The Skin Probe Project: Bubelle - Blush Dress.

THE SKIN PROBE PROJECT (2006) by Philips Design.

HINT: Sensitive technology.

"The Skin Probe Project is part of a "far-future" design research initiative to study emerging trends and behavior. The project examines more 'analog' phenomena such as emotional sensing, and explores technologies that are 'sensitive' rather than 'intelligent'.

The Bubelle - Blushing Dress- behaves differently depending on who is wearing it, and therefore exhibits completely nonlinear behavior. A delicate 'bubble' sorrounds it, that responds to skin contact by illuminating various patterns."*

*from the book Fashionable Technology by Sabine Seymour.

SmartSecondSkin

SMART SECOND SKIN (2004) by Adeline Andre.

HINT: Function to fashion.

"SmartSecondSkin is a scent delivery system that adds function to fashion by mimicking the body's senses, scent glands and circulatory system. Scented chemicals flow freely through the veins of the dress as the fabric selects and emits a scent depending on the wearer's mood. It has its own pseudo nervous system, which allows the garment to control, through olfactory stimulation, the emotional wellbeing of the wearer."*

*from the book Fashionable Technology by Sabine Seymour.

Karen Nicol

Karen Nicol, by TEXTILE DESIGNERS.

HINT: traditional techniques and contemporary expressions.

"Nicol's work can be likened to a witches' brew: an unexpected range of media and eclectic references are the magic ingredients dropped into de pot. Embriodery is a magical mix today, Nicol says, It can be rooted in traditional techniques or contemporary expressions and still take textiles to the cutting edge."

"Nicol's approach has often been described as 'painterly', the 'paintings' she creates are produced by embroidery fabric. Embroidery in not a limit to fabric, thread and haberdashery today, things have really moved on a lot."*

*from the book TEXTILE DESIGNERS, at the cutting edge. By Bradley Quinn.

Clare Tough

Clare Tough, British designer by TEXTILE DESIGNERS.

HINT: traditional techniques in a modern context.

"Tough is considered to be a visionary in constructed textiles. Her collections are characterized by the juxtapositions of oversized, extravagant shapes and streamlined, body-hugging silhouettes embellished with clever details."

The designs fused several different techniques and different types of yarns to create richly textured rings and net-like panels. "There are many different combinations of materials and techniques I could experiment with."*

*from the book TEXTILE DESIGNERS, at the cutting edge. By Bradly Quinn.