Use of tech in fashion is, at present, limited predominantly to gadgets and accessories that monitor what the body is doing and allow the user to react. A more interesting application, however, is to make the textile itself dynamic and responsive to the user's needs.
NEFFA explored what possibilities technology offers for making textile organic and alive. The result is Dynamic Skin.
NEFFA feels that textile should respond to the user instead of the other way around. Innovation should create textiles that are much more alive, to reaffirm our connection with them. This can be achieved with textiles that respond to the wearer's needs, for example actively providing protection or care without any conscious thought on the wearer's part.
[...] Like the human skin, Dynamic Skin consists of layers. Energy is used based on the wearer's heart rate and circulation. A monitor translates the wearer's heart rate into a LED pattern that reflects the rate at which blood is flowing through the wearer's body.
Heating threads in the textile cause the clothes to change colour, giving visual expression to the blood circulation. While creating awareness of our bodies' internal heating function, they also provide actual warmth. The colour pallet is inspired by the human body: different skin tones combine beautifully with the blue of veins and the red of blood.
How long before "dead" clothes (AKA non-technology infused) are a thing of the past?
(Score: 2) by VLM on Tuesday December 06 2016, @07:38PM
If you read the press release with the idea the fabric will be used in pr0n and inflatable women and whatnot, its much funnier.
Making it feel organic and alive... responds to the user... connect with the user... respond to the needs... warmth... its all about bare skin tones...
I'm not necessarily complaining, I just think its a funnier read. So its first app will be fleshlights, whatever, its still cool technology.
Aside from pr0n the whole "its kinda like skin" vibe from the article makes me think of artificial limbs. So its sorta warm and dynamic-ish, sure its not as good as a bio arm but its better than chrome steel, probably.
(Score: 2) by Refugee from beyond on Tuesday December 06 2016, @07:54PM
Wake me up when it’s going to control the amount of heat it allows to escape.
Instantly better soylentnews: replace background on article and comment titles with #973131.
(Score: 2) by ikanreed on Tuesday December 06 2016, @07:59PM
The summary dares to ask how long until normal clothes go away.
But this? This isn't an improvement. The ideas raised as hypotheticals are improvements, but glowing to show bloodflow is a non-useful gimmicky useless application and it's the only one they can actually demonstrate, and the input is coming from a fitbit-like monitor that is a hassle to use and wear.
You know what will replace practical clothing that is reasonably priced, modestly nice looking, reasonably durable, easy to clean, and choosable based on weather?
Technology that modestly improves on one of those without completely sacrificing all the test.
Something that is cheaper and isn't a piece of crap that falls apart? Congrats, you win.
Something that uses technology to look really fashionable and nice and doesn't cost thousands? Yep, you did it.
Something that lasts forever, and doesn't look like a trenchcoat? I'll buy it
Something that is partially self-cleaning and I can wear some place besides Northern Alaska? Done deal.
Something that can adapt to the weather around you? Fuck it, I'll give up every other item on the list, but don't promise that and deliver "Glows".
(Score: 2) by kazzie on Tuesday December 06 2016, @09:14PM
And even then, you'll still have a market for "vintage" clothing. (Or, as I call it, posh second hand clothing.)
(Score: 2) by edIII on Tuesday December 06 2016, @09:18PM
You really don't want that Glow [youtube.com]?
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 06 2016, @08:00PM
I'm not sure if we want to make the circumstances that lead to the plot of Kill la Kill a real thing.
Link here if you care: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_la_Kill [wikipedia.org]
Long story short: clothes think you are delicious, only thing to stop them is teenagers armed with scissors.
(Score: 2) by Absolutely.Geek on Wednesday December 07 2016, @07:29AM
Did anybody else think of stillsuits when reading this?
Fuck the flow glow bullshit; something that reacts to internal temperature whilst taking into account external temperature to help maintain a healthy body heat would kick arse. Now if it also recycled sweat into drinkable water that would be an added bonus.
Don't trust the police or the government - Shihad: My mind's sedate.