New Technology: How it Even Impacts on Fashion - Case Study Example

Section/# New Technology: How it Even Impacts on Fashion Whereas fashion is something that has continued to grow and redefine itself since 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 fact that 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. References 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 Ribeiro, L. Miguel, R. Pereira, M., Trindade, I., & Lucas, J. (2013). Design of Fashion Accessories: fabrics, modularity and technology,International Journal Of Management Cases, 15, 4, pp. 366-372, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 4 March 2014. Scaturro, S. (2008). Fashion And Technology, n.p.: Oxford University Press, Grove Art Online, EBSCOhost, viewed 4 March 2014. Read More