Kristina Dimitrova - Founder & CEO at Interlaced
You’re probably reading this on your phone, tablet, or laptop; technology is literally at your fingertips; but innovators are now bringing tech even closer to the skin through fashion technology. Concepts like performance-based yoga pants – ones that encourage perfecting poses with subtle vibrations – and ‘smart’ commuter jackets that help cyclists navigate on the fly with a swipe are just a couple examples of the fashion tech that has captivated Kristina Dimitrova. The marketing journalist immerses herself in this emerging field through Interlaced, a platform she created that celebrates fashion tech by acknowledging the varied backgrounds of industry leaders and connecting them both online and offline. Interlaced focuses on the latest news in the field with online content, provides consulting services, and also puts on events that can make a concept both digestible and exciting by giving it literal legs, as new products strut down the catwalk. Fashion has always spoken to Kristina, and at her first London Fashion Week a few years ago she caught a glimpse of the future. Networking and attending events landed her smack in the middle of two different worlds – tech and fashion – but she watched genius concepts presented with little uptake from the crowd until a fibre optic dress activated by LEDs hit the runway and captivated the audience. In that moment she saw the powerful story fashion tech told when it was presented in a format that was understood. Witnessing technology moving from a still screen to a body in motion as the model interacted with tech in a way that was seamless was an ‘Aha!’ moment for Kristina. Originally from Bulgaria, she now lives in London, England and when she’s not writing about fashion tech, she’s compiling creative ideas in marketing, technology and consumer culture at her other full-time job. She disconnects by getting back to basics in nature or sweating out daily stresses. There is nothing quite like a good conversation for Kristina, though, and we’re happy to facilitate this one for you.