Adam Selman, MasterCard turning clothes into payment devices | Inquirer Business

Adam Selman, MasterCard turning clothes into payment devices

/ 11:54 AM October 28, 2015

Adam Selman

In this Sept. 10, 2015 file photo, designer Adam Selman waves to the audience after his Spring 2016 collection was modeled during Fashion Week in New York. MasterCard is pairing with fashion designer Adam Selman and others in a program aimed at making an array of consumer products that can double as mobile payment devices. AP FILE PHOTO

NEW YORK — Call it payable fashion. You won’t need a credit card to pay for your clothes; your clothes will BE your credit card.

MasterCard is pairing with fashion designer Adam Selman and others in a program aimed at making an array of consumer products double as mobile payment devices, including clothing but also automotive products and “yet to be imagined categories.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“The idea is that virtually any device can be a commerce device,” said Sherri Haymond, group head of digital channels for MasterCard, in a telephone interview Tuesday. The program was unveiled Monday at the Money 20/20 conference in Las Vegas.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: Science fiction no more; e-commerce evolves

Selman works closely with pop star Rihanna and designed her famous, very sheer dress for the 2014 Council of Fashion Designers of America awards. How one would hide even a microchip in such a sheer garment is, of course, hard to imagine, but Selman was chosen, Haymond said, “because he is extremely innovative, really creative. When we met Adam, his vision and our vision really connected.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Other partners set to be involved in the program: General Motors, wearable technology maker Nymi, jewelry company Ringly, and Bluetooth locator TrackR, according to MasterCard.

Article continues after this advertisement

Haymond said the program uses existing technology and functionality that MasterCard has been working on for two years. “People can pay with what’s most accessible to them,” she said.

Article continues after this advertisement

In the past several years, a number of fashion designers have ventured into wearable technology, with everything from clothing that measures various health functions to accessories that charge devices.

As for Selman, he has produced a prototype of two dresses, gloves, sunglasses and a handbag, all imbedded with microchips for payment.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Technology is vital to the fashion industry,” Selman said in a statement from MasterCard. “What sets the program apart is that it features the technology, while still remaining invisible, yet interactive and totally functional with the wearer.”

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Business, Clothing, commerce, Credit card, e-commerce, Fashion, MasterCard, payment, wearable technology

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.