The long-awaited future: advanced technologies are making their way into fashion
It seems fair to say that the human race has always valued experiences as much as they do things - they just go hand in hand. While it may partly explain our appreciation for the premium quality that catches our eye, one question still remains a bit puzzling - why are we so obsessed with fashion? Reasons may vary depending on how we each view it, but it is undeniable that what we wear plays a crucial role in how we see ourselves and what our world looks like. For those who want to take a look into the future of fashion, we are currently developing the Cosmos Art Pavilion project, an immersive pop-up gallery that emphasizes the harmony between the world around us and the world "next to" us. Given that the fashion industry as it is right now looks more like an obstacle to a brighter future, we believe that by having conversations about sustainable fashion, we can expose the consequences of fast fashion , turn the tables through education, innovation and inspiration and build a bridge between the two inextricably linked aspects - the beauty of the universe and the beauty of people.
The Cosmos Art Pavilion, showcasing the latest innovations and technologies in fashion, will use 3D printing technology for its construction. By including local soil and raw materials and the associated reduction in environmental pollution to a minimum, the project itself can be seen as a vivid example of advanced technologies. From my point of view, the fashion industry needs to take a step forward here and take its online and in-store experiences to a new level by adapting to the latest high-tech trends and the needs of customers and nature.
As we know, artificial intelligence is already reshaping the online landscape and will soon take its well-deserved front-row seat in the fashion industry as well. Both tech giants Google and Amazon have delved into the development of a personalized AI design algorithm. As absurd as it may sound at first, it will surely be a thing of the future: Similar to the way your social news feed is based on your data and preferences, your own clothing design can underline your unique individuality. Isn't that worth admiring?
While AI also helps fashion brands, Tommy Hilfinger, Zara, H&M, to name a few, successfully predict market demand, establish a competitive price range, and avoid overproduction, it's not just AI that is pushing the boundaries of the fashion world. Augmented reality and virtual reality technologies are also on the rise, providing both online and retail stores of all sizes with an effective tool to bridge the current gap between digital and in-store experiences.
When shopping online, you want to make sure you are getting exactly what you want. In the e-commerce sector, on-demand sneakers made with 3D printing technologies are already a common practice, especially in the sportswear niche, with Adidas, New Balance and Reebok at the forefront of the trend. No doubt the customization trend will lead others to join the pack - wouldn't it be too late for them?
Unsurprisingly, advanced technology has also brought the field of marketing into focus, with its limitless possibilities to amaze customers. What if a pop-up appeared on your screen showing you in the outfit you looked at a few days ago on a sandy beach between palm trees? Would you be more interested in buying it now? We are not that far yet, but also not that far away: 3D scanning in combination with augmented reality breathes new life into the concept of the changing room - be it in shops or in your own four walls.
Normally, when trying on the outfit in the changing room, one looks in the mirror and imagines the environment for which the outfit was designed. Also, do you think it would have been a lot easier to determine whether it suits you or not if you could literally see the natural habitat of the outfit in the background of the mirror? Topshop and Uniqlo with their "magic mirrors" in the shops are a good example of this. What do we still need?
In fact, sometimes we need an honest opinion about our outfit choices! Not just once or twice have we all heard those false "you look great" answers - so the only thing we dare to dream of right now is a personal stylist. In fact, that dream isn't all that far-fetched: With AI constantly evolving, there are some examples of how AI-powered fashion assistants can do us a favor by providing feedback, recommendations, and suggesting new looks or alternatives that are worth trying .
The fashion industry expects just as much as we expect from advanced technology. Take, for example, conscious consumption and sustainability in the fashion industry: today's younger generations make a big difference and raise quite urgent questions, such as a useless abundance of products, malicious consequences of the wear-it-once culture, unspeakable Waste in production and the list goes on and on. As a result, fast fashion is slowing down and more and more socially conscious buyers are emerging - those who are aware of the importance of sustainable materials and transparent manufacturing, as well as the extent of the problem of low labor costs.
It is important to remember that we are all in the same boat and only together can we reverse the patterns of compulsive consumption and shape our new - healthier and more conscious - reality. Making informed decisions and seeing the bigger picture - which requires clarity and conscious effort - are of great value in making this planet a better place. Only if we get to know ourselves better can we break through the classic behavioral patterns and get out of the vicious circles in which we have become entangled. While AI technologies are not an antidote to any disease, they do wonders for us.
Our AI-controlled Human Cosmos app helps users to increase their awareness and to find the connection between the world around them and the world within them. Sometimes we all go with the flow, which often comes at a high price - our lives are on autopilot. The practices and techniques of Human Cosmos are geared towards taking back the helm and having a firm grip on reality - however stormy the flow of life may be! We believe the more mindful we are, the higher the chances we can make this planet a better place. For this reason, the Human Cosmos app addresses each of its users individually and focuses on the cosmos that is within us. Isn't it up to us now to look at ourselves?
Images: PR