Haute Couture Meets High End Technology: The Future of Fashion

THE PIEZING DRESS: EVERY WOMAN’S DREAM

Although the world continues to change due to the constant improvements in technology,  none is more fascinating then the idea of technology influencing the world of fashion.  Diana Eng is an example of an extraordinary designer who was able to combine the worlds of technology and art to create remarkable pieces. Eng is one of several up-and-coming technophiles who take fashion as seriously as technology. Her delicate silk chiffons stand apart from the hardware that makes up most of our gadgetry, yet they allow the customer to make technology an integral part of their wardrobe.According to the designer Amanda Parkes, among the most important functions of technologically enhanced designer wear are power generation and storage. Parkes designed the Piezing, a dress that uses piezoelectric discs and film to harness the body’s movement for electrical power, which is stored in a battery near the belly button. (Piezoelectric materials use vibrations from movement to generate electricity.) The battery can then be used to charge a favorite device. Elena Corchero’s exquisite parasols and fans are adorned with intricate embroidery. But solar cells, conductive thread, and batteries give her old-school style a modern twist: Corchero’s Light Gown is a beautiful piece that integrates the world of art and technology as this timeless piece made out of piezoelectric materials has the ability to turn into a night-light when hung on its charger-hook. The creation of these dresses made out of piezoelectric material is fascinating as not only is it innovative as well as aesthetically pleasing but it also has a wide variety of functions with the combined affect of human motion and piezoelectric effect. The entire mechanism involves the storage of generated electricity in small storing battery for further use conditions. The main highlight of this product is, the produced electricity, generated after the result of mechanical motion in the area encircled around elbow joints and hip potion of the dress.

THE FUTURE

The remarkable idea of technology and art being combined in the world of fashion is truly revolutionary and allows us to ponder on what the future will be as we ask ourselves questions such as  what happens when these tools are part of our second skin—when instead of carrying our technology, we inhabit it, the way we inhabit a T-shirt? The use of piezoelectric materials in fashion is truly revolutionary and as the idea spreads and more designers begin to incorporate it within their work not only will their works be characterized as being unique but truly extraordinary as they have the ability to  solve the problems surrounding our world by finding unique solutions therefore having the ability to entirely redefine our world.

sources:

http://www.ecofriend.com/entry/10-innovative-eco-friendly-products/

http://www.crunchwear.com/?s=piezoelectric