What’s NFC technology?

Near field communication (NFC) technology enables two devices to talk to each other. This technology is what we use to tap & pay with our phones. It is part of the RFID (radio frequency identification) family and has been in use for many years.

Why use it in fashion?

We are currently experiencing one of the largest technological evolutions in history. The rise of Web 3.0, and digitally immersive experiences. As such there is a need to create more engaging connections with the things we purchase. Fashion is one of the industry's at the forefront and we are using NFC technology to bridge the gap between physical clothing and digital interactions.

How do I use NFC in clothing?

It’s not a QR code, so you don’t open your smartphone camera to scan it. You simply place your phone’s NFC reader on the NFC tag and a notification will appear. NFC tags can be sewn into garments, added as a smart label or positioned as a feature somewhere prominent on the garment.

Where is the NFC reader on my phone?

Apple iPhone users - it is located along the top of your smartphone.

Samsung users - the NFC reader is located on the back of the phone in the middle or lower middle area. You may need to turn NFC on in your settings.

Most new smartphones have built in NFC functionality for contactless payments. You may need to move your phone around for a few seconds before it registers.

Why not just use QR codes?

QR codes are great and have paved the way for mainstream adoption of scanning and tapping our smartphones to access information. However, QR codes can be defaced, which makes them unusable. By embedding NFC tags in garments, they become a discreet gadget that doesn’t look like a code. NFC tags are also being used to reduce counterfeit products due to having a unique identification code within the chip that QR codes don’t have.