FLAUNT - The Generation Issue

T
oday there are approximately 9 billion people in
the world, out of the population there is the largest
generation of youth in history. An actual “youth quake,” of 4.3
billion people between the ages of 10 and 25. Instantaneous
modes of communication is what drives the population,
Cisco’s 2012 Generation report found that 60% of Generation
Y compulsively check their smart phones for messaging, social
media, and information. The Millenials are such a well informed
generation since information is accessible at anytime.
Designers have struggled and progressed with the
advancements in technology, as well as the demand of the
new consumer. Luxury names such as, Gucci and YSL, had
to transition to more commercial visions to capture a new
audience and compete with fast fashion companies like, Zara
and Forever21 replicating their collections from the runway.
Advancements in technology have also brought our attention
to the environment and the kind of effect we’re causing.
Companies have lowered energy and water consumption as
well as, carbon emission, to be more sustainable and maintain
transparent with consumers. Textiles have also advanced to
modern technology to create 3D woven natural fabrics and
new treatments.
Alexander McQueen was an early adopter of
technology: in spring 1999 No. 13, a model wearing a dress
was spray painted by two robots, and later in 2010, McQueen
adopted digital printing from photography in Plato’s Atlantis
collection. Lady Gaga was influenced by his collections and
emerged digital technology into the public. Another Gaga
influencer, Iris Van Herpen, was the first to use 3D printing in
haute couture; “fusing fashion, science, and technology.” The
trend of materials becoming media is continuing to progress.
In the 2014 Fall collections, Alexander Wang revealed
a developing form of technology in fashion that was futuristic,
yet functional for the survivorlist. Heat-sensitive leather
changed in front of metals vents to colors of black to blue, to
yellow, or purple and slowly faded. This advanced material has
been ten years in the making by Lauren Bowker, an alchemist,
that is using her designs to sync certain colors with seasonal
cues in the environment. A chemical compound is injected into
the leather and then ignited to see its reaction to temperature.
The compound also reacts to UV rays, friction, sound, moisture,
and pollution. It’s potential use for health are being developed
to possibly communicate the severity of an asthma attack, or
a garment that acclimates to the weather.
Studio Roosegaarde has also developed a high-tech
fashion made from e-foils which become transparent based on
personal interactions. Merging the current trend sexual desire
and technology, Intimacy 2.0 is a dress that responds to the
heartbeat of another person, these interactions determine the
level of transparency, creating a “sensual play of disclosure.”
If technology has advanced to create a material that becomes
transparent then we can create something invisible, right?
Harry Potter’s invisible cloak and GI Joe’s invisible
suit have actually, been developing for the last two years.
Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp, designed Quantum Stealth,
a camouflage material that renders the wearer as invisible by
bending light waves around them, mimicking the surrounding
environment. The material is lightweight and works against
military IR scopes and Thermal Optics according to U.S. and
Canadian military. This material is advanced and intimidating,
there’s a fear that strikes of the possibility of it getting in the
wrong hands. A clearly, defined ramification that can arise
with such quick advancements in technology. Although it is
still being developed for security issues, this design sets new
standards and expectations for our generation and the future
of the digital age.