Fashionable technology : the intersection of design, fashion, science, and technology

Fashion and technology, science and design are contrasting notions that will be explored in this work. The idea for this book arose afew year.s ago when I realized the need for reference material for my students and fellow researchers. In addition, I wanted to convey my concept on the amalgamation of technology and fashion. Over the years more people and more people have become interested in the ever-expanding field of fashionable technology. Some approach it purely with regard to future style while others are drawn to its technical potential and the combining of 'hard' technology with 'soft' textile. The many precedents that were broughtto my attention resulted in a proposition to create a comprehensive collection of projects and resources about fashionable technology. The theoretical discourse in this book intends to provide an initiation to fashionable technology. It addresses the major concepts and provides a detailed bibliography that points to additional publications. The list of materials, blogs, institutes and events affords a starting point for further explorations in this expanding field. Many of the projects in this book are conceptual in nature and others are actual commercial products. However, all capture the imagination in their various proposals on the future meaning and purpose of clothing. Some of the projects were slightly difficult to categorize singularly as they incorporated aspects that were applicable to diverse chapters yet all ofthese projects are inspirational and stimulating. This book aims to present a compact body of work in the field of fashionable technology. The interplay of electronic textiles and wearable technology, wearables for short, and fashion, design and science is a highly promising and topical subject. Offered here is a compact survey of the theory involved and an explanation of the role technology plays in a fabric or article of clothing. The practical application is explained in detail and numerous illustrations serve as clarification. Over 50 well-known designers, research institutes, companies and artists, among them Philips, Burton, MIT Media Lab, XS Labs, New York University, Hussein Chalayan, Cute Circuit or International Fashion Machines are introduced by means of their latest, often still unpublished, project, and a survey of their work to date. Given for the first time is a list of all the relevant information on research institutes, materials, publications etc. A must for all those wishing to know everything about fashionable technology. Front Matter....Pages 3-9 Theoretical Discourse....Pages 10-25 Electronic Fashion....Pages 26-53 Interactive Interfaces....Pages 54-79 Scientific Couture....Pages 80-91 Sensual Being & Tangible Touch....Pages 92-109 Wearable Explorations....Pages 110-137 Social Fabric....Pages 138-157 Sonic Landscape....Pages 158-173 Material Witness....Pages 174-195 Back Matter....Pages 197-249 In this compact introduction to the theory and application of electronic textiles and wearable technology, practical applications are explained in detail and clarified by many illustrations. Unpublished projects by many designers and companies are included. Offered here is a compact introduction to the theory and application of electronic textiles and wearable technology. The book contains highly topical, unpublished projects of well-known designers, companies and researchers.