NEW YORK — Technology is getting a makeover as accessories vendors increasingly partner with popular designers to market tech accessories specifically to female consumers. The wearables category in particular has seen a series of recent announcements pairing the Fashion District with Silicon Valley. Pictured here are some of the more fashionable recent entries to the market.
Smart-watch maker Mota is now accepting preorders for its SmartRing, which, when paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth, will update the wearer of incoming calls, texts and social media messages with vibrations to the wearer’s finger. The SmartRing features a wraparound touchscreen display that can be scrolled through with a swipe of a finger to toggle between apps and messages.
Samsung SDI has partnered with fashion-tech pioneer Everpurse for the company’s 2015 handbag collection featuring Samsung’s lightest and most advanced rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs to charge devices while stored in the bag. Everpurse CEO Liz Salcedo, noted, “the combination of form and function is essential to the creation of wearable fashion technology. Everpurse is focused on creating products that are as beautiful as they are powerful. Through our partnership with Samsung SDI we are excited to be able to bring the very best battery technology to our customers, keeping them powered for longer than ever before.”
Misfit offers a pendant and bracelet designs that hold its Shine fitness monitor. The accessories range from $40 to $80 and are seold separately from the Shine.
OtterBox signed on “Project Runway” judge Nina Garcia to design a limited-edition case in its Symmetry iPhone case line The ‘Brazilian Pop!’ case is inspired by street art from Garcia’s home country and marketed exclusively through Nina’s Quarterly.co box, a box subscription service whereby influencers and celebrities, including Garcia, curate items and goods to send their followers and fans each quarter. OtterBox plans more collaborations with noted designers in the future.
Case-mate debuted a line of five wearable smartphone notification bracelets and portable charging jewelry designed by Rebecca Minkoff at last month’s Mercedes Fashion Week in New York City. The first designs in the RM X line are available not for preorder on Casemate’s website.
Designer Tory Burch was recruited by Fitbit for a line of wearable accessories disguised as jewelry pieces that hold the company’s Flex fitness tracker. A metal hinged bracelet, a metal fret pendant and silicon printed fitness bands feature signature Burch patterns and range in price from $38 to $195, Flex sold separately. They are available now.
The Tyia from Viawear, expected in the first quarter of 2015, is being marketed as “a wearable personal assistant” that syncs with a smartphone to provide the wearer with relevant alerts through vibration patterns and a subtle glow through a sapphire or custom gem fused with mother of pearl. The enclosure comes in either silver or gold and is a template for custom cover design options with easily interchangeable genuine leather and other band options. A charger is built in to the included jewelry stand.
