Wearable tech to be discussed at the 24th Fashion Week

02 Jul '17

4 min read

Courtesy: HKTDC

Wearable technologies are revolutionising the way people connect through smart devices. The topic will be discussed at a seminar "Wearable Technologies for Future Fashion," being organised by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel. The session is one of a seminar series to be held at the 24th Fashion Week for Spring/Summer.

The 24th Fashion Week for Spring/Summer is being organised during July 10-13, 2017 in Hong Kong.

According to a study by Allied Market Research, the wearable technology market was valued at US$19.6 billion in 2015. Growing at a compound annual growth rate of 16.2 per cent, it is expected to reach US$57.7 billion by 2022. The forecast highlights the sector's potential to boost the overall fashion industry.

Industry leaders will offer insights about upcoming trends in wearable technologies. Dr. Raymond Chu, chairman of textile machinery agent Chemtax Industrial, will speak on the topic "Future Knitting with Wearable Technologies."

"Predictions of huge demand in the smart and wearable textile sector will lead to a 40 per cent annual growth, worth US$2.5 billion by 2021. We are likely to see the biggest growth among sports fashion brands," said Chu.

"Going forward, sophisticated sensors, heating elements - even battery chargers - will be added to fabrics using high-tech knitting machines for sport, leisure, the military, hospitals and emergency services. Such devices will be able to measure a person's vital signs, such as heart rate, breathing, skin temperature - even perspiration levels," he added.

The health benefits of wearable technologies will also be highlighted by Dr. Roy Cheung, associate professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, who will speak on "Modifying the Fingerprint of Gait with Wearable Sensors."

"Sensors used in wearable devices could have health benefits, such as rehabilitation for patients with physical impairments and functional disabilities, and injury prevention for people at risk. Advances in technology, including muscle and motion sensors, mean that wearable devices will be able to provide increasingly useful data to accurately estimate a person's biomechanics. We can use the knowledge gained, along with widely used products, to launch tailor-made training or prevention," Cheung said.

Stanley Kwok, director of Senty, which produces knitted grounding products, will discuss "The Health Concerns in Wearable Tech." He emphasised the importance of addressing concerns surrounding the use of wearable technologies.

Jason Ho, vice-president of Intertek Testing Services Hong Kong, an assurance, testing, inspection and certification agency, will speak on the topic "Total Quality Assured." He said that all wearable technologies had to be carefully tested to ensure they met strict manufacturing requirements. "The quality of smart clothing must meet both the necessary electronic and high-performance textile requirements. Such devices are specially developed and tested so they are made to the highest standards, with advanced performance features, and are safe to use," said Ho.

Other seminars to be held also spotlight major industry trends and topics, including "Visionary Trends for Autumn/Winter 2018/19 for Women's and Men's Wear" presented by Fashion Snoops, "The Woolmark Company Presents: New Generation of Merino Wool Innovation - Wool Denim Wear and Wool Sneakers," "Tips on Marketing Your E-tailing Business," and "Testing and Certification Services for Textiles and Garments".

Under the theme "Style in Motion," this year's Fashion Week will feature some 1,100 international exhibitors from 19 countries and regions, including newcomers from Canada, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. Nepal and Italy will stage group pavilions for the first time, joining India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Macau and Thailand.

For easy sourcing, trending fashion items will be featured in sections focusing on garment, fashion accessories and upstream supplies. Exhibits will include offerings from international brands, designers' collections, fabrics, footwear, jewellery, accessories and related professional services. The new fashionable sportswear and urban clothing zones will cater to the growing demand for this product segment.

Other highlights at Fashion Week will include a series of international fashion parades, such as one featuring designs from Saudi Arabia, which is among countries covered by China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Fashion Week Spring/Summer also offers a platform for young designers to introduce their work to international buyers. Creations by promising fashion students will be spotlighted at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University MA Fashion and Textiles Graduate Show, the university's Intimate Fashion Show 2017, the "International Fashion: On Parade" by the School of Continuing and Professional Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the THEi Fashion Show 2017. (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India