wearables are here at last. First announced in May 2016, the Google x Levi’s “Project Jacquard” jacket officially released this September. In short, the jacket – a modern successor to 2000’s Philips x Levi’s ICD+ – is a standard Levi’s denim trucker built to sync with a smartphone. Once a phone is connected, a system of smart fibers woven throughout the jacket (in tandem with a wireless “tag” remote) allow users to control smartphone functions through gesture controls, including just tapping on the jacket’s wrists to pause music or set navigation.
If a nuclear apocalypse seems too heavy a toll on
your own Pip-Boy-style wrist computer, the Google x Levi’s Jacquard Commuter is now available for just $350. At the very least, you’ll never forget your jacket anywhere again.
The Unseen for Selfridges
We can really talk innovation in fashion when it comes to Lauren Bowker, the fashion alchemist,. The Unseen is a London-based start up that succeeded with a concept of colors that are changing based on the user interaction or the environment they are placed in.
The Unseen by Selfridges, was a collection of
luxury accessories which included a backpack, scarf, phone case and more. These items respond to air pressure, touch and body temperature – even the sunlight and wind. For instance, an alligator-skin bag saw environmentally responsive ink switching from black in the winter, to red in the spring, blue in the summer and green fading to red in the autumn.
Much of the innovation in fashion tech never
made it to the market. However, The Unseen by Selfridges is one of the successful creations.