Lights, Camera, Fashion: Using LEDs In Clothing Design

December 17th, 2009 by Steve Evans

Outfits are often Calculated 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, an innovative aspect of clothing design is emerging. A few stylists are creating dramatic looks using LED lights. A LED light bulb can be integrated into clothing 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 user safety. A shirt that lights up at night draws attention before car lights hit a reflective tape. This is far safer than a driver barreling down the road unable to see anyone until his or her lights flash across them. A jogger with a flashing shirt or blinking shoes is much more likely to be seen in advance. There are Many reasons for illuminating clothing besides safety concerns. Gloves that light up would be helpful for workers and outdoor sportsmen. Headlamps are sometimes used by rock climbers and campers. Headlamps throw light in the direction someone is looking. Sometimes that is right into the eyes of the person they are talking with, blinding them and ruining their night vision. Hand wear with light emitting diodes 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 carry programmable messages or pictures. 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. This fashion can be used with many accessories. A purse could light up when opened, so the checkbook and breath freshener can be easily retrieved. An umbrella could display constellations, lighting the path and keeping the rain off. And then there is lingerie.

Fashion mavens can go nuts. Fashion takes on an entire new dimension with the addition of lights and colors. There are lights small enough to be worked seamlessly into the clothes. Veils of light can 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. It is a whole new age of nonverbal communication. Light emitting Diodes are changing the way we light homes, buildings, cars, planes and boats. They have been used in hundreds of ways. Now, with the introduction of fabrics that can be used to create computerized clothes, light emitting diodes are entering the world of fashion. There remain a few obstacles 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. In a few years the streets will be shimmering with innovative fashion designs.