Advances in Wearable Tech - for Fashion, Health and Life in 2024

Wearable devices are not only practical for the increasingly health-conscious society but it is also a growing fashion trend. From smartwatches and smart jewellery to fitness trackers and clothing that monitors our health and well-being, there are ample opportunities for retailers to exploit the latest technology into fashion. These trends are forging new partnerships, with pioneers in the telecommunications sector, such as Spain’s Fractus, solving new technical challenges as their technology is adapted for new sectors.

The forging industry of wearable textiles is bringing together experts from a range of backgrounds such as fashion, textile, technology and data. It is also spawning an industry of women entrepreneurs, creating stylish but practical wearable clothing for example, a sports bra that monitors heart rate or yoga pants that alerts about an incorrect posture! In one of the most fascinating collaborations in recent years, Meta and Rayban have teamed up to create technologically enabled sunglasses that connect directly to the user’s social media.

This session will discuss all aspects of this booming industry and why you need to know about it. From the latest products coming to market, to the legal aspects such as IP and licensing considerations and data privacy. We will consider how collaborators can work together to address these complex issues, as well to the future of fashion technology and other wearable technology that will continue to enhance our wellbeing in 2024 and beyond.