Wear 2017 conference brings Patagonia, Adidas, Google together on smart fabrics and wearable tech

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
May 18, 2017

Wear 2017 will bring tech companies together with apparel brands to discuss the future of smart fabrics and wearable technology as they intersect through consumer experience in the fashion industry.

300 brands and companies are attending this year's conference. Representatives from Nike, Tory Burch, New Balance, Victoria's Secret, Smartwool, Hanes Brands, and Cotton Inc. lead the apparel and fashion companies attending. Apple, Microsoft and 3M are among the tech companies attending.

Smithers Apex's Wear 2017 conference is the longest running materials conference that focuses on innovation and the business of consumer experience.

This year's conference will include three days of programming, four pre-conference workshops and over 45 presentations on two siloed tracks of smart fabrics and wearable technology. Programming will touch on issues including what's next in fashion and tech, wearable aps, wearables for sports and sustainability innovation.

This year Wear has already confirmed speakers from Google, Facebook, Adidas, Patagonia and Lululemon. Adidas is hosting 15 minute one on one speed networking sessions on Tuesday night of the conference.

Kimberlee Rohrer, Head of Production for Smithers Apex said, “In addition to the six hours of networking opportunities, these [mentoring] sessions will give attendees the chance to have direct access to individuals they may otherwise not have the chance to meet, while discussing a broad range of hot topics within wearables and smart fabrics.”

Individuals available for the mentoring sessions include Stacey Burr, VP General Manager of Adidas Digital Sport and Stacy Flynn, CEO and co founder of sustainable textile startup Evrnu.

Wear 2017 will take place in San Francisco this June 12-14 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.