TOM*FW & We Are Wearables partner to showcase how fashion is being disrupted by a new wave of computing
TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto is getting a big dose of "firsts" today as the first Men's Fashion Week hosts the first wearable technology runway show in the city. Brain-sensing headbands, LED helmets and a tech tie are just a few of the pieces curated for the wearable technology fashion show that will take place at the Fairmont Royal York hotel at 4:45PM EST August 14, 2014.
The show is presented by We Are Wearables, a Toronto-based organization on a mission to make wearable tech accessible to both businesses and consumers. Its goal is to facilitate innovation and adoption of this emerging technology which is changing the face of both technology and fashion. The group is responsible for the largest recurring wearables meetup in the country which takes place at MaRS Discovery District Centre every month and now has a community of over 1,300 members in the city.
The runway show was designed to showcase the spectrum of wearable technology from devices that help you better know yourself, like InteraXon's brain-sensing headband Muse, to jackets and other clothing that add a greater level of visibility through the use of LEDs, such as MeU's LED Panels.
"Wearable technology is as much about function as it is about design. We Are Wearables has selected pieces which have married the two perfectly," said Founder of We Are Wearables, Tom Emrich. "It is a huge win for this emerging technology to have it walk down the runway at a prestigious fashion week. Fashion is a critical component to wearables success. In order for this technology to be adopted, it needs to be something that people will want to wear. Our hope is that this show will highlight how stylish these pieces can be".
Many of the pieces selected for the show are Canadian companies or designers from Toronto. InteraXon's brain-sensing headband Muse is a brain fitness tool that helps you do more with your mind by detecting and measuring your brain activity and then guiding your through a set of exercises to help you improve your concentration and find calm. OCAD's The Social Body Lab will be showcasing its wearable bike lights, Vega Edge. Its LED lights add increased visibility and a new form of flare to any outfit by clipping them on pieces of clothing or accessories using magnets. LEDs are also at the heart of the outfit showcasing MeU panels by a company of the same name. MeU's LED panels can be customized with text or images using an app on your smartphone and the company have created custom animations for the event.
The runway show also brings pieces from outside the city. Austria's UTOPE will be showing its Sporty Supaheroe Jacket while Canadian-born but Sweden-based designer Angella Mackey of Vega, will be featuring her bomber jacket. Both have integrated LED lights into the jackets themselves. And an LED helmet and computerized tie will be featured from two designers from Calgary, Jeff de Boer and Hannah Newton.
The Wearable Technology runway show occurs after We Are Wearables Founder, Tom Emrich, gives a TOM*Talk on "Wearing Our Tech" which explores how the worlds of fashion and technology are colliding and breaks down the landscape of this type of technology which is growing at rapid rate.
About We Are Wearables
We Are Wearables is on a mission to help consumers and businesses navigate the emerging space of wearable technology. We aim to foster adoption and innovation by making wearable technology more accessible and provide a platform to discuss the impact wearable tech has on our everyday lives and our businesses. We do this by offering a series of events in various cities which bring together wearable startups and thought leaders along with workshops, training and consulting services for businesses who are starting to explore the potential of this new tech. Learn more at www.wearewearables.com and follow us on Twitter at @WeAreWearables.
About Tom Emrich
Tom Emrich is a wearable tech evangelist. He is Founder of We Are Wearables, an organization dedicated to fostering adoption and facilitating innovation in wearable tech through events, education, collaboration and resources. He is also co-founder of Wearable App Review, the first app review site for wearables including Android Wear, Google Glass, Pebble and more. Tom writes about wearables and other emerging tech like the Internet of Things and 3D Printing for a number of sites including MobileSyrup, BetaKit and Designers of Things of which he is the Editor. He has a background in product marketing, development and strategy and has created many apps for mobile and wearable platforms including Google Glass apps Glass Eats and Stay Glassy, TTC. He is also a Google Glass Explorer. Follow him on Twitter at @TomEmrich
Image with caption: "Toronto Men's Fashion Week Premiers Wearable Technology Show (CNW Group/TOM, Toronto Men's Fashion Week)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140814_C7241_PHOTO_EN_42437.jpg
SOURCE: TOM, Toronto Men's Fashion Week
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