The Maestra
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Co-Founders Coral Chung and Wendy Wen felt first-hand the frustrations that women experience with the limitations of the luxury handbags available in the market. Viewing the handbag as an extension of a woman’s evolving, multifaceted lifestyle, they developed SENREVE as a brand that would not force women to choose between a bag that is beautiful and one that is also functional. The Maestra handbag marries luxury and performance with several unique features. The pockets and compartments were all thoughtfully created utilizing data and analytics in order to solve common issues. There is a central compartment large enough to fit a 15” laptop and a padded laptop compartment that fits up to a 13” laptop so women can actually use it in their day to day lives. There are also 5 specially sized compartments for sunglasses, passports, and phones and a larger zipper pocket for loose items. The Maestra features a hidden zipper closure for security, ensuring that the user’s belongings won’t spill out and also keeps the bag safe from potential theft. Versatility is an incredibly important feature for working women, so SENREVE designed the Maestra to be convertible. The handbag can be worn as a tote, crossbody, or backpack. The straps are adjustable when worn as a backpack or tote to ensure comfort. The Maestra is made up of 100% genuine full-grain Italian leather that is both scratch-resistant and water-proof, and the interior is made of stain-resistant micro-suede. Lastly, the base of the bag includes metal feet to protect it from wear and damage.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
A big point of differentiation for Senreve is the product development process. The company not only collaborated with talented designers but also works directly with data from real women on their preferences. In fact, prior to starting the design and prototyping process Senreve co-founders Chung and Wen interviewed and survey hundreds of young professionals. Because they have a direct-to-consumer model, they continue to use this process for ongoing product innovation. Another differentiation point is the Maestra’s price. The cost ranges from $895-$995 which makes it accessible to young working millennials but still maintains the same level of high-quality Italian craftsmanship. To-date SENREVE has sold thousands of Maestra bags and continues to sell-out various colors. They frequently release new color waves and variations of this best-selling style, including a Mini and recently the Midi version. SENREVE has executed several successful partnerships including Nordstrom, Shopbop, Moda Operandi, and Farfetch. Celebrity fans include Priyanka Chopra, Selma Blair, Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, Jessica Alba, Sophia Bush, Emma Roberts, Greta Gerwig (who carried a Senreve bag to her movie premier) among others.
Who worked on the project?
Coral Chung and Wendy Wen
View the project video:
The Modular Shirt
Company System of Motion
Introduction Date April 19, 2018
Project Website http://www.systemofmotion.co.uk
Why is this project worthy of an award?
The Modular Shirt is set to transform womenswear. We have reinvented the classic tailored shirt, to respond to the needs of the modern world: Less Time. A premium look that is still practical, with a cotton-like fabric that needs less ironing and less washing. Less Space. Variety without volume, with a removable collar piece that can be interchanged with other collar designs. Less Waste. The piece that wears down or stains the quickest, the collar, can be individually replaced. This garment is truly the first of its kind: a pioneer in concept, and in quality of execution. The way the interchangeable collar has been designed and constructed, is not only novel, but also triumphs in bringing beauty to function. The feature’s clean and precise button fastening detail honors the aesthetic and craft of traditional shirt tailoring techniques. What gives this innovation weight is its potential for impact. Not only does this piece promise to minimize needless consumption, by giving you one piece where you might otherwise have several; but it also promises to tackle the growing problem of apparel waste. It offers an elegant solution to the natural obsolescence arising from wear and tear. Even more than that, in engaging the consumer to communicate the concept, our ambition is to change the way people think about what they wear. So that, in the immortal words of Vivienne Westwood, we start to “buy less, choose well, and make it last”. Pushing to see if we could do more with less, we have designed the ultimate wardrobe staple. This single piece embodies our vision to give women a leaner wardrobe that still offers versatility and longevity. We believe that this is the future of fashion. This is the latest in ‘form meets function’ womenswear by System of Motion, the creators of bike-to-boardroom shirts for women, and honorees in Fast Company’s IBD Awards 2017. Being a brand inspired by the Bauhaus, it is only natural that modularity defines what will be our most iconic product yet. The Modular Shirt was first unveiled at an exclusive preview in Berlin, in April 2018. It is scheduled for release online in Autumn 2018.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
The Modular Shirt exemplifies System of Motion’s hallmark method of using product design principles to develop high end women’s fashion. We are unique in applying a holistic user experience approach to designing tailored womenswear. This is the acme in the emerging category of performance fashion – and an aesthetic that represents the London origins of the brand. Our aim is to meet such high standards of beauty, with no trade-offs for function. Here’s how we achieved that: Performance. Advancements in textile technology have allowed us to custom-develop a fabric that looks as crisp as cotton, feels as soft as poplin but is quick-dry, odour-resistant and non-iron. The combination of style, comfort and ease of care makes our piece a reliable wardrobe staple. Quality. The beauty in form is matched by the beauty in construction. The pieces are hand tailored in a European factory with more than 100 years’ experience in the craft. The men and women who make the pieces, take pride in paying attention to every detail. Longevity. Each piece is designed and delivered with tailoring details that make for enduring quality. We have invested in thoughtful touches, such as reinforced buttons, to enhance the durability of the pieces and make truly timeless classics. As Mark Twain said, “there is no such thing as a new idea”. For our innovation, we drew inspiration from a version that was developed for men’s shirting in the 1830s. The original detachable collar was intended to provide a neat solution to maintaining a clean garment. The Modular Shirt’s detachable collar goes a step further. Our concept also presents the opportunity to develop whole new looks, in a leaner way. Acknowledging that tastes change – that fashion is an art form that captures the spirit of the times – we gave this womenswear classic the platform to evolve, with minimal impact on the environment, and your wardrobe. We believe that our unique approach of being art-inspired and performance-led will deliver irresistible products – which is the best route to making a lasting contribution to the industry.
Who worked on the project?
Prabha Rathinasabapathy, Founder Alison Chernesky, Designer
View the project video: https://vimeo.com/270738941/74430fb194
The Mulberry
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Deemed the “cult sneaker brand for kids” by Fast Company writer Elizabeth Segran earlier this year, PLAE expanded its iconic collection to adults in 2018 to major success. PLAE’s brand mission is to reinforce “play” as a universal concept, and the success of its adult line demonstrates a desire among consumers to find shoes that represent more than just fashion -- they want shoes that represent a lifestyle. PLAE goes beyond other sneakers by offering one-of-a-kind designs that remind its wearers to embrace a playful lifestyle; and the results speak for themselves. Each pair of PLAE shoes acts as a conduit for life’s greatest experiences, and the brand’s most popular adult shoe, The Mulberry, captures that best. The sleek and functional shoes marries PLAE’s most popular features including the patent-pending STAELACE closure system, radial tongue construction, and modular INNERSPACE insole system. PLAE, which merges both innovation and durability in its new adult collection, boasts a variety of impressive figures including consistently high customer approval ratings (e.g. 5-star reviews from 75% of its users); a return-customer rate exceeding 50%, accounting for more than 65% of total revenue; and innovation through open-source technology, empowering customers to 3D-print their own soles for customized comfort and support. The Mulberry deserves an award for its distinctive design and alignment with PLAE’s brand mission. More than any shoe in the collection, the Mulberry prepares consumers to be ready for the next opportunity for play -- no matter when and where that could be. The attention to detail alone makes the Mulberry an award winner, but it’s the experiences that come from wearing them that matter most -- a core construct of PLAE’s brand identity.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
The Mulberry is a shoe unlike any other, as it merges a variety of PLAE’s most popular proprietary features in one unique product. First, the Mulberry presents a notably light design, made from full grain leather, perforated leather and perforated suede, as well as a radial tongue to eliminate tongue slipping. The light structure is paired with PLAE’s popular STAELACE closure system, allowing customers to put on their shoes using one hand in a single, easy motion. Avoiding the need to ever tie laces again, the system relies on securing the lace around a bolt, giving users a chance to customize the lace’s length. Once the lace length is set, users only have to twist and slip the tether around the bolt to secure. This lacing system provides full control to the wearer to adjust the volume of the shoe, allowing for a consistent, personalized fit each time. Beyond adjusting the volume, The Mulberry also offers the ability to customize your ride with the modular INNERSPACE™ fit system. Included with each Mulberry is an optional SPACEFRAME suspension insert, adding a little spring to every step; or a SPACEFOAM compression insert, maximizing the shoe’s all-day comfort. Both bases interlock perfectly with a super-cushy and supportive EVA foam heel cup, giving consumers a chance to add and remove their soles as needed. PLAE’s unique offering for the Mulberry’s SPACEFRAME also includes an open-source format on PLAE’S website where savvy customers can tailor the SPACEFRAME to their specific needs by 3D printing their own custom version. The modular system lets you adjust and 3D print a custom component. Alternatively, the insoles are removable for those who require a zero drop, with a seamless interior designed for the wearer to have an option sans insole. The Mulberry is a pinnacle product when it comes to innovation in the footwear space. More than any shoe on the market, the Mulberry combines a lightweight, fashionable design with functional, customizable features including its unique lacing system and sole structure. As the top selling shoe in PLAE’s impressive adult collection, The Mulberry not only demonstrates PLAE’s dedication to innovation but to its customers, as well.
Who worked on the project?
Ryan Ringholz, Founder and Chief Designer
View the project video:
Thesis Couture LIFT - Load Balancing, Integrated Footwear Technology
Why is this project worthy of an award?
The Thesis LIFT is the most significant innovation in high heeled footwear, a $40B a year industry, in nearly a century. The LIFT System allows our 4 inch stilettos to feel and function like 3 inch wedges. LIFT improves the weight distribution of the body across the shoe, reduces impact shock when walking, and dramatically reduces fatigue and wear and tear on the body through several attributes of the system design and materials properties. Traditionally, high heels are made with a very simple set of internal components, a spring steel strut called a shank, and a malleable sole of compressed cardboard; this was the state of the art established almost 100 years ago, and there has been essentially no innovation to that core architecture since, at least not until now. The LIFT replaces the steel strut and cardboard sole with a sophisticated structure made of a ballistic grade polymer over-moulded with TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), and has been awarded two patents from the USPTO, with an additional three patent applications under review. LIFT was created by a group of multi-disciplinary experts, unlike any the fashion industry has seen before, including a female founder, formerly a successful exec at SpaceX and Oculus VR, a former NASA Astronaut, an award winning fashion designer, an MIT engineer, a world class orthopedic surgeon and several other prestigious individuals. We believe the LIFT will go down as a landmark achievement in footwear as it will mark the beginning of a more innovative and energized fashion footwear marketplace, as more and more customers testify to the efficacy of the system, legacy players will face pressure to evolve their approaches, and in doing help establish Thesis as an innovation leader in the global market.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
These are actual, unsolicited emails/ reviews from customers who paid $925 for our debut release shoe, named the Olympus One using the Thesis LIFT: Hello, I wanted to let you know that I received my Olympus One shoes yesterday. I cannot tell you how much I love them! From the packaging to the design they are beautiful in every way. What is most important is the way they feel on. I’ve never I repeat NEVER felt so comfortable in a pair of heels in my entire life. They are light and my stance and posture is different wearing them I didn’t want to take them off! Looking forward to the next capsule launch ! Best, CBW I am shocked!!!! at how comfortable. As a long-time devoted heel wearer I had concluded pain just went with the looks regardless if I spent $1,000 or a couple hundred. Yours were amazing and I instantly could understand why - the support through the arch feels more like an orthotic. I love that they are properly balanced allowing me to stand back into them .. Anyway, am thrilled with them. Cheers, HM Hi, First I wanted to say I love my shoes. I have never been able to wear heels for more than 2 or 3 hours, but with these I can easily wear them all day and nite. They really are amazing. I wear them every time I go out, they are definitely my go to shoe. I really love these shoes . JD
Who worked on the project?
Dolly Singh- Founder, Chief Product Officer Dr Amanda Parkes - Lead Concept Engineer Matt Thomas - Lead Development Engineer Julia Thomas - Fashion Designer and Footwear Specialist Dr. Andy Goldberg - Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Garrett Reisman - Structural Design Advisor Anya Ashkindaze - Graphic Designer
View the project video:
The SoundShirt
Company CUTECIRCUIT
Introduction Date June 26, 2016
Project Website https://cutecircuit.com/soundshirt/
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Currently on display at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. The Sound Shirt is the first of its kind - a wearable device that allows deaf audience members to experience a symphony orchestra. (See the system in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V3XQZZCED4 ) The SoundShirt brings music to life in a way that it can be felt physically, live, in-realtime, on the body in a tactile language unique to each piece of music being performed, opening new and diverse ways of enjoying music for the audience. Using the SoundShirt, it is now possible to feel each passage of the music and each section of the orchestra as a unique and separate haptic sensation while the orchestra performs. During a live performance by the orchestra the wearer of the shirt will physically experience each musical passage and phrase as an individual sensation. Different instruments correspond to different locations of the sensation; for example the sounds from the violin section being more energetic and lighter are felt along the shoulders and clavicle, while deeper sounds of bass or kettle drums are felt deep in the lower areas of the body. The entire composition comes to life as a sensory language composed of a series of haptic, tactile, vibratory, and touch-like sensations across the body of the person wearing the shirt. The shirt is wirelessly connected to a computer on stage that is running the translation algorithms in real time, so the sensations of the music is always perfectly synchronised with the live performance of the orchestra. TECHNOLOGY CuteCircuit spent over 6 months creating the unique garment technology for this piece of wearable technology. The fashion design, hardware design and software development for the SoundShirt were all done by CuteCircuit. The shirt itself contains over 18 individual, powerful but miniature microprocessors. CuteCircuit also developed the ultra-low latency computer software that translates the music captured from the instruments into haptic data that gets streamed to the shirts of the audience members. DESIGN In order to create the most comfortable experience for the wearer, the SoundShirt is created incredibly without any wires inside; there are no wires at all in this piece of wearable technology. Instead all of the conductive pathways within the garment are composed of woven conductive textiles that are seamlessly integrated into the actual fabric of the garment itself. All of these design details contribute to making a smart garment that wears like a normal garment and feels exactly like a garment should. The exterior decorative elements in the first prototype were precision laser cut appliqués to create the visual appearance of the garment. In subsequent iterations this decorative element was replaced with high resolution digital fabric printing to create the striking design. The visual design itself is a metaphor for the relationship between vibrations and sound waves undulating in different frequencies. The connecting lines also serve as a tacit diagram of the underlying data network present within the garment to control the plurality of different actuators inside the SoundShirt.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
SoundShirt makes incredibly effective use of CuteCircuit's award winning Wearable Haptic Technology and uses it in an exciting, relevant and innovative new format. CuteCircuit is the pioneering design leader in the field of wearable technology; the company was formed in 2004 and is the world's first wearable technology fashion brand. This project has allowed the company to create something that is simultaneously good design and is an effective new solution for experiencing music. Often innovation in design or fashion is described as a solution without a problem. Here with the SoundShirt we have an elegant and effective marriage of form and functionality in a way that genuinely creates a new experience for the wearer. When Frank Lloyd Wright said that “form and function are one”, this was an axiom that can be applied to all fields of design, but arguably this has not been effectively explored in the field of fashion. Wearable technology like this lights the way for what great wearable experiences should be and have the potential to be. While the intricate smart fabric and micro-electronics design is not visible from the outside, it is a design that exemplifies the advancements in wearable technology developed by CuteCircuit. The garment features a perfect mix of fashion design, 3D printed details, microelectronics, and stretchable circuitry that make the SoundShirt the world’s most advanced wearable device.
Who worked on the project?
CUTECIRCUIT Video by Jung Von Matt
View the project video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V3XQZZCED4
