Experts on the Rise of ‘Fash-Tech’
Imagine personalization and sustainability causing foundational shifts in the fashion industry. What does that future look like?
Hello y’all!
California Apparel News recently published insights from technology experts about the ways emerging fashion experiments with AI, advanced materials, and sustainable production techniques could dictate investments in technology by apparel companies.
Rick Helfenbein, an apparel-industry consultant, emphasized how “AI is taking a prominent role in helping brands understand consumer behavior” for a future where AI data-insights go beyond custom fittings to drive hyper-personalized consumer experiences, tailored designs, and real-time feedback to encourage brand loyalty.
Tech’s integration into fashion is also addressing inclusivity, enabling adaptable designs that accommodate diverse body types, lifestyles, and climates. AI and body-scanning tools are already leading to more accessible, size-inclusive collections, reflecting a shift toward inclusivity as a standard rather than an add-on.
Meanwhile, Blockchain and digital tracking tech facilitate transparency, allowing consumers to verify the authenticity and ethical standards of each piece, meeting the demand for accountability in production processes.
On the materials front, Jonathan E. Bourgeois, CEO of Spintex Engineering, mentioned “textiles engineered from biopolymers that mimic spider silk’s resilience,” signaling the rise of durable, sustainable alternatives to traditional fabrics.
Leslie Cohen, vice president of strategy at Kornit Digital, also highlighted how innovations in textile printing “enable on-demand production with zero water waste,” making sustainable, responsive manufacturing viable at scale.
As the fashion industry zeroes in on functionality with ethics, next-gen materials like bioengineered textiles may dominate, offering eco-friendly alternatives that also boast superior performance.
This could redefine apparel design and shape as well as collection and curation. So brands are now focusing on sustainability as the norm rather than an optional feature, shifting the emphasis from seasonal releases to enduring staples that maximize wearability and minimize waste, for the ever-increasing eco-conscious consumers.
However, as Helfenbein notes, ethical challenges, particularly around data privacy, will be crucial to address as tech becomes inseparable from fashion’s future.
And if any of you has tried bio-engineered apparel, let me know in the comments!
Until next time,
Cheers!
