Disruptive Technology Changing the Fashion Industry

top technology changing the fashion industry

Since the beginning of the Digital Age, the way we design, view, and even shop for clothes has gone through a major upheaval. Instead of browsing a store, we now browse a website; instead of watching runway shows on TV, we view them from our computer; and instead of sewing a dress, a designer soon will be able to print one.

There has never been a better time for students to pursue a degree guaranteed to lead them to a position where they’ll be able to change the future of an industry. Take a look below at the top technologies changing the way we experience fashion, and the associated careers that will get you a position in the field.

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Disruptive Fashion Tech #1:

3D Printing Machines


creative tools on flickr

Bitonti envisions 3D printing to appeal to two different markets: the mass-produced, which will be made with simple materials that any consumer with a 3D printer can create themselves, and the luxury model, where designs are printed with high-quality and rare materials that will appeal to those with bigger budgets….Photo by Creative Tools on Flickr

Are they days of hand-sewing by major designers a thing of the past? Designer Francis Bitonti seems to think so. He recently partnered with Shapeways and MakerBot to produce three dresses by his design that were 3D printed. The Bristle Dress, Verlan Dress, Swarovski Gown, were all printed and worn by high-profile models in major fashion shows.

According to Mashable, Bitonti envisions 3D printing to appeal to two different markets: the mass-produced, which will be made with simple materials that any consumer with a 3D printer can create themselves, and the luxury model, where designs are printed with high-quality and rare materials that will appeal to those with bigger budgets.

As for less high-fashion efforts, 3D printers are expected to be integrated into 20% of American homes by 2020, and will be utilized to print things like bowls, utensils, and even machines like generators and phones. Expect too  the future source of American shopping to be done as it is now online, but instead of waiting for a few days to receive your items, to have the ability to print them right there, right then as you buy them.

Related Career(s) that Can Capitalize on This Technology

>> Computer Programmer

>> Computer & Information Research Scientist


Disruptive Fashion Tech #2:

Wearable Technology


Long a fashion faux pas, wearable technology like the FitBit has begun partnering with major fashion labels to make their designs not only more aesthetically pleasing, but also to transform their own brands into stylish jewelry. Where they were once gaudy arm pieces, bulky and wired, wearable tech looks increasingly like something you’d purchase to compliment your favorite outfit.

Where wearable tech began at the wrist, not only with failed smartwatch designs from the 80s, but also with Nike’s Nike+ FuelBand in 2012, it has now branched out to encompass all parts of the body and all design pieces, from wristbands, ankle bracelets, necklaces, glasses, and shoes. But designing pieces that look great while remaining functional isn’t an easy task. Even the most intuitive designs are hung up on questions like, what audience are they appealing to, how they can make beautiful designs that are unisex, and where to place them.

James Park, FitBit’s chief executive, told The New York Times this year, “The wrist is good and bad. The great thing is that once you put a band there or some other device, you have the option of not having to take it off and not forgetting it. But it’s much more difficult to track things like motion, steps taken, calories burned — filtering that out is a lot tougher than it is on a clip.”

Related Career(s) that Can Capitalize on This Technology

>> Computer Programmer

>> Software Developer


Disruptive Fashion Tech #3:

Instagram


krakote - photolist from flickr

Photo by Krakote on Flickr

It might seem odd that an iPhone app could change the course of fashion until you watch a runway show on TV. See how everyone’s face is bathed in that blue light? Beginning around 2010, fashion shows have been built to cater not toward the television screen, where a model may turn to show off the contours of her dress, but toward the audience itself as it snaps numerous photos of the show and posts it to Instagram.

Increasingly, this is the way we’re getting our latest fashion trends. Millions upon millions of people worldwide follow the biggest fashion accounts in the business, from @tibipr to @charlotteronson to @rebeccaminkoff, resulting in a HuffingtonPost article from earlier this year titled, 43 Instagram Accounts That You Need To Be Following This Fashion Week.

As quoted in The New York Times, high-profile designer Alexander Wang said of digital media’s influence on fashion, “The way that we shoot it, the way that we showcase it and the way that we make clothes and design them changed.”

Related Career(s) that Can Capitalize on This Technology

>> Social Media Managers

>> New Media Specialist


Disruptive Fashion Tech #4:

Virtual Fitting Rooms


If you’re tired of waiting in line at major retailers just to try on that dress, or you don’t like the idea of throwing out your money to online shops with confusing return policies, you’re in luck. According to a recent article on GeekWire, the massive online bidding website, eBay, has just purchased the technology to make both of those issues a thing of the past.

The two-year-old company, PhiSix, has created technology that allows online shoppers to input their measurements, see an approximation of their own body on the screen, and add the clothes they want to a queue. The software then walks the consumer through trying on each item of clothing with a realistic depiction of what they’ll look like on screen.

eBay expects this technology to assure consumers that the dress, pants, or shirt that they’re considering will look great on them, and also result in fewer returns. As shopping is taken ever more frequently to the online marketplace, expect this new technology to be emulated by every other major retailer. Virtual fitting rooms, especially combined with 3D printing, will forever change the way we shop for clothes.

Related Career(s) that Can Capitalize on This Technology

>> Computer Programmer

>> Software Developer

>> Learn about what degrees can help you start a career in fashion design

 

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