Wearable TECHNOLOGY
Panna Munyal rounds up five pieces of intelligent apparel, from a tee that cleans the air around you to a phone-charging tote
THE IT BAG
Say goodbye to bulky cables, adapter plugs and power packs – the stylish and functional Gianoi handbag comes with phone-charging technology, so you never have to worry about running out of battery again. Simply plug your smartphone into the USB squirrelled away in the bag’s internal pocket, and it will connect to your iPhone via Bluetooth and charge as you go, as well as notify you about incoming calls, messages and social-media updates via a pulsating light that beams up on the external logo. You can even check how much juice you have le in your bag – just tap on the logo firmly, and it will show the lights as red, yellow or green. To repower the bag, simply place it on the flat plate it comes with when you get home and it will charge wirelessly overnight. The bags are handcra ed in Italy and, discreet hardware aside, come in luxury materials such as snakeskin, python leather, embossed crocodile and suede. An Android version is also in production. www.gianoi.com
CLOTHING THAT SENSES HOW YOU FEEL
Meant for hypo- or hypersensitive people who suffer from Sensory Processing Disorders, and are consequently overwhelmed by colours, textures or sounds, Sensewear apparel aims to provide comfort and protection. Prototypes include a biteable necklace as a replacement for those who relieve their stress by gnawing on their finger nails; an aromatic scarf for when one is assailed with smells that bring up negative memories; a musical poncho to direct the ears to and away from certain sounds; and a jacket that can be inflated to create a squeezing sensation around the body, a technique that has been shown to provide solace to autistic children. The clothes are so and easy to put on, with no chafing seams or tags, and all are designed to minimise the everyday stress of SPD sufferers. Sensewear is the brainchild of couple Emanuela Corti and Ivan Parati, both of whom are engineering lecturers at Ajman University; the concept swept the Grand Prix title at the 2015 Lexus Design Awards in Milan, and is currently at the testing stage. www.sensewear.clothing/wordpress
A SELF-HEATING COAT
Cold weather may seem like a distant memory, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t start planning your next winter wardrobe. Consider the Emel and Aris coat. It has selfheating, battery-operated technology concealed in the lining to provide warmth on the shoulders, lower back and front lapels. The heating system uses a lightweight polymer (sans wires), which has been treated to evenly spread the warmth at a pre-set temperature. The emitters keep the coat warm for up to nine hours, and are powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery or power bank, which sits within a hidden pocket. A USB connection means you can also charge your phone on the move. The tailored designs include a trench and wrap-coat for women, and a mackintosh and overcoat for men, created with high-quality water- and wind-repellent cotton and cashmere blends by Italian label Loro Piana. The coats are equipped with Far Infrared, otherwise known as “healthy heat” for its therapeutic qualities. It’s a no-brainer, really. www.emelandaris.com
A FITTING ROOM FOR ONLINE SHOPPERS
Ill-fitting clothes are the stuff that online shoppers’ nightmares are made of; there’s nothing more disappointing than receiving your next favourite dress, skirt or shirt, only to find it doesn’t sit quite right. Enter the Zozosuit. Akin to a diving suit, the full-body garment has 150 Bluetooth-enabled sensors that gather accurate measurements, with room for half sizes and in-between lengths. The information is logged in an app, which you can send with your next order, allowing you to purchase clothes that fit well. According to Japanese company Start Today, which ships the Zozosuit across the world, in addition to cutting down the need for returns, the sensors record data about motion and posture, which can be used to invent technologies to help people move better. For now, though, you can have your Zozosuit shipped to the UAE and, hopefully, benefit from that elusive perfect fit. www.zozo.com
A T-SHIRT THAT TARGETS AIR POLLUTION
Redefining the concept of green fashion, the RepAir T-shirt can cleanse the air around its wearer of certain pollutants and bacteria. Manufactured by the Italian start-up Kloters, the zero-impact tee uses a patented material called The Breath. The garment is composed of two external layers – the pocket and the insert – made from a waterresistant, anti-bacterial fabric. These enclose a core, made of dioxin-absorbent carbon mesh on a polyester substrate enhanced by nano molecules. The air passes through the pocket and flows over the insert. The ISO-certified technology is then able to identify, separate and absorb nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx), as well as eliminate unpleasant odours. The pollutants and smells are held in the inner layer, releasing clean air, while a micro-zip eases the removal of the easy-to-wash insert. www.kloters.com