2016 Design Previews

Our 2016 MakeFashion pieces have been chosen. These innovative wearables combine fashion and engineering for one-of-a-kind projects. These projects will be revealed at the April 2, 2016 runway gala in Calgary, AB, and will tour internationally thereafter.

We will be sharing previews of our selected proposals over the next week. If you’re as excited about these projects as we are and would like to support or showcase them at your event, contact info@makefashion.ca.

Project Sneak Peek: Nexxus

March 15, 2016

Fashion is that one thing that helps us express who we are, for ages and throughout cultures, fashion has defined our personalities. The two dresses represent the connection among women of different generations.

Project Sneak Peek: Musethereal

February 29, 2016

Angie C, a Calgary-based singer-songwriter and musician with an educational background in Neuroscience presents “Musethereal” a project showcasing the interrelation between music and consciousness. During the MakeFashion Gala, Angie will perform her debut single, ‘City in the Sky’, while wearing a brainwave controlled LED dress that will light up and change colour according to what is happening in her brain. The runway will also feature four Psyleron Mind Lamps, which will show the cohesiveness of consciousness in the room with an interactive light display.

Project Sneak Peek: Mimic

February 22, 2016

Sahrye Cohen and Hal Rodriguez are pleased to submit a thrilling project for the 2016 MakeFashion Gala! Mimic is a Chameleon dress, changing colors in reaction to the environment. The dress uses sensors to measure object colors, changing the color of the dress through LED lights on 3D printed motifs. The wearer of the garment controls the color through the use of color swatches.

Project Sneak Peek: Lumen Couture

February 20, 2016

We are thrilled to announce Illuminated Textiles, a project for our 2016 gala by Chelsea Klukas and Chris Corner! Illuminated Textiles will utilize projection mapping to create a garment alive with light and motion. The project is designed by Chelsea Klukas, MakeFashion C0-Founder, engineered Chris Corner, featuring animations from illustrator Michael Mateyko of KOMBOH. The team has been broadcasting lifestream video of works in progress on Twitch and YouTube.

Project Sneak Peek: Matt LaPrairie

February 17, 2016

We are excited to announce a new collection from returning designer Matt LaPrairie to be showcased at our 2016 Gala. Obscure Shadow for MakeFashion is a collection of outfits that will show the five elements: earth, wind, fire and water. Each garment will be created using a combination of carbon fiber, fiber optics and electronics. Matt has previously showcased in our 2015 MakeFashion gala with the Obscure Shadow Collection.

Project Sneak Peek: Kathryn Blair x Miss Velvet Cream

February 15, 2016

Kathryn Blair, Ryan Blair and Miss Velvet Cream are pleased to submit a thrilling project for the 2016 MakeFashion Gala! To:gether is a collection of garments that will explore how new technologies influence how we communicate with each other. The team will use EEG headsets, SEEED Xadow Rephone, lights and Raspberry Pi.

Video: Livestream "Work in Progress" Highlights

February 9, 2016

We recently live streamed the "making of" Illuminated Textiles - a projection-mapped dress that features pico projection technology concealed in a hat. Watch MakeFashion Co-Founder Chelsea Klukas and Chris Corner test out v1 of the prototype.

Project Sneak Peek: Stardancers

February 6, 2016

Stardancers for MakeFashion is designed to tell a story, using technology as a central storytelling instrument. Using light manipulation, computer programming, music, dance, video and perfectly timed choreography, the performance tells a narrative about inspiration, collaboration, exponential growth, and human bonding.

Project Sneak Peek: Illuminato Suit

January 30, 2016

With the Illuminato Suit the wearer can portray their mood or match the color of surrounding décor. This garment will feature fiber optics, LEDs and tactile buttons. Erin has previously showcased in our 2015 wearable tech gala.

Project Sneak Peek: Ex Machina

January 21, 2016

Ex Machina for MakeFashion is an entire costume serving as a way to create a cyborg alter ego that is beyond human both visually and in terms of movement and sound creation. Fibre optics, LED’s, micro controllers, accelerometers, proximity sensors, touch sensors, sound sensors, Bluetooth modules will be incorporated as decorative and performative elements.

Project Sneak Peek: Soft Power

November 23, 2015

Eric Boyd and Wendy Ng from Toronto, Canada present 'Soft Power", an exciting project for the MakeFashion 2016. Soft Power explores the possibility of enhancing human expression by incorporating mechanical and electronic aposematism that can be activated either by biofeedback or manual control.

Project Sneak Peek: MARIA ORDUZ

October 31, 2015

Maria Orduz for MakeFashion is a glamour dress that highlights both innovation and sexiness. The team will use 3D printing, 3D scanning, laser cutting gown enhanced by music activated LEDs and woven colour changing optic fibre details.

Project Sneak Peek: Phi:Gamergirl

October 23, 2015

Phi:GamerGirl for MakeFashion is a feminine party dress that highlights the Gamification of clothing. This garment will feature a playable game with over 100 individual RGB LED lights that will react if the player wins or loses.