I had an out-of-body experience on Tuesday at DCWEEK. Sponsored by Microsoft, DCWEEK Fashion Day left me wondering where and why my head has been in the sand when it comes to fashion and art. It was a series of three fashion and technology panels that featured discussion around design/creativity, retail/business, and social media/blogging.
Let me state upfront that I’m not a fashion blogger but I am a devoted follower of fashion because of my fabulous friends who blog about styles and trends. I chose this panel because I was interested in learning how designers are incorporating new media into fashion.
Frankly, I was floored by all of the new ways one can use technology in fashion. If you weren’t there, sorry you missed it. I learned so much from each of the panel discussions it forced me to write each panel separately.
On the Examining the Role of Technology in Design, Art Direction & Creativity panel, I was amazed to learn how designers use social media and technological platforms to engage consumers around their brand and products.
I knew this would be a great panel when Fashion Day opened up with a Ralph Lauren 4D Fashion Show:
Ralph Lauren 4D Fashion Show (video)
This video is an example of how designers like Ralph Lauren and other high-fashion brands are using social media in different ways to engage consumers around their brand and products. Needless to say, I rushed home to see this spectacular show again on YouTube.
And now to the panel discussion.
Researcher-turned-tech-guru Dr. Mark Drapeau, Director of Innovative Engagement, Microsoft Office of Civic Innovation, didn’t strut down the runway at the Geek 2 Chic Fashion Show (more on that later) but demonstrated his vast knowledge of how technology is changing the way designers are presenting fashions on the runway.
Since my background is in health, I was away blown away by Mark’s description of how Microsoft is teaming up with designers like Donna Karan and health care providers to create the “Urban Zen” experience for consumers. Though still in its infancy phase, the program will be designed to help people think about making healthier choices in their life. Now, that’s innovation at work.
I was also impressed with the winner of Bravo’s The Fashion Show Daniella Kallmeyer who discussed how successful companies build brands around the lifestyle of the consumer. Using examples like Nike creating designs around consumer needs and Rue La La turning high-fashion retail on its ear, she described how technology is changing the way consumers shop.
I wish I could go on more about this panel but now I have to move on to write about panel two Examining the Role of Technology in Design, Art Direction & Creativity, which was equally intriguing.
