The 21st century is well-known for its technological advancements, enhancing all aspects of humanity. These innovations touch on all industries being architecture, design, fashion etc. The combination of science and art pushes the boundaries of limitations leaving imagination to take charge.
This push specific to the fashion industry sees the rise in alternative materials are taking place within the industry. The utilization of technology, to bring to life concepts that never before could be done.
Specific to this trend is Creative director Suzanne Lee of Modern Meadow. With political issues focusing on consumerism and its negative impact on the planet, (mass productions stripping land of it nutrients, deforestation in order to grow plantations and pollutants being released into the air due to dying processes etc.) a development in fabrics also know as 'Biofabricate', is bridging the gap between fashion being more sustainable and ethical. A close collaboration of biology & technology with the premise of eventually being able to produce and grow fabrics made directly from bacterias found in every house hold. Interviews done with Suzanne Lee by Next Nature Network (Alessia Andreotti) explores how this concept sees that rather than using cotton to grow a fibre, replacing it using a microbe to synthesize cellulose to essentially grow a garment. In addition the fabric in itself is compostable, due to the materials genetic makeup. This collaboration of technology and fashion along with biology, sees that materials are grown from scratch; with this in mind possibilities involving fabric manipulation in terms of functionality & aesthetics is a possibility due to vast improvements towards technology and engineering.
This can also be linked to ethics within fashion, as the essence of biocouture is to 'eventually grow your own clothing at home' , eliminating the dangerous & laborious tasks given to underpaid workers. In addition to having a more positive effect on the environment.
In terms of future trends shaping how fashion will evolve the evolution of technology applied to retail stores sees (again) technology revolutionising how we as consumers decide what size clothing is needed. Fitting rooms designed to analyse the measurements of your body, creates less room for error when it comes to buying the garment. Other options involves a person's own personalised measurements mixed with virtual reality in which consumers have the option of trying on different garments without having to physically try it on.
This concept can be greatly valued in terms of online shopping, where your measurements specific to the contours of your body are then sent over and returned with a garment fitted to you.
Fashion not only extends to how technology changes fashion but also touches on the ever increasing blurred line between clothing designed for females and males. In today's society where all social normalities are being questioned, this in turn translates to the change of pace between what a women's role in society is and a man's role. As a reflection of this new trend of genderless clothing is designed as a reaction, commenting on cultural shifts.
With the industry being in a constant state of change, it is only due to the innovations of technology that fashion is being taken to new heights. This emerging of technology and creativity will only lead to a gateway of possibilities, enhancing the everyday lives of the human race.
