To mark New York Fashion Week, Microsoft has teamed up with Bloomingdale’s to showcase the conversion of fashion and technology, as seen in wearable tech innovations and technology that enhances the retail experience.
In Bloomingdale’s New York City department store, visitors will be able to check out the Microsoft Research Printing Dress, an artistic installation that consists of a gown made almost entirely of paper integrated with computer components, which was awarded Best Concept and Best in Show at the 15th annual International Symposium on Wearable Computers.
A keyboard is mounted to the bodice and the idea is that the wearer can send tweets that are then displayed on the surface of the dress. While the dress is on display, Twitter users can also send tweets to the dress remotely using the hashtag #MsBloomingdales.
Microsoft is also using its platform in the famous department store to show how new trends in technology can be applied to fashion and retail. In the flagship New York store and 19 other stores in the US, shoppers can try out Swivel, a virtual dressing room from FaceCake that uses Microsoft’s Kinect Sensor. The sensor recognises the human form, displays it on a TV screen and from there users can use gesture controls to select an outfit, try it on and view it from all angles just as they would in a real dressing room. Users can also take a snapshot of the outfit and share it online.
