My Fashion Panorama - Essay Example

Section/# Fashion and Technology Whereas fashion is something that has continued to grow and redefine itselfsince the time in which people began to engage with new trends of self-expression, the realm of fashion is not outside the societal influences that define the world in which we live. In fact, many authors have argued that fashion is ultimately an outgrowth of the political, societal, economic, and philosophical approaches that exist in any one particular time. Within such an understanding, it is not unreasonable to assume that technology, and the proliferation that it has had over the past several decades, is likely to profoundly affect the growth and development of fashion in the immediate future. Even a cursory level of understanding reveals the way in which technology has come to fundamentally redefine the life of the individual; seemingly irrespective of where they live on the globe. Within such an understanding, the following analysis will engage the reader with a discussion of the manner through which future visions of technology and creativity could likely help to redefine the way in which current fashion and “utility” is defined. Although five distinct cases will be discussed, with respect to the way in which fashion and utility of this definition can be defined, these are merely potential developments and should not be understood as guaranteed to take place within the immediate future. As a means of explicating and defining the likely out growth and development in which fashion might take in the immediate future, it is the hope of this author that the reader can gain a more differentiated view of the way in which fashion might very well come to be represented. Firstly, in terms of utility, fashion has always experience something of a love/hate relationship with maximizing utility while at the same time maximizing “stylishness”. For instance, the ultimate utility of the shoe is something that allows the individual to walk in and unimpeded manner; however, the high-heeled shoe, a staple of high fashion for women around the globe, necessarily impedes the comfort and overall distance that an individual who wears such a shoe can travel (Lowenstein, 2013). However, form and function have come to experience a conversion of the past several years with respect to fashion as more and more utilitarian interests are being represented. Evidence of this can be seen with regards to the need to represent a “greener” lifestyle. As such, one potential trend that is likely to gain traction within the coming years is fashion that can readily be printed from 3D printers. By the utilization of recycled raw material for “thread” and/or designs, such an approach is one that has the potential to greatly transform the way in which fashion is exhibited and the impact of consumerism is sought to be reduced. Ultimately, with regards to the actual representation that this particular approach could engage, it must be stated that there is no limit to the imagination that creators and fashion designers could bring to bear with respect to the capabilities of 3D printing (Scaturro, 2008). The overall impact that 3D printing will have on the world of fashion remains to be seen; however, with the juxtaposition of the desire to save the planet, the need to reduce the ethical issue of sweatshops in impoverished regions of the world, and the tangential benefit of negated shipping costs for new fashion items, it is the expectation of this observer that 3D printing of fashion items will be something that fundamentally reshapes the fashion world within the coming decades (Konrad, 2013). Figure 1.0 illustrates the way in which a 3D printer could potentially be used to affect fashion in the near future. Figure 1.0 Another potential technological development that could be represented within the near future is with respect to a type of solar panel cloth. As individuals within society are more and more idealistic with regards to their carbon footprint and the overall impact that their consumption and use of resources can affect on the planet, developments in technology could quite easily come to represent photovoltaic fabrics that could easily and cheaply be produced. Through such an approach, smart phones, personal media devices, and a litany of other day to day electronics could stay merely continually charged without the need for carrying cables or having bulky traditional solar panels attached to the clothing. Ultimately, the representation of certain types of sportswear and other types of clothing that have already Incorporated solar panels into their design is indicative of the overall level of acceptance and demand that individuals have for such an inclusion within the fashion world (Wang, 2010). Moreover, as the technology improves and the overall cost of production decreases, it is expected that the use of photovoltaic thread will be a means through which such a technology can continue to have an increased impact upon fashion and the means through which design is implemented. The only threat to this particular development that can be imagined is the fact that the overall cost of production could very well exceed the tangential or perceived benefits that the user could garner from such a fabric. As such, it remains to be seen if this will fundamentally change the way in which fashion is represented within the near future. Figure 2.0 illustrates the discussion that has been had with regards to photovoltaic fabric. Figure 2.0 In tandem with the design that has previously been discussed another potential development is with respect to incorporated battery technology within fashion (Ribeiro et al., 2013). In the current era, traditional batteries that are composed of nickel cadmium or other elements are the primary means through which electricity is stored for a particular device. However, recent scholarship has indicated that a potential for development exists with respect to developments in technology that could utilize different elements and compounds as a means of storing electrical energy (Crewe, 2013). Naturally, the desire to get away from lead or prohibitively expensive forms of electrical storage is one of the ways in which fashion technology might come to be represented within the near future. In such a way, even though a technologies is not currently exist that would allow a simple fabric to hold and retain a charge for an extended period of time, researchers are currently on the cost of developing just such a fabric (Scaturro, 1996). This would not only revolutionize the world of fashion, it also has the inherent potential to revolutionize the way in which electrical storage for how other applications would be conducted as well. Nevertheless, the reality of the fact is that such a change in technology would necessarily place a constriction upon the way in which fashion could be represented (Chyan & Yi-Chun, 2011). Due to the likely nature of such a fabric, the sheen, rigidity, or strength of such a fabric might be greatly different than other types of fabrics that have traditionally been used in fashion; thereby creating a situation in which the realm of fashion would have to change in order to match the potential and possibilities that such a fabric engendered. Figure 3.0 illustrates the type of clear fabric that is currently being developed that has the potential to store an electric charge over a long period of time. Figure 3.0 Another potential development that could likely come to exist within the near future is with respect to trackable clothing. Although it is true that clothing is not one of the items that is oftentimes stolen, those individuals who regularly buy designer handbags, luggage, and other high-priced items oftentimes find themselves the victim of theft. As such, a potential development that could likely be seen over the next several years is with respect to a technology that allows the individual owner to track their possessions (Kowitt, 2013). This type of tracking system has already been invented with respect to motorcycles, bicycles, and laptops. Ultimately, it relies upon either an Internet connection or the proximity of a GSM enabled device to alert the user with regards to where it is located. Effective geo-location for such products could easily increase the appeal that a consumer would have with respect to the fact that they would have a level of all with regards to the threat of theft that could potentially take place. Figure 4.0 below illustrates the way in which such a tracking system could be utilized within certain types of fashion. Figure 4.0 A final development that is likely to be evidenced within the near future is with respect to the breakthrough in health monitoring and diagnostic availability that exists to the average consumer. Only a few brief years ago, in order for an individual adequate track of their vitals, they were required to the doctor and perform a series of tests. However, with the age of smart devices and the ability to record and monitor body temperature, glucose levels, heart rate, blood pressure, and a litany of other relevant health concerns, a future direction that clothing will take with regards to its design and technological integration is one in which this relevant issue will come to be represented more and more (Butler, 2010). Naturally, certain types of watches and bracelets currently utilize such a technology; however, the increase in sophistication and the levels to which this technology can be utilized with respect to actual fabric is something that is likely to heavily impact upon the world fashion within the near future. Whereas each and every development in fashion is targeted at a specific demographic, the overall reach and scope that such a technology could bring to the market is one that would engage in a very wide demographic base – comprised of individuals that take an active level of interest with regards to their health and the means through which it can be maximized. Figure 5.0 The discussion that has taken place helps to reveal the fact that technology, design, and potential development will all heavily impact upon the way in which fashion is represented, and likely to be represented, within the future. As technology continues to have a more and more salient impact upon the way in which daily life is conducted, it is only reasonable to assume that the same level of technological perfusion will have a relevant level of impact with regards to the way in which fashion is represented. Whereas the five specific topics that have been discussed might not necessarily common to be represented in the way that this author has depicted, it is undoubtedly true that some level of technological impact will be felt within the world of fashion as individuals come to rely more and more upon their devices integrate themselves more fully within an electronic world. Bibliography Butler, G 2010, Fashion Institute of Technology , Hoovers Company Profiles, EBSCOhost, viewed 4 March 2014. Chyan, Y, & Yi-Chun, H 2011, Impact of Ergonomic and Social Psychological Perspective: A Case Study of Fashion Technology Adoption in Taiwan, International Journal Of Human-Computer Interaction, 27, 7, pp. 583-605, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 4 March 2014. Crewe, L 2013, When virtual and material worlds collide: democratic fashion in the digital age, Environment & Planning A, 45, 4, pp. 760-780, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 4 March 2014. 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