6 Innovative Voices Disrupting The Fashion World

One of the truest things about fashion is that it's never stagnant; from corsets and hoop skirts to tuxedos, sweaters, pillbox hats, and skinny jeans, style is a constantly evolving concept that moves in unpredictable ways across our ever-changing cultures. The platforms and brands included here are exemplary of the wide range of forms and venues through which fashion can come to life, offering everything from technologically-enhanced garments to designs tailored to the Islamic world. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

6 Progressive Groups Shaking Up Fashion

Name Highlights
ElektroCouture Combines fashion and technology, with much of its work focused on integrating glowing lights into garments
Fashion for Good Has an Innovation Platform, which provides brands, retailers, and funders with a place to connect. Its programs provide funding, support, and expertise to new and existing brands looking to implement sustainable technology and practice into their designs
House of iKons Works to launch emerging designers, representing a diversity of fashion creatives around the world
Couture Fashion Week Presents a series of couture and luxury fashion shows in New York City, Cannes, and other selected cities
Islamic Fashion & Design Council Preeminent modest-fashion and design council representing the Islamic economy and its stakeholders
Fashwire A discovery and shopping marketplace democratizing the fashion industry by offering all fashion-conscious consumers, no matter their demographics or geo-graphics, a direct link to designers and fashion worldwide

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In Depth

Fashion is always evolving. Thanks to individuals and groups who aren't afraid to think outside of the box, consumers are able to find fresh designs that speak to the times. With brands that integrate new technology into their pieces and platforms that connect designers and retailers with common goals, the future of fashion is now. In no particular order, here are six forward thinking voices that are changing the ways we think about style.

First up at #1 we have ElektroCouture, a brand that combines technology and fashion. Founded by entrepreneur and technologist Lisa Lang in 2013, the company creates in-house collections in addition to collaborating with other fashion brands. Much of their work focuses on integrating glowing lights into wearable fashions.

For ElektroCouture, smart technology in fashion goes beyond the runway. All pieces are bendable, washable, and comfortable, making them as easy to wear as any other wardrobe staple. By combining traditional craftsmanship and high quality materials with forward thinking technological innovations, ElektroCouture blurs the lines between clothing and art.

For ElektroCouture, smart technology in fashion goes beyond the runway.

Next up at #2 is Fashion for Good, a platform and alliance of brands working to create sustainable innovations in the industry. It critiques the take-make-waste model, in which nearly 60% of all clothing ends up in landfills within a year of being made. It believes that fashion can become good by working towards more socially and environmentally sustainable options in regards to materials, economic practices, energy and water uses, and working conditions.

At the core of Fashion for Good is its Innovation Platform, which provides brands, retailers, and funders with a place to connect. Its programs provide funding, support, and expertise to new and existing brands that are looking to create and integrate sustainable technology and practice into their designs. Fashion for Good has also created the first interactive museum devoted to sustainable clothing and design. Located in Amsterdam, this experience allows visitors to immerse themselves in game-changing innovations.

At #3 is House of iKons, a platform that works to launch emerging designers. It represents an array of fashion creatives all over the world, including designers, models, and musical artists whose work can be integrated into shows. An associate of the World Fashion Council, it showcases designs and music that highlight beauty without restrictions on ethnicity, age, size, shape, and sexual orientation.

An associate of the World Fashion Council, it showcases designs and music that highlight beauty without restrictions on ethnicity, age, size, shape, and sexual orientation.

Since its 2014 launch, House of iKons has hosted a variety of shows and events, including a two day fashion extravaganza during London Fashion Week. In addition to showcasing the works of global designers, this event makes a point to use diverse models with a variety of different body types. Designers working with House of iKons have gone on to collaborate with celebrities such as Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Paris Hilton, and Tyra Banks.

Our pick for #4 is Couture Fashion Week. Founded by designer Andres Aquino in 2005, this foundation presents a series of luxury fashion shows in New York City, Cannes, and other major cities. Featuring designers from throughout the world, these shows focus on haute couture and high-end pieces.

In addition to showcasing innovative styles, Couture Fashion Week's events also feature exhibitions of arts and luxury goods. After the shows, audiences can take in world-class entertainment and attend after parties during which they can mingle with designers and models. Couture Fashion Week also provides event production assistance to designers on demand.

In addition to showcasing innovative styles, Couture Fashion Week's events also feature exhibitions of arts and luxury goods.

At #5 we have the Islamic Fashion & Design Council, the world's only platform for designers, stakeholders, and other individuals working within the modest fashion industry. Modest clothing is a trillion dollar industry that appeals to both Muslim and non-Muslim markets, yet in the past the market has been underserved by high-end brands. With representatives and offices in most major countries, the council provides representation, visibility, research, training, and development to brands in need.

The council has a variety of initiatives that support modest brands. Every year they host the Pret-a-Cover Fashion Week, the world's first virtual fashion week. Audiences can access new pieces from global designers and can listen to a panel of industry experts talk about major issues. The council also provides consultation to mainstream brands looking to appeal to modest audiences, as well as training for new designers working within underserved areas of the Muslim world.

Last but not least we have Fashwire at #6. This shopping marketplace strives to connect fashion-conscious consumers to brands in need of a distribution platform. Buyers are able to voice their opinions on new trends by voting on designer collections and posting their own looks on the My Wire feature. By sharing these insights, buyers receive monetary rewards and site credit.

This shopping marketplace strives to connect fashion-conscious consumers to brands in need of a distribution platform.

For designers and retail brands, Fashwire goes beyond the average e-commerce site by providing instant, targeted user feedback and data on new products. By identifying, analyzing, and defining brand sales, designers are able to make smarter decisions on order sizes and full price sell through. Further, they are able to adjust their online offerings based on real time data in order to increase profits.