and the Brands Behind the Movement
From biotech fabrics to wearable technology, fashion innovation is ever growing. Clothing brands are exploring and developing ways that manufacturing can capitalize on the intersection between fashion and technology. These brands are redefining the fashion industry by improving sustainability and accessing health data.
Bolt Threads is implementing biology to grow sustainable materials in labs, rather than manufacture them in factories. Made from mycelium, the roots of mushrooms, Mylo is a fabricated leather-like material, providing us with an animal-free leather alternative. With a consortium of major brands like Stella McCartney, Adidas, Lululemon, and more, Bolt Threads has established themselves as pioneers in biotech fashion, as they appeal to luxury brands while maintaining vegan leather ethics.
We’re seeing similar innovation with wearable technology. Ralph Lauren introduced the PoloTech shirt, which tracks key health biometrics. Heart rate, breathing patterns, calories, and more are catalogued by the garment. These metrics are then fed directly to the wearer's phone. The shirt acts as a “personal trainer in the palm of your hand,” integrating personal data with wearable fashion to make personalized health data more accessible.
Other brands like Stella McCartney are using technology to tackle climate issues. As fashion continues to be a major contributor to climate change, the need for sustainable advancements is becoming increasingly dire. The brand employs 3D printing/knitting and zero-waste garment construction, allowing for minimal waste to be made throughout the design process.
The fashion industry is changing, the role of garments becoming much deeper than simply how they look. With technology at the forefront, the industry can increase personalization while reducing harmful environmental and ethical impacts. These are some of the key innovations transforming our fashion industry, as the values behind the materials we put on our bodies and the process of how they get there continue to adapt to a modernizing world.
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