A fascinating transition is taking place where fashion and technology collide, giving rise to a myriad of innovative developments that are revolutionising the way we shop, dress, and perceive style. The merging of tech and fashion is not just a passing trend but a revolution, with everything from wearable technology-infused clothing that effortlessly combines function with style to augmented reality that is completely changing the retail landscape. Scroll down to read more on recent developments in fashion technology, where sophistication and sustainability collide, and 3D printing creates couture. Welcome to a world where innovation is intertwined with the future of fashion, and creativity has no restraints.
Coperni x Fabrican
Bella Hadid’s Coperni spray-on dress was the talk of the season at the SS’23 Paris Fashion Week. All eyes were on Hadid as she walked onto the runway wearing a pair of nude underwear and stood on a platform as a gorgeous minimalistic white dress was sprayed onto her. Capturing the attention of fashion experts, Fabrican has developed a patented an instant spray-on fabric technology that comes out of a can and hardens when it comes in contact with the air around it, creating a material that has a suede-like finish to it. The spray-on material is made from polymers and natural or synthetic fibres. The silhouette that was created on Hadid was then carefully cut and styled into a shorter dress that fit the chic and cutting-edge aesthetic that Coperni has developed. While the technology wasn’t new or Earth-shattering, it did start a discourse in fashion where questions like what happens when technology meets fashion, what is the future of smart fabrics and how fashion tech trends change the course of fashion began to permeate discussions.
Amit Aggarwal
Fashion technology is taking over the Indian fashionscape, and Indian couturier Amit Aggarwal is at the forefront of defying traditional norms in fashion. His material explorations and innovatively structured drapes have changed the way Indian fashion is perceived on a global scale. His visionary approach towards experimental fabrics and incorporation of smart technology has turned him into a household name across the globe. Aggarwal uses materials like polymer chips, metallic threads and hand-spun optic & glass fibres to create visually stunning, structured pieces with the help of laser cutting and 3D printing. Aggarwal’s whimsical avant-garde pieces have been worn by A-list Bollywood stars like Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Sobhita Dhulipala, and more.
Iris Van Herpen
Wearable technology is the newest innovation that has flooded the industry. With 3D printing on the rise, concepts like incorporating LEDs and fibre optics into fabrics have become a reality. Elements that are interactive instantly captivate the human gaze; take Mona Patel’s look at the 2024 Met Gala as an example. The gorgeous Iris Van Herpen dress was a marvel to look at, with kinetic butterflies encircling her arms, fluttering in slow motion with the help of incorporated mechanics. The sculpted floor-length gown looked mesmerising and garnered attention worldwide.
We’re living in an era where fashion shows are being held in the metaverse, and fashion waste is being turned into couture proving that tech and fashion, in fact, can go hand in hand. Technology acts as a catalyst for creativity and innovation, and it is revolutionising the way we approach fashion. Smart fabrics, wearable tech, sustainable clothing and accessibility in fashion have a long way to go but we’re surely moving in the right direction.