Forget canines, technology is man’s (and woman’s) best
friend. According to the Pew
Research Center, 25 percent of teens are using technology constantly. And with
a perpetually full inbox and a coveted Instagram to maintain, it feels as if,
regardless of age, we are all forever online. It’s no surprise that technology
has recently been infused into what we wear. From the Apple
Watch, to
Will.i.am’s techie-friendly collaboration with Gucci, to a
slew of smart gems that are hitting the market, wired accessories are a must. But with
all the smart bands out there, finding a versatile, stylish purse that
possesses technology qualities is no easy feat. Thankfully, Carnise McIntosh
has remedied this fashion woe with Leoht. With a rechargeable battery, two
built-in USB ports, and an external use interface panel, this line of bags is
perfect for the woman on the go. Style nerds, welcome to the 21
st
century.
The Trendologist was
fortunate enough to chat with Carnise about her collection and the future of
smart accessories.
The Trendologist: Congratulations on the
fantastic line! What inspired you to create a bag that is both tech- savvy and
stylish?
Carnise McIntosh: Thank you so much. The team
is very excited.
Pure necessity! When I
began to solve multiple daily problems I was encountering using technology, I
came up with the idea for Leoht. As I began sketching the tote design, one of
the first things that was very important to me was that it looked stylish. Coming
from a sales background, you learn quickly that if it doesn’t look good, nobody will buy it – girl or
guy, fashion or tool. Presentation is everything. Function is important, but
style does matter.
TT: What are some of the
techie features that are included in the tote?
CM: The tote has six features, four of which are techie. [There is] a built-in 6k mAh battery (that can
charge your smartphone three to four times or tablet one to twotimes), controllable interior
LEDs, two built-in USB ports, an external Power Panel (battery indicator and
micro USB port for charging on the go), and wireless Qi recharging via it’s charging
plate. The [bag] also includes a cool extra feature called the Alcove that hides important valuables or unmentionables.
TT: I would love to know
more about the mechanics of this bag. How are all these impressive
amenities able to fit
into one tote?
CM: That’s the
core of our company. We are a hardware company first. We’ve
[created] and designed an entire custom technology system that is built directly
into our bags. The two influenced each other making it truly fashion
technology. We didn't take two existing products and simply slap them together.
Leoht bags are designed mechanically and aesthetically together from the ground
up. As we release new collections, both the exterior and interior of Leoht’s will
evolve.
TT: Why name the brand
Leoht?
CM: Leoht is the Latin root
word for “illumination” and “light”, which
was the first technological integration that sparked the concept.
TT: What was the design
process?
CM: It was a growing design
process. It started with the technology first followed by the handbag design.
As I tried to combine the two together, they weren’t
working as separate components. So I went back to the drawing board, stared
from absolute scratch and designed them together. Piece by piece, step by
step. By doing so, it allowed me to understand the construction necessary for
all parts to work seamlessly.
TT: Who is your target
customer?
CM: For this collection, the
modern women is our target customer. The 7:00AM to 11:00PM [woman], the go-getter, the student,
the businesswoman, the mom, the planner. “Modern women” is a
broad definition because women’s needs today are vast, but the one thing they
all have in common is that their world, whatever it is, doesn’t stop. The
Leoht tote is perfect for her.
TT: Where is the tote
available for purchase?
CM: Currently the Leoht Tote is
available for preorder on
Leoht.co.
 |
| Leoht Totes, $250- $275 |
TT: I would love to hear
more about your background! Tell me about your previous experience with both fashion and technology.
CM: My background is uniquely
part arts and part science. I grew up as an artsy child. I’ve known
nothing but the love of design my entire life, yet somehow I was always
immensely fascinated by natural sciences. As an adult, I intersected the two
without knowing it. My studies in graphic design was heavily influenced by
science and math. I entered the world of consumer electronics while in college,
which encouraged my fascination of tangible technology. Being a graphic
designer and working for companies like Apple and AT&T gave me further
insight into worlds where beauty, desire and well thought=out
innovation had an outstanding effect on the human condition and the experience
was life changing. As a professional “visual problem solver”, when
the time came to create Leoht, I had an excellent road map to ensure a
fantastic team, product and experience in building the company.
TT: What advice would you
give to individuals who are also looking to connect the fashion and technology
industries?
CM: Be honest to both elements.
If it does all of one and little of the other, start over and keep developing
until it comes together. If wearable technology and fashion technology are to ever
evolve into the norm, then they must work together cohesively and
unobtrusively. It is in the hands of inventors, creators of these new
innovations to make them as seamless and and easy to
incorporate into our daily lives [as possible].
TT: It’s no secret
that fashion and technology have been merging more over the past few months.
Why do you think techie accessories are just starting to hit their stride? Do
you think this is a fad or do you believe more designers will create
rechargeable, smartphone compatible (amongst other features) accessories and
apparel?
CM: Two things have happened in a
very short period of time. The popularity and accessibility of portable
connected devices and with it, the second thing, a human connection to the
benefits of these devices on a scale much bigger than most realize. Wearable, fashion technology is becoming “reinvigorated” because mainstream comfort levels with other
portable devices and modern technologies has become the norm. Long-term benefits become clearly
understood by having such enhancements in our lives, and so the curiosity
becomes a demand of goods. Life imitates art, and vice versa. If we can think
it, it will be.
Designers and inventors will
create what the public demands. For now, they want to be entertained by the
possible benefits of wearable, fashion technology. Very shortly, they may demand
nothing less in nearly any accessory or apparel that they buy. Wearable
technology is not a fad: it's simply in the infancy of its legacy.
TT: What do you think the fashion-technology crossover will look like in two
years? Do you have any plans to expand Leoht?
CM: On the horizon of fashion
technology, the very idea of what “technology” looks
like is going to change. The “tech” of
things is striving to be invisible but immensely beneficial. We are seeing most
of it in health and sports related garments initially from leading brands, but
young daring designers will begin to experiment with sensors and smart fabrics
for color manipulation, temperature regulation and haptic interaction for
ready-to-wear, outwear, footwear and more.
Leoht has an exciting and
expansive future. We will continue to push the elements of beautiful,
accessible and absolutely functional, wearable technology.
Dying to get your hands on a Leoht bag? Follow the brand on
Instagram and check out the brand's
Kickstarter.
xx
