Shows
Electric Runway PodcastEP 151: The Beauty of Success with Kendra Bracken-FergusonIn this episode, fashion and beauty futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with record-breaking entrepreneur, founder, and CEO Kendra Bracken-Ferguson. Kendra is a thought leader, founder, venture capitalist and the CEO of BrainTrust Founders Studio. She is someone who has witnessed—and been a part of—the changing landscape of digital media over the past decade. Her recent book “The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow, and Accelerate Your Brand” is a tell-all about how she built her business from scratch as well as a workbook for those who want to make things happen for themselves in the beauty industry and beyond. Kendra a...
2024-06-2532 min
Electric Runway PodcastEP 150: How Soy Shows up in Fashion, Beauty and BeyondWhen we think of soy, we often think of candles or an alternative to milk, but what about the role the crop plays in the business of fashion and beauty? In the US, soy is second only to corn in crop size, and it's playing a significant role in transforming many industries. My guest today is Carla Schultz. She's a soy farmer from Michigan and a United Soybean Board Director, and she's here to tell us all about the links between soy, fashion, beauty, and beyond. This episode is sponsored by US Soy. To le...
2024-03-1216 min
Electric Runway PodcastEP 148: This Startup is Spinning Seaweed into Fibre for the Fashion IndustryFrom leather grown from mushrooms to sequins made from plants, biomaterials is an exciting area of innovation that is projected to reach almost $50 billion by 2025. Briefly put, biomaterials combine science and technology to engineer new ways of producing materials. Biomaterials are rapidly gaining popularity with brands and consumers alike due to their ability to address the fashion industry’s urgent environmental and ethical challenges. Our guest today is Laura Hayes. She’s the Senior Brand Partnerships Manager at Keep Labs, a company that describes itself as a platform for innovation. They believe the ocean has the potential to ac...
2023-12-1226 min
Electric Runway PodcastEP 147: Turning the Living Room into a Fitting room with Augmented RealityIn today's episode fashion and beauty futurist Amanda Cosco sits down with Heather Lipner, the Head of Product Design + Creative and Geenee AR. Geenee enables high-quality web AR virtual try-on for eCommerce and In-feed Ad experiences to increase sales conversions, reduce return rates and drive return on ad spend performance.Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/Sign up for the Electric Runway Report on Substack: https://electricrunwayreport.substack.com/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway...
2023-11-0930 min
Electric Runway PodcastEP 145: Snap's Snapback: From Puking Rainbows to Enterprise EvolutionSnap has come a long way from puking rainbows. The company has been steadily developing its artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies for years, and is now rolling out a B2B SaaS offering for retailers and merchants. ARES, or Augmented Reality Enterprise Services, enables clients to leverage Snap's 3D viewer, virtual try-on, and fit-finder solutions into their brand-owned apps and platforms. This suite of services is already reducing return rates, decreasing cart abandonment, and increasing purchases. In this episode, Fashion Innovation Journalist Amanda Cosco takes audiences to Snap's Partner Summit in Santa Monica, California for intimate...
2023-05-1636 min
Electric Runway PodcastEP 144: In a World of Greenwashing, Modern Meadow is the Real DealAdvancements in science have opened up new possibilities for fashion manufacturing. One promising application of biotechnology in the textile industry is the development of lab-grown or "cultured" materials such as leather and silk. These materials are created by growing cells in a lab, without the need for animal agriculture or the use of harmful chemicals. By doing so, they offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional textile production methods, which often have significant environmental impacts. And, if you can grow proteins for making alternative leather, turns out there's other use cases too, including producing collagen for beauty products and s...
2023-05-0228 min
Electric Runway PodcastEP 143: Smart Solutions For Sun Protection: Innovating Fabrics for the FutureWhen we think of smart fabrics, we often think of fabrics with sensors inside them meant to monitor our body's activity or temperature, but not all innovations in fabrication are digital. In fact, most of the time they're chemical. Today's guest on the Electric Runway Podcast is Fi Paziana, a Milan-based ex-investment banker-turned fashion designer who is launching her debut collection featuring a patented, lab-verified smart fabric. This fabric acts as a filter, protecting the sun from harmful UV rays while still allowing UVB rays through in order for the body to produce Vitamin D. This fabric is a...
2023-04-2519 min
Electric Runway PodcastEP 142: Fashion Beyond the Boarders of Reality: In Conversation with The Fabricant's Amber Jae SlootenBy now, we're all a little weary of talking about digital fashion, and the trend has certainly seen its peak in the hype cycle of emerging technology. By digital fashion, we're talking about fashion that exists only digitally and not physically, and is meant to be worn on social media, on platforms like Zoom, and inside games. Our guest today is Amber Jae Slooten, the co-founder and creative director of the Fabricant. The Fabricant is a fashion studio that collaborates with brands and communities to design digital-only items that can be worn on avatars and in augmented re...
2023-03-2921 min
Electric Runway PodcastEP 141: Virtual Showrooms for Fashion | In Conversation with Emperia VRDuring the pandemic, retailers and brands had to transition quickly to digital to continue to do business, and the fashion industry was no exception. A number of brands like Puma and retailers like Selfridges experimented with virtual showrooms—which are defined by Shopify as: an innovative solution that lets brands and retail buyers engage and sell products through an online platform. It replaces physical showrooms and trade shows, eliminating the need for a physical location and physical samples to show new collections.It's important to note that virtual showrooms aren't just about virtual reality, they're als...
2023-02-2226 min
Electric Runway PodcastCreating a New Reality for Fashion: The Dematerialised and Web3 Virtual GoodsIf you’ve been following fashion innovation for the past year, it seems you can’t open up Instagram or read an article without hearing about The Dematerialised. And probably for good reason. The brand is on a mission to create a new reality for fashion through experimentational collaborations and campaigns involving digital lifestyle assets, including digital outfits, accessories and footwear. Recently, the company teamed up with contemporary designer Rebecca Minkoff to offer a number of fashion NFTs. They also partnered with Twig, a FinTech platform and Certified B Corporation to allow people to exchange fashio...
2022-06-2819 min
Electric Runway PodcastHow a Festival Fashion Brand Turned to Digital Wearables and NFTs to Stay Relevant During the PandemicThey say that necessity is the mother of invention, which may explain why a crop of emerging fashion designers who were just starting out at the onset of the pandemic were able to innovate the way they reach their community in a Web 3 environment.My guest today says that her brand is not about the clothes, but that the clothes are an entry point into the brand, which is all about harnessing the imagination. Other entry points include augmented reality filters, digital wearables, and collectables that share the same aesthetic sensibility. Anya Ayoung-Chee is the f...
2022-06-0830 min
Electric Runway PodcastCan eCommerce be a Metaverse Experience?Our guest today is Christine Marzano, a fashion-tech entrepreneur who just raised $5.6 million in funding for her startup BODS. She counts celebrities and activists like Karlie Kloss as investors. BODS is on a mission to transform online shopping into a personalized and immersive experience that's inclusive and fun. She shares how her background as a model and working in the film industry in Los Angeles led her to bridge visual effects with image processing to create an eCommerce experience that feels like magic. The Electric Runway Podcast is brought to you by ThreediumLearn more about o...
2022-05-2418 min
Electric Runway PodcastThis Rihanna-Backed Startup is using Machine Learning to Innovate FitThere is no shortage of software trying to serve the fashion industry, but few products really understand the industry itself. A crop of startups throughout the world are all trying to solve the problem of fit when it comes to shopping for apparel. If you’re a regular listener to this podcast, you know the challenge of fit is something we’ve talked about again and again and will likely continue to talk about until one company dominates this category. Fit matching tools—that is, tools that help shoppers find their size in apparel items when shopping in-store...
2022-04-2820 min
Electric Runway PodcastMerging Style and Science to Optimize Tailoring for the Modern WorldHere’s a question for apparel retailers: how do you close more sales with shoppers and ensure they don’t return the items they purchase from your store? Answer: make sure they’re happy with the experience and the product they ended up with. For a long time, an easy way luxury department stores and some high-end retailers ensured customer satisfaction was by offering free tailoring. But with more people shopping at different locations and even shopping online, how can tailoring be optimized for the modern world? Enter Hemster, a tailoring business that merges style and science to brin...
2022-04-1318 min
Electric Runway PodcastDisabled AF: How to Build Inclusivity into the Internet of TomorrowThe metaverse continues to present narratives of transcendence, where people can be whoever they want to be despite their physical limitations. But as we continue to build the internet of tomorrow, it’s important to pause and ask, who is being afforded these narratives of transcendence, and who isn’t? And perhaps more importantly when it comes to disability, how can we incorporate disability instead of trying to ascend it? My guest today is Natalie Trevonne, a disability advocate and consultant for media and fashion. She shares her story of blindness and blackness, and what the fashion indust...
2022-03-2419 min
Electric Runway PodcastA Metaverse just for Fashion: Inside Semblance WorldLately, it seems conversations everywhere end up at the metaverse and web 3. And while fashion is definitely playing in this space, we’re starting to see metaverses emerge that are specifically for fashion. My guest today is Badrriya Henry, the co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Semblance World. Semblance World is a 3D world built in Unreal Engine. It aims to be the premier destination for fashion runway shows, networking events, and luxury retail. Badrriya makes the case for a fashion-focused metaverse and shares some of the opportunities for how brands can reach consumers in this nascent spac...
2022-03-1617 min
Electric Runway PodcastHow 3D will Transform CommerceWe've been hearing about 3D in digital fashion, in creating the metaverse, and even in augmented reality. 3D is defined as photorealistic representations of real-world objects that can be used for a variety of purposes, including retailing, merchandising, assisting sales, and of course entering the metaverse. According to Shopify, merchants who add 3D content to their online stores see a 94% conversion lift, on average. Our guest today is Lode Groosman, the co-founder of Threedium. Threedium is the fastest and most affordable way to create high-quality 3D assets. We’re going to get into the different use-cases and opp...
2022-03-0113 min
Electric Runway PodcastWhat to Expect from Digital Fashion Week New YorkAs the metaverse takes up more cultural capital than ever before, several upcoming events will explore the implications on the fashion industry. Most prominent among them is Digital Fashion Week New York, a three-day part digital, part physical experience that will include educational seminars, digital screenings, and even an augmented reality art walk. On this week's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, host and Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Claire Tattersall, the Founder and Director of Digital Fashion Week New York to find out what makes this event more than just a webinar.Learn...
2022-02-1013 min
Electric Runway PodcastEp 131: Building the Wordpress of Fashion DevelopmentThe global pandemic has disrupted supply chains all over the world and the fashion industry is of course no exception. Global manufacturing and distribution is a much bigger challenge than ever before. Our guest today is Tricia Hoke, the founder and CEO of Modern Brands. Modern Brands is a membership program for apparel companies that helps streamline the production process using a variety of tools, widgets, and plug-ins that bring the open-source mentality of the internet to fashion design. Visit Modern Brands: https://modernbrands.com/Learn more about our sponsor, Threedium: https://unlimited3d.com/
2022-02-0218 min
Electric Runway PodcastEP 129: Designing Virtual Stores and Showrooms with DysonVirtual showrooms- 3D clickable, user-centric branded spaces—were once a nice-to-have, a way of testing out futuristic experiences in a way that complements a company’s physical retail footprint. But with the ongoing pandemic, virtual showrooms are becoming a meaningful way of extending the customer experience, especially ahead of the holiday season. In episode 129, Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Sean Newmarch, the Global eCommerce Director at the household appliances technology company, Dyson. Recently, Amanda had the opportunity to step into one of Dyson’s virtual showrooms using the Oculus Quest to find out first-hand how the company...
2021-12-0312 min
Electric Runway PodcastEP 127: Digital Fashion Design and What We Will Wear in the MetaverseGet ready for the Metaverse. No literally, get ready. Like, what are you going to wear? The reality of virtual fashion is here, and we’re not just talking skins in gaming. Whether it’s choosing a Snapchat filter for your Zoom meeting or deciding what to wear to the digital Met Gala, dressing our digital selves is an increasingly important part of everyday life. My guest today is Kerry Murphy. Kerry is the founder of the Fabricant, a fashion house that produces only digital and never physical clothing. He’s here to take us through the digital...
2021-09-1433 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 122: Why Barcelona is a Breeding Ground for InnovationElectric Runway has returned from Barcelona where founder and FashionTech journalist Amanda Cosco was taking part in Reshape. As you heard in last week's episode, Reshape is an exhibition and content series that explores the future of fashion through the lens of innovation. This week, we hear from Miquel Serrano, the Events Director at Fira de Barcelona. Fira de Barcelona has a portfolio of 70 international trade shows and over 4.4 million square feet of show space. Each year, Fira gathers over 35,000 companies and 3 million visitors, making it one of Europe’s largest trade and convention organizations.In this ep...
2019-11-2115 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 121 | Hacking Industry from the Inside OutIn this week's episode, fashion futurist Amanda Cosco sits down with Aldo Sollazzo, the founder of Noumena and organizer of the Reshape Conference. Taking place October 29th thru 31st in Barcelona, Reshape is a part of Industry Arena 19 at Fira Barcelona in coordination with IoT Solutions World Congress. Tune in to learn more about what to expect from Reshape and how the event aims to bridge innovation and industry.
2019-10-3021 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 120: How Blue Bite Transforms Products into PlatformsFrom eCommerce to wearables, digital innovation has greatly impacted the fashion industry, but how can technology empower a more sustainable fashion future? FashionTech journalist Amanda Cosco sits down with Mikhail Damiani, the CEO and co-founder of Blue Bite. Blue Bite connects brands and consumers by waking up products and bringing them to life with digital technology. In doing so, they transform items like handbags, sneakers, apparel, and even signage into a new channel that engages consumers in ways current channels can’t. Today we delve into how the company is collaborating with brands like Adidas, Bulgari, and Ocean Bottle to...
2019-10-1617 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 119: How ThredUp is Using AI to Shape a More Circular Fashion FutureFashion futurist Amanda Cosco interviews Chris Homer of ThredUp to discover how the California company is bringing Silicon Valley innovation to the $24 billion resale market in order to drive a more sustainable and circular fashion future. All over the world, the Climate Crisis is on everyone’s mind; Last week, millions of activists and concerned citizens took to the streets for a global climate strike, urging leaders to take meaningful action towards curbing catastrophic climate change. So what does this have to do with the fashion industry, you may be asking? Well, a lot. It’s widely known that fashion and...
2019-09-2521 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 118: Turning Pollution into ProfitToday we’re continuing our coverage of WEAR Conference—that’s the World Ethical Apparel Roundtable—taking place October 7th-8th in Toronto. Fashion futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Stephanie Benedetto, the CEO and Founder of Queen of Raw. Queen of Raw is a global online marketplace to buy and sell sustainable and deadstock fabrics and textiles. Stephanie shares more about her long family history in apparel as well as how Queen of Raw is saving billions of gallons of water by rescuing textiles from landfill. Blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/the-startup-thats-saving-the-world-one-yard-of-fabric-at-a-time/Learn more about Queen of Raw...
2019-09-1621 min
Electric Runway PodcastPODCAST UPDATE| We're Changing Things UpAn update from Electric Runway founder Amanda Cosco
2019-08-0902 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 116: Start-up and Scale-up with Runway KitOn this week's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion-tech journalist Amanda Cosco interviews Kunal Amalean, the co-founder of Runway Kit. Runway Kit is an end-to-end digital platform that democratizes the design and manufacturing process for fashion startups and design entrepreneurs. By leveraging the expertise and facilities of its parent company (MAS Holdings) Runway Kit levels the playing field for small to medium fashion enterprises and provides them with everything they need to start-up and scale up. **This episode was brought to you by Runway Kit**Blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/start-up-and-scale-up-with-runway-kit/Learn more about Runway...
2019-06-2609 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 115: Poshmark Comes to CanadaFashionTech Journalist Amanda Cosco welcomes Poshmark back to the show. This time, we're speaking with Maria Morales, the Director of International Expansion. She's here to tell us about Poshmark’s venture into Canada 🇨🇦For those who don’t know, Poshmark is a leading social commerce marketplace where members can buy and sell new or used clothing, shoes, accessories, and even housewares. Their expansion into Canada means Canadians will now be able to set-up shop and turn their closets into cash. Follow us on Instagram here —> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Follow us on Twitter —> https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwayLearn more about Pos...
2019-06-2016 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 114: Collision Conference Round-UpFashion futurist Amanda Cosco takes you inside Collision 2019, North America's fastest-growing tech conference. Collision took place May 19th thru 23rd at the Enercare Centre in Toronto. More than 25,000 participants from 125 countries ascended on the city to check out hundreds of exhibitors and 730 speakers across 15 tracks.Collision’s success underlines what we’re already seeing across Canada—that is, a boom of interest and investment in technological innovation. In fact, according to IT World Canada, as the tech industry expands, Canada is predicted to have 216,000 tech positions filled by 2021. With so much activity surrounding the Toronto-Waterloo corridor, it’s no wonder the area...
2019-05-2917 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 112: Not Your Father's HempAlthough hemp was one of the first plants to be spun into a useable fiber 10,000 years ago, it was made illegal to grow without a permit in the USA in 1970 under the Controlled Substances Act. Now with legalization underway across parts of North America, hemp is being revisited for the miracle plant it was once known as so long ago. And, with advances in science, there are new ways to treat hemp that can transform it from a high-performance fiber into a smart one. On today's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, host Amanda Cosco chats with Mark Sunderland. Mark...
2019-05-1521 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 111: Fashion-First Smart GlassesFashion Futurist Amanda Cosco discusses the Met Gala 2019 and how wearable tech showed up on the red—er, pink carpet this year. Our guest today is Alexander Ingram, the Head of Communications and PR for North. North is a Canadian startup that wants to sell you your first pair of smart glasses. Their fashion-first approach to facial computing has investors like Amazon paying attention. Tune in to find out how North's signature product, called Focals, was the result of a pivot from a previous gesture-control product. Alex shares more about the high-tech features in Focals and helps us imagine what th...
2019-05-0928 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 109: Shopping with RobotsSteve Martell is the VP of Creative Technology at Current Studios, an award-winning agency focused on connecting digital and physical experiences that push the boundaries of technology. Current Studios has done work with well-known consumer brands and retailers, including Walmart, Cover Girl, and Samsung. In his conversation with Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco, Steve shares what it was like to bring cutting-edge technology like AI and AR to retail experiences. Blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/shopping-with-robots-with-steve-martell/Learn more about Steve here --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/martellsteveFollow Steve on instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/thestevemartell...
2019-04-1722 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 107: Connecting People with ProductsIn this episode, Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco interviews Steve Statler, the SVP of Marketing and Business Development at Wiliot. Wiliot is an Israel-based startup that aims to switch on the fashion industry and enable a whole new digital life for apparel, accessories, and footwear. They’re doing this by integrating into products a paper-thin, battery-free Bluetooth chip that harvests energy from radio frequencies in the air. It’s a small and simple solution that has tremendous implications for manufacturing, distribution, retail and beyond. In this episode, Statler will share the many use-cases for Wiliot and share why the young startup has...
2019-04-0327 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 106: Augmented Reality for Retail (Live Recording from AWENite Toronto)Today's episode of the podcast is a live recording from a panel Electric Runway founder Amanda Cosco recently moderated focused on augmented reality for retail. The panel took place Thursday, March 21st at Startwell, a co-working and meeting space on King Street West in Toronto, as a part of a meetup group called AWENite TO. For those who don’t know, Augmented World Expo is the largest conference in North America for those involved in augmented reality, and their satellite events take place throughout the year and throughout the world. AWENiteTO is a free meetup that regularly features presentations from tho...
2019-03-2832 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 98: Dresslife Wants to be the Waze of ShoppingFashion futurist Amanda Cosco sits down with Dr. Julian Hensolt, the co-founder of Dresslife. Dresslife is a startup using artificial intelligence to make it easier for shoppers to discover and purchase items they love and that fit. The AI centres around individualized customer profiles that learn more about you as you browse and purchase. Their vision is a future with fewer returns and a personalized way to discover and shop online. Having completed his PhD in Supply Chain Management, Julian identified major challenges in the fashion industry, which sparked the idea for Dresslife. His team observed complicated and ever-changing data...
2019-01-1725 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 97: Women Deserve Better BrasWelcome back to the first podcast of 2019! In this episode, fashion futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Lidewij Vera Arí van Twillert, a Dutch product designer and who is on a mission to make custom couture bras that fit women just right. From her atelier in Rotterdam, her and her team leverage the latest in 3D scanning and 3D printing technology to craft undergarments that are both beautiful and functional. Her company Arí van Twillert, is revolutionizing the way we think about production processes by creating a product that's just as unique as the women who wear it. Tune in to find...
2019-01-0828 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 96: Delivering the Luxury Experience to Your DoorIt's our last episode of 2018! In this conversation, fashion futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Liam Young of Harper Concierge, a startup that aims to bring the luxury experience to shoppers in the comfort of their own homes. Using Harper Concierge, you can preselect clothing online and then indicate a time window you’ll be home. Harper then sends a concierge to your door, allowing you to try on items at home, either while the concierge waits outside or helps, depending on the shopper’s preference. Keep and pay for items you love, while ones you don't are sent back with the...
2018-12-2016 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 94: Wearing Tech to Live Your Best LifeThis week on the Electric Runway podcast, fashion futurist Amanda Cosco interviews James Swanwick, an advocate for wellness and a good night’s sleep. Swanwick says the amount of blue light transmitted from our devices such as laptops and smartphones is disruptive to our circadian rhythm, and can actually lead to macular degeneration or vision loss. That's why he founded Swanwick Sleep, a company that offers blue-light-blocking glasses that are both functional and fashionable. In this episode, he'll tell us more about the dangers of blue light and the glasses his customer-base have affectionately named “Swannies.”
2018-12-0215 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 92: Inside the Los Angeles Fashion Film FestivalFashion Futurist Amanda Cosco takes you inside the Los Angeles Fashion Film Festival (LAFFF). So what exactly is a fashion film? If you don’t know, don’t worry, Leslie Bedolla is here to tell us, she’s the founder of LAFFF, a culture initiative advocating for an open, creative and inclusive society through the medium of fashion film. We’re going to take a deep dive into this fairly new medium and explore the potentials, as well as the implications for consumers and brands. We’ll also talk about the synergies for emerging media like augmented and virtual reality and how th...
2018-11-0521 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 91: Green is the New BlackWhether you’re an emerging label or a behemoth like H&M, the name of the fashion game today is sustainability. Consumers increasingly demand to know who made their clothes, and they want to ensure the materials involved are not only high-performing but also ethically sourced and sustainable. Customer desires aside, there’s also an environmental argument for disrupting the fashion industry, which is known to be the second most polluting industry in the world next to oil and gas, responsible for 6 to 8% of carbon emissions globally. Less considered (and often underrated) is the business argument for sustainable fashion. Can goin...
2018-10-1624 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 90: Inside Pittsburgh Fashion WeekWhen you think of Pittsburgh, you might not necessarily think of fashion; The place is much more known as a university city or steel town. Which is why you may be surprised to learn that rather than travelling to Paris or New York this September, Electric Runway was in Pittsburgh for #PGHFW, or Pittsburgh Fashion Week. In this episode, Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Sara Longo of Style 412, one of the co-organizers of the event, as well as Michael Annichine, the Director of the Magee-Women's Research Institute, one of the main sponsors of Pittsburgh Fashion Week. We also interview...
2018-10-0919 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 89: ER Covers StyleFestPHFashion futurist Amanda Cosco takes you inside StyleFestPH, a first-of-its-kind event in Manila aimed at pushing the Filipino fashion and beauty industry into the future. Watch the recap video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F6YyVCEbhkFollow our adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/?hl=en
2018-09-1827 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 88: How Tulip is Enabling the Next-Generation of RetailIn this episode of the Electric Runway podcast, Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco talks shop with Scott Adel, the Vice President of Retail Excellence at Tulip Retail. Tulip is a platform built exclusively for next-generation retail store associates to offer a world-class omnichannel experience. The app offers services such as checkout, clienteling, fulfilment, and more with an aim to really unify the back-end of retail.
2018-09-0332 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 87: Enabling 3D Commerce with Shopify's Daniel BeauchampThis week on the Electric Runway podcast, Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco interviews Daniel Beauchamp, the head of VR and AR for Shopify. Shopify is a leading e-commerce company that provides merchants all over the world the digital tools to sell their products online. In this episode, their conversation touches on how augmented and virtual reality will shape the future of shopping online, and how the company is aiming to enable the next generation of 3D commerce.
2018-08-2222 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 86: Elevating Athleisure with Smart FabricsFashion futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Regina Polanco, the founder and CEO of Pyrates. Pyrates is a textile innovation startup based in Spain
2018-08-1421 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 85: Virtually Vogue-Fashion and Retail in Second LifeThis week on the Electric Runway podcast, we're continuing our conversation on avatars and digital representation with Ebbe Altberg, the CEO of Linden Lab, the company behind Second Life. In case you're not familiar with it, Second Life is an online virtual world created in 2002. Today, approximately one million people log in regularly to play. What we were interested in—and the reason we reached out to Ebbe—is to learn more about how fashion, retail and commerce work in Second Life, as we're increasingly fascinated with virtual clothing and virtual shopping. We were also curious to learn more about Sansar...
2018-08-0337 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 84: Stacey Fruitman on Investing with PurposeThis week on the Electric Runway podcast, fashion futurist Amanda Cosco digs into sustainability with Stacey Fruitman. Stacey is an advisor to the MaRS Catalyst Fund as well as the Founder of Style With Substance and the newly launched SWS Ventures, an investment firm on a mission to reduce the environmental impact of the textile and apparel industries. Stacey was recently in Denmark attending the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, the world’s leading business event on sustainability in fashion. In this episode, we learn more about Stacey’s experience in the sustainability space as well as the upcoming pitch competition she’s host...
2018-07-2721 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 83: Instagram's New It Girl Isn't a Girl at all, but Brands are Buying inFrom the looks of her Instagram feed, Lil Miqeula seems like a typical twenty-one-year-old. She likes fast food, hanging out with her friends, and posting pictures of her outfits. But there’s one thing you should know: Lil Miquela isn’t real at all. She’s a computer-generated image, or CGI. Although she’s a fictional character, Lil Miqeula boasts more than 1.2 million followers on Instagram. Her popularity has led to real-world partnerships with fashion brands including Prada, Diesel, and Moncler. On this week's episode of the Electric Runway Podcast, Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco explores the concept of virtual influencers and avata...
2018-07-1929 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 82: How Twinery is Reinventing Manufacturing from the Inside OutFashion Tech Journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with Amrah Akbar of Twinery on the future of apparel manufacturing and how digital technologies are causing a shake-up in an industry that’s centuries old. Twinery is an innovation hub inside MAS Holdings, one of South Asia’s largest manufacturers of lingerie. Although you may not have heard of Twinery, you’ve likely heard of some of the products that its brought to life, including Wearable X’s smart yoga pants and Thinx’s period-proof underwear. Twinery prides itself on not just offering mass manufacturing capabilities through its parent company, MAS, but also providing...
2018-07-1220 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 80: The Innovation Era & 2018 Round-up with Maureen ConnersFashion Tech expert Amanda Cosco rounds up the first half of 2018 with Maureen Conners. Maureen is a speaker and consultant on the innovation economy as well as an experienced board member. Our conversation touches on major acquisitions from this year so far to changing consumer behaviour to the importance of Voice in the future shopping experience.
2018-06-1536 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 79: Chelsea Klukas on Designing the Future of FashionFashion Tech Journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with designer and woman-to-watch Chelsea Klukas. In addition to experience working for tech giants such as Amazon and Facebook, Chelsea also co-founded MakeFashion, a high-tech, high-fashion production company that grew out of Calgary's maker movement. Chelsea shares how she balances creative and commercial projects, as well as the opportunities she sees for the digitization of clothing and retail. She also hints at an upcoming line of commercially available fashion-tech garments, as well as an augmented reality experimentation with her signature design, Lumen Couture.
2018-06-1123 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 78: Ariel Garten: Wearable Technology is TechnologyOn this week's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with one of the most accomplished and influential entrepreneurs in Canadian technology. Ariel Garten is the co-founder and CEO of InteraXon, the makers of Muse, the brain-sensing headband. In her interview with fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco, Ariel touches on the relationship between art and science, the state of wearables as an industry, and what it means to be a woman in technology today.
2018-06-0143 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 75: Shopping in Virtual RealityWe've all heard of eCommerce before, but what about Vcommerce? While virtual reality may be the future of media, gaming, and entertainment, many in the fashion industry are still grappling with what this emerging technology means for them. In this episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco gets the scoop on Baetes Technology, a Stockholm-based startup that's hoping to change the way we buy and sell online and in VR. Amanda speaks with chief innovation officer Filip Waak and co-founder and chief sales officer Daniel Sjöberg to learn more about the opportunities for retailers, including t...
2018-05-0320 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 74: Our Clothes will soon Replace our DevicesFashion Tech Expert Amanda Cosco interviews Joanna Hir, an award-winning fashion designer and creative technologist who fuses traditional craftsmanship with embedded technology to explore concepts of human expression with wearable technology
2018-02-2120 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 73: The eBay of TomorrowFashion Tech expert Amanda Cosco interviews Camille Kowalewski, Head of Communications at eBay Canada. We all know the eBay of the past, but, given the growing popularity of online shopping and particularly Amazon, we chat about the eBay of the future. Listen to hear Camille's thoughts on the resurgence of marketplaces and how eBay is leveraging artificial intelligence to better drive online sales.
2018-01-2518 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 72: Shopping with Machine Learning and Computer VisionFashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco interviews Anjolie Kulkarni of PIXT, a New York-based fashion app that leverages machine learning and computer vision to connect shoppers with local boutiques. PIXT translates a user's intent to purchase into an image and ultimately a purchase on their platform. Listen to learn about the startup's strategy for growth, what they learned about style through thousands of data points, and why they think local is the key to unlocking the future of fashion.
2017-12-2823 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 71: Karim Roushdy - "AR is the New Mirror"Journalist Amanda Cosco interviews Karim Roushdy, the founder of Meraya. Meraya is an augmented reality app for trying on accessories. The app leverages facial recognition technology as well as artificial intelligence to enhance the purchase experience by allowing customers to visualize what products are going to look like before they purchase them online. While Meraya may have started with bowties and jewellery, in the future it will focus on eyewear. Listen to learn about the challenges of launching a new AR app in an increasingly crowded market, as well as the opportunities for overcoming painpoints in the purchase experience.
2017-12-1718 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 70: What Augmented Reality Means for the Fashion IndustryOn the Electric Runway Podcast this week, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco sits down with Helen Papagiannis – one of the leading thinkers in augmented reality. In addition to being a designer, researcher, and public speaker on the subject, Helen is the author of a newly published book, Augmented Human, How Technology is Shaping the New Reality. It's a fascinating deep dive on how augmented reality is so much more than the fun face filters we've seen on Snapchat. Augmented Reality has the potential to enhance not only our relationship with technology but also our relationship with the real world around us...
2017-11-3020 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 69: Head over Heels for Tanya HeathOn this week's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco interviews Tanya Heath about the designer's namesake brand. At Tanya Health retail locations or on TanyaHeath.com, customers can purchase shoes, boots, and pumps with a range of interchangeable heels that vary in size and style. Women can switch from six-inch to two-inch heights by clicking on and off heels, giving a whole new meaning to the expression "with a click of my heels."Listen to the podcast to find out how the idea came to life, how the Canadian-born entrepreneur is disrupting the footwear industry, and...
2017-11-2422 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 68: How Biotechnology will Bring our Clothes to LifeThis week on the Electric Runway Podcast, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco talks with Wen Wang, a researcher out of the MIT Tangible Media Group. Through her research and work, Wen helps us imagine a future where our clothes are grown at home and clean themselves (!) In this episode, we take you for a deep dive into the future of biotechnology and how innovations in material science will impact the fashion industry.Biohybrid Wearables is a brand new area in fashion tech. They’re created by adding biological elements to synthetic materials. By encasing fabrics with bacteria, Wen and her fe...
2017-11-2016 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 67: Fossil's Hybrid Approach to Wearable TechIn this episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco sits down with Aram Hamparian, the Senior Director of Sales at Fossil Group Canada. While Fossil is most known for their watches and handbags, many don't know the company also offers expansive manufacturing capabilities. For more than 20 years, Fossil has been working with leading fashion brands to bring a watch component to their product offerings. Since acquiring Misfit a few years ago, Fossil is now able to offer smartwatches and hybrids—that's watches that combine the look of a classic timepiece with the functionality of a smartwatch.
2017-11-0918 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 66: Alexis Walsh on How to get Recognized by Lady GagaFashion Tech Journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with Alexis Walsh, the fashion designer whose work has caught the attention of Lady Gaga. By day, Walsh lends her talent to Ralph Lauren, but by night she experiments with new materials and furthers the vision of her namesake brand. In this episode, Walsh shares her experience working with Francis Bitonti, and tells how one of the world's most famous performers came to wear her designs.
2017-11-0223 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 65: Jin Koh of Original Stitch: The Perfect Shirt is PersonalIn this episode, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with founder Jin Koh of Original Stitch, a company committed to combining Japanese craftsmanship with the newest body-measuring systems to create the perfect shirt for every customer.
2017-10-2623 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 64: Celebrating 3 Years of FashionTech with Lisa LangThroughout her career, Lisa Lang has played a central role in defining FashionTech and cultivating a community of designers, technologists, engineers, and corporate interest. The Berlin-based entrepreneur founded one of the world's first wearable tech brands to be available on ASOS before going on to start her own ready-to-wear fashion-tech houses. In this interview with fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco, she looks back on how the industry has evolved and reveals details of her next project, ThePowerHouse
2017-10-1627 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 63: NYFW Recap with FashNerdFashion Tech journalist Amanda Cosco recaps New York Fashion Week with Muchaneta Kapfunde, the founding editor of FashNerd. Before delving into fashion week specifics, the two discuss Kapfunde's recent work and research in Paris, Munich, and London.
2017-10-1136 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 62: Protecting your Peach with PIXIFashion Tech journalist Amanda Cosco sits down with Emily Welsch, the founder of PIXI cycling. PIXI is a line of technical apparel on a mission to make cycling more inclusive for women. As an athlete herself, Emily found that cycling is a male-dominated sport, and this is reflected in the clothing. In addition to the technical sophistication we'd expect from high-performance fabrics, PIXI also offers unique, patented features for protecting women's parts
2017-09-2419 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 61: How Markable Leverages Deep Learning to Make Content ShoppableFashion Tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with Joy Tang, the founder of Markable. Markable is an advertising technology company on a mission to make all visual content shoppable—from photos to websites and even TV shows. The company leverages artificial intelligence and deep learning to help shoppers find exactly what they're looking for
2017-09-1540 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 60: Women & Wearables RecapFashion Tech Journalist Amanda Cosco takes you inside Women and Wearables, an event produced earlier this year by Electric Runway in collaboration with We Are Wearables, the world's largest wearable technology meetup. The night aimed to celebrate women and tech and discuss issues unique to them, including sexism in the workplace and how emotion and empathy are needed in tech.
2017-08-3140 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 57: Tony Mammoliti of YNOT: Personalization is the Name of the GameFashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco sits down with Toronto-based Tony Mammoliti of YNOT, a company offering cycling gear and outerwear for the urban adventurer. YNOT reimagines the customer experience by leveraging a handful of new technologies, including crowd-funding, laser-cutting, and leading visualization software that enables customers to personalize purchases.
2017-07-1516 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 56: Holograms, Avatars & Eye-Tracking Tech: Dx3 Canada CoverageFashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco shared conversations from the show floor at Dx3 Canada, Toronto's largest digital retail conference.
2017-06-1422 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 55: "Switching on" the Apparel Industry with Avery Dennison & EVRYTHNGFashion Tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with Julie Vargas of Avery Dennison and Andy Hobsbawm of EVRYTHNG. For years, Avery Dennison has been known for their labels and tags. Now, they're collaborating with smart products platform EVRYTHNG to push apparel into the digital age. Using RFID, mobile, and sensor-based technology, Avery Dennison has publically announced ambitions to digitze ten billion items of apparel and footwear in the next few years. This initiative, called "Born Digital" enables us to rethink the relationship between clothing, content, and consumers. In collaboration with Hobsbawm's IoT team, the company has worked with fashion designers such...
2017-05-2727 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 53: Aniyia Williams - Headphones that Sound as Good as they LookFashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with Aniyia Williams of Tinsel, makers of the Dipper Audio Necklace, a pair of bluetooth headphones that sound as good as they look. This San Francicso-based female founder says consumer electronics aren't designed with women in mind, but she's out to change that with a line of products that are both functional and fashionable.
2017-03-0322 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 52: Beyond Shrinking & Pinking with Women of Wearables (WOW)Fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with Marija Butkovic and Michelle Hua, two fashion tech entrepreneurs and the co-founders of WOW—that's Women of Wearables. WOW is a network for inspiring, connecting, and supporting women in wearable tech, fashion tech, IoT, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. Their conversation touches on the challenges and opportunities facing women in STEM today, as well as their personal entrepreneurial journies transitioning from working in the legal field towards founding their own startups (Kisha Smart Umbrella and Made with Glove)
2017-02-2326 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 51: Your First Virtual EmployeeArtificial intelligence is on the tip of our cultural tongue, but what does it really mean for the fashion industry? On today's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with Michael Perry, the CEO and founder of Kit. Acquired by Shopify last year, Kit is a chatbot and AI platform that helps small and medium size retailers with their digital marketing efforts. Kit can send email newsletters and thank you notes on behalf of your store, can place and run Facebook and Instagram ads, and can otherwise optimize your efforts across social media. Most retailers...
2017-02-0923 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 50! Andrea C of ModelMob on the Airbnb for ModelsIn this episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with Andrea C of Toronto-based ModelMob, an on-demand booking app that connects clients with talent. In a digital marketing landscape that’s ever-hungry for visual content, ModelMob introduces itself as the Airbnb for models, aiming to eliminate the friction for agents and models.
2017-02-0322 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 49: One Jacket for All SeasonsIsn't is about time our winterwear got an upgrade? In this episode, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco talks heated apparel with Rana Nakhal Solset, the founder and CEO of Emel + Aris, a startup combining luxury fabrics with heat panels to offer fashion and function without compromise.
2017-01-2623 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 48: Announcing the Fashion Fusion WinnersIn this episode, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco takes you inside Berlin's vibrant fashion tech community to learn all about the Fashion Fusion program. In case you haven't been following along, the Fashion Fusion program is an ideas competition for encouraging innovation + collaboration in the fashion tech space with groundbreaking concepts. The initiative was funded by the Deutsche Telekom, a German Telekom company, but is powered by a network of awesomeness, including our friends at ElektroCouture and Fashion Tech Berlin. Other partners include Intel, Wired Magazine, Fab Lab Berlin, and the German Research Centre for Artifical Intelligence—to name a fe...
2017-01-1946 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 47: The Aesthetics of Prosthetics- The ALLELES Design StudioThe ALLELES Design Studio is a Canadian-based startup changing the game when it comes to inclusive fashion by crafting beautiful prosthetic covers for amputees. In this episode, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco interviews the company's art director McCauley Wanner and technology director Ryan Palibroda. Learn about how the two non-prosthetic-wearers came up with the idea to treat prosthetics like fashion, as well as their recent visit to the White House to participate in a runway show on inclusive design.
2017-01-1232 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 43: Pete Forde of Its Me- Avatars for EveryoneWhile most of us may be used to the idea of maintaining a digital persona on platforms like Facebook, the idea of stepping inside these virtual worlds seems—well—out of this world. Yet that's exactly what one startup aims to do. In this episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco sits down with Pete Forde of ItsMe, a Toronto-based company with a mission to turn everyone into avatars. We discuss the process of crossing over into our digital selves as well as the implications for the future of shopping and retail.
2016-11-2425 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 40: MBFW Recap Episode (Part 2 of 2)Fashion Tech journalist Amanda Cosco rounds out part two of her two-part Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia recap podcast, taking you inside the Fashion Futurum Startup Show, a new initiative put on by the Russian Fashion Council for advancing expertise and accelerating business in the area of fashion tech.
2016-11-0327 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 39: MBFW Russia Recap Episode (Part 1 of 2)Fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco returns from Moscow with insights and anecdotes into the fashion tech scene in Russia as showcased at Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week. Music by Andrew Applepie. Feature Image via Craig Arend
2016-10-2626 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 38: Startup Fashion Week's Fashion Tech Forum (Live Recording)Coming to you live from Startup Fashion Week's Fashion Tech Forum! On October 6th, journalist Amanda Cosco moderated a panel on the future of fashion and retail with key characters dotting the fashion tech landscape, including Roger Chabra of Frank + Oak, textile designer Fionna Hanna, Vincent Thériault of Surmesur, and Mario Christian of Daniel Christian Tang. The panel touched on the different ways Canadian companies small and large blend fashion and tech, as well as some key challenges (Photo by Stephanie Greenall. Music by Andrew Applepie)
2016-10-1326 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 37: Fionna Hanna- "Patterns are my way of Making Sense of the World"Fashion Tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with small business owner and textile designer Fionna Hanna. In addition to sharing how she leverages tech to create her Canadian-inspired designs, Hanna also provides insight into her experience running her small business using retail tools like Shopify.Music by Andrew Applepie
2016-10-1016 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 36: Vincent Thériault of Surmesur- Tailor-Made for the Modern ManOn today's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco sits down with Vincent Thériault of Surmesur, a brand that's bringing tailor-made to the modern man by bridging data with design. The startup that has roots in the founder's basement has since grown to several brick-and-mortar locations throughout Canada and two in the USA.Music by Andrew Applepie
2016-10-0621 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 35: Barry Fogarty & Leesa Butler of Klothed: Social Styling for MenFashion Tech journalist Amanda Cosco takes you inside the Joe Fresh Centre for Fashion Innovation to learn about Klothed, a new styling app for men. She speaks with the app's co-founder Barry Fogarty and Director of Strategic Partnerships & Marketing Leesa Butler to learn how mobile can bridge the gap between online and offline for consumers.Music from Andrew Applepie
2016-09-2924 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 33: Heather Lipner: "Augmented Reality is a New Dimension for Fashion"Heather Lipner is the creative mind behind Drawsta, a line of t-shirts and tattoos that come to life with augmented reality. With Drawsta, she combines her love for apparel with the immediacy of the internet and meme culture. She speaks to fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco about how AR is adding a new dimension to fashion.
2016-09-1522 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 30: Marina Toeters- Upgrading Fashion With TechnologyFashion Tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks with Marina Toeters, a wearable technology and fashion design educator and the founder of By Wire, a design and research facility focused on fashion tech. At By Wire, Marina brings together technicians, fashion designers, students, and businesses to push fashion into the future. She develops prototypes, performs R&D testing, and educates in areas of fashion design and textile technology at three different educations institutions. Working with companies like Phillips, Marina integrates emerging technologies into clothing and helps bring real fashion tech products to market.
2016-07-3121 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 29: Fashion Tech Berlin Round-upFashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco takes you inside Fashion Tech Berlin, THE conference on the future of Fashion. Our episode begins with Lisa Lang, the founder of Fashion Tech Berlin and the stronghold of the fashion tech community in Berlin and beyond. Amanda then takes you through the show floor to meet exhibitors and designers bringing fashion tech products to market, from robotic dress kits to electromechanical necklaces.
2016-07-2240 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 28: Fredrik Timour- Taking Fashion Tech from Prototype to ProductionUp until this point, a lot of the fashion tech products we've seen are costume and concept pieces—meant strictly for the stage, the runway, or for photo shoots. How do we move fashion tech forward from prototypes to products that truly touch consumers lives? In this episode, Fashion Tech Journalist Amanda Cosco interviews Fredrik Timour of Neue Labs, the company responsible for Automat. Automat is a toolkit for enabling fashion tech. It lets designers get their hands dirty with creating wearables without having to learn code. With toolkits shipping later this summer, Automat is posed to be the plug-and-play so...
2016-07-1317 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 27: J Wilson- Fabrics for a Full Contact LifeFashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco interviews JJ Wilson of Kit and Ace, a fashion brand pioneering high-performance fabrics for a full-contact life. After spawning the athleisure movement with their first company, Lululemon, the Wilsons have launhed a second family company. Amanda and JJ's conversation touches on high-performance fabrics for a new generation of consumers and the importance of lifestyle branding.
2016-07-0825 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 26: Thomas Ducellier- The Space Race is on to Forge the Future of FabricsThe space race is on to forge the future of fabrics, and Canada is emerging as a key player. In this episode, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco interviews Thomas Ducellier, Executive Director of the Printed Electronics Flagship Program at the National Research Council of Canada (or NRC for short). Recorded in Oulu, Finland, Thomas and Amanda discuss the NRC's initiative to push fabrics into the digital age.
2016-06-1611 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 25: Augmented World Expo (AWE)Wearable Tech RoundupFashTech Journalist Amanda Cosco shares conversations from the show floor at Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2016, one of the largest events in North America looking at augmented and virtual reality + wearable technology. Amanda explores how the digital is penetrating the physical in conversations with Metaverse Nails, SubPac, Machina, Nuheara, Myant, Octagon Studios, Athos, and Augment. AWE 2016 took place June 1-2 in Santa Clara California. Watch Electric Runway's vlog covering the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRIbxGrIoSc
2016-06-1025 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 24: Al Linke- From Concept to Consumer ProductFashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco interviews Al Linke of Cat Clutch, an acrylic and LED handbag you can customize with your smartphone. Al explains his journey from creating a one-off concept piece for his wife to creating a viable consumer product.
2016-05-3123 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 23: Randy Rubin- "Transforming Textiles"Fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco speaks to Randy Rubin, the founder of Crypton and CEO of Crypton, a company that has been pioneering smart fabrics for almost 30 years. Crypton has made a name for itself in the upholstery world by developing high-performance fabrics for furniture that are both stylish and stain-resistant. Now, through the recent acquisition of Nanotex, the company is turning its attention towards apparel.
2016-05-2036 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 21: Ashlyn Bird- “Integrated Technology is the Way of the Future"You may have heard of smartphones and even smart rings, but what about smart earrings? Today on the show, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco sits down with Ashlyn Bird, co-founder of Ear-O-Smart, the world’s first smart earring. While Ear-O-Smart may have started as a direct-to-consumer product, they’ve recently pivoted to focus on offering a universal backing that’s comparable with almost any pair of earrings. The backing reads bio-signals, such as hart rate, calories, and activity, and makes this information available via a companion app. Amanda and Ashlyn talk about why the ear is the best place to gather...
2016-05-0116 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 20: Nancy Tilbury: "Putting Dreams in Everybody's Pocket"In this week’s episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion tech journalist Amanda Cosco sits down with Nancy Tilbury of XO. When it comes to fashion tech and wearables, Nancy is a visionary, with more than 20 years experience creating content worn on the body. Under the name Studio XO, Nancy along with her team have developed a reputation for making one-off costume and performance pieces for the likes of Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas, and Azealia Banks—to name a few. Now they’re parking the “studio” bit and scaling up under the name XO. With Nancy’s creative vis...
2016-04-2120 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 18: Kristin Neidlinger- "Light is Therapy"What if you could literally wear your heart on your sleeve? While fashion has always been a form of communication, new advancements in sensors and technologies worn on the body are enabling new forms of human expression. On today's episode, Amanda Cosco sums up MakeFashion before speaking with Kristin Neidlinger of Sensoree. Sensoree is a design studio that focuses on creating wearable bio media. Their conversation covers why light is therapeutic, and how the fashion industry adopted a wearable that was meant for the medical community.
2016-04-0716 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 16: Alex Semenzato on Community-Building in a Burgeoning IndustryOn today's episode, Amanda Cosco speaks with Alex Semenzato, the founder of FashTech, a group with a mission to cultivate community and create a shared language between fashion and technology. Amanda and Alex's conversation touches on everything from biochemically engineered clothing to interactive mirrors. They discuss the different definitions of fashion tech, and how the common denominator between fashion tech and retail tech is experience. Don't miss FashTech's upcoming summit in London April 13th-15th: http://www.fashtech-summit.com/#home
2016-03-2417 min
Electric Runway PodcastElectric Runway Episode 8: Jodi Goodfellow- Fashion Has a Closed-Door PolicyOn today's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, Amanda Cosco touches on #FashionTech Berlin, a conference on the Future of Fashion organized by Lisa Lang, Founder of ElektroCouture. We also look at VR in fashion, including an innovative new initiative to democratize fashion by Fashion Week Stockholm. AND—she's the founder and executive producer of Startup Fashion Week and a Notable nominee—Amanda's conversation with Jodi Goodfellow.
2016-01-2127 min