Cyber Fashion III at SIGGRAPH 2004

Cyber Fashion at SIGGRAPH 2004
Every Year I look forward to one particular event at SIGGRAPH, especially after seeing last year's event, I was thrilled to hear that Psymbiote (a.k.a. Isa Gordon) and her companions managed to put on another show.

Cyber Fashion III showcases the combined use of wearable computers and display technology and showcased fully functional prototypes.

Cyber Fashion show had a few subcategories and Wearable computers
and displays was the first one of them:

Charmed Technology presented the smallest, lightest and least expensive portable internet device, Bristol wearable computing of the University of Bristol showcased a fully equipped Cyberjacket, with personal organizer, computer and internet access built into it.

The Department of Geography at the University of Santa Barabara, California presented a wearable geographic information system

Fifth Dimension and Micro Optical highlighted data gloves and binocular head displays.

Second up was a category called "Smart Clothes", seemingly the latest trend in fashion, adding functionality to clothes, a few pieces stood out to me: Smart Lab Centre is very active in protecting women and children and introduced a project called safety net. Safety Net is a jacket where the wearer can release a 20000 Volt shock in case threatened by an attacker. Many congratulations to the Smart Lab team and keep up the good work.

Hear Wear was another standout, HearWear version 1.0 is a skirt reacting to environmental noise. As you walk through the world, a microphone picks up the surrounding sound and displays it via lumanex wires, you were able to regulate the sensitivity, so whether you were at a loud party or at somewhat of a mellower reception the skirt would always react to its full functionality.

Hear Wear (Concept)

Whisper is an acronym (wearable, handheld, intimate, sensory, personal, expressive, responsive system) and is a real-time interactive media installation, based on small wearable devices (computers/handhelds) inside the clothes. It collects data from the bodies of participants, and
visualizes that data on the garment.

Paul Davies an interactive artist based in Chicago showcased 2 pieces:
Some Areas Under Video Surveillance, where participants walked around with matched pairs of backpacks which had one camera and one LCD video monitor. The battery powered units transmitted the video from the camera to the LCD monitor over a wireless link, creating a net of randomly surveyed areas. As well as the Department of Homeland Security Safety Vest, the comfortable vest will not only keep you warm in case of a terrorist attack but it also features a lighted Department of Homeland Security Threat Level indicator so you can always be alert to the ever looming terrorist threat. The DHS Safety Vest works by connecting over 802.11 wireless networks and downloads the current national threat level XML file from the DHS website.

Lucy Dunne's projects included the Expressive Evening Gown, which visually displayed the level of attention or arousal of the wearer, using a Galvanic Skin Response measurement and the Massage Shirt, "a wearable massage for the technophile".

Allison Lewis from the Parsons School of design introduced the Closer Wearables: Patsy and Feely, Patsy, the touch to sound pullover, responds with silly sounds upon gently hugging or holding the individual wearing the garment, while Filly, the touch to light jumper, uses a visual indicator to represent the number of positive touches or lack there of in an hour. In the Closer projects, technology gets utilized to spread positive touch interactions between people. The Closer projects' goals are to create wearable interactive art which reinforces kindness, fun and play.

Carnegie Mellon's Wearable Group exhibited Student work by Lily Cho, Kajal Gala, Aubrey Shick (Feel-The-Beat Vibe Attire,a Vibro-tactile music experience vest), Chris D'Eramo, Stephen Kob, Jessica Mellon with the Vibro Tactile Motorcycle Vest and the CMU Industrial Design Monkeys catwalked a Vibrotactile Heart Rate Monitor.

The section of Luminous Clothing & Futuristic Fashion although not spiked with technology or computers, certainly showcased great fashion, Milan's fashion houses should definitely take notice. The luminous wedding set by Galatea Productions, lighted bras and pant sets by Janet Hansen (Enlighted Designs Inc) , the illuminated motorcycle jacket by Charmed Technologies, sinthetex Biomorphic Clothing and Accessories as well as CAD/ CAM Jewelry and Bodywear (especially Kimberly Voight's ones) completed the entire performance.

And who would have thought that Jerry Manthey(for those who watch survivor) was one of the models?

Again congratulations to ISA and her companions, great show, great fun, great fashion, if there is another Cyber Fashion Show 2005 in L.A.,
I highly recommend to go see it.