Light + dress= beautiful [finally!]

Being the new year i thought that my first post should be something about technology and something new, and while i can't guarantee its newness it is an interesting application of electronics to textiles.

After many bad attempts at integrating lighting with fashion.

Exhibit 1]

Is it really futuristic to look like a glow in the dark marshmallow.

I can see what they are trying to do by pushing the limits of fashion and technology, trying to fuse them together to make something futuristic and new. While the graphics is lovely... [i do like the little glowy spot thingys, like fireflies] i think that this is tipped much to much to the technology side that it becomes just a piece of technology and not a fashion item. Honestly, do they think that they are going make people stop and stare at it for hours on end? A glowing marshmallow? really?

They could have done so much more... so much more, integrated actual fashion techniques like pattern making, and structure into the dress. I do believe if they had done something amazing with it, it could have launched it in haute couture. I have a firm belief that electronic textile fusions is the way of the future but most of what i have seen has been these silly little gimmicky show pieces. So much new technology going to waste... anyone remember the teletubby Tshirts? That actually showed a changing image smack bang on the front? I have no idea why it didn't take off <>

Of course I'm obviously slightly ignorant to what the limitations are for the technology, it does seem that the textile of the dress is quite thick [ and spongy?] in the picture, and it was quite early on in the creation of the technology, but i haven't seen many inspiring things in this area of exploration. I mean its so vast and still not explored.

I've been thinking a lot about this and wondering if i should stick my little paws in this big mess of electrical cable and string when i saw this little number.

Its a dress by Mary Huang.... sheer poetry. This is something to finally get excited about, This is what she says about the dress, ‘In an effort to take a fresh spin on lighted clothing, I have created an illuminated scarf and dress using crocheted knit to diffuse light from LEDs to give a more organic effect.‘ SEE! it has meaning, not just oh look a dress that glows, things like this will be much more memorable and transformative to the fashion industry then just shows of technology.

There is a whole site dedicated to this kind of thing....

http://www.talk2myshirt.com/blog/archives/538

The link above is more for the interview with Mary, but yeah I'm going to have a browse though all the things there, see if it inspires me to do anything.

I realised that just creating something, just because isn't good enough, it needs to have meaning, down to the last thread, or LED in this instance.

Aftermath... as well as other things..

I must say that a day after handing everything... I'm still a little dazed by it all. Starting to consider things in a different light...

But to better things, been researching lighting just for knowledge for when i make my mini chandelier. I'm not going to do vasts amounts.. but see how different lights achieve that wow factor. This is more for my own enjoyment more than anything else, i don't want to make my light like a studio project, that just produces stressed results, since there is none commenting on my every move and then MARKING it.. i think i will thoroughly enjoy my light and then hang it in my room when it is done ^^

This light i have to post up... designed by Alice Van, it is a beautiful floor lamp made of a thick paper.. i could see it being easily done in polyprop for a more sturdy [and not to mention water proof] light, but i wonder how the light would interact with the surface.

The thing about this light that makes it outstanding is the different gradients that the light casts as it exits the shade... diffused through the material... as well as escaping through the gaps. Simply stunning.

[pity the electrical cable is in the picture... but it does add a kind of 'accidental' charm to it]

http://www.yankodesign.com/2007/03/15/floor-lamp-provides-controlled-lighting-by-alice-van/

Sidetrack # 1

Admittedly this is not the best time to be thinking of making things but i couldn't help it, I saw some beautifully shaped beads and it inspired me to create a simple chandelier. So white the paint was drying [and i was eating my lunch] i looked up some images for inspiration... nothing like what i have in mind.. but beautiful nonetheless.

Chandelier?

Just browsing the net and i found these awesome lights. Bendant Lamp...a "flat pack Chandelier" i do wonder if it really is a chandelier or just a lamp shade there has to be some definition difference between them. But i like the idea of the user being able to be part of the design process, it creates more of a sense of ownership and personalisation.

It also means that you can have various different shades made from one set! I do wonder though if you can change them when you felt like it... i assume not as the joint would eventually fatigue and break if moved too much.

I love how this light is so simple when flat packed, but so sophisticated when assembled. Beautiful design.