There are already clothes in fashion which bloom into colors when the wearer steps out in the sun, rain coats that change patterns from dull to bright when the rain showers on the fabrics, and dresses that illuminate in time to music. This has brought in a new wave of smart clothing in trend.
3D printing in garments provided an impetus and created a craze for clothes that provide futuristic designs and patterns. Designer Iris Van Herpen has been one of the very few to bring 3D printing in fashion. Her collection of 3D fashion is both wearable and washable. Recently, Dita Von Teese sported a 3D printed dress created by Michael Schmidt that consisted of 17 individually printed pieces and had over 3000 connections. Hence it wouldn't be wrong to say that 3D in fashion has been around for a while and marks the beginning of a trend of mind-boggling creations involving science.
Another such trend that has taken the celebrity fashion scene by a storm is the use of LED lights in garments to create a magical effect. Pop stars like Katy Perry and Gwen Stefani have adorned light-up clothes and embraced the trend of smart clothing. The electroluminescent technology makes clothes light up in response to music. The electroluminescent panels can be printed to fabrics with sound sensors, which get triggered by music, and light up. Another addition to the color-changing fashion, are the liquid body suits. These are made up of latex-like flexible fabrics, which change color when it is bent, twisted, or stretched. The color is generated due to diffraction of rubber-like material.
Designers are now working closely with scientists and garment technologists to develop innovative, sustainable, and wearable fashion. From using nanotechnology and embedding electronic equipment in fabrics to using recycled material and fabrics with medicinal and healing values; the technology in the fashion industry seems to be walking out of science labs and hitting down to the runways.
An exceptional use of science and technology has lead to the invention of a fabric that can be sprayed on an individual's body to create a garment, which can be worn and later thrown. The spray consists of short and thin fibres mixed in a solvent that are sprayed with a high pressure gun. Next generation clothes that are a product of the amalgamation of science and fashion can protect the wearer from insects. The technology uses crystals infused with pesticides to create smart fashion, and such garments have a lot of potential in the future children wear market.
Fashion is now about creating a smart second skin with the help of high-tech clothing. The best example of such a fusion would be clothes that can release aromatic scents. Fragrances are known to have qualities to evoke emotions and impact the limbic system in the brain. The scent bubble in fashion acts like an elixir making these garments salubrious. The next big step will be interactive fragrance technology, where in the smart garment will release perfumes depending on the mood of the wearer, to keep the individual stress free all the time.
Researches and innovations of the fashion industry's new found interest in science have inspired designers and garment technologists in new ways. Science has brought in a dynamic and fresh look to fashion. It has also made garments and designs functional, providing more than just style to the wearer. Some of these exciting new ideas have already been implemented and are available in the market, while others need to be developed yet, for being commercially viable. With fashion finding a new muse in science, one can expect clothes to be more high-tech, smart, and trendy, all at the same time, in the near future.
References:
1. Telegraph.co.uk
2. Kugati.com
3. Futuremorph.org
4. Fashioningtech.com
5. Peignefin.com
Comments