KeynoteTalks – Case Netherlands
#WEARABLES
7 June 2018
Museum of Applied Art, Gallery Jade, Vuka Karadžića 18, Belgrade, Serbia
06/07/2018 10:00 AM
06/07/2018 4:00 PM
Europe/Belgrade
Affordances and Advances of Robotic Textiles in Wearables (Hellen van Rees)
We see a growing demand in the healthcare sector for more coaching products, products that can be applied in a home-environment and that have a more suitable design for that environment. This project aims to further develop the shape changing textile developed by Hellen van Rees. The flexible textile is made of squares of post-consumer textile waste. Through a unique approach the different squares can move and respond to each other, creating a flexible, expanding & contracting surface. Through this effect a dynamic and playful texture emerges that easily adapts, leaving continuously changing open gaps between the squares. We want to make a shape changing textile that can be applied in wearables. If the shape changing textile is connected to the internet, we get to robotic textiles as a part of the internet of things. By taking textiles as the basis in our prototype and adding the technology in a subtle way we aim to create a familiarity to the user. It feels comfortable, like a garment instead of a machine. The choice for material should thus take comfort, design, sustainability and quality in consideration.
Hellen van Rees is a Dutch fashion and textile designer who focusses on the creation of contemporary handmade products with a sustainable angle. The garments and accessories she develops for her eponymous label are seasonless, based on traditional silhouettes and garment shapes, featuring unique textiles, contrasting textures and innovative finishes.
The textiles and garments are designed and developed in her studio in Enschede, The Netherlands. Due to the small scale and in-house production facilities, it’s easy to adapt to each client’s individual needs and develop a product that is unique, personal and a perfect fit.
We like to take some extra effort for our clients and offer handmade garments that are made to measure. There is a second line, WEAR, with great timeless, affordable pieces in standard sizes. All are available through our webshop. Hellen van Rees’ pieces can also be found at select retailers.
The independent work forms the core of her activities but Hellen is also involved in several research based projects in the field of sustainability and wearables. Next to her work as fashion and textile designer Hellen works as a consultant, advising on various art/design subjects and portfolio development.
Hellen has studied at ArtEZ, Arnhem (BA, 2009) and Central Saint Martins, London (MA 2012) and trained at Giles (2008) and Iris van Herpen (2009). She’s been shortlisted for the LVMH Prize, was showcased in the book ‘Fashion Made Fair’ and won the Humanity in Fashion Award, i.a.