Future fashion: Clothes which think

Clothes which change shape; change temperature – and even colour. Welcome to future fashion.

To celebrate the launch of its new smartwatch, Huawei Consumer Business Group has teamed up with ‘fashion futurologist’ and professor of fashion and technology, Dr Sabine Seymour, to reveal how the integration of technology will transform our wardrobe in the coming decades.

According Seymour, the transformation in garments will start with our underwear, which will have in-built sensors to track personal data, such as heart rate and body temperature.

The changes won’t end there, with personalisation in every aspect of our wardrobes. In years to come, we will be able to change the pattern, colour and even the shape and style of our garments.

“The next development for wearables is going to see technology integrated seamlessly into clothing,” Seymour predicts.

Her vision of the future of fashion with technology aligns perfectly with Huawei’s point of view on wearables: The Huawei watch embodies this vision, combining classic design with smart technology.

In the future, we may find there is much more space in our wardrobes, as garments will be able to alter in form, extending and contracting in length, and changing shape and design as required. Therefore, there may only be a need for one dress or shirt and the wearer will be able to download the latest designs.

Getting hot on public transport or carrying a spare sweater in case of colder weather could also become a thing of the past, as garments will be able to adjust to your body temperature.

With the rise of 3D printing techniques and on-demand manufacturing, we will see the introduction of the digital cobbler, who can create shoes that fit your feet perfectly, and for the rest of your life.

Garments will become gesture and touch-sensitive, just like phones, tablets or gaming systems are today, but with a sense of style and a true design aesthetic, explains Seymour.

“By connecting your garments to other elements of your life, we will see a move from networked devices to networked people and networked spaces. In future, it will be possible for smart garments to connect to your car, which will adjust your seat according to personal preferences.”

A major barrier to the networked self is the current limitation of battery life. Using alternative energy sources, such as capturing the kinetic energy of a person as they walk, we will be able to create a new form of sustainable fashion.