RFID for the Fashion Conscious

Filed in archive Case Studies on June 22, 2005

For that stickiest of problems -- remembering when you last wore an outfit so that you don't show up wearing the same clothes twice in a row -- comes this RFID concept.

It actually is a Master's thesis for a student at the Parson's School of Design, for Design and Technology. Here is the thesis abstract:

"Abstract:

Our clothing communicates and defines us; its continuing cycles are displays of growth and change. We live in a time when fashion rules are becoming more flexible with focus on individuality. Our society is accepting more diverse sartorial expressions, and trends splinter and join in all directions. The language of clothing is becoming more intricate, and more personal.

At the same time, technology is invading our lives like never before. Impending retail systems will track each item we purchase with tagging that communicates using radio frequency, known as RFID. This controversial technology is also fexible as its tags can be written over. I hope to demonstrate how users might regain control of imposed technology systems by harnessing it as a tool to track the transitory narratives in our daily fashion choices.

This project consists of an RFID tracking system, a database, and an interface. As clothing is worn, the RFID system records it, the database stores it, and the interface visualizes it. The system will allow users to view the data in an environment where new relationships between wearer, object and wardrobe will exposed."

The image above is from the thesis. Click it to see a larger image.

Or go directly to the automated online demo here.

[Hat tip to We Make Money Not Art, via Mitch Slater.]