SMART STYLE
How technology is reshaping fashion
NEW YORK — Glance up from your phone and you’ll see that technology is everywhere, even in what we wear.
These days, a handbag or piece of jewelry isn’t just an accessory. Chances are it’s a techy fashion fix to an everyday need. At New York Fashion Week this season, showcases like TechStyle NYC brought together a cross-section of brands from across the country, including Pittsburgh, that are infusing fashion with innovation.
Here’s a roundup of some of them. Holiday gift ideas, anyone?
1. “Sustainability is sexy” is the philosophy behind Los Angeles indie brand VENIA, and so is its focus on integrating technology into fashion. Take the Jasminium moto jacket ($6,000; veniacollection.com). This edgy beauty is crafted from upcycled, vegetable-tanned fish leather paneling, a food industry byproduct. Three-dimensional printing is used for trims and hardware. At NYFW, the brand previewed its virtual reality shopping platform, which gives consumers up-close looks at a piece before purchasing it beyond what’s possible now with online shopping.
2. There’s more than meets the eye with a handbag from K.Carroll Accessories. The Michelle clutch/ satchel combo ($34.99; k-carroll.com) and other bags in the Secure Style line have built-in identitytheft protective lining. “Portable Purse Power” products have built-in chargers, and others are roomy enough to store tech devices and chargers. The bags feel and look like supple leather but are actually made from vegan (artificial) cowhide.
3. The Apple Watch is practical but not necessarily all that fashionable. That’s where The Ultimate Cuff comes in. The Pittsburgh-based and woman-owned company — led by founder/CEO Anne Zacharias and creative director Tiffany Castillo — specializes in metallic cuffs that dress up the Apple Watch for special occasions or daily wear. Jewelry is plated with 14-karat yellow and rose gold, and there also are styles done in silver rhodium, like the scalloped Cleo cuff ($116; theultimatecuff.com).
4. Cut closet clutter with help from Cladwell, an app that lets you put together more outfits with fewer garments. Unlike other apps, this one doesn’t require photos of what’s in your wardrobe. Instead, users tap items that are similar to what they own from an extensive clothing database. This lets you organize capsule collections and receive outfit suggestions based on the weather. Log what’s worn, and the app tracks your favorites and suggests items to eliminate. Also find out what’s missing, so you don’t end up purchasing comparable styles over and over. Get a free three-day trial at cladwell.com or sign up for a monthly ($7.99), sixmonth ($5.99) or yearly ($3.34) plan.
5. Take the guesswork out of finding makeup that matches your skin tone with GIELLA Custom Cosmetics (giella.com). For custom orders, shoppers answer a series of online questions to get the shade — and even the scent — just right. (Non-customization is available, too.) And no need to worry about harmful chemicals because cosmetics are mineralbased and allergy-friendly, as well as PETA-certified. Prices start at $20 for custom lip gloss and run up to $48 for foundation.