Saturday, August 14, 2004
SIGGRAPH 2004 CyberFashion Show
Back in 2002, I followed a small handwritten sign listing a CyberFashion show, a time and an arrow pointing me in the right direction. This annual event, attended by roughly 200 people in the first year, has ended up being one of my favorite events at SIGGRAPH. Now in its third year, it has grown into a major event. Conceived of and produced by Isa Gordon (http://www.psymbiote.org) and Alex Lightman (http://charmed.com), it is a showcase for the future of fashion. This includes clothing and accessories that display changeable electronic messages, that react to touch and sound, that survey their surroundings, and that communicate wirelessly with the Web.
In the 2004 show…
Techno/tribal music was provided by mutaytor (http://www.mutaytor.com) who also had a pre-show performance including light spinners, stilt walkers and hoop dancers.
Steve Mann demonstrated his always-on wearable computing devices for capturing your personal experiences. Be a cyborg every day!
The Bristol Wearable Computing Project showed their latest e-wear jackets that display information.
Charmed Technologies displayed the CharmBadge. It is an electronic conference badge which records the contact information of other wearers once they are in range. No more typing in information or carrying business cards! Their other product, the CharmIT Wearable Computer, was worn by Isa to host the evening.
SMARTlab’s SafetyNET project showed clothing that can help in the prevention of violence against women and children.
“This fashion show has been specially designed to hide smartcard, cell and gps sensors for tracking and security of those fearing for their safety. Local information on secure sites, shelters and anti-corruption experts will be picked up and communicated subtly and safely to those in need, while their clothing will hide the information systems and sensors of use to the authorities.”
Paul Davies’ Department of Homeland Security Safety Vest brought the night’s biggest applause. The vest reads the current DHS Threat Level Indicator XML file from the DHS website, downloads it to the vest, and displays the current color.
Lucy E. Dunne’s showed her expressive evening gowns which display physiological responses of the wearer and her massage shirt which gives a wearable massage.
Alison Lewis’s displayed her pullovers which respond to touch by visually indicating the number of positive touches someone has received in an hour or emit silly sounds while being hugged. They are an attempt to reinforce the values of kindness, fun and play through positive touch.
Many artists showcased luminous clothing to be worn in the dark. These included Jim Bunkelman’s bride and groom set, formal clothing embedded with luminous wiring, and attention-getting combinations of silver lame, LED displays and lighted clothing.
New this year was CAD/CAM jewelry and bodywear. With advances in rapid prototyping and 3D printing, artists Kimberly Voight, Stanley Lechtzin, Daniella Kerner, Rebecca Strzelec (brooch attached to the wearer by medical adhesive) and Jennifer L. Sholtis showed us what is currently possible.
For a full list of all participants and more details about their products, visit http://www.psymbiote.org/cyfash/index.html
If you are interested in contributing to or volunteering for CyFash 2005, contact them at:
http://www.psymbiote.org/cyfash/contact.html
