A new creation from Microsoft Research designers strikes with its futuristic but elegant outlook. A high-tech frock developed by Asta Roseway, a senior designer at Microsoft Research, and Sheridan Martin Small from Xbox, allows you to type out anything you like and wear in public. This is a really new step in the art of fashion, which gives trendsetters an opportunity to manifest their individuality.

Photo: www.ecouterre.com

The dress is composed of a bodice, corset, and skirt in laconic black and white colors. All pieces are machine-stitched from paper. Using the integrated custom keyboard styled to resemble a vintage typewriter the wearer can send messages to a display—the skirt.

“The ‘Printing Dress’ symbolizes the evolutionary phases of communication (past, present, and future) and their impact on society. Inspired by technologies of the past, we intentionally designed the style of the dress to reflect on the monochromatic origins of printing and type. It was our way of paying homage to one of the most profound advancements in communication, the printing press,” says the official press-release.

Except the keyboard, the frock comprises four Lily Pad Aurdino microcontroller boards, one USB hub, a laptop, a wire, and a short-throw projector. However it only sounds flashy, as the dress looks and feels subtle enough to wear it.

Photo: www.ecouterre.com

The project, which won Best Concept and Best in Show at ISWC 2011 in San Francisco last month corresponds with the new decade trends completely.

“Some may be repelled by its ostentatious presentation, while others might dare to imagine a more transparent and open world,” say the designers of the dress. “It is our hope that this piece will inspire conversations that go beyond fashion or technology to topics such as awareness, accountability, privacy, and identity.”

Electricfoxy talks with Asta Roseway at Microsoft Research from Electricfoxy on Vimeo.