Adidas: Ultra Boost Technology

The Adidas company has released a state of the art running shoe that is first of its kind because of the added technology within the shoe.  This energy focused sneaker is called the Ultra Boost.  “The Ultra Boost features the first combination of the improved Boost technology with a four-way-stretch Primeknit upper. A completely new type of outsole merges different technologies into one shoe that Adidas claims allows for full natural movement of the foot while providing the most energy return of any cushioning system on the running market.” According to Sports Illustrated, this sneaker allows runners to have maximum energy and cushion in one.  As an avid runner myself, cushioning is extremely important to the foot because the harder you run on any type of surface will create tension within your bones and muscles.  Cushioning your feet correctly will help stop injury in your feet and legs. This technolgy starts with a special type of foam called EVA foam which absorbs more energy than any other foam on the market. Flexibility is also a key component on why this sneaker is so technologically advanced.  The Adidas team used a camera inside the shoe during research to see how exactly a foot moves inside and where the constraints were.  Adidas has truly stepped up their game recently in the sportswear market and I think this Ultra Boost technology will definately give Nike a run for their money.

New Shopping Patterns

Technology has changed the retail environment and the way people are shopping. Today, we do not have to physically go to a store, consumers can just order anything we want online and have it shipped to us in the next few days.  Online shopping has become an empire of its own, some businesses only use E-commerce as their strategy tool.  For example, NastyGal started out as a fashionable ecommerce powerhouse and has been so successful, the company is now starting to build flagship stores in SoCal.

Inside the retail store, shopping has also become much more conveinent. Tablets and iPhones are now common sales associates and are readily available to help you shop or checkout. Virtual mirrors are also a new retail technology trend where consumers can just stand in front of the mirror and virtually try on their selected garments.  The bothersome of taking off and putting back on your clothes is easily eliminated and consumers can be satisifed with their new look.

Finally, technology has transformed the way retailers interact with their customers.  Many corporations have used social media sites as an outlet to let their consumers know of special promotions or new product in store.  Nine West has used technology has a customization tool where customers in Canada could customize a best seller style of shoe in fabric and color for a very affordable cost.  This engagement with loyal customers is crucial to a successful business and technology is definately helping the shopping industry become more customer oriented and conveinent for all.

Fashion Technology : The Future

Computers and new technology are changing the way clothes are produced and look today.  Fashion tech is a new word in the industry and it is rising in popularity.  At Paris Fashion Week there was a whole collection devoted to “tech-couture” that showcased the work of high-end couture designers collaborating with well crafted technologists and creating a scientific, fashionable masterpiece.   The 3D printing company Shapeways now has a 3D printed nylon gown worn by the infamous Dita Von Teese.  Shapeways is a company that lets you customize any 3D object the way you want and they ship the final product back to you.  Their website has a fashion tab which is mostly dedicated to accessories but as time goes on I think that more and more designers will learn how to 3D print actual garments together.  I think technology has made a positive impact on the fashion industry by products being produced faster due to updated systems and machines. Also, technological induced fabric has made an impact too especially in the sportswear industry which is something I heavily invest in being an avid runner.  My performance increases now due to lightweight fabric and increases my speed.  Technology is definitely a current trend in fashion and with its constant progression I do not see it going away for a while.  As technological updates increase, so will our fashions.

     

Nike

  

From 1964 to 2015, Nike has become the powerhouse company of athletic apparel and accessories. This brand name is recognized internationally for its premier footwear for athletes of any stature. They offer products for all kinds of sports but one of their most successful and renowned products are their football shoes, apparel, and accessories. Their first cleat that debuted in 1971 was made out of molded black and white rubber with the infamous “swoosh” logo on the shoe. The cleat was designed for control, contraction and stability; three things that Nike believed helped the performance of top football athletes. Next, Nike realized turf fields were becoming more and more popular as the stadium ground for the game so they decided to invent a shoe that would adapt more easily to turf grounds. Technical accessories were the next creation for Nike, where they created football gloves that helped secure a firm grip on the football. From technical accessories, Nike completed their football transformation with technical apparel for football uniforms. They use lightweight fabric to amplify speed and performance for professional athletes. In my opinion Nike has gone above and beyond in researching the latest trends in technical performance. As technology improves so does Nike in staying on top of the game in sports apparel and accessories. Nike is always producing state of the art products and continuously are helping athletes around the world exceed their expectations with their athletic performances.

Technology and Our World

Technology has constantly been changing the world we live in for centuries. From the very first telephone to the now evolved iPhone 6, the world we live in is constantly progressing forward in pushing for technological advancement. Today, our society lives through our technological devices. We are constantly glued to our phones, tablets, and laptops and social media is our new form of communication.   Text messaging has taken over voice communication, where today studies have shown that our younger generation now has trouble communicating face to face with the world.   The youth is constantly use to staring into computer screens and playing with digital toys daily that in the future I am predicting the younger generation will go blind and develop social disorders because they are becoming robots and mutes to the outside world around them.

There are many negative aspects from our current use of technology, however there are also many positives from our world’s developments in technology. Technology has made our lives so much easier. Mail can now come the next day, we can see distant relative face to face through our phones, and many working industries have boomed with success to do technology. One of these booming industries is the fashion industry. Tablets and touch screen computer programs have taken over retail stores across the globe replacing the ancient cash register. Virtual fitting rooms are also becoming a new trend in fashion technology. Smart mirrors are being put in malls and stores for consumers to virtually try on their favorite looks without the hassle of undressing ourselves. Lastly, smart technology is also becoming popular within the sportswear and street wear styles of fashion. Nike, Under Armor, and Adidas are constantly researching the latest technological fabric and devices to produce garments that help our desired performance. With the ups and downs technology has to offer us, in the end it is something truly interesting to learn about and figure out better ways for technology to improve our lives.