Future of Fashion - functional fashion? @Nature.com

[Cheryl Hicks]

 

New article from Nature magazine shows prototype of shoes that charge your smart phone while you walk.  Is the future of fashion, functional fashion?  

 

Also a cross-cutting theme - synergies between consuming, mobility and living

 

Article:  Time for a power walk

By:  Katharine Sanderson, et. al.

@Nature News,Published online: 23 August 2011; | doi:10.1038/news.2011.493

http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/news.2011.493

 

sent via nature.com iPad app: http://www.nature.com/mobileapps

 

[Quique alcantara]

Cheryl
As I see it, fashion is composed of trends that, by definition, appear and disappear along time. Some trends are so well accepted that become a market attribute for products and services. For example, talking about shoes, 10-15 years ago comfort and functionality appeared as a fashion trend  opposite to design (high heels, narrow toe, ...). Design returned as a fashion trend but comfort and functionality of shoes remained as a very relevant line of products and many brands try to combine both, trendy design and comfort.
To me, today adding technology to shoes and clothing is a fashion trend that in some years will lead to a line of smart products (medical applications, communication, etc.).
Particularly, I see that applications in the line you suggest linking mobility, consuming and living are more likely to reach this category. I've seen in last years different initiatives to link exercising and electricity generation.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/apr/14/hotel-with-electricity...
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2032281,00.html

BR
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