The worlds of fashion and technology are beginning to synch up, albeit it at a snail mail pace.
Recently, for example, Apple Computer and Nike came together to combine the technology of an iPod nano with an athletic shoe to enhance and track the workout performance of exercisers.
Levi's new line of RedWire DLX Jeans for men and women, available this fall, are reported to come with a built-in iPod docking cradle, retractable headphones and a special joystick built into the watch pocket to allow the person wearing them to control the music player.
A recent fashion show at the SIGGRAPH conference in Boston brought together computer programmers and designers to explore how technology and fashion may come together in the future.
The offerings, according to descriptions in a Boston Globe report, ran the gamut from the ridiculous to the sublime.
Kelly Dobson, a student at MIT, unveiled the ScreamBody, described as looking like a backpack worn backwards. The unique feature of this portable soundproof chamber is that it will record screams and play them back later.
On a more practical level, Alison Lewis, a professor of fashion technology at Parsons School of Design, showed off a designer handbag with a light inside that allows the owner to see the contents when its dark. Ms. Lewis' other design was a beach bag with detachable speakers that could be hooked up with an iPod to play music while basking in the sun.
Discussion Questions: How do you see fashion and technology coming together in the future? Will retailers selling items such as Levi's RedWire DLX Jeans, Nike + shoes and other techno fashions need to hire sales associates with different skill sets as a result?