Fashion Futures: Urban Protection

JORDAN JENKINS: FASHION FUTURES

The awareness of rising crime, inner city violence and the threat of terrorism being a key concern in today’s society have impacted the expectations and demands of protective clothing. I will use urban fashions to evolve and accommodate the need for refuge and protection for city living.

With scientists and researchers developing textiles to create protective clothing. Many of these innovations will form a wardrobe of the future, creating second skin clothing with the purpose to protect humans.

Nanotechnology and the unique properties of nanofibres give the material sensing abilities. In this case there will be seamlessly integrated nanofibres into the material of the garment that will detect injury and trigger responses by changing the properties of the material. If bleeding is detected the material would constrict around the wound to create a tourniquet and detected broken limbs would be reinforced and supported, as the fabric around the injury would become rigid.

The grit and attitude of urban culture and fashion will form my silhouette research. Taking references from the London 2011 summer riots, and designers, Alexander Wang and Rad Hourani; to ensure that clothing will have function and purpose but still encompass style.