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March 10, 2020

How Technology is Changing the Fashion Industry



Technology and fashion are commonly perceived as two completely different fields. However, the impact of technology in the fashion world is undeniable. In recent years, we have seen the fashion industry being taken over by several technological innovations. Like all other industries, technology has changed the way today’s fashion businesses operate. The advent of the concept of online fashion boutique has made it possible for businesses to extend the reach significantly. Similarly, the use of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and several other technology tools has made the companies more efficient.  



Honestly speaking, the impact of technology in the fashion industry is immense and it is difficult to discuss everything. Mentioned below are some of the most important ways in which fashion industry is changing or has changed because of technology.

  • The emergence of mobile e-commerce websites is probably one of the most critical impacts of technology. Unlike a few years ago, internet access is available nowadays around the world. Using their smartphones, fashion savvy shoppers around the world can not only take home their favorite items but also receive attractive promo codes or coupons for discounts on their favorite clothing lines. Technological innovations such as payment through digital wallets and social media applications have made shopping easier like never before. From the perspective of a business, mobile commerce websites allow their customers to easily discover products and buy them from the comfort of their homes with minimum hassle.
  • The ability to create unique designs and styles is yet another impact of modern technology. Back in the days, designers used to end up creating similar designs without even knowing. The creation of different designing apps has now made it rare for designs to resemble each other. Technology has also made a significant impact on the way clothes are manufactured. Various technologies are applied these days to manufacture bioengineered materials. In recent times, clothing materials have been manufactured even with the help of yeast cells.
  • Digital printing technology has made a long-lasting impression on many industries, and fashion is probably one of the biggest beneficiaries of this innovation. From jewelry to clothes to shoes, everything is manufactured these days using 3D printers. Three-dimensional printing allows manufacturers to add unique detailing and deliver a masterpiece.
  • Laser stamped fashion is another technological innovation that has been extremely popular in the fashion industry. Laser technology has been used extensively by small retailers to large designers to create products that we see around us everywhere.
  • The introduction of the IoT or Internet of Things is one of the biggest technology-enabled opportunities reaching the retail industry. In simple words, this technology allows us to make use of the internet to interact with everyday objects. When it comes to fashion, this indicates a drastic change in the near future. A recent study suggests that 70% of retail decision makers around the world are already preparing to improve customer experiences by adopting the Internet of Things. With the help of the IoT, we may soon see apparel items with digital capabilities to open communication between the customer and the retailer.    
  • Extensive use of artificial intelligence or AI is yet another recent technological innovation in fashion. Today’s fashion world utilizes a huge amount of data.  The industry has already started using artificial intelligence for organization, collection, and analysis of any data that plays an important role in the business. In the near future, AI looks all set to make fashion shopping a lot more fun affair compared to what it is today.
  • The emergence of Virtual Reality (VR) platforms is quickly changing the world of fashion by merging the online and physical worlds of retail. Gone are the days when customers would complain about receiving items that didn’t match their expectations. Many online fashion stores are already using VR enabled try-on avatars that allow shoppers try out different items on an avatar before purchasing it.         


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