a worldwide advanced style brand retailer that conveys fashion collections from the most notable virtual brands and 3D designers. Dress-X helps customers who buy virtual clothes to utilize them since many individuals who purchase these things have restricted tools and information on the digital world.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have surged in value and now customers can use bitcoin to buy items such as coffee, Tesla and luxury brands. Some of the major luxury watchmakers like Hublot and Frank Muller have allowed some of their products to exclusively be sold via Bitcoin.
There are other ways that retailers can ease into the crypto community such as using platforms like Lolli which allows users to earn bitcoins as a reward for their shopping in partnering stores. Brands like Nike, Sephora and many others have already joined the Lolli network.