Cell Phone Fashion: Personalizing Mass Production
“Individuality: advanced features, precision engineering and couture style in a choice of elegant colors — as individual as you are”. This is the blurb for the new Motorola Razr, one of the new breeds of mobile phone flying off the shelves. Where mobile were once marketed as an high-tech device, a tool packed with ingenious features, the new trend is for fashion phones. The major handset manufacturers are now offering seasonal collections, joint-venturing with well known fashion designers, and emphasizing aesthetic features when marketing their products. Indeed, some companies are scaling back the technical, yet utilitarian features, offering simpler but sleeker phones; form over function. Somewhere along the evolutionary path of the cell phone, the device has reached the point where it is no longer considered a gadget, available only to the privileged few with the money and/or technical savoir faire, but an ordinary piece of equipment not unlike a wristwatch. For handset manufacturers, there is no benefit in trying to “out-tech” the competition. The technology has reached a stasis, cell phones are reliable, small, WAP enabled, contain innumerable clocks and alarms, include high resolution cameras and MP3 players. And excepting some radical departure from the silicon chip, the current technology can expect only slight improvements. For manufacturers the question is how to continue adding value to their product, for consumers it is a question of choice. A report produced by ARCchart offers some insight into this new trend: “For the consumer faced with a range of seemingly identical devices from a technical perspective, the aesthetics of a device can generate an emotional response to which they will ascribe a value and for which they will pay a premium”.
The rise of the fashion phone is inextricably linked with consumer’s desire to differentiate themselves from other consumers. The pursuit of individuality seems to be a priority, at least that is what companies like Motorola believe. The staggering growth in the mobile content industry points to consumer preoccupation with personalizing their mobiles. The catch-phrase, “Make it you own”, is selling ringtones, wallpapers, phone charms and decorative cases, now it’s selling fashion phones. More and more, it seems, what we own defines us. Despite capitalizing on the trend at lightening speed, handset manufacturers aren’t the prophets personalization, the trend towards customized and fashion phones is consumer driven. In China, where mobile phone saturation is high, it is possible to see phones worn on the wrist in handmade lace cases, or covered in stickers of pop stars and smiley faces. In Japan, the omnipresent Hello Kitty dangles from every schoolgirl’s phone. These small aesthetic additions are intended to reveal something about the phone’s owner. A Samsung cell phone emblazoned with an image of Diane von Furstenberg serves a similar purpose. As does the Roberto Cavali phone, or the Anna Sui phone. “Cell phones have become a ubiquitous accessory– every woman has a mobile phone by her side. I wanted to create one that makes a statement with a signature look”, declares Ms. Sui on her website. Making a statement is expensive, a designer’s name on a phone increases it’s value by several hundred dollars. It is no longer a high-tech tool, it is a designer accessory.
Not surprisingly, engineers like Bill Schweber are wondering who stole their glory. “Engineers do design, and by this we mean the hard and slogging work of pulling together ICs and software and resolving mechanical, thermal, power, display, format, protocol, and packaging issues. Then a celebrity comes along and takes all this hard work, puts on a new case or shell—perhaps studded with crystals or glitter—and takes the bulk of the credit. Once again, engineers do the work and don’t get the appreciation.” Recently, Nokia has undertaken a project with the design firm of Schulz and Webb, to explore the possibilities of personalized phones. The Schulz and Webb blog describes the project as “looking at how personalization of Nokia phones can change their meaning or impact culturally. Large-scale manufacture is inevitably distanced from the very precise social context of use. Once we bring in short-run manufacture, however, the mobile can be more culturally situated.” Nokia have realized, at least, the inevitable paradox of mobile personalization. At the end of the day, the mobile phone in your hand is a mass produced clone.
About the Author
Emily Sims is the beautiful and talented ringtones queen at foovely. She also keeps a popular blog.
juni my kitty and watch
|
|
Pink Band Hello Kitty Crystal & Mother of Pearl Watch & Extra Battery – New $10.95 |
|
|
New Lady’s Hello Kitty Round Wrist Watch w/ Rhinestones $5.00 |
|
|
Womens New Quartz Cute Hello Kitty Pink Wrist Watch Accessory Gift $39.99 |
|
|
New Lady’s Hello Kitty Rhinestones Wrist Watch Rose Pink $3.00 |
|
|
Adorable Hello Kitty PU Leather Watch $21.99 |
|
|
New Lady’s Hello Kitty Rhinestones Wrist Watch Black $3.25 |
|
|
Fashion hello kitty women Watches hellokitty lady wristwatch Rectangular watch $3.30 |
|
|
Fashion hello kitty women Watches hellokitty lady wristwatch Rectangular watch $3.30 |
|
|
Fashion hello kitty women Watches hellokitty lady wristwatch Rectangular watch $3.30 |
|
|
Fashion hello kitty women Watches hellokitty lady wristwatch Rectangular watch $3.30 |
|
|
2010 Sanrio LTD. Hello Kitty Wrist Watch $0.99 |
|
|
New Lady’s Hello Kitty Rhinestones Wrist Watch Blue $3.50 |
|
|
New Lady’s Hello Kitty Silicone Wrist Watch Black $2.26 |
|
|
3 Piece Hello Kitty Child Crystal Wrist Watch 3 Color Pink White Black Lot of A3 $6.99 |
|
|
KIMORA LEE SIMMONS HELLO KITTY SAPPHIRE WHITE LEATHER WATCH $155.00 |
|
|
3 pc Mix Hello Kitty watch swarovski clock Available 3 Color Black Pink White $9.80 |
|
|
New Ladies Girl Fashion Cute Kitty Wrist Watch Cartoon Wirstwatch White Band $0.01 |
|
|
Hello Kitty Women’s HWL1049WSAN0 Kimora Lee Simmons Silhouette Watch $399.00 |
|
|
Watches Crystal Pink & White Shimmering Hello Kitty Watch Cat Watches Flashy $9.99 |
|
|
Watches Watches Pink Sparkle Hello Kitty Cat Face Fashion Girls Teens Playful $9.99 |
|
|
Hello Kitty Women’s HWL1049WSAN0 Kimora Lee Simmons Diamond Watch $399.00 |
|
|
WOMEN’S KIMORA LEE SIMMONS HELLO KITTY SAPPHIRE WHITE LEATHER WATCH $155.00 |
|
|
LADIES KITTY FASHION DESIGNER WRISTWATCH $25.00 |
|
|
Guess Who I Am / Miss Kitty Design – Gold Tone Metal & Leather Watch -CC1476 $2.99 |
|
|
3 Piece Hello Kitty swarovski Child Quartz watch 3 Color Choose Wholesale Lot A8 $6.99 |
|
|
5 pcs Hello Kitty Student watch 5 Color Choose Black White Pink Blue Red NEW B1 $9.50 |
|
|
Sly Kitty Cat – Gold Tone Metal & Leather Watch -CC1940 $2.99 |
|
|
NIB HELLO KITTY PINK SWEET HEART LCD WATCH With Interchangeable Tops & Necklace $19.95 |
|
|
Women’s Hello Kitty Simmon’s Jewelry Pink Rubber Band Silver Dial Watch $51.00 |
|
|
Pink Hello Kitty Watch Stainless Steel Plastic Band Womens/Childs $5.50 |
|
|
Hello Kitty Round Face Quartz Wristwatch Watch Faux Leather Band Blue $9.30 ·High-quality quartz watch with round metal face and artificial leathered watchband ·Cute Hello Kitty angel printed on the dial, very cute ·Numbers from 1 to 12 marked on the dial ·Three hands in all: hour hand, minute hand and second hand ·A metal knob on the right for you to adjust time ·7 holes in all on the band, 0.5 cm length between adjacent holes ·Elegant and practical items fo… |
|
|
Hello Kitty Round Face Quartz Wristwatch Watch Faux Leather Band Pink $9.30 ·High-quality quartz watch with round metal face and artificial leathered watchband ·Cute Hello Kitty angel printed on the dial, very cute ·Numbers from 1 to 12 marked on the dial ·Three hands in all: hour hand, minute hand and second hand ·A metal knob on the right for you to adjust time ·7 holes in all on the band, 0.5 cm length between adjacent holes ·Elegant and practical items fo… |
|
|
Hello Kitty Round Face Quartz Wristwatch Wide Band w/Rhinestones White $15.30 ·High-quality quartz watch with large round metal face and artificial leathered watchband ·Cute Hello Kitty head and bowknots printed on the dial, very cute ·Watch face decorated with rhinestones, shining and eye-catching ·Numbers from 1 to 12 marked on the dial ·Three hands in all: hour hand, minute hand and second hand ·A metal knob on the right for you to adjust time ·6 holes in al… |
|
|
Hello Kitty Wristwatch: Pink $39.99 Keeping time gets glam with this very stylish Hello Kitty wristwatch. Girly pretty in pink gorgeous watch with sparkly Hello Kitty face dial outlined in silver. Recommended for teens and adults… |
|
|
Sanrio Hello Kitty Girls Watch – Hello Kitty Analog Wristwatch … |
|
|
Hello Kitty Digital Wristwatch Always be on time with these stylish Hello Kitty Digital Wristwatches!… |
|
|
Hello Kitty Wristwatch Round Face Quartz Watch $7.70 ·High-quality quartz watch with large round metal face and artificial leathered watchband ·Kitty’s head printed on the dial, very cute ·Numbers from 1 to 12 marked on the dial ·Three hands in all: hour hand, minute hand and second hand ·A metal knob on the right for you to adjust time ·6 holes in all on the band, 0.5 cm length between adjacent holes ·Elegant and practical items for fa… |
|
|
Hello Kitty Wristwatch Round Face Quartz Watch $16.80 ·High-quality quartz watch with round metal face and artificial leathered watchband ·Kitty’s head printed on the dial, very cute ·Numbers from 1 to 12 marked on the dial ·Three hands in all: hour hand, minute hand and second hand ·A metal knob on the right for you to adjust time ·6 holes in all on the band, 0.5 cm length between adjacent holes ·Cute and practical items for family and … |
|
|
Hello Kitty Heart Wristwatch Wrist Watch Band Noir $9.99 ·Round watch face with Hello Kitty patterns on it ·Plastic watch case with Hello Kitty characters printed above and a cute heart below ·Back of watch made of stainless steel ·Wristband made of artificial leather, comfortable to wear ·Quartz movement and battery included ·Shipped with free watch box ·Made with great attention to details ·Suitable for both kids and adults, for both me… |
|
|
Kitty $1.09 Kitty Button Silhouette of Miss Kitty |
|
|
Wholesale free shipping 5 colors six Crystal Hellokitty watch, hello kitty ladies leather watches, Multicolor fanshion perfume $13.5 Wholesale / Retail free shipping 4 colors Hellokitty wristwatch, hello kitty lady leather watch, quartz watch for Christmas gift |
|
|
Free Shipping + Low Price + High Quality ! White Hello Kitty Lady Girl Quartz Wristwatch Watches, K1-WT $3.99 Free Shipping, Wholesale, High Quality |
|
|
New Lot 10 setsThe Hello Kitty kids part Set watch Wristwatch and wallet purse $29.99 Belt : 21cm Watch Face Diameter: 3.2 cm(1.3inch) Purses Size : 12 x 8 cm , open size is : 12 x 23cm |
|
|
Best Price + High Quality + Free Shipping! Black Hello Kitty Lady Womens Quartz Wristwatch Watch, K1-BK $3.99 Free Shipping, Wholesale, High Quality |
|
|
Stauer Graves & #39;33 Wristwatch $99 Stauer Graves & #39;33 Wristwatch |
|
|
Wristwatch 2006 by Braun, Peter Edition ILL, 8 $30.49 Wristwatch 2006. Braun, Peter |
|
|
SWISS Movement wristwatch (NBW0FA6241-WH1) $16.36 SWISS Movement wristwatch (NBW0FA6241-WH1) 1.Excellent Quality 2.Free Shipping 3.TOP mechanical |
|
|
Man’s Hand Pointing at Wristwatch $24.99 H. Armstrong Roberts Man’s Hand Pointing at Wristwatch – Photographic Print |
|
|
Couple Looking at Wristwatch in Box $24.99 George Marks Couple Looking at Wristwatch in Box – Photographic Print |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Silicone Jelly Wrist Watch(Black) $3.34 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Silicone Jelly Wrist Watch(Yellow) $3.34 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Silicone Jelly Wrist Watch(Green) $3.34 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Silicone Jelly Wrist Watch(White) $3.34 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft SiliconeJelly Wrist Watch(Blue) $3.32 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear – Color assorted from light blue and dard blue? |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Rubber Wrist Watch for Kids(White) $3.12 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Rubber Wrist Watch for Kids(Pink) $3.12 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Rubber Wrist Watch for Kids(Green) $3.12 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Rubber Wrist Watch for Kids(Blue) $3.12 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Rubber Wrist Watch for Kids(Purple) $3.12 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Rubber Wrist Watch for Kids(Orange) $3.12 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Rubber Wrist Watch for Kids(Yellow) $3.12 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Silicone Jelly Wrist Watch(Pink) $3.32 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |
|
|
Fashionable Hello Kitty Dial Soft Silicone Jelly Wrist Watch(Purple) $3.34 - Show your charm with this contemporary styling with advanced technique wristwatch – The watchband of the wristwatch made of breathability and weather absorbing material – The personality dial design makes this wristwatch more fashion and stylish – Special buckle design for easy adjustment and secure wear |