Words About Things

Tennis star Maria Sharapova became a live mannequin recently in London in order to model creations by students from the London College of Fashion. She became a temporary window display at Liberty in Carnaby Street. The clothes on display were inspired by the intersection between fashion and high tech design.

The event was the result of a design competition sponsored by Sony Ericsson. The winning entry, created by Georgie Davies, was a cocktail dress which lights up when the wearers phone rings.

“The open and creative brief allowed our students free reign to develop design ideas that are forward thinking,”

A new range of swimsuits have been designed that aim to prevent tan lines by letting sunlight through to the wearers skin. The range is made from a material that is full of tiny holes that let 80% of light in whilst preserving your modesty. The swimsuits feature bright, complex patterns designed to distract the eye so that the holes aren’t noticed.

Health experts have voiced concerns about the range which they believe may leave wearers at risk of contracting skin cancer. They point out that suncream must be worn underneath any articles of clothing that let light through.

“I think it is a dangerous idea and in the interests of vanity. We recommend UV protected clothing and this is the very opposite. Five people a day are diagnosed with malignant melanomas. It is a killer and affects more people here than in Australia.”

Richard Clifford, of ‘Skcin (The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity)

We are increasingly being encouraged to avoid getting a sun tan at all with experts suggesting that it is safer to fake it than risk burning. John Walker of Kiniki who created the swimsuits suggests that wearers put on the same amount of suncream under their swimsuits as they would on completely exposed areas of their body to avoid burning.

A selection of links to interesting things I’ve seen online this week, better late than never!

1. Paul Smith mixes fashion with conceptual art.

2. The World’s Smallest Car is built from a Quad Bike and a Postman Pat ride. [video]

3. The Cultural Significance of Flowers and the Ascent of Man.

4. Amazing entrants to the Online Beatbox Battle. Is this real? Amazing.

5. The average woman ‘spends £9,000 on her hair in her lifetime’.