Topshop selects smart fabric start-up The Crated as winner of wearable tech competition
Topshop has picked a smart fabric start-up named The Crated as winner of its wearable tech programme, Top Pitch.
The Crated
Following weeks of mentoring The Crated has been picked by the fashion retailer to develop a heated garment prototype alongside the Topshop design team.
The Crated invent solutions to help companies combine technology and apparel and specialist functionalities in heating, safety and posture, and focuses on seamlessly integrating electronic circuitry into textiles.
Topshop also mentored two other finalists Luma Legacy and Pins Collective to support the development of their digital accessories. Luma Legacy, from Los Angeles, create charm jewellery through which memories can be shared, whilst Pins Collective have developed a digital badge and an associated app that allows a user to design and wear custom badges.
Sheena Sauvaire, global marketing and communications director, Topshop, commented: "The Crated achieved the balance between style and function; its focus on textiles to create next generation Smart Clothing using heat technology is simple, with a clear purpose for the consumer. Furthermore, it can be easily integrated into Topshop’s design and production process, which is often a challenge for wearable tech products."
The programme launched in April and contestants were given access to a number of mentors including Rachel Arthur, journalist and founder of Fashion & Mash; Maddy Evans, fashion director, Topshop and Bethany Koby, co-founder and CEO, Technology Will Save Us.