The fashion industry is in need of a technology revolution. 

Music, banking and transport (to name just a few) have been transformed by technology. But fashion is still clinging to traditional way of doing things, especially when it comes to bigger brands, who seem to be highly technophobic.

To discuss technology’s current and future role in the fashion industry, last month my team at HVO Search and I organised a breakfast at the CORE: Club in New York City with some of the most exciting fashion-tech startups and investors in New York (please refer to the end of the article for a comprehensive list of attendees).  

The discussion touched on key issues facing fashion tech startups, how they are challenging the traditional fashion industry and who will be the winners of tomorrow.

The application of technology has enabled change within fashion companies and has forced us to re-envision not only the products themselves but also how these products are sold and through what systems.

Whilst Apple Watch and Google Glass are certainly making the headlines, it is the smaller startups that are fuelling the change, particularly as they are the ones who are relying on experimentation to direct their decisions rather than big data.

So how do you help fashion tech startups scale their ideas?

At HVO Search, we decided to bring together investors and startup founders/CEOs for a roundable breakfast discussion.

Maria Hvorostovsky led the conversation which explored how to attract investors, the difficulties of early investment and what the fashion tech industry will look like in the future.

(please refer to the end of the article for a comprehensive list of attendees)