The ever-growing digital world opens up new opportunities in the creative process as well as the way we interact with and discover fashion. Recent technology trends in fashion ways have changed the way people shop, through social media apps, retails shops and augmented realities.
There was a time when people had to go through a long and lengthy process to get the outfit launched in the fashion world. Today, we live in insta-age. Social media is changing how fashion is consumed and has trained consumers to want instant access to the latest trends as soon as they hit the catwalks.
From the materials used in the best jewellery brands to the way we try on clothes, technology has dramatically affected the way we shop for, wear and production.
As customers’ real lives become increasingly intertwined with the digital world a lot of designers and brands have become involved in using the latest technologies to put the limits of manufacturing, production, marketing and wearability. From the boom of mobile commerce, the involvement of AI 3D printing and blockchain, here are the recent technology trends in the fashion industry that are reshaping the industry.
Artificial Intelligence
Brands are widely using AI to enhance customers’ shopping experience, analyze data, boost sales, offer inventory-related guidance, and more things. Artificial Intelligence in the apparel industry has found its application in understanding the demand of the customers through the software.
It supports the retailers to target the right customers with the right product and the cost at the right time.
3D Printing and Lasers
Customization is one of the biggest demands of the modern consumer. Buying off-the-rack is the thing of past mainly for jewellery. Now, designers are able to use cutting-edge 3D printing technologies and lasers to create customized pieces with less effort.
Also, 3D printing has become essential for designing and development of clothing and footwear. It allows producers to prototype in real-time, instantly tweaking and altering in a way that’s a lot more efficient than it once was.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The rapid expansion of technology has affected brands in different ways. The Internet of Things (IoT) allows data sharing, security, inventory management, and improved efficiency and productivity. Many businesses consider IoT in enhancing their customer experience.
It includes apparel with digital capabilities such as wearable spaces, smart clothing, responsive sportswear, multi-functional designers and more.
Mobile Commerce
The use and impact of mobile are getting high. It has impacted our everyday lives a lot. As per the Insider Intelligence forecasts, mobile commerce will reach $284 billion, or 45% of the total U.S. e-commerce market, by the end of 2020.
It is great because using our phone for shopping online is becoming easier and easier with time. With digital wallet options like Android Pay and Apply, continuously innovating with the latest technologies such as facial recognition and fingerprint.
Augmented Reality (AR)
In the 21st century, retailers are aware of the fact that to get success today; they need to find ways to bridge the gap between eCommerce and real life. One way they are doing so is through virtual reality and augmented reality to support shoppers visualize and try on clothing online.
Platforms like Ditton, Virtuzies provide integrations that let consumers virtually try clothes while shopping from their computer or smartphone.
Wearable Technology
One of the recent technology trends in the fashion industry is the emergence of wearable devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches. No doubt, these devices in and of themselves have been around for a while, an emerging trend in the industry is a stronger shift in focus to fashion.
Today, many brands are integrating precious metals, high-end materials and even gemstones and making activity trackers and season’s stylish pieces of jewellery.
Personalization
Personalization is a major concern today, a lot of fashion retailers are investing in technology that fuels a more personal experience for their shoppers with the goal of driving loyalty as well as engagement. Present-day, retailers are using machine learning and AI-powered solutions to deliver personalized product recommendations in-store and online.
The aim here is to anticipate customers’ needs, and ensure they will not end up at competitor to complete their outfit. With a strong, personal recommendation, store takers have the tools to personalize their customers’ choice and impress them.
Recycled Fibers
In recent years, apparel brands are upgrading their fibres and fabrics. As consumers are demanding sustainability in their products, it is no longer enough to call basic fabrics eco-friendly. Rather, companies are developing innovative fibres from discarded or biodegradable materials.
Blockchain
Known as the record-keeping technology behind bitcoin and digital currency, Blockchain is being used to trace and keep records of clothing apparel and supply chains through technology like track and trace and inventory management.
The blockchain solution creates a physical-digital link between products and their digital identities on a blockchain. As it works with digital currency, this is a cryptographic seal that acts as the physical identifier that is linked back to the individual product’s digital twin.
Every time any product moves in the supply chain it is recorded on the blockchain. It can prevent counterfeiting as goods, missing the physical-digital link will be faked. Besides, with it, any attempt to divert goods can be tracked. Blockchain finds if the lay party to get custody of the product had a counterfeit product slipped in or if the product was diverted out.
Wrap Up
These are the recent technology trends in the fashion industry that have impacted the way we make clothes. Although this is not a complete list of latest fashion trends, these are some ways where the fashion industry is headed.
