Introduction
Technology
has propelled the growth of human society in innumerable ways. From the basic
needs of food, clothing and shelter to advanced robotics and health care,
technology has rapidly assumed the status of an arguably indispensable and
highly effective tool in the modern era. Clothing has always been both a
necessity with regard to human civilization and a means of showcasing ones
culture and interests. Social status, religious leanings, cultural diversity and
professional status can all be amply reflected by ones clothes. A wide array of
different styles of clothing is now possible, aided by powerful technological
tools that supplement and shape the creative ideas of fabric designers.
Evolution of Fabric Design
In
accordance with Darwinian principles, man is a remarkable example of
adaptability. And a look at the way clothes have evolved only goes to
illustrate this. In addition, the progress of mans concept of fashion has also
transformed over the ages. Starting from merely covering ones body with natural
fur to protect it from the vagaries of the natural elements in ancient periods
of human existence to designing special suits and fabrics woven out of exotic
materials to meet adverse environment requirements like space and desert
surroundings, man has always shown ingenious capability to engineer requisite
changes in the fabrics. The concept of fashion too has seen a marked shift with
the variety of choices available in the present times. Of course, technology is
a major driving force behind fashion trends.
The Role of Technology in Fabric
Design and Fashion
One of
the most significant outcomes of the famed Industrial Revolution was the
mechanization of textile manufacture. The power loom and the mechanized cotton
mill resulted in a huge increase in the quantum of production by shortening the
time required for production manifold. In the more recent times, there has been
a proliferation of novel materials designed, and this has enhanced both the
quality and adaptability of fabrics. The so-called smart materials enable the
production of clever fabrics, with high-end technology like atomic force
microscopy and polymeric nanofibres going into the design, manufacturing and
testing of these fabrics. Ranging from special applications like the design of
suits for space travel, swimsuits and suits for military purposes to the usage
of more durable and adaptable garments for daily use, these methods have proved
to be extremely effective. Several research centres have sprung up to
investigate these exciting possibilities. The role of computers is unarguably
prominent in fashion technology. The visualization of the final design right at
the conceptualization stage, down to the finest detail, making suitable
modifications if so desired, automating several stages in the manufacturing
process and, finally, executing quality control procedures - all of them
involve computing at various levels of complexity. Be it creating an
eye-catching design using CAD or running the computerized knitting and weaving
machinery, automation is fast becoming the buzzword. Fashion courses nowadays
invariably include a major technological thrust in the curriculum to enable
prospective designers to be abreast with the latest trends.
Exciting Possibilities and Trends
How about having a single garment that one can
use both in the summer and winter one that would change texture, colour and
even shape in response to external environments? All these are gradually
transcending from being mere fantasies to reality. Digital clothing that
incorporates sensors in the very clothing that one wears and other fascinating
possibilities lie in store - courtesy the largely interdisciplinary
explorations into the field of fabric and fashion technology. At a more mundane
level, one could most definitely be pleased by the thoughts of having clothes
made to precise specifications at a much faster rate and with several times
more durability. Technology is scaling tremendous heights and with it, so are
all its applications. Textile and fashion design have in store lots of promises
and continue to be a standing example of the prowess of technology. As Mark
Twain puts it, the finest clothing ever made is a person’s skin, but of course,
society demands something more. So the quest for better clothing, better fabric
and trendier garments continues unabated aided by technological advancements.
Fibre2fashion
is B2B Marketplace of Textile,
Fashion & Garment Industry that also offers Software Solutions for
Garment & Apparel Industry. You Can Find Textile Industry Jobs, Articles,
News, Textile Machinery, Latest Fashion Trends and Much More…