Outfits are often designed to be practical. Clothes are also designed to be fashionable and enjoyable. Occasionally outfits manage to be all three. With the introduction of cyber wear, the use of computers in clothing, a whole new view of fashion is emerging. A few stylists are turning to visual drama created using LED lights. A LED light bulb can be worked into designs to create some amazing fashion statements as well as serve for practical applications. Fashion Designers and scientists are coming together shedding light on new wardrobes.
Some of the most obvious uses of illuminated clothing are for safety reasons. A shirt that lights up at night draws attention before car lights hit a reflective tape. Flashing lights on a jogger is far safer than a driver barreling down the road unable to see anyone until his or her lights flash across them. A Self lit clothes are much more likely to be seen in advance. There are other uses for illuminating clothing besides safety concerns. Illuminating hand wear would be useful for campers. Headlamps are sometimes used by workers and sportsmen. Headlamps throw light wherever the person looks. Sometimes that is right into the eyes of the person they are talking with, making it difficult for the other person to see. Gloves with LED illumination can bring illumination wherever the person reaches.
Clothes can contain LED Light displays that can communicate messages or display art. A jacket can promote a company logo or phone number. It can also display scrolling text or flashing images. The displays can be programmed to pulse to audio input, or react to body temperature and pulse, making the rapidly beating heart a visual display announcing attraction. Lights can extend to various other accessories. A pocketbook could light up when opened, making finding items much easier. An umbrella could display constellations, lighting the path and keeping the rain off. Lets not get started on intimate wear.
Clothing designers can play with a whole new element. Fashion enters a new dimension with the addition of lights and colors. There are lights small enough to be worked seamlessly into garments. Hats with directional lighting provide flattering personal fill light. A person can go dancing with a blouse programmed to send text depending on the level of interest in the flirt at the bar. LED clothes create new age of nonverbal communication. Light emitting Diodes are modifying the way we light homes, buildings, cars, planes and boats. They have been used in thousands of ways. Now, with the advancement of fabrics that can be used to create computerized clothes, LEDs are entering the world of fashion. There are still a few stumbling blocks to resolve, such as how to safely clean the fabric power grid and how to handle the rare light burn out, before these items can be mass marketed. Before long the streets will be literally glowing with innovative fashion designs.
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