Wearable Technology

Inspired by Sasha’s post on the relationship between technology and fashion, I set out to explore products which combine technology and fashion. Products in the wearable technology category range from quite simple to very complex.

Chanel Lightbulb Heels, $2200, Pre-Fall 2008 Collection via Coquette

Thomas Pink is famous for exceptional quality and design. Probably most famous for ties, cufflinks and shirts, Thomas Pink’s products are becoming more tech friendly. The Commuter Tie has a special pocket for an Ipod Nano.

Colourful Commuter Ties, 59GBP, Thomas

Every Nano has its place, Thomas Pink Commuter Tie, 59GBP

Designer Elena Corchero threads custom-made solar panels into clothes and accessories. The pieces in her Solar Vintage collection integrate solar charged light technology into traditionally crafted fashion accessories. The fan, for eample, an elegant hand held accesory by day, sheds ambient light in the evening. How’s that for “mood lighting”? 

Solar Vintage Fan, 1314 GBP at Lost Values

The delicate lace uses reflective thread and could be added to any piece of clothing to make you more visible in the dark. Perhaps a little frilly accent to a running jacket or bike pants? 

Reflective Lace, 20GBP at Lost Values

 

Grace Kim created The Soft Electric as part of her thesis project. This capelet is knitted and felted by hand. It is embroidered with conductive thread that carries electric current to LEDs that are beaded into the embroidery. When lit, the LED beads flicker, acting like sequins in the light. 

Grace Kim Capelet, iamgracie.com/thesis

Sharewear garments combine art, fashion and technology. The electronic dresses join together and activate pools of light. 

Blue Sharewear dress

Green Sharewear dress

Attached at the hip. Sharewear.

Marc Mann‘s unique pieces are a combination of LEDs and centuris old antique glass. Broken Beauties is made of glass pieces collected from the Elbe and Blue Blossom is created from a collection of antique trade beads excavated in West Africa.

Broken Beauties, JeweLights

Blue Blossom, JeweLights

Studio 5050 in NYC has a small collection of pieces of wearable technology. Embrace Me may look like a regular hoodie  but it’s anything but average.  When two people wearing the hoodie embrace, power is transmitted via the graphic image and little white lights shine on the back of the garment.

Embrace-me hoodie, $480-$600 for a pair, Studio 5050.

Back Lit

I’m not sure that I am quite ready to incorporate wearable technology into my own wardrobe, but I can appreciate the artistic and functional advancements that are being developed in fashion.  

Photos courtesy of Coquette, Grace Kim, JeweLights, Lost Values, Sharewear, Studio 5050, Thomas Pink