Technology

October 24, 2013

 Fashion Applications

by: Chloe Halley

Users can now find out about the latest fashions from runways, fashion bloggers, or fashionista friends through mobile applications such as Instagram, Pose, Trendabl, or Chicfeed. Many designers use Instagram to post instant, fashion-forward, photographs of their collections on the runway. Pose and Trendabl are free mobile applications that allow users to post photos of their own outfit, browse through other fashion photos, and view celebrity styles. Chicfeed is an application for all of the fashion blog lovers. Chicfeed pulls images from popular fashion blogs for the user to view. Whether one uses Instagram, Pose, Trendabl, or Chicfeed, fashion is just at the tip of your fingers. Poshmark is another great mobile app that allows users to post pictures of gently used items for sale. Users can browse through “parties” and shop through different items ranging from designer goods to a plain shirt from Target. Poshmark is completely free and easy to use.

Poshmark is not an app to post pictures of extremely worn items from your closet, but a way to connect with other fashion-lovers through the mobile channel. Go Try it On and Fashism are mobile apps focusing on if viewers love the item or dislike what they see in the image. Through Go Try it On and Fashism, users can decide whether they should buy an item and add it to their closet. Stylitics, Stylebook, and Cloth are mobile apps that aid in consumer efficiency by allowing users to organize their closet, plan outfits, choose an outfit by the weather, and organize by events. Now fashion conscious users can organize their closets in a fashionable way through their mobile device. All of these apps allow consumers to come together for their love of fashion, shop, sell, organize a closet, or rate outfits, but it seems as if a mobile application is missing.

Out of all of the apps from Instagram to Cloth, something appears to be missing. I always think to myself, “there’s an app for that,” but what about a virtual dressing room? I have come across Divalicious, but the quality of the virtual dressing room app is not that great. A few companies, such as H&M, feature a virtual dressing room on their website. The virtual dressing room on H&M allows for users to try on different items and calculate the cost. Sadly, there are only a few items to try on plus users are only able to use a computer-generated model. Most people do not look like the models on H&M and most consumers are using the virtual model to plan an outfit to buy online. Swivel is the closest virtual dressing room that consumers can use, but how do users know if the items would actually fit them correctly? Plus, Swivel is not on mobile applications or tablets. If consumers were trying on an item outside of the home, then they would need to use their mobile device. What would be great is if there was an app that allowed users to try on items through their mobile devices and figure out if the item would fit correctly. The virtual dressing room app should calculate the user’s body measurements by using some type of technology that would only ask for the user’s height and weight. By asking for the height and weight, the technology should be able to calculate body measurements. With the new wearable technology, such as Google Glass, maybe in the possible future users could just put on their Google Glass, get body measurements, and shop online through Google Glass apps.

 

October 23, 2013

Walmart iPad Trade-in Program

by: Raven Rosie

Recently, Apple launched its newest tablet, the iPad Air, and many committed consumers are anticipating its trial. Now, let’s be real; besides wanting the latest and greatest new gadget, what is another important aspect when purchasing new technology?  If you guessed price, then you're so right! Price! So, how much does the new iPad Air cost? According to Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, price will not be an issue after the launching of their new Trade-in program on November 1 (Read  more here). This new trade-in program will take tablet users for a spin, and provide advantageous guidance on where to purchase the iPad Air. Sorry, all other retailers, Walmart has outdone you again!

The trade-in program allows customers to trade in any old tablets as a credit towards a new device, based on the model and condition.  The program will be great for customers who don’t want to spend excessive amounts of money on products at full retail price for the sake of keeping up with constantly evolving technology.  This is also big news for consumers who have always wanted an an Apple iPad Mini, seeing that the retail price will markdown to $399 just like other products entering a new phase in the product life cycle. If you are looking to purchase a new tablet, and rid your old one, Walmart is your best bet!

In the next month, we will get to evaluate whether this new program is a success or failure. I'm honestly looking forward to what additional retailers such as AT&T, Target and more selling the iPad Air will create promotional-wise to compete with Walmart. With this new trade-in program going into effect, Walmart has  positioned itself so that its competitors will have a run for their money! It will definitely be something we will all watch unfold.



October, 30, 2013

3D Printing and Fashion?

by: Chloe Halley 

The 3D printer is a remarkable device that will change the future of retail, fashion, and almost everything in the world. The 3D printer can make anything from chocolate bars to medical aids to apparel goods. The technology can create pretty much anything you can think or draw.  To make an item, all one has to do is create an image using a computer-aided design (CAD) software program, send the CAD info to a printer, then the printer forms the item with material such as plastic. The 3D printer creates one layer at a time and eventually a complete item is formed.

Accessories, such as bracelets, can be printed from a 3D printer as well. One can buy a 3D printer online from Staples for $1,299 by the end of June 2013. So just over a month away consumers will be able to get their hands on 3D printers. I am assuming the 3D printer will be small enough to fit in a regular size room in a home, so a question arises if consumers can really print out apparel items from home? Accessories and shoes are most likely small enough to print from a 3D printer, but will consumers be able to afford a larger size printer that can print out apparel items? Or will there even be a printer for consumers to buy that is large enough to print larger size items without needing to put pieces together?

3D printers can make eccentric fashion. Pictured on the left are 3D printed shoes. They almost remind me of something that Lady Gaga would wear. They are very unique and pricy. The 3D printed shoes that I have seen on Google cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. What is great about a 3D printed shoe is that one-day consumers will be able to print out shoes from their home. Not to mention that consumers will be able to print out apparel, accessories, and pretty much any fashion item they desire in the future. Not sure on how companies will compete with 3D printers or if they will sell their CAD information to consumers, either way 3D printers will help in consumer efficiency. Imagine if someone could just print off an item they buy on the Internet! No more costs of shipping. It is almost like teleporting an item straight from your home. 

Many designers have started to experiment with 3D printed fashion. Jenna Fizel and Mary Huang of Continuum Fashion have experimented with technology and fashion. Their entire brand is based on technology affecting fashion. The N12, by Continuum, is a 3D printed bikini. The material the bikini is made from, N12, stands for Nylon 12. The material is extremely strong, flexible, and will not break even though the material is thin. The N12 is waterproof (it is a bikini), functional, and comfortable.

I wonder what innovations may come next that will effect fashion? Or what development of the 3D printer will come out? As Mary Huang, co-founder of Continuum Fashion, dreams, “A 3D laser-sinter knitting machine — something that can create a whole garment in three dimensions all at once out of raw materials. Maybe it can fit in your closet and knit you a new dress overnight. And then you put in yesterday's garment, and it reuses it to make something new. Infinite styles and no laundry!”

What can you create with a 3D printer? (Learn more by clicking, here.)