The Wearables set to transform Fashion

Today I would like to tell you something about wearables for fashion- VR and AR. VR stands for Virtual Reality- that is a simulation of the real world and AR stands for augmented reality. That is a mix between virtual reality and the real world. 

You are probably wondering why I am talking about VR and AR related to wearables. Because you can use VR and AR for wearables too. Giving you the ability to virtually try on any garment. This one is called Facial Mirror by Trust 300.  Simply click on the virtual dress you like, and you see your new look. It is that simple. Your experience of a traditional clothes shop will be different, but the possibilities offered by the virtual mirror will also allow new strategies for generating revenue and at the same time, cost-reductions. There is a similar solution to that proposed by Cisco Systems. Facial Mirror can be realised using low cost technologies too. 

This is the case of the Kinect, the specific sensor made by Microsoft for the Xbox series of consoles. The Kinect is used to determine the user’s physical characteristics and accordingly, the virtual wearable will be positioned on the user’s body.

Do you think you are interested in using this technology? Sometimes while you’re walking down the street, a particular shirt or pair of trousers catches your attention. So, you wonder, where can I buy that?  You can find out by using augmented reality apps as shown in this video. Ok, all the wearables we saw are not tech. Let’s talk about specific tech wearable technology. 

Have you ever seen an augmented reality t-shirt? This one is called IET. It seems a common t-shirt but the picture on it comes to life through the smartphone. I would also like to introduce you to Maia Apparel. This company makes apparel come alive. 

Culoscope, another company, virtually brings lessons to life. This capability opens new possibilities. Even a new way of studying boring topics. This is one of my interviews on the Italian National TV speaking about virtual TV for teaching courses. Clothing can incorporate technology, making it wearable? puts LEDs into clothes with the aim to intrigue and fascinate others. Look at this video and consider the fact that you can dress in something that is never entirely the same. Your look can change in one instant and you can change your clothes accordingly to your feelings and the moment. Just in case you were wondering, LEDs stands for light-emitting diode. A diode is one of the most important devices in electronics. Curiously, the LEDs working principle called electro munitions was discovered only in 1907 and it appeared as a practical electronic device only in 1962. And its only now, decades later, that it is widely used. LEDs inside wearables were considered by the U2 band during one of their live concerts and these are the video media reports. But you can have a t-shirt like Bono’s, giving you a new way to make an impression on your friends.

This one is called T-shirt OS where OS stands for Operating System. Similar to Microsoft Windows or Google Android or Apple’s iOS. It is the case that your t-shirt can become a sort of computer itself. Technology developed by the company Intel allows apparel to be aware of its surroundings and interact, interpret, and engage with the environment around you. They can be illuminative, reflective, interactive or touch enabled. Intel works on a solar-powered variable capable of charging your phone. This is also to increase sustainability in fashion. In fact, few people know but the fashion industry is actually the second-most polluting industry in the world. Starting from an idea cooked up by Schweppes and the Brazilian ad agency Ogilvy, the tech dress called Dress for Respect was made, fitted with touch sensors. The aim was to undertake an experiment related to sexual harassment. The tech dress was created in three versions, worn by three women at a busy nightclub. In only four hours, a total of 157 unwelcome touches were recorded. Impressive. And it is not only t-shirts, but shoes as well. 

This video comes from VIXOL which developed the world’s first customisable sneaker. You can capture whatever image you like with your smartphone and let people see the image on your shoes. That simple. Apart from clothes and shoes, also a bracelet can be a digital fashion accessory. This is a bangle. This is only a digital jewellery concept at the moment, but I guess you’ll see it in the very near future. 

How to define Nubia smartphone? A bracelet? A smartphone? A smartphone turned into a bracelet because you can change the image on the screen accordingly to your own desires. You can see the clockface, or answer calls or whatever takes your fancy.  Sigur a researcher from the DuoSkin Lab said “your style is your virtual interface with the rest of the world. She and her colleagues developed smart electronic temporary tattoos. These tattoos are a sort of fashion wearable as well, but with added functions. This tattoo can be a computer track pad. You can touch the interface with a multiplayer for changing the code or light up according to your emotions. 

Huawei developed and has now commercialised glasses with technology embedded within them. I’m referring to Huawei X Gentle Monster Eyewear; smart controls take control of you. Wear them at different times of the day and you will be greeted by a voice assistant. Just a simple double tap on the outside and you can answer or end calls, play or pause your music and so on. Sophisticated, integrated sensors work together to autonomously control the audio. Huawei’s eyewear is based on speakers that are directly integrated within the design. Zangle’s eyewear design works on bone conduction and so your bones conduct the audio waves directly into your ears. This video shows people’s reaction when wearing this technology. One way that Zangle’s technology has a great advantage is that you can hear your music or answer your phone call while leaving your ears free for anything else in your environment. Therefore, it is no longer dangerous to cross the street with your headphones in without hearing any oncoming cars.