During London Collections:Men I attended an 'The Ambassadors Project' at Mark's Club held by The Woolmark Company, Pierre Lagrange and The Savile Row Bespoke Association. I met all sorts of interesting people in the tailoring and cloth/wool production world. Among them were a young coat maker, Rachel Smith and Nick Hammond, an under-cutter, both working with Norton & Sons of Savile Row. They told me a fascinating story how they've worked with Google on Project Jacquard to weave interactivity into any fabric using standard industrial looms. The video explains more:
The yarns can be coloured and are indistinguishable from traditional yarns. They are made conductive by combining think metallic alloys with yarns like cotton, polyester or silk. Wearing a garment made from the fabric allow interactivity with phones and other devices by touching the surface of the cloth. Miniaturised electronics are also built into the garment.
Surely the future of clothing manufacture?
See:
Norton & SonsThe Woolmark Company
The Savile Row Bespoke Association