Tan Yifan

    cicitan2011@gmail.com

    WHILE models strutted the catwalk at the first Shenzhen Fashion Week, exhibitors from both the fashion world and tech field were busy displaying their trendy designs and exchanging ideas on how to merge the two fields together.

    The five-day exhibition, featuring fashion and new tech on the second floor of the OCT Bay Creative Exhibition Center, was not the first trial supported by fashion designers. In fact, over the past two years, there have been many examples of companies trying to make tech products more chic or sewing elements such as chips or luminescent balls onto clothes. Even cell phone producer Apple has hired Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry, and Jean-Claude Biver, head of a Swiss luxury watch division, to contribute their wits to the design of the iWatch. And the debut of the smartwatch was not presented on a dull, boring stage during a conference but on a world-renowned runway, punctuated by tall, skinny models.

    At the Shenzhen Fashion Week, the organizer didn’t plan to hold a catwalk show. Instead, fashion and tech professionals were encouraged to display their masterpieces in the main hall, showing people how to combine tech and fashion.

    A Beijing-based architecture company, for example, exhibited how they comprehend lines and structures and explained how to adopt architecture features into fashion designs, such as with wallets and handbags.

    Likewise, a TV manufacturer showed visitors new imaging technology and how the technology can make getting dressed a fun process.

    “The exhibition is my first attempt at connecting people from fashion and tech worlds,” said Yang Xinhui, a local curator and the organizer. “I think creating a platform for the two groups of people was necessary, especially when technology is trying hard to change people’s lives.”

    “I have resources and knowledge of both circles, but when I communicated with them, I found that they lacked a connection,” Yang said.

    “Today, there are more tech talents eager to learn about fashion and many fashion designers want to add tech elements to their designs, but they have no idea on how to achieve it. That’s why I invited them to join and meet. Many exhibitors actually made positive connections with each other at the event,” she said.

    Yang believes fashion design can be more scientific. She said some designers rely too much on inspiration and senses, but may need knowledge that is more scientific. “Design is an art and science. The amiable color and structure of an image can be quantified by science,” she explained.

    Thus, offering a platform for the two industries to corporate, for Yang, is an exciting experiment.

    Agreeing with Yang, a local jewelry exhibitor surnamed Chen told Shenzhen Daily that he was pleased by the exhibition. He said about 40 visitors showed interest in his designs, and hopefully new tech can help his factory reach more people.

    Mario Nobile, an Italian watch designer, said he was glad to be invited to the fashion week and the exhibition. “It is a good opportunity for us to connect with the Chinese market,” Nobile said. “I had some nice talks with designers and visitors.”

    Yang said the exhibition may become a regular event in the city as there are many successful fashion companies and technology institutions.

    In the future, her team wants to establish a workshop for fashion designers and technicians to share ideas and create new things because “fashion and technology need each other.”