eTextile & Wearable Computing Fashion Show: Maker Faire NYC 2010

Self-described “creatrix of exclusive wearable art, eTextiles, adaptive technologies and decorative fabrics,” designer Lynne Bruning enchanted show-goers at Maker Faire NYC with her signature eTextile and Wearable Computing Fashion Show. Participants included: Shannon Henry: Skirt Full of Stars Uses Lillypad Arduino and tilt sensor accelerometer to measure the movement of the body to light up tricolor LEDs along the waistband and sparkling fiber optics woven through a black tulle skirt. Mary Huang: Rhyme& Reason Dresses sewn with white LED patterns. Caitlin’s Dad: Gloves of Righteousness Flashing bicycle lights sewn into a hoodie and gloves for bike safety. Leigh Honeywell: Compass Hat Uses Lillypad Arduino, custom-shift register, HMC6352 compass module, buzzer, and pink LEDs to act as a way-finder for hikers. The buzzer alerts the wearer when they are facing north. Sean Montgomery: Vital Feed Back Apparel Clothing embedded with biological sensors and LEDs provide illuminated biofeedback in respond to biological signals: shirt responds to heartbeat, wristband responds to galvanic skin response (emotions), hat responds to brainwaves. Balam Soto: Body Sound Suit Pressure sensors sewn into dancer costumes such that when the wearer flexes an arm, the clothing responds with sound. Rachel Hospodar: Medium Reality Wearable touchpad with mousepad used to control a personal computer. Created using resistive soft circuits made from conductive fabrics, Lillypad Arduino, and ZigBee wireless communication device. Amisha Gadani: Blowfish Dress Inspired by marine biology, dress responds to stimulus as a blowfish would in nature. Muffin fans and sensors reacts to sound by inflating the dress. Lynne Bruning: Bats Have Feelings Too! Adaptive technology for the blind uses ultrasonic range finder, Lillypad Arduino, and vibrating motors to alert the wearer to obstacles. Serves as a wearable “cane.” ___________________________ Video footage shot by Rebecca Grabman and edited/compiled by Angela Sheehan for Soft Circuit Saturdays.