Fashion and technology - Essay Example

Fashion and technology Introduction Advancements in technology have impacted many areas of the human sphere. This study seeks to explore examples of design that integrate fashion and technology. The study will also analyse the ways in which the designs can be understood in relation to new concepts of the body. In the discussion, the paper will draw upon ideas about the body-machine, the cyborg body, and fashion as the second body. Discussion In today’s modern world, technology is an indispensable tool that is heavily relied on by almost all fields. The clothing and fashion industries can be regarded as industries that heavily rely on advanced technology for most of their operations. Clothing is among the basic human needs, and apart from being a basic need, different dressing habits showcase a person’s culture and interests. With the current advancements in technology, wide arrays of different fashion designs are easy to develop to serve a specified purpose (Evans 2003, p. 10). Since the evolution of fabric design, cloth fashions have evolved remarkably in accordance with the changing human behaviours and needs. During the ancient times, clothing was not a prime concern for human beings, and materials such as animal skin were used to cover the human body. The advent of the fabric revolution saw the introduction of well designed suits and fabrics. These suits and fabrics were made from exotic materials in order to offer protection from the adverse environmental conditions. Today, man has shown his ingenious capability by engineering clothing designs and fashions that no one could have ever thought of during the fabric evolution. The modern technology has become the principal driving force for all the advancements in the fashion industry (Quinn 2002, p. 7). Science is playing a key role in the fashion industry, and it has brought about the introduction of novel materials that have changed the quality and adaptability of fabrics in the fashion industry. These materials that have so far assumed the name of smart materials allow fashion designers to come up with the so-called bright fabrics within the fashion industry. High-end technology such as atomic force microscopy and polymeric nanofibres are currently applied in designing, manufacturing and quality assessment of emerging fabrics (Quinn 2010, p.11). The use of computers in the fashion industry is unarguably a key element in the fashion industry. Use of computers comes in handy from the onset of the designing process, adding intricate details, adding modifications where necessary, controlling other instruments used in the manufacturing process and quality assessment of the final product. However, some of the technologies currently applied in the fashion industry raise a number of social and ethical concerns. Concerned persons have challenged the use of networking and communication devices in designing fabrics terming it anti-fashion and anti-dress. Researchers in the fashion industry maintain that there is an acceptable and natural way of dressing, which applies for all human beings (Colchester 2007, p. 44). A look into designs that integrate fashion and technology will help in analyzing the way the fashion industry is changing in relation to new concepts of the body. Electronic textiles Fashions that incorporate the use of computer technology within the design end up forming a key component of the wearer’s body system when properly utilized (Quinn 2002, p. 13). The computer technology part of the fabric controls a number of body functions, and this puts the wearer at a risk of being monitored by others once the garment indicates some noticeable signals. This development indicates that modern fashion is moving to a whole new way of acting as the second human skin. Techno fabrics are acting as mobile, networked environments by utilizing fibres that are capable of conducting electrical impulses and transferring information. Fabrics of this nature have microelectronic components and connectors that are integrated into the fabric (Bowles & Issac 2009, p.18). Electronic textiles were first applied in designing smart shirts meant for military use. The designers of the smart shirts used a supple textile material made of natural fibre, gossamer wires and optical fibres (Quinn 2002, p.55). The aim of coming with this design was to measure heart rate, respiration and body temperature. Information captured by the smart shirts was then transmitted to a remote system for analysis. The smart shirts are a classical example of how fashion can be utilized as the second human skin. Man has evolved from depending on natural hair for protection from adverse climatic conditions to wearing woven garments, and he is now shifting to computerized garments (Quinn 2010, p. 27). In the 21st century, the use of a mixture of natural and artificial fibres has seen the introduction of super smart fabrics in the fashion industry. These fabrics are engineered for performance and style, and they have contributed remarkably in strengthening the relationship between science and textile industry. This advancement has in turn resulted to the emergence of smart textiles and material scientists (Evans 2003, p. 17). Various human body responses can be captured using the electronic textiles. Body changes and interactions from the surrounding environment can be captured on a techno fabric that uses patterns and colour changes to predict the prevailing emotional state of the wearer (Cole 2008, p. 71). Different emotion states such as stress, fear or arousal change the body temperature, which in turn produces sweat that generates light. The generated light is responsible for changes in patterns and colour observed on the gown. The Scentsory Design’s is a techno fabric that relies on the heat generated by the human body to interpret the emotional status of the wearer. The fabric is designed using nanotechnology and microfluidics, and it has aromas added to it that function to boost the limbic system which is the human, emotional centre. This fabric design has been described as one that provides an anti-depressive effect to its wearer and is capable of improving the wearer’s mental wellbeing. Therefore, Scentsory Design’s interprets the emotional changes as involuntary changes that are quickly addressed by the system (Quinn 2010, p. 191). The introduction of mobile phones has also played a role in the advancement of the fashion industry. A hug shirt is an example of a digitized garment that allows loved ones to share hugging sensations from a far distance. The hug shirt is designed using sensors, and it relies on mobile phone networks to transmit body temperature, touch and heart beats an immobilized companion in real time. A feeling of a real hug is generated by the actuators located at cardinal body intensity points where maximum “real” sensation of a hug will be felt (Quinn 2002, p. 72). The introduction of electric fabrics has transformed mankind into a cyborg-like being. Human functions performed by various body systems have been enhanced by the electric systems that are embedded in the electric garments. Cyborg-like designs is used in military places to facilitate military operations and as well as training. Therefore, cyborg can be described as a symbiotic relationship between human and machine and is faithful to its human counterpart, as well as its machine attributes. Cyborgs manifest themselves based on their intended purpose, and designers will always focus on attaining the desired design (Quinn 2002, p.9). The smart second skin This fabric design is developed using medical tubes, pinch clamps and organza silk. The fabric is like an emotional living tissue that mimics the neurobiological delivery systems situated under the human skin. The design utilizes cabling system to add smell technology into multi sensorial garments. This design aims at improving a person’s wellbeing by boosting therapeutic quantities (Quinn 2002, p. 107). This design is regarded as living fabric due to the presence of different scents that change with human emotions. These changes in emotions activate the implanted smell technologies making it alive like a normal human skin. The human body comprises of the circulation system, senses and scent glands. As the blood circulates within the body system, smart second skin fabrics emit varied selection of scents depending on the prevailing personal moods. The smart second skin fabrics have a nervous system as part of the fabric, which depends on the emotional changes of the wearer to control its own emotional wellbeing (Quinn 2002, p. 110). This development is a clear indication that the human body can be modelled on surfaces such as fabrics to perform many functions based on the intended purpose. In this example, aromatic messages are conveyed electronically through a cabling system to the limbic system within the human brain (Quinn 2010, p. 32). In another example, a design developed using printed LEDs, silk, sensors, breath, and electricity is capable of turning the breath of the wearer into pulses of light. Breathing movements are responsible for activating the breath sensor, which dims and brightens the printed LED embedded on the garment (Cole 2008, p. 85). This fabric design has an invisible part, which is similar to the sensory part of the human skin and is responsible for taking the human breath to produce aqua blue light. This garment design creates a state of connectivity between the wearer and the electric component of the garment (Cole 2008, p. 87). Another similar design to this is constructed to respond to pollutants in the air allowing the wearer to take necessary precautions when pollutants are detected. Nanotechnology has also been applied in developing garment design that has antibacterial activities. Cotton bonded to silver and palladium nanoparticles solutions is in use, and it has proved to be an effective antibacterial that is capable of keeping the wearer free of pathogens and pathogens present in the air (Colchester 2007, p. 143). Through fashion and technology, the human body’s capability can be enhanced to improve on its performance. To achieve this, a good understanding of the functioning of different body systems is crucial. Majority of body processes can be measured with ease, manipulated and predicted; this makes it possible for designers to come up with a second nervous system in the garment (Evans 2003, p. 123). Cloth designs that allow people to connect with each other through social networks using mobile phones have also gained their way into the fashion industry. These forms of design create networks that connect people from different locations; this allows them to chat via the internet while walking around (Evans 2003, p. 54). A clear example is a boot design called the seven mile boots, which is designed to enable its wearer to chat with other people within a similar network. The boots have all the necessary hardware to facilitate communication within the networks (Quinn 2002, p. 73). Another related design to this is an umbrella design that allows people using similar umbrellas to connect with each other in streets. Umbrellas of this nature are able to emit electric signals when opened. When they detect umbrellas of similar kind, they respond by producing light. The seven mile boots and the umbrella network are examples of how the fashion industry has advanced to the extent of bringing people of a similar interest together. Communication is becoming easier using these designs and several other developments are in waiting (Quinn 2002, p. 97). Fashion industry is growing at a high rate; this can be evidenced by the developments addressed in this paper. Advancements in the ICT sector and extensive research in the scientific world are the key driving forces in the advancements taking place in the fashion industry (Quinn 2002, p. 16). The human body system has been exploited extensively to make these developments a reality. Therefore, a symbiotic relationship exists between the human body and numerous fashion designs that are already in the fashion industry. Conclusion For any fashion design to be relevant, a human body must be present, and, on the other hand, fashion designs have played a key role in enhancing a number of the human body functions. The invisible part of this fashion designs is the most valuable part that is responsible for promoting the functionality of the garment. In today’s modern world where everything is been constructed on well thought of technology, majority of people are becoming mindful of fashion designs when shopping for clothes. Fashion designs that enhance capabilities of the human body system are becoming a perfect choice to many people around the world. On the other hand, the fashion industry is working tirelessly to ensure technologically sound fashion designs get into the market. References List Bowles, M. & Issac, C. (2009). Digital Textile Design, London, Laurence King. pp. 15-18. Colchester, C. (2007). Textiles today: a global survey of trends and traditions, London, Thames & Hudson. pp. 40-150. Cole, D. (2008). Textiles Now, London, Laurence King. pp. 10-80. Evans, C. (2003). Fashion at the Edge: Spectacle, Modernity and Deathliness, London, Yale University Press. pp. 15-130. Quinn, B. (2002). Techno Fashion, Oxford, Berg. pp.5- 250. Quinn, B. (2010). Textile Futures: Fashion, Design and Technology, Oxford, Berg. pp. 5-350. Read More