Hans Christian Andersen already thought of it in 1837: in fashion, the experiment is more important than functionality. In his famous fairytale ‘The Emperor’s new Clothes’ two weavers promise their vain Emperor a new suit, which is invisible for those that are ‘hopelessly stupid’. The weavers turn out to be swindlers and mime dress him. By doing so, the inequality in the empire that was previously a taboo is revealed.

Fashion’s new generation of designers isn’t afraid to experiment with technology to tell the world their individual fairytale. Gone are the days of comfort and functionality: designs now have a mind of their own. Imagine a dress that literally moves you, instead of it moving with you. Or a hat that doesn’t protect you from sunshine, but strips you of your dress, leaving you naked. This so-called high-tech fashion has nothing to do with the practical aim that clothes were once invented for, but explores couture that will be remembered long after next month’s Vogue has been tossed.

Written by Laura Graat and Renee Schmeetz

Godfather of high-tech fashion, Hussein Chalayan, is world famous for his openness to new technology. An innovative user of cutting edge technology in his designs, Chalayan often pushes at the bounds of fashion. Projects like a dress containing led lasers or wooden furniture that transforms into clothing have caught the attention of fashion-forward celebrities like Lady Gaga and Bjork. Personally, we would like to try on one of his ‘transformer dresses.’

Daan Roosegaarde, Dutch architect, technologist, researcher and frequent flyer, is inspired by how people cope with the global shift from analogue to digital and what effect this has on the social landscape. His question is not what we want from technology, but what technology wants from us. In his fashion project INTIMACY, Roosegaarde explored the relationship between intimacy and technology. Its high-tech garments are made out of opaque smart e-foils that become increasingly transparent based on close and personal encounters with people.

At the STRP Festival INTIMACY 2.0 will make it’s debut. This new model reacts to each person’s heartbeat and becomes more or less transparent. Not just a museum artifact, this dress can actually be worn on the red carpet. Don’t miss you’re chance to see it in action on a live mannequin at the biggest Art and Technology festival of the Netherlands, 18 – 27 November, at the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven.

Laura Graat en Renee Schmeetz write under the name of Department of Doing -a marketing & communication office for the cultural sector- providing blogs for the STRP Festival 2011.

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