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When high-tech meets high fashion
By Nie Xin |
March 31, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WHEN we go shopping, we rarely give a thought to the technology that goes into making our favorite garments.
But most of us would surely be surprised to learn about how the "lightest" walking shoes are made; how down feathers jackets "breathe" and repel oil and water; or the common secret contained in high-end perfumes.
Yet fashion has always walked in step with technological development - think of the impact the invention of nylon in the 1940s had on women's stockings.
And while names such as Tyvek, Teflon, Corian, Surlyn may be unfamiliar to many people - at least in a fashion sense - chances are we've all worn garments or used beauty products incorporating their technology, quietly changing our life as well as our concept on shopping.
So here are some trendy products that you wear or use in your daily life that hide away some fantastic high-technology elements.
Perfume bottles and Surlyn
Products:
Selecting materials for cosmetics and fragrance bottles, stoppers and packaging is part art, part science.
La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain is dressed up in distinctive bottle with a sparkling helix-shaped cap molded from Surlyn resin. The same material is also used in the new flacon and prismatic cap of the fragrance "La vie est belle" from Lanc?me. In fact, Surlyn is used by many leading cosmetics and fragrance brands, making the packaging elegant, cost-saving and sustainable.
Technology:
Surlyn is an extremely clear plastic that is often used to replace glass. Unlike other clear plastics, it is highly resistant to scratches and oils. It is also unbreakable - a big plus when creating unique packaging options for perfumes and cosmetics.
Light Wing and Tyvek
Products:
In October 2011, Shanghai-based concept designer Token Yilin Hu created a series of products by making use of Tyvek, a material created by American science company DuPont - and Light Wing was born. This is the lightest walking shoes in the world, on average one-third the weight of ordinary shoes,
DuPont says the protective qualities of Tyvek help ensure peak performance in various industries, from protective apparel, construction and envelopes to medical packaging, covers and graphics.
Other uses of Tyvek include in hats, jackets, raincoats, walking shoes, suitcases, lampshades, cards folders, wallets and umbrellas.
Technology:
Tyvek combines the best characteristics of paper, film and fabric, with a higher strength-to-weight ratio than paper.
It is incredibly water and moisture resistant, 100% recycleable, and tough - more flexible than paper, allowing folding many times without fracturing.
A further plus-point is that Tyvek has a bright, silky smooth, distinctive look and feel that makes it an ideal material in fashion design.
Zen and Teflon
Products:
Shanghai-based fashion designer Wu Xuekai's fashion studio produces tens of thousands down feathers jackets for the domestic and international markets.
Early 2012, Wu started cooperating with Teflon brand - best-known for its non-stick cookware coatings - in his designs, creating a new series for his fashion brand Zen.
Teflon down and feather protector helps keep down-filled products performing at their best, absorbing less moisture from the elements and during washing, says Wu.
Filled products dry faster, retain their warmth rating and fullness, and plump up easier after laundering. Also, the protector will not alter the natural breathability of feathers, and can dry faster after laundering.
"In humid cities like Shanghai, a down jacket which is water and moisture resistant is a must," said Wu. He also predicted this technology will be a trend this autumn and winter.
Technology:
Teflon was discovered in 1938, and in time became synonymous with non-stick cookware (not to mention politicians with a knack of ensuring criticism does not stick.) In clothing, Teflon fends off soil, stains and spills on wool, cotton and blends without impacting the fabric's look, feel, color or breathability.
But most of us would surely be surprised to learn about how the "lightest" walking shoes are made; how down feathers jackets "breathe" and repel oil and water; or the common secret contained in high-end perfumes.
Yet fashion has always walked in step with technological development - think of the impact the invention of nylon in the 1940s had on women's stockings.
And while names such as Tyvek, Teflon, Corian, Surlyn may be unfamiliar to many people - at least in a fashion sense - chances are we've all worn garments or used beauty products incorporating their technology, quietly changing our life as well as our concept on shopping.
So here are some trendy products that you wear or use in your daily life that hide away some fantastic high-technology elements.
Perfume bottles and Surlyn
Products:
Selecting materials for cosmetics and fragrance bottles, stoppers and packaging is part art, part science.
La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain is dressed up in distinctive bottle with a sparkling helix-shaped cap molded from Surlyn resin. The same material is also used in the new flacon and prismatic cap of the fragrance "La vie est belle" from Lanc?me. In fact, Surlyn is used by many leading cosmetics and fragrance brands, making the packaging elegant, cost-saving and sustainable.
Technology:
Surlyn is an extremely clear plastic that is often used to replace glass. Unlike other clear plastics, it is highly resistant to scratches and oils. It is also unbreakable - a big plus when creating unique packaging options for perfumes and cosmetics.
Light Wing and Tyvek
Products:
In October 2011, Shanghai-based concept designer Token Yilin Hu created a series of products by making use of Tyvek, a material created by American science company DuPont - and Light Wing was born. This is the lightest walking shoes in the world, on average one-third the weight of ordinary shoes,
DuPont says the protective qualities of Tyvek help ensure peak performance in various industries, from protective apparel, construction and envelopes to medical packaging, covers and graphics.
Other uses of Tyvek include in hats, jackets, raincoats, walking shoes, suitcases, lampshades, cards folders, wallets and umbrellas.
Technology:
Tyvek combines the best characteristics of paper, film and fabric, with a higher strength-to-weight ratio than paper.
It is incredibly water and moisture resistant, 100% recycleable, and tough - more flexible than paper, allowing folding many times without fracturing.
A further plus-point is that Tyvek has a bright, silky smooth, distinctive look and feel that makes it an ideal material in fashion design.
Zen and Teflon
Products:
Shanghai-based fashion designer Wu Xuekai's fashion studio produces tens of thousands down feathers jackets for the domestic and international markets.
Early 2012, Wu started cooperating with Teflon brand - best-known for its non-stick cookware coatings - in his designs, creating a new series for his fashion brand Zen.
Teflon down and feather protector helps keep down-filled products performing at their best, absorbing less moisture from the elements and during washing, says Wu.
Filled products dry faster, retain their warmth rating and fullness, and plump up easier after laundering. Also, the protector will not alter the natural breathability of feathers, and can dry faster after laundering.
"In humid cities like Shanghai, a down jacket which is water and moisture resistant is a must," said Wu. He also predicted this technology will be a trend this autumn and winter.
Technology:
Teflon was discovered in 1938, and in time became synonymous with non-stick cookware (not to mention politicians with a knack of ensuring criticism does not stick.) In clothing, Teflon fends off soil, stains and spills on wool, cotton and blends without impacting the fabric's look, feel, color or breathability.
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