When high-tech fabrics encounter wearable technology

When we think of wearable technology, the possibilities that still come to mind are still wrist devices, such as smart watches and fitness trackers, but most people are not willing to wear such devices all day. So far, fashion technology products are far from what we wear out every morning. At best, they are just some skirts that glow, such as the beautiful "Cinderella" long coat. When you walk on the red carpet, the outerwear can make the wearer look bright. Touching; or Google Glass, a luxury brand has partnered with Google to launch a joint product, and finally it is just a flash in the pan.

However, things are slowly changing. With the continuous innovation of fabric technology, from the "networked textiles" to "deep fiber technology", the clothing industry is on the eve of a great change. What kind of chemical reaction will happen when the fashion industry begins to accelerate integration with wearable technology?

Cyclist jacket

In 2016, the denim brand Levi's teamed up with Google to develop a jacket specifically for the needs of bicycles in the city. It uses Bluetooth and the rider's smart device to connect, the conductive yarn is woven into the left cuff, and the user can operate by tapping and sliding the fabric of the jacket cuff to perform simple tasks such as selecting music, answering or blocking incoming calls. , navigation (provided by voice). The most beautiful part of the jacket is not its function, but the clothes can not only complete the task, but also maintain the appearance. Why do you say this way? Because it looks like an ordinary denim jacket, it is not like a high-tech product.

Heating jacket

In March 2016, startup Emel +Aris launched a crowdfunding campaign on the crowdfunding website, successfully financing £100,000, which will be used for the development of a smart thermal jacket.

Similar to the cyclist's jacket, Emel + Aris's dress doesn't look like a high-tech product at all, almost the same as the long coat we usually wear. But in fact, this is a jacket with smart heating technology - it is made of lightweight polymer, and the inner sewed heat absorbing material can generate far infrared rays, which can be transferred to the skin after heat generation. To achieve warmth.

Feel the heartbeat of an idol

Designer Billy Whitemons is the founder of the startup WE. Before the start of the 2016 Super Bowl, he launched a "Fan Jersey" T-shirt with more than 300 fans wearing the dress to watch the game. According to Whitemons, after connecting with a smartphone via Bluetooth, the clothes can achieve tactile vibrations, synchronized with the game, and can better mobilize the wearer's mood.

The commentary believes that the most exciting part of this T-shirt is not what it does with wearable technology, but what it means for the entertainment industry. For example, if you are a fan of a player, you can feel his heartbeat, can you better integrate into the game? What would it feel like if you could sit in a movie theater wearing such clothes and watch a highly stimulating movie? In the long run, it is entirely possible to watch a sports game with a similar T-shirt, or to watch a series on the sofa at home. At that time, "tension" will have a completely different meaning.

Glowing clothing

In the field of fashion technology, luminous clothes are not uncommon. Innovative corporate XO creative director and co-founder Lanxi Tilbury has expanded the design to match shiny clothing to specific buyers.

Lanxi Tilbury collaborated with a clothing company to launch a variety of hats and rucksacks that combine fiber optic fabrics and accessories at New York Fashion Week in February 2016. The surface color and pattern of the product can be changed according to different music.

Super tough

Bolt Threads, a San Francisco-based startup, has developed a technology that extracts spider silk proteins from the dyeing tank and weaves them into yarn. Tests show that this fabric woven from spider silk protein is tougher than the famous Kevlar (a brand name of aramid fiber material product developed by DuPont) and more durable than Lycra. Bolt Threads has received a third round of $50 million in financing last year, and the company is preparing to begin selling its products in 2018.

Leather is also innovative

Finally, click the "modern ranch (Modern Meadow), which focused on the study of crystal growth material, the company's laboratory is developing new leather. In other words, modern ranch to make more durable leather material, increase the number of properties that are not natural leather .

Susanna Lee, chief creative officer of Hyundai Ranch, said: "In the 20th century, many materials emerged from the petrochemical industry. For example, DuPont developed Leica. Before that, the company also developed nylon and synthetic fibers by chemical means. If you agree with this point of view, then The 21st century will be the era of biotechnology." She believes that within 10 to 20 years, similar fibers will fly into the homes of ordinary people.