Mystique (the shape shifter): this dress changes shape and length during the course of an evening. While in the beginning the dress is pale gray, knee length and has a soft padded surface, at the end of the night it becomes long and smooth, revealing a new color.

The system

The Mystique dress reaches 5 main positions during the elongation process. In the morning is knee length, then the top half starts unfolding very slowly until the whole dress reaches the ground, that happens in 4 steps. The color change happens because the dress is a fabric cylinder folded inside-out. When is short and folded shows the grey side and when unfolds reveals the red side of the fabric. The fabric is embroidered with mother of pearl, metallic sequins and small magnets. When the dress is folded the magnets hold the metallic sequins, and when the timer reaches the specific hour these magnets release the sequin they were holding and the fabric unfolds.

Research

Mystique is part of the TransforMe collection developed for the NEMO Science Museum event How Smart Are You Dressed Tomorrow? held in Amsterdam on November 6th 2004. The Transfor-Me collection was developed to demonstrate how the combination of interaction design and smart textiles can change the field of fashion design adding meaning and playfulness to commonly used garments such as skirts and dresses. Additionally transformable and interactive garments changing their appearance through the day or during any activity of the wearer stimulates personal interaction and communication.

The aesthetic appearance of the Mystique dress is inspired by the fascinating long evening gowns from the 40s and 50s seen in black and white movies. It is really rare to see women wearing long dresses, there is this idea that the occasion must be exceedingly formal to dare wear one. With mystique we wanted to give women the opportunity to transform into a sophisticated lady without feeling “guilty” because the dress is preprogrammed and you cannot stop it!

Process

Research, Concept, Prototype, User Testing