Smoke Dress
by Anouk Wipprecht
Anouk Wipprecht's Smoke Dress is a captivating fusion of fashion and technology, designed to explore and protect personal space through an interactive, sensory experience. This innovative piece was showcased at CODAME ART+TECH's fashion-themed event in San Francisco on June 26, 2013, where it left a lasting impression on attendees. Flickr+3codame.com+3Flickr+3
Concept and Functionality
The Smoke Dress operates as a wearable "smoke screen," emitting a veil of smoke when someone enters the wearer's personal space. This reaction is triggered by embedded proximity sensors and a microcontroller, which activate a smoke system mounted between the shoulder blades. The concept draws inspiration from natural defense mechanisms, such as a squid releasing ink to evade predators.
Design and Materials
In collaboration with architect Niccolò Casas, Wipprecht developed a 3D-printed version of the Smoke Dress for Volkswagen's "Electrified" collection, presented at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in 2013. This iteration utilized flexible materials like polyamide and TPU 92A-1, produced through laser sintering techniques by Materialise. The design not only supports the embedded electronics but also offers a futuristic aesthetic that blurs the line between garment and machine.
Artistic Significance
Beyond its technological marvel, the Smoke Dress serves as a commentary on personal boundaries and social interaction. By creating a tangible response to encroachment, it invites observers to consider the dynamics of personal space in an increasingly connected world. Wipprecht's work exemplifies how fashion can transcend aesthetics to become a medium for experiential storytelling and emotional expression.
For a visual demonstration of the Smoke Dress in action, you can watch the following video: