Our founder, Jen Chiang, had the honor of speaking at FuzeHub’s panel, “Innovation is Always in Style: How New York State is Shaping the Future of Fashion,” where leaders across the fashion and technology sectors explored how innovation is reshaping the industry.
WearOpal: Where Fashion Meets Safety
WearOpal creates personal safety smart rings, discreet devices that allow users to connect to 911 and their emergency contacts with just three presses. The company’s innovation sits at the intersection of fashion and technology, combining style and personal safety functionality.
Through extensive customer research with over 200 women, WearOpal discovered that while 85% of women want to carry a wearable safety device, adoption remains low due to unappealing designs. This insight drove the company’s mission: to create a personal safety smart ring that is both functional and fashionable, making safety wearable every day.
Leveraging New York’s Innovation Network
Jen highlighted how New York’s innovation ecosystem has been instrumental to WearOpal’s growth. The company was awarded a FuzeHub manufacturing grant in collaboration with Binghamton University and Benson, and was also a winner of the 2023 FuzeHub Commercialization Competition.
A key takeaway shared by Jen was the importance of building relationships early with New York State partners. For WearOpal, collaborating with a nonprofit partner and engaging NYS manufacturers accelerated their beta development and R&D. Partnerships with experts from MTEC provided essential guidance that helped turn the startup’s vision into a functional personal safety smart ring.
Consumer Readiness and Wearable Evolution
Wearables have evolved dramatically over the past five years. Jen explained that while early wearables required tech expertise, today’s consumers are ready for devices that blend seamlessly into daily life, including smart rings for safety, Apple Watches, Whoop Bands, and Oura Rings.
WearOpal’s wearable safety devices not only track data but also translate it into actionable safety insights, while maintaining an aesthetic that encourages daily use. By miniaturizing hardware, the company ensures its products are both beautiful and functional, empowering wearers to feel safe and confident without compromising style.
The Future of Fashion Technology
Looking ahead, Jen emphasized that the future of wearables lies in invisible integration. WearOpal aims to embed its personal safety smart ring technology into a variety of jewelry designs, partnering with other brands to offer pieces that seamlessly integrate into users’ wardrobes.
While New York already has world-class talent, research institutions, and manufacturing capabilities, Jen noted that a central hub for collaboration among designers, engineers, and manufacturers could further accelerate innovation in fashionable safety wearables.
Consumers in the coming years will increasingly define innovation not only by performance or aesthetics but also by sustainability and ethics. WearOpal sees tremendous opportunity in collaborating with creative partners to expand design options while maintaining functionality, making safety effortless, stylish, and intuitive.
One Word to Capture the Future
To close the panel, Jen shared one word that encapsulates the future of fashion technology: “Integrated.” She believes fashion provides the perfect medium to embed wearable safety technology seamlessly into everyday life, merging style, safety, and innovation.
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WearOpal continues its mission: creating personal safety smart rings and wearable safety devices that allow users to connect to 911 and their emergency contacts, empowering individuals without compromising on style or functionality. Thanks to FuzeHub and New York State’s innovation network, the company continues shaping the future of fashionable, functional wearables.