Those with a hearing impairment rely a little more on what their other four senses can tell them about their surroundings. I bet you would not have expected that something like the Flutter Dress -- or any other item of clothing -- might be able to further aid a deaf person in interpreting her environment.
Halley Profita, Professor Nikolaus Correll and Nicholas Farrow have worked together on this example of truly hi-tech fashion. Sewn from polyester and cotton material, it integrates a hidden dimension that's a complex network of wires with microphones and vibration motors.
The lightweight fins and tassels of the Flutter Dress flap in response to auditory stimuli. When the mics detect sound, the motors are activated along the gown, down the side that's facing the direction of the noise.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Sensory Clothing
- Advancements in clothing technology that cater to the non-visual senses are becoming prevalent.
- Audio-responsive Fashion
- A new wave of fashion that incorporates auditory stimuli into garment design is emerging.
- Wearable Technology for Disabilities
- The development of wearable tech that accommodates disabilities is a growing trend.
Sectors Adopting This
- Fashion
- Fashion designers and retailers have an opportunity to incorporate sensory technology into their product offerings.
- Healthcare
- Developers in the healthcare industry can produce wearable technology that benefits those with disabilities.
- Assistive Technology
- Companies that specialize in assistive technology can branch out into the fashion industry by creating sensory garments.
