High Tech, High Progress ; New Capabilities

They say it's all about the accessories and right now, the tech world is taking this fashion motto to an entirely new level. From your standard extras to everyday gadgets, it's time to augment reality with wearables that not only scream style but functionality and inventiveness.

photo via ecouterre

With 3D printing all over the news, Nike has revealed the first three-dimensionally printed performance bag. Entitled the "Rebento," and made exclusively for soccer stars Neymar Jr., Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo for the FIFA World Cup, only three copies were produced. The highly customized duffel is made of a flexible flyknit material and comes with a laser-sintered nylon base, leather top, and custom gold hardware engraved with each player's name.

photo via Recode

What if you could actually wear all your ingenious filtered Instagram snaps? Adidas recently announced that they will be launching an app allowing owners of ZX Flux shoes to create patterns based on photos from the visually-focused mobile platform. The "miadidas" photo print app is expected to hit iPhones and Androids this August and represents the capabilities of customization as well as the merging of online and offline worlds.

photo via ecouterre

The future is looking quite fashionable for Google Glass with the help of the iconic fashion designer, Diane von Furstenberg. Together, the two have designed five new frames and eight new shades available online starting June 23rd. The collection, "DVF Made for Glass," will retail at both Google and Net-a-Porter, where it will be sold as a $1700 prepackaged set that "includes Glass, a DVF optical frame, a sunglass style, a mono earbud and a case."

photo via ecouterre

We've got some great news for all you bike enthusiasts out there with the launch of a new folding helmet called "Morpher." You can now ride safer, easier, and without the hassle of carrying around a bulky helmet all day long. This revolutionary technology is made of the same materials as any standard one, but can fold to a mere thickness of 1.4 inches and perfect for packing into any handbag.

photo via springwise.com

Australia's Tzukuri has developed a handmade, solar-powered sunglass range so you'll never lose your sunnies again. These frames come in six different designs, three sizes, and contain a tiny chip and solar charger that connects to your iPhone via bluetooth. If you happen to leave a pair behind, the app sends you notifications until you're up to 15m away and incase you make it farther, it secures the last location you had them on a map.

video via techradar

It's pretty clear that in today's day and age our phones have become essential accessories in our day to day lives, with most of us practically suffering separation anxiety when parted from our flashy touchscreens. Samsung, Google, HTC, iPhone, and soon enough, Amazon will be launching their very own smartphone. While many rumors have surfaced concerning the device's specs, budget price point, and innovative 3D features, nothing has yet to be confirmed. Amazon has scheduled a launch event of some kind for June 18 and we're crossing our fingers that a prototype of the phone will finally be released.

video via Ashraf's Artwork

To wrap things up, check out this really cool, inspiring video with a visionary take on the future of high tech fashion.

A New Era

Every day we hear about experimental leaps in technology and how it is revolutionizing the ideals of the retail sector. With so many new developments and changes, what can we expect to actually stick around to transform us from the present to the future? 

photo via CNBC

We first introduced the idea of Bitcoin about a year ago and now that successful retailers like Overstock.com accept this electronic payment others are beginning to incorporate it into their changing business strategies. Hudson's Bay Co. which operates Hudson's Bay, Saks and Lord & Taylor department stores has launched a new shopping app Pounce that utilizes the digital currency so customers can directly shop and purchase from the retailer's catalog on their mobile phones. 

video via fashionproject.com

Speaking of department stores, the infamous Nordstrom has launched a new initiative called the Fashion Project which is an online donation experience that takes lightly worn designer clothing and does two great things: donates to a charity of your choice and as long as 5 pieces meet the requirements, the donator receives a $40 gift card. This is just one example of the growing demand for "re-commerce" which all has to do with the current state of the economy and a desire for unique clothing with a bit of a story. 

photo via The Washington Post

Leading e-commerce giant Amazon is making another unprecedented move via an online storefront of 3D printed products. By partnering with the startup 3DLT, Amazon is now the first major retailer to actually capitalize on 3D printed designs like quirky jewelry, plastic toys, iPhone cases and belt buckles. Besides making profits and trying to take over the world, what is Amazon really masterminding? Well maybe one day they won't need warehouses because they'll be selling 3D files that consumers can purchase and print at home, ultimately creating a just-in-time retail experience aka one day we'll be able to order anything we want, exactly as we want it.

photo via WWD

In other exciting news, there are a load of store openings to look forward to like H&M's Cos in both SoHo and Beverley Hills, the first ever Nasty Gal store, and the launch of Cross Company's new ethically minded mega-chain that will all be hitting the US market soon.

And things don't stop here. With fashion photographers becoming brands, models acquiring PH.Ds, and even something called Fashion 2.0 Awards for best social media achievements and top innovators, what else does the foreseeable future hold? Well for one, we are spending way more time shopping on the web and this alone will shape a new era of retail. 

The Perfect Match

Technology is finally getting a major style upgrade. While we've been watching the evolution of wearable technology for a while now, it has yet to really make a fashionable statement. However, now we can not only create the impossible but wear it too. Functionality may be key, but if it can look good in the process then what's there to lose?

photo via NY Post

Imagine 3D printed press on nails, a bag you can never misplace, or a sweater that lights up depending on your mood. Well guess what? It's all possible. There is even a new jewelry line that detects sign language and a ring that brings the gestures of a magic wand to life.

photo via NY Times

We've consistently been seeing the evolution of advanced fabrications and smart clothing grace the runway more and more each season. At the most recent Paris collections, Iris van Herpen was the latest designer to experiment by mixing "the artisanal and the technical." Her collection deemed "biopiracy," explored the theme of "owning something you don't" and blended silks with tiny threads of plastic.

video via NBC News

Francesca Rosella of CuteCircuit took an entirely different approach this Fashion Week by giving her models the power to customize their outfits via an iPod. These garments did everything from shimmer to change color and even play videos through the use of micro-LED lights and camouflaging batteries as buttons or clasps.

photo via NY Times

Trackable wristbands are about to be a thing of the past. Tory Burch has teamed up with Fitbit to create a tracker disguised in well-designed pendants. There's also the Shine, an aluminum disc designed by Misfit Wearables that comes with optional necklace and leather band. Surprisingly enough, the wrist isn't exactly the best place to be collecting data since we tend to move it in unpredictable ways so keep an eye out as a new crop of wearable tracking devices emerge in some unexpected places.

photo via Business Insider

Kenneth Cole is one of the first companies to thoroughly incorporate Google Glass into its marketing campaigns. This new initiative invites men to document gentlemanly deeds they perform each day via an app and Google's cutting edge eyewear. Through an omni-channel approach, the 30 year old label is promoting its new men's fragrance across multiple platforms and appealing to a select group of fashion's most innovative.

3D printing and technical fabrics may be the future of technology infused fashion, but this is just the beginning. With the help of bluetooth developments, new fabric innovations, and of course, style worthy developments, we are about to reach a new era where we won't have one without the other. It's looking like fashion and technology just may be the perfect match.

Fit For Good

Technology has enabled custom made clothing to finally reach the mass market. It's tough enough getting something properly tailored let alone buying something straight off the rack at a department store. Therefore, many shoppers completely skip both scenarios and head straight to the web to find custom made pieces that are more convenient for their lifestyles. Due to this growing demand, a string of new brands has emerged as an antidote to fast fashion and to give the industry a fresh perspective on fit and size, particularly in the menswear sector.

photo via NY Times

Between regular fits and big & tall sizes, one would think you should fit somewhere in between, but what about those of a smaller build? Meet Peter Manning, a line of classic American Sportswear made for guys 5-foot-8 and under and of a thinner physique. Along with this, other similar brands like Jaden Lam and Willis & Walker have popped up to cater to this niche market as well.

video via Ori Jeans

We all can agree that the one item that is the most frustrating to shop is without a doubt jeans. While it may sound unreal, that's where Ori Jeans comes in with their $99 handcrafted jeans. Made with selvedge denim from the US and Japanese mills, this Kickstarter campaign will start taking orders sometime this month and once it's up and running, you'll be able to select a specific cut, color, fabric, and even such details as stitching and distressing.

photo via Appalatch

Based in Asheville NC, Appalatch is an ethically minded, American made, and quality driven outdoor apparel company that seeks to prolong the lifeline of what we wear. Their custom sweaters are 3D printed in under an hour with no waste and cost around $109.

video via MyOwnShirts

MyOwnShirts is like a virtual design mecca for shirts. With the click of a button you can enter your measurements, choose your fit and design preferences, and voila! Your shirt is cut, sewn, and delivered to your door.

photo via Indochino

One of the most well known of these companies and first of its kind is Indochino, an online made-to-order suit retailer where you choose a style, add customizations and then follow their step by step measuring guides to create a look completely your own. They even have pop up tailor shops in major cities across the US and are so dedicated to creating the perfect fit that if your suit arrives and isn't right, they will even go as far as covering additional alteration expenses, remaking it free of cost, or accepting a return with full refund. Today, Indochino has served more than 120,000 customers in over 130 countries and continues to go global.

photo via fashionista.com

Womenswear label Bow & Drape is a NY fashion tech startup who not only does customized unique statement pieces but as of late has been experimenting with 3D printing for its new accessory line. Stay tuned next week as we talk about the NYFW presentation Bow & Drape x Paper Fashion at Launch NY.

Happy Holidays!

Well it's a wrap!!! Elevating Fashion to New Heights. In the blink of an eye another year passed egged on by innovation and technology.

Technology and fashion are becoming more and more interconnected, beyond our wildest imagination. With that thought in mind here are some of 2014’s key buzz words and topics.

photo via MBF Trend Consulting

Speed & Innovation: The Cloud 
Cloud computing allows for the sharing of real time information – accessible any time from anywhere. This is having a direct impact on textile manufacturing, marketing and sales.

Anticipating future consumer needs and behavior patterns will become even more imperative.

Crowdsourcing and social media real time data will explode.

Consumers will be approached as individuals.

Personalization will take off.

We will see more community-driven consumer engagement.

We will see an increase in the growth of smart textiles. Think sensor-specific garments measuring all kinds of data being generated by the wearer.

Or fabrics that are continuously adapting – to the more active lifestyles where convenience and comfort rule.

E-commerce retail will continue to evolve.

We will see a spurt in location analytics, shops will evolve to showrooms.

Transparency will continue to impact the industry and the consumer.

Sustainability will continue to evolve and become more and more mainstream engendering a “cool” factor and a significant place in our lifestyles.

3D printing will revolutionize what we make, the way we consume, purchase and sell.

 

photo via MBF Trend Consulting

May 2014 be a year filled of inspirational innovations, the exchange of ideas and concepts, passion and an eye clearly pointed to the future.

Please check out our Instagram for all our favorite festive picks and make sure to have a Happy Holiday!!!

Your MBF Team