Fashion trends have never stood still, in keeping with the ever-changing face of technology, so it comes as no surprise that manufacturers are predicting a surge in the use of ‘tech fabrics’ that will be worn in high-end apparel. Shop for fashion online on Amazon.ae with discount codes on ShopCash.
The future of fashion was shared by Jennifer Sonner, vice president and general manager of global apparel, to mark the debut of The Future of Fashion exhibit, which opens to the public on Saturday at the Maison & Objet trade fair in Paris.
“The next six years will be the biggest era for innovation,” Sonner said. “We will see technology transform everything from our retail spaces to our food.”
She predicts there will be a surge in ‘tech fabrics’ that are embedded with sensors to enable consumers to track their usage of water, energy and food. These will be worn as electronic tattoos on the skin.
“There will be a real explosion in 3D printing technology,” she said, adding that clothing that looks like sculpture will be made from finely woven glass fibers. “It will be more than fashion. You will see that fashion is a new form of communication.”
Asked about the most imaginative advancements in the wearable tech market, Sonner cited the Modalite bracelet that allows users to connect with the internet or a smartphone through vibrations from a heel worn on the opposite foot.
Designer Alejandro Gómez Palomo showcased pieces from his latest collection for the London-based fashion brand Coach. His looks included a dress that changes color as the wearer moves, with vertical stripes changing from pink to orange and green to purple.
The clothing was printed with a special semi-transparent material.
Over the past year, Palomo’s work has focused on mixing and matching different fabrics to produce something that looks like sculpture or mosaic.
“My show is about magic and mystery. It’s hard to explain what the inspiration is. It’s kind of abstract and different things come from that.”
Palomo called his new work “cross-genre.”
“I’ve never done a menswear collection and I did the most exciting womenswear collection. For me, fashion is not one single style. It’s a way of expressing yourself and how you perceive things.”
Designer Preen by Thornton Bregazzi partnered with leading augmented reality specialist Blippar to bring the future of fashion to life in a 3D printed lace gown made with organic fabrics and a 3D printed hip belt that pulls the dress together at the waist.
Each garment in the new collection takes three to four days to print, said Fiona Liddiard, Blippar’s head of brand. “It’s more expensive to print with this method, but it gives a much higher resolution,” she said.
Liddiard said the dresses will be sold online at selected retailers and via Blippar’s mobile application.
