Beyoncé, Madonna, and Nicki Minaj are just a few of entertainment's power players that have been rocking the edgy, architectural clothing line, Chromat, on stage.
When your biggest fans are music royalty, you'd think a designer would be content to sit back and retire with a smile on her face. Not Becca McCharen. While her brand has already reached next level popularity among celebs and fashion editors alike, Becca is determined to keep all eyes on her line.
This season Chromat collaborated with Intel to create two smart garments that work hard for their owners.
Powered by the Intel® CurieTM Module, Chromat's adrenaline dress is designed with 3-D printed panels that respond to the body's chemistry. When the wearer's heart beat quickens and senses heighten, the garment reacts by kicking into fight-or-flight mode. Much like the quills of a porcupine stand to attention when the animal is threatened, the garment's fibers expand into an hourglass shape through a process known as biomimicry.
The adrenaline dress was the finale look at Chromat's Spring 2016 fashion show.
Becca has always dreamed of infusing technology into her line. "I went to architecture school so I come to fashion with unique expectations for clothing" she tells Mashable. "Garments should be able to know how your body is feeling and adapt and respond accordingly."
Joining forces with Intel's engineers, Becca designed a sports bra that does just that. Made of neoprene, mesh, and Lycra at first glance this looks like any other fitness top but innovative 3-D printed frames work hard to keep you cool while you get your sweat on. When the wearer begins to perspire and her body temperature rises, the technology in the bra responds by opening and closing built in vents.
Chromat's sports bra is the perfect marriage of function and fashion.
While these garments are major leaps for digitally savvy fashion, Becca admits that her creative goals are currently bound by physical limitations. "Right now there are a lot of barriers to fashion technology." She tells Mashable, " Wires and batteries are not soft and flexible. I told Intel's CEO that flexible joints are a must in the future. It's all about wearability so it has to stretch and bend with the body."
Intel's senior Vice President, Joshua Walden is confident that his company will continue to push boundaries, turning what were once impossible dreams into realities.
Pulling out a small button-sized computer chip he tells Mashable, "I can't even begin to tell you what people will create with this. It's only up to the imagination of the individual. We love working with companies like Becca's because together we can invent the next big thing."
Will that big thing be Rihanna's 2016 Met Gala dress or Beyoncé's bodysuit for her next world tour? As Walden said, the possibilities are endless.
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