The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. It is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions, and it produces around 20% of global wastewater. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of the fashion industry, and there has been a surge of innovation in the field of fashion tech.

Fashion tech startups are using technology to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the fashion industry, such as sustainability, waste, and accessibility. These startups are developing new ways to produce clothes, new ways to distribute clothes, and new ways to consume clothes.

In this #TelosTracking article, we will take a look at some of the most exciting fashion tech startups that are emerging today. We will discuss their groundbreaking products or services, and we will provide insights into their journey, impact, and potential future trends.

Veesual

Veesual is a virtual try-on platform that uses AI to create realistic, 3D representations of clothing on users. This allows shoppers to try on clothes without having to leave their homes, which can save time and money. Because Veesual supports fast fashion, we hope to see them utilize their technology and platform for more environmentally-conscious clothing brands so that they could amplify the work of those brands instead.  

Pros:

• Realistic, 3D representations of clothing on users
• Can save time and money by trying on clothes without leaving home
• Available on a variety of devices

Cons:

• Not all brands are supported
• Can be a bit glitchy at times
• Not as affordable as some other fashion tech apps
• Supports fast fashion brands like Zara, H&M, and Forever 21

VitroLabs

VitroLabs is a company that is developing lab-grown leather. This leather is made from animal cells, but it does not require the slaughter of any animals. VitroLabs' leather is said to be indistinguishable from traditional leather, and it has the potential to revolutionize the fashion industry. Though the cost is not very affordable, we hope to see their product become more accessible and commercially availabl.e 

Pros:

• Lab-grown leather is indistinguishable from traditional leather
• Has the potential to revolutionize the fashion industry
• Is more sustainable than traditional leather

Cons:

• Still in the early stages of development
• Not yet commercially available
• Can be expensive

CaaStle

CaaStle is a rental service for clothing. CaaStle allows users to rent clothes for a monthly fee, which is often much cheaper than buying them outright. This is a great way to try out new trends without having to commit to buying them. CaaStle has partnered with brands like Rent the Runway, The RealReal, and thredUP. Because their brands are limited, we hope to see them open up their platform to more designers.

Pros:

• A great way to try out new trends without having to commit to buying them
• Often much cheaper than buying clothes outright
• A variety of brands to choose from

Cons:

• Can be a bit expensive for rental, especially for high-end brands
• Not all brands are supported
• Can be difficult to find the perfect size

EON

EON is a company that is developing a digital ID for fashion products. This ID would allow users to track the history of their clothes, from the factory where they were made to the person who eventually buys them. This would help to improve the sustainability of the fashion industry.

Pros:

• Could massively help to improve the sustainability of the fashion industry
• Would allow users to track the history of their clothes
• Could help to reduce waste

Cons:

• Still in the early stages of development
• Not yet commercially available
• Could be difficult to implement

Archive

Archive is a company that helps brands manage their secondhand markets. Archive provides brands with a platform to sell their used clothes, and it also helps them to track the environmental impact of their resale programs. Since they’re relatively new, we hope they gain some more visibility!

Pros:

• Helps brands manage their secondhand markets
• Tracks the environmental impact of brands' resale programs
• Could help to reduce waste

Cons:

• Not all brands are supported
• Can be difficult to use
• Not as widely known as other fashion tech apps

DressX

DressX is a platform that allows users to rent digital clothing. This means that you can wear the latest fashion trends without having to buy them. DressX has partnered with brands like Balmain, Mugler, and Paco Rabanne. Because they don’t support many, we hope to see their quality improve and more independent designers. 

Pros:

• Allows users to rent digital clothing
• A great way to try out new trends without having to buy them
• Affordable

Cons:

• Not all brands are supported
• The quality of the digital clothing can vary
• Not as sustainable as renting physical clothing

Rifai

Rifai is a company that is developing smart clothing. These clothes are embedded with sensors that can track the wearer's movements and vital signs. This data can be used to improve the wearer's health and performance. Because they are in early stages of growth, we hope to see them become more accessible and commercially adopted!

Pros:

• Smart clothing that can track wearer's movements and vital signs
• Could help to improve wearer's health and performance
• Innovative

Cons:

• Still in the early stages of development
• Not yet commercially available
• Could be expensive

Higg Index

Higg Index is a platform that provides brands with a way to measure the environmental impact of their products. This information can be used to improve the sustainability of the fashion industry. Because it’s not as popular as other platforms, we hope to see more companies and brands adopt this. 

Pros:

• Provides brands with a way to measure the environmental impact of their products
• This information can be used to improve the sustainability of the fashion industry

Cons:

• Can be difficult to use
• Not all brands are using it
• Not as widely known as other fashion tech apps

CottonConnect

CottonConnect is a blockchain-based platform that tracks the supply chain of cotton. This allows brands to ensure that their cotton is sourced from sustainable farms. Like others on this list, it is early in development, so we hope to see it’s widespread implementation and market growth!

Pros:

• Blockchain-based platform that tracks the supply chain of cotton
• Allows brands to ensure that their cotton is sourced from sustainable farms

Cons:

• Still in the early stages of development
• Not yet commercially available
• Could be difficult to implement

Circula

Circula is a company that is developing a platform for the circular fashion economy. This platform will allow brands to collect and recycle used clothing, which will help to reduce waste.

Pros:

• Platform for the circular fashion economy
• Allows brands to collect and recycle used clothing
• Could help to reduce waste

Cons:

• Still in the early stages of development
• Not yet commercially available
• Could be difficult to implement

These are just a few of the many exciting fashion tech startups that are emerging today. These companies are using technology to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the fashion industry, such as sustainability, waste, and affordability. It will be interesting to see how these companies continue to innovate and disrupt the fashion industry in the years to come.

TELOS Style‍

TELOS Style is building a mobile app that connects clients with custom fashion designers from around the world to create unique, one-of-a-kind fashion garments. The app leverages a network of local tailors to take clients' measurements and ensure that the final products fit perfectly.

Pros:

• Unique and one-of-a-kind garments: TELOS Style allows clients to create unique and one-of-a-kind garments that are not available anywhere else. This is a great option for people who want to stand out from the crowd and have a truly personalized wardrobe.
• Sustainable fashion: TELOS Style is committed to sustainability, and the app uses a network of local tailors to produce garments that are made with sustainable materials and ethically produced. This is a great option for people who are concerned about the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
• Convenient and easy to use: The TELOS Style app is easy to use and convenient. Clients can browse through a variety of designer profiles, upload their measurements, and place an order with just a few taps.

Things to consider:

• Cost: TELOS Style garments requires an investment that matches the quality garments and care of services we provide. The financial commitment is justified by the unique and one-of-a-kind nature of the garments, and considering you have a one-on-one direct experience with the designer and our expert concierge. 
• Lead time: It can take a few weeks to receive a TELOS Style garment, as the garment is custom-made to the client's specifications. However, the wait is worth it for the perfect fit and unique design.
• Limited availability: TELOS Style is still in the early stages of development, so it is not yet available in all countries. However, the app is expanding rapidly, and it is expected to be available in more countries in the near future! Sign up for the waitlist here. 

Conclusion

The fashion tech industry is still in its early stages, but it is growing rapidly. These startups are using technology to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the fashion industry, and they have the potential to revolutionize the way we shop for and wear clothes. It will be interesting to see how these companies continue to innovate and disrupt the fashion industry in the years to come.

Here are some of the potential future trends that could be seen in the fashion tech industry:

• Increased use of virtual try-on technology. Virtual try-on technology is already being used by some fashion brands, but it is likely to become more widespread in the future. This technology will allow shoppers to try on clothes without having to leave their homes, which will save time and money.
• Growth of the rental and resale market. The rental and resale market for clothing is already growing rapidly, and this trend is likely to continue in the future. This is due to a number of factors, including the growing awareness of the environmental impact of the fashion industry, and the increasing popularity of sustainable fashion.
• Development of new sustainable materials. There is a growing demand for sustainable materials in the fashion industry, and there is a lot of research and development being done in this area. In the future, we are likely to see the development of new sustainable materials that are as good as, or even better than, traditional materials.
• Increased use of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is already being used in the fashion industry in a number of ways, such as for product recommendations, sizing, and personalization. In the future, we are likely to see even more use of AI in the fashion industry, as it can be used to solve a wide range of problems.
• Global accessibility. TELOS Style is closing the large gap between clients and accessibility to custom, premium high fashion delivered with a white-glove service. It also greatly empowers the growth of independent fashion designers and promotes transparency in global supply chains. 

These are just a few of the potential future trends that could be seen in the fashion tech industry. It will be interesting to see how these trends develop in the years to come.

To join the TELOS Style waitlist, sign up here.

‍