It is probably safe to say that fashion, art, science and technology will inevitable become one. Thanks to the newly launched Wired to Wear exhibit at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, it is clear that the future of wearable technology is here. This is the first ever exhibit dedicated to showcasing how wearable tech can shape almost every aspect of people’s lives — from health and fitness, to aesthetic, adventure, creativity and more. It shows how clothes we wear every day are transforming into devices that make us healthier, stronger, smarter and more connected to our world. A jacket that barks if you get too close. A collar that instantly inflates into a helmet to protect bicyclists’ heads. Electronic tattoos that turn your skin into an interface. It is incredible to witness the wave of innovation we’ve never seen before.
Come take a peek inside the Wired to Wear exhibit!
The 8,000 square feet space is divided into three areas: personal, social and possible. Each section brings together more than 100 innovations that represent the most cutting-edge technology from across this emerging industry. True to MSI’s hands on approach to science, the Wired to Wear exhibit is purpose-designed to let you touch, feel and even try on some of these technologies. Within the Personal section, for example, you can explore the symbiotic relationship between our body and our clothing. For example, the Electric Dreams dress, created by Suzi Webster of Quantum XPRL explores making the relationship between light and thought tangible and visible. This tentacle-like headdress displays your state of mind when you put on an interactive headset, changing the headdress color as it responds to brainwaves using a microcontroller, EEG sensors, fiber optics and LEDs.
Electric Dreams dress by Suzi Webster
Another example is the Adrenaline Dress by Becca McCharen-Tran, which is equipped with a tiny computer the size of a button, and expands to ward off enemies if the wearer feels threatened. This shape-shifting dress shows how our clothes may one day automatically respond during social encounters.
Adrenaline Dress by Becca McCharen-Tran
The social part of the Wired to Wear exhibit is all about tech-embedded clothing that will give us a new platform to express who we are, share our stories and connect with each other. This section experiments with the idea that our clothes can be used in playful interaction, and taps into our fundamental human need to belong. One of the most noteworthy items in this section is the Iridescence by Behnaz Farahi. Commissioned by the Museum of Science and Industry, this collar’s 200 quills use custom-made actuators and vision-activated technology to follow your gaze and react with life-like behavior. Inspired by the plumes of a hummingbird, it moves based on a guest’s facial expression. For example, when an angry face is detected, the collar expresses anxiety with fast jittery movements. See it in action here.
Iridescence by Behnaz Farahi
There is also the Thunderstorm Dress by Dr. Amy Winters, a garment that reacts to the noise in its surrounding environment. At first, the dress flickers as you clap your hands, then fully illuminates in a pattern of lightning bolts as the sounds increases in volume. The dress was created using holographic leather and sound-reactive, animated electroluminescent panels.
Thunderstorm Dress by Amy Winters, Ph.D
Last but definitely not least, the Possible part of the exhibit is all about a world of new possibility created by the mashup of fabric and technology. You will experience new ways to dream, prototype and create as you view ideas that have been turned into devices we will use in the not-so-far-off future. Like the Gravity Jet Suit created and flown by Richard Browning – whom we were lucky to witness in flight, and it felt much like like watching Iron Man fly over you. You can view Gravity Industries’ Jet Suit, which is comprised of five small jet engines and an exoskeleton. It can travel more than 30 miles per hour and ascend to 12,000 feet.
Richard Browning flying in front of MSI
Or the Levi’s® Commuter Jacket X Jacquard by Google, which lets you tap your cuff to change the song, feel a vibration on your sleeve when your Lyft or Uber is arriving, or gesture to hear navigation. Jacquard is technology that is sewn into fabric, expanding the functionality of our clothes. Sensor grids are woven throughout the garment, creating interactive surfaces that function as a touchscreen.
Levi’s® Commuter Jacket X Jacquard by Google
Other noteworthy garments at the exhibit include the Barking Mad jacket by Suzi Webster, which responds to infringements on personal space and barks aggressively if someone gets too close. The D-Air Racing Suit by Dianese, a protective suit designed for motorcycle racing, alpine skiing, mountain biking, and competitive sailing, which senses when a collision is about to happen, inflating automatically to provide its wearer a softer landing. The Airbag Helmet by Hövding – the world’s first airbag for cyclists worn like a collar around a rider’s neck. In the event of a collision it instantly puffs up to envelop the head to prevent serious injury. And so much more!
The Wired to Wear exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is open, and runs through May 2020. You have plenty of time to see it! Just be sure to see it, because it is truly spectacular.
Anna Marevska is the Editor of FashionFiles. She is responsible for the overall editorial direction of the site and writes runway stories, designer profiles, and trend reports.
