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Manus x Machina Met Ball Gala 2016 Apple Wearable Technology Fashion Tech
Designer, Exhibits, Fashion, Wearable Technology

Met Ball Kicks Off With Jony Ive Opening Of Manus x Machina

May 2, 2016

Manus x Machina Met Ball Gala 2016 Apple Wearable Technology Fashion Tech

It is the first Monday of May which means tonight is one of the biggest fashion events of the year: the Met Gala. But tonight’s formal event is not the only notable happening at the Metropolitan Museum, the Ball also marks the grand opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit. As part of the official opening of “Manus x Machina” Apple’s Chief of Design, Jony Ive, spoke about the relationship between technology and craftsmanship. The exhibit focuses on the dichotomy between handmade haute couture fashion and machine made fashion, exploring some of the newest technology in fashion including thermo-shaping, laser cutting, and 3D printing. During Jon Ive’s speech, he encouraged an open mind as technology becomes a larger and larger part of fashion, pointing out that all crafts depend on tools or methods that were at one point new:  

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by Doug Parker
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Ohio State Functional Textile e-textile fabric circuit wearable project jacquard
Clothing, Fashion, Manufacturing, Wearable Technology

Ohio State’s Woven Circuitry Could Lead To New Kinds Of Wearables

April 15, 2016

Ohio State Functional Textile e-textile fabric circuit wearable project jacquard

One of the biggest obstacles wearable technology faces is integration. Clothes are soft, stretchy, malleable, and (for the most part) washable, while the circuity required for wearables is none of those things. The circuitry needed to make a wearable device work is rigid, bulky, and definitely not washable. Announced last year, Google’s Project Jacquard is a step towards solving this dilemma with loom-friendly fabric touch-surfaces, but you still would need traditional circuity to make it all work. It looks like Ohio State University might have a solution for that though. They have been hard at work for the past several years developing a fabric that can be sewn into custom circuits.  Dubbed a functional textile (or e-textile), the thread they have created is .1mm thick and contains 7 twisted filaments made of copper and pure silver. Because it has superb conductive qualities and can be sewn into practically any shape, researchers view the material as a viable replacement for traditional circuitry. The material’s fine width means incredibly complex designs can be created.  

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by Doug Parker
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michael kors access android wear smartwatch
Fashion, Watches

Michael Kors To Release Android Wear Smartwatch In Fall

April 8, 2016

Michael Kors Access Android Wear Smartwatch Fall 2015

Michael Kors has joined the growing list of brands releasing an Android Wear smartwatch. The prebuilt architecture is proving to be a quick path for new entrants to enter the wearable device market. By using Google’s software and fairly standardized hardware, the primary hurdle for a company to overcome is to simply design a watch case and band. Called MICHAEL KORS ACCESS, the smartwatch is expected to be released in Fall 2016. It will be compatible with both iOS and Android devices and available in both a men’s and women’s version. Predictably, the men’s variety features a black metal face while the women’s is gold with a crystal laden band. They are expected to be priced starting at $395 and will be available most places where you already find Michael Kors products (website, company owned stores, department stores, and specialty retail).  

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by Doug Parker
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Fitbit Alta Public School New York City PSNY NYFW
Fashion, Wearable Technology

Fitbit Partnering With Public School On Line Of Accessories

February 18, 2016

Fitbit Alta Public School New York City PSNY NYFW

When Fitbit unveiled their new Alta fitness tracker a few weeks ago, it was clear that the company was beginning to take design and fashionability more seriously. Trading out the brand’s iconic rubber band featuring a barely noticeable screen, the Alta predominately features a monochrome touch screen which connects at either end to interchangeable bands. Even though the wearable ships with a rubber wrist band, you can purchase leather or metal bands. At NYFW, buzz worthy NYC fashion brand Public School New York included several “designed for the runway” Fitbit accessories among the looks walking the runway. All of the accessories were created by the designers specifically for the Alta. The idea was to show that tech doesn’t have to be this odd thing which is tacked on top of your outfit; wearables can be integrated into a seamless look for any occasion. Don’t camp out on the Fitbit or PSNY websites though waiting for these accessories to go on sale. Fitbit has stated that they were created specifically for NYFW to provide a feel of what the final products would be like when released later this year.  

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by Doug Parker
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Belty Smart Belt Fashion Tech Self Fitting Adjusting French Emiota
Fashion, Wearable Technology

Smart Belt Belty Returns to CES Completely Redesigned

January 6, 2016

Belty Smart Belt Fashion Tech Self Fitting Adjusting French Emiota

At last year’s CES, Belty was one of the surprise hits. In case you don’t remember, simply put on the “smart belt” and tap the buckle when it is comfortably fitted. Belty will then track your movement throughout the day, vibrate when it is time to move, and (best of all) automatically adjust its tightness to maintain a constant fit as you sit, walk, and eat (too much). The model on display last year was an early prototype and while the company behind the high-tech fashion accessory, Emiota, had hoped to ship it by the Holidays, they instead opted to completely redesign Belty. The new version looks much less techie and more like a traditional belt. Belty is now constructed from premium French leather and significant weight has been shed from the buckle by utilizing more plastic parts. Finally, Belty’s vibration system has been completely overhauled. Besides alerting you when it is time to move around, the belt also can alert you to drink water, to de-stress with a breathing exercise, assist you in taking a 5 minute power nap, or even help you settle into efficient, rhythmic walking pace. Belty is currently available for preorder but won’t ship until December 15th. You can purchase the buckle and one strap (in either brown or black) for $395 or both straps for $495.  

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by Doug Parker
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Android Wear Designer Watch faces Android iOS
Fashion, Watches

9 Fashion Brands Release Android Wear Watch Faces

December 16, 2015

Android Wear Designer Watch faces Android iOS

Fresh on the heals of partnerships with iconic watch brands Fossil and TAG Heuer, Google has teamed up with 9 fashion brands to release exclusive designer watch faces. The brands range from designers such as Vivienne Tam to sportswear giant ASICS. Google’s main marketing message with Android Wear has been that the key difference between it and other smartwatches is the number of ways the device can be customized to suit one’s style, from multiple hardware designs to the software itself. These new watch faces continue to emphasize that message by allowing users to wear a professionally designed watch face that reflects each particular brand’s style. If you are of a fan of one of those fashion companies, you can now express that through the design of the watch. The new watch faces are free and available today for Android users. If you use an Android Wear wearable with your iOS device, Google has announced that the watch faces will soon appear in the Android Wear companion app. Head past the break for a full list of the partnered fashion brands and to see the various designs.  

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by Doug Parker
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MIT Media Lab Bacteria Venting Clothing Fashion Tech Biohybrid
Fashion

Fashion Tech Discovered By MIT Uses Bacteria To Vent Clothing

October 30, 2015

MIT Media Lab Bacteria Venting Clothing Fashion Tech Biohybrid

Last month we reported on a sports bra by Chromat that reacts to your body temperature by opening or closing vents. Chromat achieved this feat through sensors, actuators, and Intel’s Curie chip. Researchers at MIT Media Labs believe they can do one better though – completely eliminate the need for electronics to create venting garments.

The researchers have discovered that certain bacteria reacts to changes in humidity levels by contracting / expanding. This behavior allows the bacteria to behave as nanoactuators. The idea is simple but ingenious. MIT Media Labs grows the bacteria in a lab and then, using a 3D printer, applies it to vents cut into an article of clothing. When the person wearing the garment sweats, the ambient humidity in that area rises, and the bacteria reacts by opening vents around the sweat. Once the humidity level (sweat) decreases, the vents close. While MIT did discover that the bacteria will react to an electric current, no power is used to control the vents.

Creating a biohybrid garment that can react to your body without the use of any electronics is amazing. This type of fashion tech clearly represents a viable future of making our clothes smarter. Not only is it relatively inexpensive compared to creating scores of delicate electronic components but it also eliminates one of fashion tech’s biggest roadblocks: the need to plug it in to charge. While we don’t expect to find the tech in our next Lululemon shirt, we hope it makes it out of the lab. If we had to guess, finding a way to adapt the technology so that it can withstand the rigors of daily life and washings is not trivial. Head past the break to see the vents in action:  

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by Doug Parker
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