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When technology geek met catwalk chic…

24 October 2008


You may have thought they were as different as chalk and cheese, but in a surprising partnership engineers and fashion designers have come together for a catwalk-style show with a difference.

Leading engineering and technology magazine E&T, published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), organised the glitzy photoshoot which showcases a range of wearable electronics.

Featured in the current edition (vol 3, issue 18) of E&T, the photoshoot is believed to be the first of its kind and the outfits featured all have some sort of electronic function.

There is a dress with solar panels which enables portable devices, such as iPods and mobile phones to be charged. There is also a hoodie with an integral touch panel on the sleeve that controls portable devices. Meanwhile, a vest uses pneumatic technology to simulate bullet hits, body slams, explosions and much more. It connects via USB to a console or PC for a range of gaming. Most of the items are fully machine washable.

Dickon Ross, the IET’s editor-in-chief, said: “Fashion has been a key driver for certain technologies. Mobile phones have long been shaped by fashion and fad. Be seen with the wrong phone and you’re consigned to the credibility dump forever.

“Electronic devices now infuse the very fabric of our lives – they’re on our desks, in our cars, kitchens, toys and pockets – so why not work them into our clothes?

“One day we will take electronics in our clothes for granted, whether it’s there to provide power for our gadgets, monitor our health or just keep our headphone wires out of the way.”

E&T is a fortnightly publication which provides news, features and analysis on every aspect of science, engineering and technology. For more information, visit www.theiet.org/engtechmag.


Media enquiries to:

Robert Beahan
IET Press Officer
T: +44 (0)1438 767336
M: +44 (0)7595 400912
E: rbeahan@theiet.org

Mary Donovan
IET Head of Communications
T: +44 (0)1438 765587
M: +44 (0)7725 498117
E: mdonovan@theiet.org


Notes to editors:

  1. For further information contact Dickon Ross – dross@theiet.org or 01438 767397.
  2. E&T has been shortlisted for two awards: Dickon Ross, Editor-in-Chief for the British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME) Editor of the Year Award and Justin Pollard for Columnist of the Year at the Magazine Design and Journalism Awards.
  3. High resolution images from the photoshoot are available. For more information contact the IET press office.
  4. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a world leading professional organisation, sharing and advancing knowledge to promote science, engineering and technology across the world. For more information, visit www.theiet.org.
  5. The IET dates from 1871 and has 150,000 members in 127 countries with offices in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
  6. The IET licenses EngTech, IEng and CEng; is supporting the Engineering Diploma and developing the new ICTtech and accredits more than 160 undergraduate courses in the UK.
  7. The IET operates IET.tv, a web TV service which covers a wide range of engineering and technology events and content. For more information, visit www.iet.tv.
  8. The IET celebrates 100 years at its London home, Savoy Place, in June 2009 and will be staging a programme of centenary celebrations.