TECHSTYLE MAY 2040
The New CooL Thermotunneling Swimwear Ices Down Miami
MINDING YOUR NANO MANNERS How Dehumanizing is TODAY’S fashion tech? BLUETOOTH EARRINGS, COLOR-CHANGING ACCESSORIES: The Latest Must-Haves for Functional Glamour
SILICON VALLEY FASHION WEEK 2040: Sienna Jobs Wows with New NANO-INSPIRED LINE
TECHSTYLE
EDITOR’S LETTER Walking the walk. It’s more challenging than it seems. And far more exciting than one dreams. Every month, we strive to deliver the most vital news and images from the world of fashion technology, a genre that was once considered niche and now commands global attention. The revolutions detailed are a magnificent confluence of design and engineering, with concepts and products that are constantly redefining cultural standards of function, individuality and style. Our faith and passion reaches beyond mere documentation. We’re determined to not only record developments in fashion technology, we want to be contributing to the research, development and cultural significance of products that will reshape lives and lifestyles. It’s a moment we’ve envisioned since the first TechStyle issue was delivered to a tablet in 2025. It’s with great excitement that I announce the first line of TechStyle Home products. Specifically, our in-house team of designers and engineers have teamed with the minds at Georgia Tech’s Nanotechnology Research Center to develop a line of window treatments that meld elegance, energy, function and entertainment. Our first product is a solar shade coated with semi-transparent photovoltaic ink. During daytime hours, the ink absorbs solar rays, storing energy that aids in economically powering a household. At night, flexible LED technology turns these treatments into self-powered, high-definition displays with Internet connectivity that are fully Ecma compliant. The windows of a small, urban space can now become an expansive canvas for energy, information and entertainment. It’s a dynamic, fusion product that meets the standards of what we represent and we’re proud to debut these under the TechStyle Home brand. I want to assure readers that any potential conflict involving TechStyle monthly editorial content and TechStyle Home will be explicitly detailed to our audience. Your loyalty and trust is crucial to us. More details are forthcoming, but we anticipate our first solar shade to be available in time for the holidays. Meanwhile, please dive right into the May issue. Silicon Valley Fashion Week has ended and we have exclusive coverage from Sienna Jobs’ much-discussed iWear line. Not to mention intriguing pieces discussing the controversy surrounding V-couriers and an analysis of nano fashion etiquette. Plus, there are plenty of new products and dynamic accessories that I promise will have you reaching for your mobile credit app before you flip to the final page. Regards always.
Bianca
L'ORÉAL’s patented Nano Nutriesse MelanobotsTM are designed to mimic melanocytes, injecting pigment particles directly into hair follicles to provide lustrous, rich color for up to one year. A polymer gel enables nanobots to move where melanocytes function within the follicle. Once prescriptiononly, Nano Nutriesse is now available through licensed stylists.
L’ORÉAL Nano Nutriesse with Melanobots
TM
It’s what they don’t see that they’ll remember. CRN approved.
TECHSTYLE IN SEASON
electro thermo suit The 2040 Miami Textile and Technology Festival unveiled Luli Fama’s long-awaited nano swimwear line, incorporating an edgy neo-retro style complemented by the functional enhancements sought after by retailers and consumers. Perhaps the most notable presentation was Fama’s “Electro Thermo” one-piece, a striking yet simple suit layered in shades of blue accented with electrical graphics. Thermotunnelling technology – until now impossible to properly incorporate in swimwear due to the harshness of sea, sand and air – ices down the wearer with millions of “Cool Chips,” providing a soothing respite for the brutal heat of today’s climate-challenged beaches. This is the first, but certainly not the last, example of Thermotunneling to be showcased this season.
QUANTUM spectrum suit Equally striking was Fama’s “Quantum Spectrum” suit, surprisingly demure in cut but with a definitive dazzle factor. The Quantum Spectrum piecemerges Fama’s attention-seeking style with quantum dot technology evolved from camouflage applications developed at the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies. The breathtaking result is a piece of unforgettable swimwear that changes in shade from magenta to crimson at the wearer’s whim. Additional designs that demonstrate cooler hues – including the highly desired sliverto-blue combination – will be on display during Silicon Valley Fashion Week this March.
TECHSTYLE IN DEPTH
IS NANOFASHION DRAINING OUR SOULS? Fashion technology and trends are raising questions regarding individuality, tradition and authenticity Written by Bronwyn Noriega-Paxton TechStyle Media Content Specialist Maritza Ling stands silently before the room of Opera executives on the 18th floor of a mirrored San Mateo high rise. Her demeanor is expressionless. Not a muscle moves. Yet she’s the focal point of attention during this routine, weekly gathering. When summoned by a participant, she walks intently in their direction, offering nothing more than her body as a canvas. On her otherwise blank gown appears an image of Thea Langstrom, CEO of Opera Software and Entertainment, conversing from her office in Oslo. She speaks, instructs and gestures as Ling stands motionless. Mannequin-like, Ling serves as little more than an avatar for Langstrom’s face and words. Such is the life of a flesh and blood monitor. “It pays extremely well and requires more concentration and focus than people realize,” Ling said. “We’re delivering an experience. Is it the most stimulating job? Of course not. But I see myself as essentially a conduit for someone else’s words and ideas. I do my best to represent them
in a way they can’t. We’re far more than walking televisions.” Ling is one of a growing number of video couriers, or V-couriers, who serve as electronic canvases during teleconferences in board rooms and business presentations. Her uniform is an eTextile gown, composed of fabric filled with countless graphene transistors and LEDs that showcase live high-definition video and audio. It’s a self-powered and flexible display, juiced by what little motion is permitted. The image displayed is wirelessly transmitted to the textile display. Stretchable silicon cameras are also woven into the textiles, allowing the individual on-screen to view their audience instantly without any transmission lag. The intent is to give more life to video teleconferencing, to mimic the feeling of someone thousands of miles away being in the room as opposed to appearing one-dimensionally on a wall-mounted panel. The effectiveness is questionable. Some participants find the experience of communicating with someone via what is essentially an electronic body mask offputting. But of far greater concern to some cultural experts is a potentially dehumanizing culture that such technology encourages. “We’re relegating people into walking billboards and monitors and leaving little room for their own soul,” said Maggie Rosen, an information psychologist at California State University. “The effect is somewhat demoralizing as we’re selling off a slice of one’s identity.” Rosen’s view is an increasingly common one among many cultural experts and consumers. With ad-supported fashion growing in popularity,
wardrobes have developed an entirely new layer of function. A blouse is now a billboard, a baseball cap a display that advertises beer, banking and bratwursts during athletic events. The payoffs for consumers who participate: discounts on merchandise and even cash payments from ambitious enterprises eager to maximize any marketing opportunity. The tradeoff: exchanging individuality for a buck. Hayden Livingston has no qualms. The Fort Lauderdale Dolphins fan couldn’t afford the steep price of season tickets. He, along with 100,000 others, entered a lottery in which 25 winners were chosen as electronic ambassadors for team sponsors. Now, he is able to attend all home games gratis, required only to walk through the stadium corridors an hour prior to the game and during half time. Of course, his cap is constantly displaying advertisements and his t-shirt hawks a minimum of 15 products per event. “It’s a terrific deal,” Livingston said. “I get premium seating that I would never be able to swing on my own. Not to mention the parties and other perks. There’s a reason thousands of people wanted to do this. Ads are everywhere. Why not wear them and get the benefit for yourself?” Not everyone is convinced of this new transactional trend. Fashion in many ways is an expression of individuality and choice. What one wears often stands as a statement, a message and a reflection of attitude, personality and style. What happens when these qualities are co-opted by corporations with specific messages of their own? “I’m a traditionalist, so I find the entire movement borderline appalling,” said Nina Quigley, assistant professor of Fashion and Textile Studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, “Fashion is such a personal expression. To treat it as the equivalent of a JumboTron is anathema to its essence. But others disagree. It’s often argued that the Izod alligator or the Polo emblem have served as advertisements on fashion for decades. But these logos are part of a statement and style. There’s a difference between that and walking around like an old, flashing Internet banner ad.” And how do V-couriers fit into the cultural equation? “If I thought it had any meaningful relevance, I’d be protesting in the streets,” Quigley said. “It’s nothing but a fad.”
“
Behind every v-courier is a person full of opinion and individuality. Trust me, once I’m out of that dress, you can’t shut me up.
”
For some, it’s a living. Following the conference, Ling slips into a black turtleneck and a snug pair of nanodenim jeans, the fabric contouring to her every curve. The formerly blank expression is replaced with a half-moon grin. She swaggers into the elevator and on to the next job. “Fashionwise, this is more who I am,” she said. “Behind every V-courier is a person full of opinion and individuality. Trust me, once I’m out of that dress, you can’t shut me up.”
TECHSTYLE FASHION FINDS
CHIC CIRCUITRY 1
2
Bluetooth XXI earrings Keep connected with subtlety and style via the latest addition to Motorola’s Nanobauble line. Affordable cubic zirconia is merged with a dynamic microphone and speakers equipped with Dolby Digita AC-11 that operate via electromagnetic induction. Bluetooth v.21.0 offers maximum reception and tunable hearing. The pair is coated with nanorods to absorb solar energy, which results in a constantly charging accessory that is always powered up. $399.00.
Ileana Makr White Gold TruID Aegis Ring Breeze through airport security, pay for your purchases and unlock the doors to your home with this stunning piece. Nanoenhanced RFID tags are soldered into the inner band, providing a effortless security experience. Embedded with pave brown and grey diamonds. U.S. Department of Homeland Security certified*. $15,800. *Requires standard U.S. TruID processing. All fees and charges apply.
3
4
5
Ferragamo “Wang” Pumps Ferragamo “Wang” Pumps – Currently, the ultimate statement in green designer footwear. Piezoelectric nanowires generate and store power that can be incorporated into a home smart grid via adapter. While a stroll around the city won’t likely generate enough current to significantly reduce electricity costs, it can be part of a holistic energy solution that leads to a self-sustainable power lifestyle. $850.
Vivienne Westwood/Vizio Monitor Sun Specs Immersive entertainment and function coupled with elan. Pixel-dense, 4D monitors seamlessly blend into polarized lenses which offer data transfer via the new Bluetooth XXII spec. Ideal for private and elegant video conferencing. $725.
Color-changing handbag Coach has incorporated phase-changing polymers to create a chameleon-like handbag that can change in palette from a refined black to a lively red. Photonic crystals allow users to tailor colors within minutes via a digital meter stitched into the upper lining. $575.
TECHSTYLE SHOWCASE
DO NANO MANNERS MATTER?
MACROSTYLE
Functional, durable fashion may be impacting our attitudes toward traditional decorum
MICROTECH
Written by Everett Juarez-McNaughton TechStyle Media Content Specialist
iWear collection by Sienna Jobs wows at Silicon Valley Fashion Week 2040 Photoessay by Deacon Avalon, Techstyle Visual Narrative Specialist
“
We’re still presented with
napkins at restaurants for a reason. A pair of pants shouldn’t be balled into a pillow and then worn to work, wrinkle free or not.
”
A prototype “Mainframe Gown,” constructed with billions of carbon nanotubes Models showcase malleable nanowear club dresses, paper-thin textiles which can be molded from miniskirt to full-gown length.
NanoINK is incorporated into this baby doll dress, which can provide power to consumer electronics.
Venture capitalists and luminary figures from the world of fashion, technology and celebrity packed San Francisco’s Moscone Center to view Sienna Jobs’ 2040 iWear collection this March during Silicon Valley Fashion Week. Jobs’ line showcased several inspirational prototypes that incorporated nanotechnology properties in creative and and compelling fashion applications. “Living Clean Room” ensemble provides a variety of nanoproperties.
Among the dynamic pieces were several examples of all-season thermal wear, which regulate textile temperature in any climate, while also providing functional
computation
abilities,
entertainment
access and wireless connectivity. One breathtaking piece was a maternity fashion concept, a tailored piece which offered an instant amnio display of a developing fetus. The two-piece ensemble presented a sonically derived illustration via nanosensors aided by an integrated textile LED display. The piece held dramatic implications for medical applications in addition to fashion. Jobs continued her preference – often frowned upon by her father – of showcasing several prototypes instead of fully-functional products poised for retail consumption. “Its a constant struggle, but he’s slowly accepting Amnio concept suit employs sonic nanosensors and LED display tech.
the idea that fashion is a different beast than more traditional consumer technology,” Jobs said. “There’s so much to be gained from presenting bold, if not yet fully evolved, ideas along with our ready-to-wear pieces.” Her legendary father had many reasons to be proud. In addition to her bold technological designs, the iWear event benefited the Jobs family’s newly created charity that funds organ regeneration via stem cells for disadvantaged individuals and families.
Thermal wear design regulates temperature and provides computation capability.
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TECHSTYLE CULTURE
Please mind your nano manners Functional, durable fashion may be impacting our attitudes toward traditional decorum
Written by Everett Juarez-McNaughton TechStyle Media Content Specialist
Ducking into the shade of the Twitter-Warner Center adjacent to Central Park, Julianna Juarez and her daughter Eva, 8, seek a moment of cool refuge on an otherwise blistering July afternoon. Two chocolate ice cream cups help cut the heat. Unfortunately, the 105 degree weather leaves Eva’s treat streaking down her jumper. Her mother, instead of leaping for a napkin, observes unfazed. Even amused. “My mother would have had a fit,” Juarez said, dismissing any concern. “I would have been pulled into the nearest restroom and scrubbed down for 15 minutes. But that’s what’s so amazing about these clothes. Her jumper will be clean in a few minutes as we walk down Columbus Circle.” “It really doesn’t matter.” Self-cleaning fashions have been a boon to consumers and the scorn of dry cleaners. Wrinkles are erased. Stains disappear within minutes. Clothing has become so resilient, durable and functional that everyday fashions are often all but autonomous. Yet this boon of convenience has become, for some, the bane of etiquette. Executives sleeping in their suits and walking into the office unchanged. Mothers wiping their children’s faces with their sleeves. Undergarments worn for days. Functionally, it’s dazzling and has redefined the utility of apparel for millions. Others, though, find the cultural consequences bordering on vulgar.
“It reminds me of the early Internet age, when public discourse plummeted from civil to incendiary due to the ability to share thoughts in haste with few consequences,” said Jeep Post, chief strategic officer at the Emily Post Institute. “Just because technology has provided for fashion that’s immune to stains and soiling shouldn’t preclude people from dealing with spills and accidents with grace and concern. We’re still presen ted with napkins at restaurants for a reason. A pair of pants shouldn’t be balled into a pillow and then worn to work, wrinkle free or not.” The turning point, Post recalled, occurred in the second decade of the 2000s, when the nanoparticle anatase titanium dioxide became incorporated into wool, silk and business apparel. The combination of fabric and nanotechnology ushered in the era of photocatalytic clothing, with stains, dirt and unpleasant microorganisms destroyed through simple exposure to sunlight. But the wonder quickly evolved into coarse pragmatism. Today, hordes of day traders can be seen walking through the park at lunch following stressful rounds on the floor, ‘“cleaning’” their sweat and coffee stained oxfords in public on an otherwise gorgeous day. Suit coats often serve as makeshift towels, as many wipe their brows and necks with their lapels and cuffs without a second thought or sanitary consequence. “The streets now serve as a locker room,” said an exasperated Post. “It’s more than a bit crude.”
Looming technologies traditional decorum.
may
further
erode
The much-anticipated debut of color-changing fabric will potentially lead to fewer wardrobe changes as consumers can alter the color of a shirt or suit at will, essentially multiplying a wardrobe. This nano fabric, first developed as a resilient, camouflage-capable textile, is finally becoming available to designers and manufacturers as the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies – a consortium of the U.S. Army, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and several industrial organizations – is now allowing its research and development to be used in consumer applications. The promise of additional functionality and versatility is compelling. Yet is wearing the same business suit or workout wear for a week, despite the inherent sanitary properties, truly proper? Or is technology leading us into somewhat seemly new routines? Marjorie Chen, lead researcher at the StanfordGap Textile Technology Lab, believes nanotechnology has altered our relationship with apparel into one that focuses as much on its number of utilities as style. A t-shirt is still a t-shirt, with all the basic function implied. But it can also serve as a makeshift bib if it must. And with water shortages an ongoing concern nationwide, the fewer washes a wardrobe needs, the better.
“
We’re still presented with napkins at restaurants for a reason. A pair of pants shouldn’t be balled into a pillow and then worn to work, wrinkle free or not.
”
“The status quo is changing,” said Chen. “That’s not to say we should disrespect the traditional functions of fashion or ignore the pure utility of items such as a hat or a handkerchief. But much like cell phones were once used solely for talking, technology has evolved clothing into multi-purpose items with phenomenal properties. Apparel can now do many different things, and do all of it well.” Enhanced capabilities also mean new attitudes toward fabric care, cultural customs be damned. With light-detecting fibers that act as camera lenses and energy-storing nano ink continuing to be infused into fabric, the fragility of these textiles makes traditional washing machines not only risky, but somewhat barbaric. “You wouldn’t hose down your television with a garden hose,” Chen said. “These fabrics are dynamic and highly complex. There’s a necessary confluence between the durability, anti-bacterial properties and the intricate utility.” Even a nano fashion champion, though, has her limits. “I was born in the early 2000s,” she said. “I still change my underwear daily. Some traditions are worth keeping alive.” Post, despite his protestations, is far from a textile Luddite. He praises the water-defying nano fabric research pioneered by Stefan Seeger at the University of Zurich. By coating polyester fibres with millions of tiny silicone filaments, today’s umbrellas never leave puddles indoors, raincoats are dry moments after running through a downpour and swimwear can be changed and stored without the need to carry around a soggy plastic bag. Finding balance between impressive utility and decency, he said, is the conundrum now facing society. “Just because you can wear the same pair of socks for a week, doesn’t mean you should,” Post said.
Introducing
Slickwear
TM
A Product of Speculative Technologies & Designs
Looking to go the extra mile? Slickwear sports apparel can give you the edge you need! Based on nanotechnology developed for the VanguardTM smart armor used by the US Military, Slickwear can monitor your body and adapt to its needs. Track your progress automatically with GriffinTM running shorts that record your heart rate, calories burned and distance traveled and upload them to the web or your wireless device. Stay hydrated with PhoenixTM shirts that replenish lost electrolytes through both transdermal patches and a sleek, discrete fluid reservoir that is lighter than a standard water-bottle. All systems are automatically powered through nanopiezoelectrics and are machine washable. Available everywhere sporting goods are sold. Get ahead today!
TECHSTYLE MATTERS
NEVER OUT OF STYLE: GLOBAL HEALTH & BEAUTy Written by Liz Ramblin TechStyle Media Content Specialist
There has been an exponential increase in varieties of beauty around the globe thanks to an invention that delivers medicine just skin deep. Microneedles, invented in the early part of this century, brought about a revolution in the delivery of vaccines, antibiotics, drugs, and nutrition throughout the world. Diseases such as polio were eradicated in the 20’s, when delivery of vaccines through microneedles made with a water-soluble polymer became economically feasible in every country. Healthy populations began to emerge where disease had been rampant, and
with this freedom from illness came a new sense of pride in one’s appearance. “In my mother’s generation, many women died or became disabled from fevers related to childbirth,” says Ngonsu, a woman from a small village in Cameroon. “With the patch, we now have healthy babies and healthy mothers.” Microneedle patches encapsulating amoxicillin and other antibiotics were perfected in 2018. Becton-Dickinson’s patented lyophilization process gave the antibiotics a long shelf-life and eliminated the need for refrigeration. Very soon the World Health Organization began distribution of patches worldwide. Deaths from diarrheal illnesses were nearly eradicated by 2021, thanks in large part to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s support for vaccine research, development and global distribution. “My father told me about his two brothers who died from cholera,” says Zahar, a young Pakistani girl. “It was very special to him to be able to apply the patch to my sister and me.” The two girls are excited about the new Links recently delivered to the Mortensen school they attend.
“ Ngonsu attests to the fact that microneedles have saved many women’s lives.
WITh the patch, we now have healthy babies and healthy mothers.
”
for refrigeration. We were thrilled when polio was eradicated in India through our novel technology.� Microneedle technology indeed set a new standard for global health. With most childhood diseases eliminated through immunization, children all over the globe could grow and develop into healthy adults. Within each tradition, good health has brought about a renaissance of its best cultural ideas. Ideals of beauty from each tradition have achieved a new robustness, and we are all the richer for it. Zahar, third from left, and her sister Isha enjoy good health and a solid education in their village in Pakistan. PVP microneedles changed the delivery of life-saving vaccines and drugs forever. Microneedles were developed in the early 2000s first using metals and silicon to make arrays of needles about 200 micrometers thick, small enough to pass through the spaces between cells in the epidermis and deliver medicine or vaccines intradermally. A truly revolutionary development occurred, however, when researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University found a way to encapsulate flu virus in a polymer. Microneedles made with this polymer dissolved within minutes upon contact with the skin, delivering influenza vaccine more effectively than traditional intramuscular vaccines. This new method slowed the passage of the virus into deeper layers of skin, enabling accessory cells to take it up and begin a more effective immune response. Less vaccine produced more immunity as a result. We asked the immunologist who developed this first vaccine, Dr. Ioanna Skountzou, to explain the effectiveness of the microneedle vaccine. “First, the virus was not subjected to any solvents or temperature changes that might alter the shape of the vaccine molecule. Second, the adjuvant used was sucrose, a very common biocompatible compound. The powder form of the virus and the simplicity of the adjuvant made it easy to store for long periods of time. This made it possible to send vaccine all over the world without any need
EDITOR’S LETTER
Global Swarming. Walking the walk. It’s more challenging than it seems. And far more exciting than one dreams. Every month, we strive to deliver the most vital news and images from the world of fashion technology, a genre that was once considered niche and now commands global attention. The revolutions detailed are a magnificent confluence of design and engineering, with concepts and products that are constantly redefining cultural standards of function, individuality and style. Our faith and passion reaches beyond mere documentation. We’re determined to not only record developments in fashion technology, we want to be contributing to the research, development and cultural significance of products that will reshape lives and lifestyles. It’s a moment we’ve envisioned since the first TechStyle issue was delivered to a tablet in 2025.
All-New features on the
ATNMBL
Improved ergonomic seating, customizable barista-bot, and new GCN* system will take you and your friends on the ride of your dreams. Standard paramagnetic paint changes colors with the touch of a button. New dichro windows option allows change of ambiance. Improved communication technology enables your vehicle to swarm gracefully during morning commutes. Nano antenna arrays on roof of vehicle absorb infrared light energy to charge the ATNMBL’s battery day and night. *GCN is the Group Consciousness Navigation system that listens to each passenger’s expressed wishes and navigates based on the judgment of the group as a whole.
The ATNMBL. Your ride just got happier.
Undoing the past can be as alluring as a late-night stroll.
L’eggs Sheer Energy delivers Diosmin – the most effective method to safely reduce the appearance of varicose veins – via woven microneedles. Nylon fibers embedded with zinc oxide and carbon nanotubes provide superior tensile strength and generate a piezoelectric effect. Your legs literally charge up microscopic TM motors, powering the massaging action of L’eggs InTense Memory Yarn.
L’eggs Sheer Energy. REPAIR. REFRESH. RECHARGE!