Fashion
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Apple Watch will feature on the cover of Vogue China
Would you buy an Apple Watch if the fashion industry named it the "it gadget" of 2015, even if you couldn't care less about what it can do? What about if it became a cover model? That's exactly what is happening, as it's slated to grace the cover of Vogue China's November issue, merely a month after it made its first public appearance at Paris Fashion Week. Clearly, Cupertino wants to present it as a chic device for the tech-savvy fashionista. According to Vogue China EIC Angelica Cheung, she met with Apple CEO Tim Cook and head designer Jony Ive way before the watch's September 9 unveiling, hinting that the company always meant to put some focus on fashion when it comes to marketing this particular product. If you're wondering which variant gets the honor, it's the fancy 18-karat gold one (check out the image after the break), though you'll see other versions in the editorial spread inside.
Fossil teams up with Intel to produce its line of wearables
We heard plenty about Intel's wearable aspirations for 2014 back at CES, and since then it has announced collaborations with the likes of SMS Audio and more. Fossil was named as having a plan for Android Wear, and as of today the two are officially in cahoots. Unfortunately, details are scarce at this time, as we're left with the announcement that the pair aims to team up on "emerging products and technologies that will be developed for the fashion-oriented consumer." Judging by the wording of the PR, it seems that Fossil has more than watches on its agenda, and the outfit designs jewelry, handbags, wallets and more in addition to the traditional timepieces like the one pictured above. Of course, MetaWatch is an offshoot of the lifestyle company, and this is the latest in a group of accessory brands diving into the wearable craze.
The ugly truth about wearable technology
When it comes to putting computers on our bodies, everyone's an armchair Anna Wintour. Take a look at the comments on any story about wearable technology, just about anywhere. Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. And with good reason. While some of us view our PCs, smartphones and tablets as status symbols, our clothing and accessories are more closely tied to our identities than anything else.
Keep the surveillers at bay with Orwell-inspired clothes
If you've read George Orwell's 1984, you know of Big Brother's constant surveillance tactics. Taking inspiration from the book, and in response to present-day tracking methods, clothing maker The Affair is looking to Kickstart the 1984 Stealth Fashion collection. Thanks to a removable UnPocket, your phone remains "untrackable and unhackable" from inside the line's workshirt, chinos, jacket and blazer. That pocket is made of police-grade shielding fabric that blocks cellular (700 MHz-2 GHz), WiFi (2.4 GHz), GPS (1-2 GHz) and RFID (13.56 MHz) signals to help combat the peering eye of government overlords. So if you're ready to join Winston Smith, that UnPocket requires a pledge of $29 (£18) and the clothes start at $98 (£59). You may want to act now though, 'cause retail prices are set to get a bump.
Smartwatch belt gives you wearable tech without the convenience
Have you ever wanted smartwatch notifications without the convenience of having something on your wrist? No? Apparently, no one told that to the design team at Suzi Roher. The fashion outfit's new Urban Tech Belt includes a "digital watch computer" that lets you check calls, play music and read messages without grabbing your smartphone... which is stored in a holster just a few inches away. Yes, you're supposed to avoid reaching for a pocket or bag by reaching for your belt. Not much of a time-saver, really. And did I mention that this will cost a steep $725 when it arrives in January? Fashion and technology produce some beautiful things together, but this time you're better off buying one of Roher's usual belts and rolling the savings into a stylish smartwatch that will actually make your life easier.
Fashion thesis dresses you like a thoroughly modern Link
Andrew Shields, a student at Parsons the New School of Design, believes that while it isn't easy being green, Link still looks spectacular decked out in viridian. Hyrule's chosen warrior and his companions in The Legend of Zelda are the inspiration for Shields' BFA thesis, a men's clothing line that will be ready-to-wear provided he acquires the necessary funding to see it complete. "When I was young I wasn't really allowed to play with Barbies or draw dresses in my notebook, so I stopped and played on the computer, and I learned to play video games," explains Shields, in a brief video on Kickstarter. "My thesis is based on The Legend of Zelda, a game that helped shape my childhood and taught me how to explore and navigate through life." Navigation Awaits, the name of Shields' line, includes 21 items making up seven different outfits. These range from leafy t-shirt and jeans combos that look like Link's preferred outfit for an Avicii show to more avant garde numbers right out of a Cirque de Soleil adaptation of Twilight Princess. "The Hyrulian wardrobe is pretty diverse and proportions are pretty well developed so I think most people could pull it off," Shields told Joystiq via email. "If there really was a big difference I would say the addition of synthetics and metal notions like zippers." "I did think on changing the theme of my collection, by taking inspiration from only Majora's Mask, and doing a really dark, twisted collection. Ultimately, I decided a lighter collection would represent the greater whole and thats more what I wanted to do." The real question: Will you get to wear these designs?
Leaderboard: How much time do you spend customizing avatar outfits?
OK, I'm spending entirely too much time customizing my avatar outfits in Star Wars: The Old Republic. I originally re-upped my sub in order to polish off my last couple of class stories, but now I've gotten sucked into crafting and, by extension, the substantial outfit collection minigame. Which is bizarre because in meatspace my fashion sense boils down to the first pair of jeans and corresponding t-shirt/sweatshirt that tumbles out of my closet. What about you, Leaderboard readers? How much time do you spend customizing your MMO avatar outfits? Vote after the cut! Ever wish that you could put to rest a long-standing MMO debate once and for all? Then welcome to the battle royal of Massively's Leaderboard, where two sides enter the pit o' judgment -- and only one leaves. Vote to make your opinion known, and see whether your choice tops the Leaderboard!
Fitbit's Tory Burch jewelry makes your activity tracker slightly more fashionable
Even though activity trackers are all the rage, few would call them fashion items. Do you really want explain why you're wearing something so gauche at a wedding or high-brow luncheon? Fitbit isn't happy to have its devices treated as eyesores, though -- it's teaming up with designer Tory Burch to launch jewelry that makes the Flex tracker a little more suitable for upscale gatherings. The newly available collection starts off with a $38 printed silicone bracelet that, to be frank, is just a small step above (?) what you get out of the box; it's more for casual situations than formal galas. If you're up for something more luxurious, you can spring for a brass bracelet or pendant for $195 and $175, respectively. With that said, it's hard to see a truly style-conscious person picking these up in the first place, no matter how nice they look. Many attempts at shoehorning fashion into technology haven't fared well, and there's a good chance that you'll still look a bit silly with a tracker hanging from your neck. May I suggest using your phone instead?
Phone-jamming cloak lets you be seen and not tracked
We've covered invisibility cloaks, thermal cloaks and acoustic cloaks. But none of those were actual, you know, cloaks. The voluminous CHBL Jammer Coat really is. Created by Austrian designers, apparently with the help of Zoolander and some bedouin tribesmen, it uses metallic fabric to stop radiowaves going to or from any mobile devices carried in its many pockets. It further flummoxes onlookers and CCTV cameras by giving the illusion of "extra limbs," so that your real body parts remain hidden behind a mass of folds, wave circle patterns and pleased-to-see-me jokes. Alas, you can't actually buy a CHBL Jammer Coat, because it's a statement-making one-off, so genuine escape artists will need to shop for their portable Faraday cages elsewhere.
Google's first fashionable Glass frames are designed by Diane Von Furstenberg
Diane Von Furstenberg may be better known for wrap dresses than wraparound shades, but her fashion label has actually been a long-term collaborator with Google Glass. The partnership has now resulted in a new "DVF" collection of Glass options, including five new frames and eight new shades with which to customize (and perhaps soften) your futuristic appearance. They'll be available to Explorers in the US from June 23rd, both via Google's own site and from Net-a-porter, although there's no word on how much extra you'd need to spend beyond the $1,500 cost of the beta device itself. On the same day, Google's own Titanium collection will also become available through the Mr Porter online store. Meanwhile, we're still waiting on more sporty options from the likes of Oakley and Ray-Ban, although these might not arrive until Google Glass finally shifts into full commercial mode.
Log your fabulous life with this $663 designer handbag
What do you get when you put Autographer, creator of that lifelogging camera we saw in 2013, and quirky British designer Lulu Guinness together? If you guessed a zany handbag for wannabe spies and fashionistas obsessed with documenting their every move, then you'd be right. Guinness took time away from making oversized lip bags to design one with an eye that houses an Autographer camera, which can snap up to 2,000 images per day without you having to lift a finger. If you see tremendous potential in the bag for stalking, spying and creeping on an ex, uh, reasons you'd rather not disclose, you may want to start saving up now. It will be available for a limited time starting on July 30th from Lulu Guiness' stores for £395 ($663).
This onesie turns you into a walking WiFi hotspot
Forget carrying a separate hotspot router to have a local network wherever you go -- what if you were the hotspot? Fashion designer Borre Akkersdijk has come very, very close to making that vision a reality with his experimental BB.Suit. The goofy-looking cotton onesie is knitted using a special 3D technique that leaves space for WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC connections, turning the owner into an access point. Akkersdijk showed off the potential of the suit at South by Southwest, where it became a roving jukebox: attendees could both track it on Google Maps and upload songs through it to create a special playlist.
EverQuest Next Landmark throws a fashion show
Attention class! Pull up your chairs and mist your eyeballs because it's time for an EverQuest Next Landmark fashion show! SOE put out a short video today showing off the various models and colors of outfits that are in the game, including the sleek sci-fi Colony outfit, the steampunky Victorian outfit, and the utilitarian Adventurer outfit. There's also a "coming soon" teaser at the end with concept art hinting at other types of outfits. Give it a watch after the break and let us know what you'll be wearing in the game!
Make your own clothes with this open source printer
Store-bought clothing can be expensive, but not everyone has the talent or patience to make their own attire. That may not be an issue if OpenKnit takes off, though. The open source platform combines an affordable (under $757), build-it-yourself clothing printer with Knitic design software to let you make your own apparel quickly and easily; once you're set up, you just need a template file and some yarn. Aspiring designers can share their creations with the world through Do Knit Yourself. OpenKnit's output is more appropriate for the street than the fashion show catwalk, but it could be ideal for anyone who wants to shake up their style at a moment's notice.
Google Glass gets prescription glasses: four styles, $225 each (video)
Remember when Google said its wearable would work perfectly fine with prescription glasses? Well it's finally delivered, offering a $225 upgrade option for current Google Glass Explorers. Crafted from titanium (whatever else?), the designs are pretty unassuming and classy: they look like glasses frames you'd see at an optometrist. There's four styles to choose from -- Curve, Thin, Split, Bold -- making the selection sound more like font categories than frame categories. Google Glass then attaches to the frame through several screws. More styles (in other materials and shapes, possibly) are incoming, but the team behind this launch range (the designs were all done in-house at Google) said their aim was simplicity -- it helps that the extra frame-age also helps to obscure the still rather conspicuous Google eye-piece. Early adopters will be able to shop around for frames starting this afternoon and VSP, the largest optical health insurance provider in the US, is working with Google to offer subsidized frames and lenses for those who qualify.
Fitbit partners with women's fashion designer Tory Burch on Flex accessories
If the wearable trend is ever going to truly take off, companies are going to have to figure out how to make people want to wear them. That means taking it a step beyond simply not being embarrassed to be seen wearing one in public -- these devices are going to have to actually be attractive. Pebble got the memo, now Fitbit is taking steps to turn its Flex fitness tracker into a legit fashion accessory. The company is partnering with Tory Burch, maker of high-end women's fashion pieces, to design a line of bracelets and necklaces that will be able to hold the little Flex bug. While there doesn't appear to be any final designs just yet, the sketches the company shared with us seem to indicate the goal will be to mask its gadget heart as completely as possible, while adding a dash of golden bling. The goods themselves are expected to launch sometime in the Spring. But until then, you'll just have to peruse Tory Burch's current jewelry and let your imagination run wild.
Intel partners with the fashion industry on a stylish smart bracelet
Intel knows that wearable technology will only take off if people look good wearing it, so it's taking the next logical step of working with the fashion industry. The company is collaborating with design house Opening Ceremony on a smart bracelet that Barneys New York will eventually sell. Intel isn't saying exactly what the bracelet will do, but you can expect it to be "beautifully" crafted, according to Barneys. The semiconductor firm isn't stopping there, as it's also teaming up with the Council of Fashion Designers of America to foster stronger overall ties between fashion and tech. Unlike the other wearable devices announced this evening, it's not clear just when this stylish device will be available -- we wouldn't count on it arriving very soon, though.
Can we all please agree to never wear our iPhones as necklaces?
You've undoubtedly seen some people do some strange things to their iPhones. From turning the home button into a blingy bow tie to sticking a tiny Starbucks latte in the audio port, there seems to be no shortage of ways to make your iPhone unique. However, I implore you not to follow whatever strange fashion trend is leading people to stick their iPhones into leather cases equipped with massively long chains and then hang those chains around their necks. The iPhone is not a necklace. The epicenter of this still modest craze seems to be fashion house Vanesa Rey, which even went to such lengths as to produce a video showing how fashionable it is to sling your smartphone around your head stalk. Maybe I don't understand high fashion -- ok, I'll outright admit that I don't -- but all I can think of when I look at this product is how many things I'd accidentally get it caught in. In a normal day I imagine my iPhone mistakenly taking a bath in the sink, slammed in a car door, caught in an office drawer and roasted in a frying pan. Please, think of the iPhones.
Lady Gaga hits the stage in a multicopter flying dress (video)
Lady Gaga just made a spectacular album debut entrance -- even for her -- in what can only be described as a astronaut dress-cum-hexacopter that she named "Volantis." Though we'd call it a colossal publicity stunt, Gaga said that the suit was symbolic of herself and would allow her to be the voice for the youth of the world.... or something. While skimming across a stage in an oversized flying toy looks pretty bonkers (as you can see in the video after the break), fortunately the whole thing came off without a hitch.
Apple hires Burberry CEO to spruce up its retail operation
Cupertino's latest hire is an interesting one, especially when we think that about all those cool wearables that could one day take pride of place in Apple's online and physical stores. Angela Ahrendts, currently CEO of Burberry, has been recruited to fill a position that will be created just for her when she switches allegiances next spring -- as a senior VP reporting directly to Tim Cook and responsible for the "strategic direction, expansion and operation" of Apple's shopping experience. Ahrendts has already demonstrated that she can work with Apple, as Burberry helped to promote the launch of the iPhone 5s (shown above), so hopefully this union of fashion and technology will deliver better results than some others we've seen.
