Technology is sneaking into fashion as we speak, and it is not limited to wearable devices and dresses that light up or change colours. E-textiles featuring the ability to grow, communicate and conduct energy, and incorporating some advanced digital components have already been invented to close the gap between technology and textiles.
Designers who have a knack for wearable technology are working on turning these smart fabric concepts into a reality. Madison Maxey, the founder of Loomia (formerly The Crated), is one such innovative designer/coder who brings design and technology together.
Winner of the Topshop’s Top Pitch wearable tech boot camp, Maxey is the developer of INTELiTEX circuit printing technology that boasts of conductive fabric and smart ink. Her company is diligently working towards incorporating this technology into everyday apparel, with the fabric being all about finding ways to replace the wiring in stylish garments in a way that is affordable, reliable and comfortable.
Speaking of her innovative fabric, Maxey told Fibre2Fashion, “Our fabric is all about finding ways to replace the wiring in smart garments in a way that is affordable, reliable and comfortable. Electronics make our world so much easier, and I imagine that smart textiles can do the same.”
The designer has some unusual cases in mind for this technology that include heated blazers, stress-detecting and posture-correcting garments, UV-lit construction wear, LED garments, biometric space suits for astronauts and smart onesies for premature infants. She is already working on a heated garment prototype with the Topshop design team after winning the brand’s competition.
However, the possibilities for smart fabrics are not limited to wearables. Maxey has an interesting application in mind for the use of these fabrics. She revealed, “One of my favourite examples is having a bed or sheets that wake you with gentle vibration between REM cycles. No more abrupt cell phone alarms!”