MakeFashion Spotlight is an insider’s look on our 2014 gala pieces. Follow us as we showcase each of our designers and the inspiration and technology behind their work.
The Widow for MakeFashion 2014. Photo by Zev Vitaly Abosh: PhotoArt4U
The Widow by Shannon Chappell (maker) and Kayna Hardman (seamstress) incorporates ultrasonics, vibrating motors, robots, and flex sensors to create a stunning and eerie garment.
“Many parts of the dress were made from salvaged materials. Like place mats, pingpong/christmas globes, a golf glove and lamp parts. The train was made out of gutter mesh and party streamers. Weight was a constant problem, to which we had to come up with many different ideas on how to redistribute the weight comfortably over the model’s body. A special bustle was made that was on rollers to help support the weight of the legs and train.” Read more about The Widow for the 2014 MakeFashion gala >
Common Experience. Photo by Edward Ross photography.
“When building Common Experience I worked with my husband, Ryan Blair, to figure out how to execute. I tend to get an idea and execute, and my revisions tend to be in the specifics and how I’m executing, rather than the idea overall. So of the basic idea, there was pretty much one draft. Of the specifics, there were hundreds of revisions of exactly how we should do things, how it should look exactly, what it should be made of. Many of the deciding factors were practical – will this work? Will it look good? Will it move the way I need it to?” Read more about Common Experience for the 2014 MakeFashion Gala >
Dragon Queen is MakeFashion’s robotic wearable fashion.
“One of the most interesting technologies used in Dragon Queen is a mobile application… when the mobile device connects to the dragon via WIFI, the mobile device can control the movements of the dragon.” Read more about Dragon Queen technology for the MakeFashion Gala >
Celebrate is a fun ElectroFur dance costume.
“The title “Celebrate” comes from I Just Want to Celebrate” Rare Earth Remix by Stickybuds. I chose it because every time I hear it I want to dance, and that is the focus I have on my clothing, to be able to dance the night away in celebration.” Read more about Celebrate for the 2014 MakeFashion Gala >
Medusa Fabulosa. Photography by Edward Ross photography.
“Creating the inner frame for the Jellyfish skirt required some engineering as this was also going to support all the LED strips we were using for lighting the skirt. I also wanted the skirt to “bounce” so it took a couple of mock ups to perfect the “bounce” factor.” Read more about Medusa Fabulosa >
