
Over the past two years, a ton of fashion, watch and accessory names have got into the wearable tech game. In 2015, we hoped for New Balance, Michael Kors, Under Armour and Casio wearables and - boom - our wishes have been granted, with mixed results.
Some of the devices currently on sale are still ugly as hell but overall, things are really looking up with Emporio Armani, Marc Jacobs and Hugo Boss going over to the smart side in the last 12 months. That has mainly been in the form of smartwatches, but with smart jewellery and smart clothing still yet to reach the mainstream, there's still plenty of time to get involved.
Designer wearables: The best fashion tech from big name labels
We've pulled together some of the brands that we'd actually like to see getting stuck into the wonderful world of wearables.
Mulberry
Hermès has got the leather Apple Watch straps collection down, as does Coach. Up next for straps, perhaps, we'd like to see iconic and hella classy British brand Mulberry get involved.
If not smartwatch straps, lets have a connected smart burgundy croc handbag that does more than just charge your phone. Or maybe a limited edition scarf, gloves, jewellery, or even coat collection. Mulberry already does lovely leather 'pouches' for phones and iPads - so not too much of a leap for its customers?
Yeezy
Kanye's Yeezy Boost 350 Zebra edition is crying out to be connected. It's clear that man can get people to wear anything so he might as well chuck some smart features in for their $500. Plus it's Adidas Originals footwear and Adidas already has the knowhow.
As to what to do with it, we're see more Avery Dennison/EVRYTHNG-type super VIP guest pass type features in Yeezy's future than say, some running or sports functions. Click your heels and hang out with him and Kim, that kind of stuff.
Paul Smith
Let's make the case for Paul Smith's nice line of preppy and classic wristwatches - all affordable - getting the hybrid treatment. First, Fossil Group is doing all the hard work for other watchmaking fashion brands to just swoop in with simple haptic and button features that work and don't put people off.
Plus, there's scope to expand to Paul Smith's dapper glasses and sunglasses as the Safilo Group is doing with its brands like Smith and Carrera. Connected pocket square, anyone?
Herschel
If you put all the Herschel backpacks in Shoreditch end to end, you'd be able to reach all the way to the moon. This is a completely made-up fact, but there a HELL of a lot them in London and the hipster target market would no-doubt welcome some sort of on-board gadgetry. Perhaps a built-in proximity sensor for thwarting would-be thieves or maybe even a back warmer that heats up on demand, to keep you snug while riding your bicycle in the cold.
Tatty Devine
Edgy jewellery brand Tatty Devine is no stranger to collaborations so we'd love to see it teaming up with a tech company to make some fine-looking tech-filled eye candy. Imagine how cool it would be if the brand's existing Mission Control necklace (pictured) actually packed in a Snapdragon chip or some sort of voice or smart button controls.
SuperDry
There are so many options for wearables here - first on the list has to be a trendy Project Jacquard collaboration. But we could also see a smart belt that adjusts itself to fit your increasingly portly yet fashionable shape.
Or perhaps a stress-relieving smart beanie is more your thing? The technology is so far unproven, but we certainly hope it works. SuperDry jackets have more zips that it's humanly possible to use, so we reckon there's easily room for a built-in fitness tracker or two.
Havaianas
The popular flip-flops from Brazil that have become a summer staple in the UK and pretty much everywhere else would be ideal for housing a simple, lightweight pedometer, equivalent to a no-frills Fitbit Alta, built into the rubber straps. A UV level tracker to prevent sunburn, as we've seen from L'Oréal's My UV Patch, would also be handy addition.
Which fashion label or brand would you like to see get into wearables? Tell us in the comments.
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