Technology is changing fast. The millennials
have seen more technological advances than the Baby Boomers. And it is
happening fast. From the way we behave to the way we dress, technology is
driving us. In this article, I am going to pinpoint major technological advances
which transformed the way we dress.
1. Industrialization
of looms
Looms have been in existence since 4000
years ago. We have recorded evidence from all around the world that woven
fabrics were in use as early as 36000 years ago. In the last century, with the
help of industrial technologies, there have been exponential advances in the
way we made fabrics.
Industrial looms helped us make
fabrics at a higher speed and at a lower price. More people were able to
afford fabrics.
The picture above is a pictorial
representation of 18th century India. They had fewer clothes to
wear.
As you can see in this image,
modern Indians definitely had more than a shirt to wear. Thanks to advancements
in technology.
“It is a crime to impose all the
achievements on technological advancements in fashion. Rather, it was a
culmination of advancements in related fields like farming, science, and
information”
2. Invention
of synthetic fibers
Hilaire de Chardonnet, a French engineer
invented the first artificial silk in the late 1870s. This invention was the
remedy towards the epidemic that was destroying French silkworms.
This was followed by the invention
of viscose and then later, the
Nylon. Synthetic fibers were easily made and it helped even more to produce
lasting fabrics. They were more durable. Some interesting applications of
synthetic fibers were waterproof fabric, stretchable fabrics, and the stain-resistant fabrics.
3. Transparency
in manufacturing
In the modern world, brands are in
continuous communication with their customers. Leveraging social media, they
constantly bombard content to engage them. From LGBTQ+ day to the George Floyd
incident, global brands always take a position in such events. It makes the
brands more lovable and sells more products.
Today, the customers are
environmentally conscious, thanks to Greta Thunberg. Brands are forced to double
think about their manufacturing processes. The recent incident in Xinjiang, China,
regarding the forced labor, send shock waves throughout the world. Brands like
Nike and H&M banned cotton from this Chinese region.
Now the customers want the products
to be ethically and sustainably sourced and manufactured. This led the
manufacturers towards various products like Hemp, banana fiber, recycled fibers , and other waste to wear products.
Jacket made by BIONIC in
collaboration with Pharrell Williams and G STAR Raw.
4. Tech
Integrated clothing
Technology is being integrated into
everything we use. It is now in our watches and clothes. Yes, even clothes are
being developed by tech companies like Google. They partnered with Levis to
make Jacquard by Google. Creating apparels that are more friendly and useful to
the modern man.
Isn’t it amazing to see how much we
have evolved? We still have more to go. More inventions will come. What are
your thoughts on this? Comment below
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