How Fashion and New Technology Influence Each Other - Coursework Example

HOW FASHION AND NEW TECHNOLOGY INFUENCE EACH OTHER By Location How Fashion and New Technology Influence Each other Introduction The emergence of technology has altered many aspects of life. Technology has had a remarkable impact on emerging fashion trends. Since the 18th century, people have exhibited a consciousness for fashion. Researchers in the fashion industry have described an undying urge for people to have something new that is extremely stimulating. In the clothing industry, fashion has remained a critical aspect. Human beings have evolved from using clothing for the primary purpose of covering their bodies to a more advanced perspective of defining one’s personality through the dressing. Over the years, human beings have become more conscious of their body image. Human beings want to make a statement through their dressing. Therefore, fashion has become of critical importance in an effort to alter or enhance one’s body image. In addition, the society has been changing and defining new standards of physical beauty. Therefore, emerging fashion trends have been used to meet societal expectations of beauty. Technology has served to introduce new realms of possibilities in the fashion industry. Designers have relied on technology in the development of highly stimulating fashion items. On the other hand, fashion trends have compelled designers to adopt new techniques in order to meet customer demands. Therefore, fashion and technology have influenced each other over the years. How New Technologies Influence Fashion Emerging technologies have altered different aspects of the fashion industry. In the past, human beings relied on natural fabrics. However, technology has enabled the production of numerous synthetic fabrics. Initially, the society did not receive synthetic fabrics positively because they lacked the characteristics exhibited by natural fabrics. However, innovation has led to the production of desirable synthetic fabrics. Therefore, the society’s perception of synthetic fabrics as uncomfortable, unattractive, flammable, and vulnerable to water has changed. In the modern era, technology has enabled designers to develop synthetic fabrics, which are highly sophisticated. Innovation has led to the production of fabrics with super-enhanced performance and outstanding qualities such as rainproof and windproof fabrics, breathable fabrics, as well as ultra-light materials. As highlighted by Amsamani and Punna (2010, p. 38), whereas synthetic fabrics were undesirable in the past, advanced technology has led to the development of user-friendly fabrics with highly desirable features. Technology has introduced new realms of possibilities in the production sector. Automated production has led to the emergence of numerous fashion items and accessories. Textile industry innovations have adopted an automated production process, which translates to bulk production at higher speeds. Previously, designing of textiles relied on human labour. With advanced machineries in the market, textile industries can produce clothes, designer bags, shoes and other items at a lower cost. Notably, the products are likely to be quality compared to products from traditional production. The creation of new synthetic fabric relies on an automated process. In addition, the production of different types of clothing depending on purpose has become more realistic with emerging technologies. Worth noting is the fact that technology allows manufacturers to adapt to emerging trends in the fashion industry, according to Bodhani (2015, p. 70). The emergence of the internet as one of the most remarkable technological advancements has led to numerous changes in the fashion industry. In the past, fashion trends prevailing in one region of the globe did not have an impact in other regions. Musante (2014, p. 28) asserts that the availability of the internet and social media platforms has led to the globalization of fashion trends. Designers can have a global market through the internet. In the modern day, a designer dressing a celebrity can reach a high percentage of sales if the design impresses the public. For example, the wedding dress worn by Kate Middleton at her wedding created a fashion buzz across the globe. A single day event in which the renowned individual wore the dress led to numerous purchases from across the globe as highlighted by (Peterson (2012, p. 69). Therefore, the internet has affected the way fashion industries and designers market their products. In addition, the fact that people can shop online has altered the buying process. With the internet, fashion trends hit the globe in a short period. For this reason, designers must develop new trends continuously because buyers anticipate new things each day. How 3D Printing Influences Fashion 3D printing is the latest technological advancement perceived to be able to influence the society more than the internet. 3D printing is an exciting technology that involves numerous processes. 3D printing introduces the possibility of producing products using a range of materials. The production occurs through an additive process, which is different from the subtractive methods in traditional production. 3D printing is applied in different sectors. Is has proven a reality in the fashion industry. However, the globe is yet to experience the full impact of 3D printing. 3D printing has the potential to trigger a revolution in design. Materials used in 3D printing are added layer by layer. It represents a high level of innovation, especially in the fashion industry. Adendorff (2014, p. 12) argues that through 3D printing, it is possible to design body informed 3D fashion items. 3D printing fashion items have features that are beyond wearables. They represent the future fabric in the fashion industry. Currently, there are fashion accessories such as hats, headpieces, and shoes that have been showcased in different fashion events. In addition, Karp (2014, p. 30) affirms that some fashion icons have been seen wearing 3D printing dresses on the catwalk. According to González & Chacón (2014, p. 145), 3D printing allows individuals to design fashion items customized to suit their bodies on a digital platform. For example, it is possible for an individual to see a new shoe design online and print a customized pair through 3D printing. However, the composition of the shoes is different from that achieved through traditional production. Although 3D printed items have only been common in the catwalk events, they are likely to become high street fashion items in the future. Some designers allow customers to download their shoe designs free and print them in accordance with personal preferences. Nike and Adidas have already ventured into 3D printing. In the view of these companies, 3D printing has been able to reduce production time from six weeks to a remarkable 48 hours. Evidently, 3D printing is still very expensive. It is likely to take time before everyone can afford 3D printed fashion items. However, it is no doubt that the new technology will transform the fashion industry. Through this technology, it is possible to develop dresses that combine plastics and metals. Ren-Chuen (2009, p. 317) also believes that the fact that 3D printing produces body informed products through the personalization of the design is likely to alter the trends in the fashion industry in the future. The globe has already proven receptive to 3D printing and anticipates the buzz that it will create in the fashion industry. As it has been observed lately, many fashion events across the globe have displayed 3D printed fashion items and accessories. Since fashion events are highly influential on the societal perception of fashion, there is a high possibility that 3D printed fashion items will dominate the fashion industry in the future. How Fashion Influences New Technology As highlighted above, people have exhibited an outstanding need to have a new fashion items and trends that are more stimulating. People live in anticipation of new products that will make a statement about their personality and body image. Therefore, fashion industries have been seeking to understand the fashion perceptions of the society. Without doubt, the societal views and preferences for different fashions have been changing over time. According to Scaturro (2008, p. 670), fashion industries have faced the compulsion of developing new techniques and technologies that can be used to produce new fashion items. The needs of the society usually pave the way for the development of new technologies. In the fashion industry, it has become evident that the designers have to respond to customer needs by adopting high levels of innovation. For example, many women have expressed their desire to have dresses that enhance the body shape. Previously, it was impossible for women to achieve that. However, fashion undertook a close analysis of the consumer needs exhibited by women. In order to meet the needs, designers had no option but to adopt an innovation in order to produce products that are more appealing to the customers. Therefore, designers develop techniques of integrating spandex and other desirable materials in synthetic fabrics so that they could produce dresses that enhanced the body image (‘Twitter Technology Trampling Fashion Designs’ 2012, p. 32). Women have exhibited other diverse needs of having fashions that can enhance their body images and conceal their flaws. Therefore, designers have been forced to carry out research on the most effective technologies that can be adopted in order to meet such needs. Fashion trends emanate from the society. The public determines what is fashionable and what represents a specific social class. Different fabrics have a connotation of the social status of the wearers. Therefore, designers conform to the social perceptions of fashion by developing new technologies that can help them meet consumer needs as highlighted by Wang (2010, p. 15). For example, many consumers have exhibited a fashion nee of having fashion items designed to suit their specific body shapes. The application of 3D printing in the fashion industry has been because of the emerging fashion trend of having personalized clothing. Many designers are seeking to launch fashion products that are not only unique, but also appealing to the consumers. With the fast emergence and disappearance of fashion trends, designers have no option but to indulge in rigorous research in an effort to develop technologies that can help them respond to emerging fashion needs according to Yap & Yeong (2014, p. 195). Conclusion Evidently, technology has a remarkable impact on the fashion industry. Without doubt, technology has led to the production of synthetic fabrics with a range of desirable characteristics. Unlike in the past, when people relied on natural fabrics, automated production has led to the production of a diverse range of synthetic fabrics. The internet and 3D printing have also altered different aspects of the fashion industry as illustrated above. On the other hand, fashion needs exhibited by different societies have served as driving forces for the development of new technologies. Bibliography Adendorff, L 2014, 3D technology: 3D printing the next frontier?, Aroq - Just-Style.Com (Global News), p. 12, Entrepreneurial Studies Source, EBSCOhost, viewed 18 March 2015. Amsamani, S, & Punna, T 2010, Impact of smart technology on fashion, Indian Textile Journal, 121, 3, p. 38, Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File, EBSCOhost, viewed 18 March 2015. Bodhani, A 2015, From computer to catwalk, Engineering & Technology (17509637), 9, 12, pp. 68-71, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 18 March 2015. 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