As 2025 draws to a close, we’re once again looking back at the stories that shaped the intersection of architecture, art, design, and technology. This year, fashion delivered its own share of striking moments: unexpected, imaginative, and sometimes delightfully bizarre. These are the creations that twisted familiar garments and accessories into something entirely new, earning their place under our fashion design phenomena tag. Because for every piece that gets it perfectly right, there’s always one curious outlier that gets everyone talking.

From Iris van Herpen’s haute couture illuminated by reactive bioluminescent algae and Vollebak’s virus-killing copper jacket to Gustaf Westman’s viral spiral baguette holder and a wearable AirPod backpack by Bravest, here are the top 10 fashion stories that captured our attention and defined the past 12 months.

REACTIVE BIOLUMINESCENT ALGAE DRESS BY IRIS VAN HERPEN

image courtesy of Chris Bellamy of Bio Crafted

Surrounded by darkness, Iris van Herpen’s dress came to life with the glow of reactive bioluminescent algae during Paris Haute Couture Week 2025. Co-created with biodesigner Christopher Bellamy, also known as Bio Crafted, the piece features 125 million bioluminescent algae, illuminated against a runway set designed with light sculptures by artist Nick Verstand. In an interview with designboom, Bellamy explains that he initially developed the technique for encapsulating the microalgae in collaboration with indigenous artists and scientists in French Polynesia. ‘A bespoke 35-step process was developed, which encapsulates the algae in a nutrient gel and protective coating, allowing them to survive for many months,’ he says.

Once encapsulated, the algae require only regular sunlight to photosynthesize and maintain their circadian rhythm. The biomaterial can thrive for months, even in hot conditions, and Bellamy notes that some samples have survived for over a year. ‘However, as this material is still highly experimental, we are continuing to study its behavior and understand exactly how it functions,’ he adds.

read more here 

VIRUS-KILLING COPPER JACKET BY VOLLEBAK

image courtesy of Vollebak

From illuminating the runway with millions of living microalgae in Iris van Herpen’s couture to actively defending against invisible threats, fashion this year explored the power of the microscopic in bold new ways. Vollebak’s Full Metal Jacket takes this concept from spectacle to protection, using copper to neutralize viruses and bacteria before they can even grow. The technical garment features three layers of textile woven with 11 kilometers of copper wire, transformed from industrial rods into fine, uniform yarns using precision lasers.

Each strand is carefully measured for softness and consistency, coated with a thin layer of lacquer to prevent corrosion, and then woven through a six-day curing process that includes scouring, heat-setting, and drying. The copper layer is paired with Vollebak’s c_change membrane, a waterproof and breathable barrier that adapts to temperature and humidity. In hot conditions, the jacket opens to release heat and moisture; in cold weather, it closes to retain warmth, offering both protection and comfort.

read more here

UNIFORMS WITH BUILT-IN ELECTRIC FANS BY ANREALAGE

image courtesy of Anrealage

Just as Vollebak used copper to defend wearers from microscopic threats, Anrealage turned to airflow and cooling to help humans adapt to their environment. At the NTT Pavilion during  Expo 2025 Osaka, the brand decided to equip staff uniforms with built-in electric fans, keeping wearers comfortable in the heat while pushing the boundaries of functional fashion. Inspired by the concept of parallel travel, the clothing uses wind to evoke the sensation of moving through time and space. Hundreds of blue dots across the white fabric symbolize connection with distant beings.

The staff uniforms consist of five pieces: outerwear, a polo shirt, a bag, a hat, and a logo badge. It’s the outerwear that houses the electric fans, allowing staff to stay cool while moving through the Expo. The fans are positioned on the lower-left side of the jacket, with protective grilles to prevent any contact with the spinning rotors. When activated, the airflow causes the outerwear to balloon, giving the wearer the ethereal appearance of a floating ‘cloud.’

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ZZZN PUFFER JACKET FOR SLEEP

photo by Yusuke Maekawa courtesy of ZZZN SLEEP APPAREL SYSTEM

While Anrealage focused on external comfort and climate adaptation, other designers explored clothing that responds to our internal rhythms. ZZZN’s Sleep Apparel System takes this concept to the next level, transforming a puffer jacket into wearable sleepwear that helps users rest anywhere, anytime. It uses biometric data monitoring as well as headphones that play two types of music with frequency bands to help people fall asleep. The ZZZN puffer jacket for sleep modernizes Yagi, which is a traditional Japanese winter or nightwear. The apparel has drawstrings on the sleeves and hem, all adjustable to fit the user’s body type. The wearer can also adjust the cuff tabs to their fit, making sure that they’re comfortable when they’re about to sleep.

The ZZZN puffer jacket for sleep uses photoelectric fiber as its padding. With this in mind, the sleepwear is lighter than it looks. It also keeps the internal temperature warm for the users, especially during cold and extreme weather conditions.

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RICE STRAW-MADE RAINCOAT AND MICRO-SHELTER BY FABULISM

photo by David Carson courtesy of Fabulism

The piece is shaped to provide shelter, forming a dome-like silhouette that covers the wearer’s upper body. Its elongated, rounded top fits comfortably over the head without adding weight, allowing the raincoat to function as both an expressive fashion statement and a lightweight, wearable umbrella.

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HARIBO GUMMY BEAR CROCS

image courtesy of Crocs

From natural‑materials protection to pop‑culture delight, fashion doesn’t just serve function; it also indulges in fun. Enter Crocs’ gummy-inspired collaboration with Haribo, turning the classic clog into eye‑candy footwear. The upper is made from a translucent material that mimics the look of the candy, giving the shoe a playful appearance. The design comes with Jibbitz charms, including oversized Goldbears, one of Haribo’s most recognizable symbols. Even the sole of the clog features embossed Goldbears, making the Crocs Haribo Classic Clog a novelty footwear piece.

In addition to its themed design, the footwear is water-friendly and buoyant, so users can wear it in various settings, including wet or outdoor environments. It is lightweight, weighing only a few ounces, which enhances comfort and reduces strain during prolonged wear. 

read more here

HAVAIANAS’ FIRST-EVER 3D PRINTED FLIP-FLOPS BY ZELLERFELD

image courtesy of Zellerfeld and Havaianas

Staying in the world of clogs and sandals, Zellerfeld and Havaianas have introduced the brand’s first-ever 3D printed flip-flops, featuring a rounded toe cap for added comfort and protection. The footwear’s top still has a Y-shaped strap, a familiar design of the sandals company’s products. It connects between the big and second toe and extends along the sides of the foot.

The brand’s name is printed on the strap, along with a textured pattern, which is a prominent part of the 3D printed design. The toe area is covered with a rounded front piece, wrapping over the front of the foot and linking it to the base. This toe covering helps to hold the foot in place and protect it from being exposed. 

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SANDALS SHAPED LIKE ZIGZAG PAVER BLOCKS BY PDM BRAND

image courtesy of PDM Brand

Continuing in sandal territory, PDM Brand took things a step further with unisex sandals shaped like zigzag paver blocks, designed so that wearers ‘fill in’ gaps on the sidewalk as they stroll. Chunky like the real blocks but made from a cushiony, rubbery material instead of stone or concrete, the sandals maintain a concrete-gray color, helping the wearer blend in while staying safe on uneven surfaces. The sandals feature a matching toe strap, and even the packaging mirrors the design of real concrete bricks. 

read more here

SPIRAL BAGUETTE HOLDER BY GUSTAF WESTMAN

image courtesy of Gustaf Westman

From rethinking how we walk to reimagining how we carry, Gustaf Westman has designed a spiral baguette holder that carries a loaf of bread like a handbag. The playful accessory is designed to fit a baguette snugly around three loops and is part of a summer-long pop-up experience, in which the designer takes over private residences across different European cities instead of traditional exhibition spaces.

read more here

AIRPODS WEARABLE BACKPACK BY BRAVEST

image courtesy of Bravest

If Gustaf Westman made bread portable in style, Bravest makes gadgets wearable in the most literal way. The streetwear brand’s AIRPACK is a backpack shaped like Apple AirPods, featuring removable ‘earbuds’ interior pouches. The backpack stays faithful to Apple’s original design: the white AirPods shape is scaled up, and instead of a magnetic lock like the AirPods case, it has a zipper that runs around the bag. Unzipping the top reveals two removable interior pouches shaped like the iconic earbuds themselves. 

read more here

see designboom’s TOP 10 stories archive:

2024 — 2023 — 2022 — 2021 — 2020 — 2019 —  2018 — 2017 — 2016 — 2015 — 2014 — 2013

The post TOP 10 fashion design phenomena of 2025 appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Everbloom turns organic waste such as discarded down, wool, and cashmere into usable garment fibers braided by AI. The startup describes the textile as softer than merino, more indulgent than cashmere, and stronger than silk. The production process starts with throwaways that already exist and collects these protein-based materials from textile waste and agriculture. Instead of binning them, the team treats them as raw input, sorted by type and cleaned by the in-house developed AI system named Braid. It is designed to separate protein waste based on its source, condition, and composition, and it collects data from these inputs to study how they react during processing.

The model analyzes how proteins behave under changes in temperature, moisture, and molecular weight, and from this data, it predicts the properties of the final fiber before production starts, including how it will respond to tension, dye, and wear. Based on these predictions, Braid AI suggests adjustments, and they’re translated into settings for the melt-spinning machines. The model also allows different waste streams to be combined into one system, so instead of treating each input as a problem, it treats them as variables to scale production. This link between software and hardware reduces trial-and-error testing. What once took months in a lab can now be done in weeks, and this AI model shortens development time and lowers the cost of producing usable garment fibers.

all images courtesy of Everbloom

Making the usable garment fibers for the fashion industry

Now back to the material: after cleaning the discarded organic waste, the proteins are extracted, but they’re not ready to be transformed yet into AI-churned usable garment fibers. They must be changed at a molecular level. Using protein engineering and molecular biology, Everbloom adjusts the structure of the proteins to control how the material behaves later in production. The processed protein is then turned into pellets, which are easy to store, move, and measure. They also allow the material to fit into existing manufacturing systems as well as help stabilize quality and make the process repeatable. The pellets are designed to work with standard melt-spinning machines, the ones already used across the textile industry to produce synthetic fibers. 

In this case, the startup’s pellets can replace polyester in this system. When heated and stretched, the pellets form long filaments, and this allows manufacturers to adopt the AI-churned usable garment fibers without rebuilding their factories. Once the filaments are created, the next step is yarn production, taking place in Italy. The yarn is produced according to clear targets, including stretch, resistance, and hand feel, and each parameter is defined before production begins. The yarn can then be knitted or woven into fabric, and at this stage, the material is ready for use in garments. Most fibers used today are made from fossil fuels and don’t break down after use. At the same time, large amounts of protein waste are discarded each year. Everbloom positions its system as a way to connect these two issues by replacing synthetic input and reviving discarded waste into regenerated biological material at scale.

Everbloom turns organic waste into usable garment fibers braided by AI

the startup describes the textile as softer than merino, more indulgent than cashmere, and stronger than silk

the yarn is produced according to clear targets, including stretch, resistance, and hand feel

the yarn can then be knitted or woven into fabric

detailed view of the woven fabric

view of the resulting material

project info:

startup: Everbloom 

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Mirumi, a mini attachable robot, clings tightly onto bag handles and moves its head when users pet it. No longer a prototype, the portable device looks around and reacts to what happens near it or on it using the ‘special’ algorithm that the design team has developed. To recap, Yukai Engineering, the mastermind behind the project, debuted Mirumi at CES 2025, and back then it was a prototype. Soon, the mini attachable robot is expected to come to life, at least mechanically, as a fashion accessory users can clip on their bag handles and even belt loops.

Mirumi has a head, a body, and two arms that wrap around straps or poles. The shape lets the robot hold onto thin and thick objects without falling, and the compact size of the device can fit in the user’s two hands. Its furry skin resembling teddy bears is soft to touch, and the team says they use materials sourced from Japan and in custom colors to make the device’s smooth finish and its friendly outline. The design team works on how the mini attachable robot Mirumi looks at people, with its neck motor lifting the head to make it look up. The timing of the movement is programmed so the robot sometimes turns away again before it looks back.

all images courtesy of Mirumi Tokyo and Yukai Engineering

portable device that shakes its head slowly when low in battery

To make it move, the Yukai Engineering team installs motors inside the body of the mini attachable robot Mirumi. These motors tilt and turn the head in different directions, and they also help the device respond to three main inputs: sound, touch, and internal triggers. When someone pats the head, a sensor in the head detects the action. When a sound or voice is near, two sound sensors inside the body pick it up. Signals travel through a chip that controls the motor actions, and this system allows many reactions without repeated patterns. Mirumi sometimes moves on its own even when nothing is happening, creating the feeling that the robot is active. 

The random behavior comes from a custom algorithm, which selects reactions in a way that appears natural. The team uses experience from earlier social robots to build these responses as well as from their prototype earlier in 2025. For the real-life model, the device comes with a built-in battery, rechargeable using a Type-C cable behind the mini attachable robot. Mirumi also gestures when its battery is low by shaking its head slowly. It’s a way for the team to have a completely screen-free device for telling users it’s time to charge their gadget. Mirumi doesn’t talk, at least for the recent model. It only turns its head, nods, and gently tilts to show excitement, hesitation, or interest. Fans of the mini attachable robot can support the campaign, and the team expects to ship Mirumi in May 2026.

Mirumi, a mini attachable robot, clings tightly onto bag handles

tthe device also moves its head when users pet it

the portable device looks around and reacts to what happens near it

users can also attach it around their belt loops

its neck motor lifts the head of the device to make it look up

there are three colors available for the gadget

its furry skin resembling the one on teddy bears is soft to touch

the making of the furry attachable device

video showcasing how the gadget works

the team plans to ship the device starting May 2026

project info:

name: Mirumi | @mirumi_tokyo

design: Yukai Engineering | @yukaiengineering

campaign: here

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ETH Zurich spin-off MYNERVA creates a smart sock that can help people with diabetes feel the ground again while walking. Named Leia, the device has electrodes sewn into it, which restores the user’s sensation to the foot sole as well as reduces their chronic pain. When the electrodes stimulate specific nerve strands, the body releases chemical messengers, and these block pain signals from traveling through the nervous system. A small tracker sits in the upper part of the sock, in the shaft section. 

It is this part that receives data from the pressure sensors and converts it into electrical signals. The smart socks for people with diabetes also use AI that adjusts the electrical stimulation for each person who wears the device. It adjusts the stimulation based on external conditions, and the personalization means each user receives treatment that matches their specific needs. Around the wearable device lie pressure sensors built into the sole to measure how pressure distributes across the foot when the person walks.

image courtesy of ETH Zurich | photo by Michel Büchel

App controls the wearable device’s functionalities

The ETH Zurich spin-off MYNERVA has been developing Leia for five years, and throughout, they’ve kept all its prototype versions. The first prototype was an overshoe with wires. Then, later versions had Velcro, zips, or laces, while the current version looks like a regular sock. The early prototype had two cushions sewn into it, and they looked like the hairstyle of Princess Leia from Star Wars. Because of this, the team named the sock Leia. The smart socks for people with diabetes also connect to an app, so users can control their functionalities through it. So far, the company plans a soft launch in the US in 2027, then later on sell it in Switzerland, the UK, and the Middle East. In late 2025, the team is set to start a long-term study to test whether the Leia sock can prevent foot ulcers. 

High blood sugar levels can damage nerves and the body’s blood vessels, including the calf nerve that carries signals from the foot sole to the brain. When diabetes damages this nerve, people lose feeling in their feet, so they cannot sense the ground properly when they walk, which makes them more likely to fall. They also don’t notice pressure points on their feet, which can lead to ulcers and wounds and, in severe cases, infections that end up in amputation. People with diabetic neuropathy also experience chronic pain, and doctors usually treat this pain with strong painkillers, but these can cause side effects and dependency. With the smart socks Leia, the company hopes that people with diabetes can restore their sole’s sensation and relieve their pain without using any medicines.

a small tracker sits in the upper part of the sock to receive data signals | photo by Michel Büchel

the device has electrodes around it | from here, images courtesy of MYNERVA

these electrodes restore the user’s sensation to the foot sole

view of the tracker on the wearable device

bottom view of the socks with the electrodes

the company plans a soft launch in the US in 2027

project info:

name: Leia

company: MYNERVA | @mynervamedical

institution: ETH Zurich | @ethzurich

The post smart socks help people with diabetes feel the ground again while walking appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Vollebak’s virus-killing copper jacket can wipe out different kinds of germs and bacteria before they can even have the chance to grow on it. Named Full Metal Jacket, the technical clothing contains three layers of textile with 11 kilometers of copper wire. The design team uses industrial lasers to convert the copper into yarns, which they then weave into a wearable protective piece of clothing. The yarns are made from industrial copper rods that are stretched and reduced in diameter multiple times using laser-controlled machinery.

Each strand is measured by lasers to make sure it stays soft and uniform, and once the strands are ready, they are heated and coated in a thin layer of lacquer to protect the copper from corrosion. After coating, the yarn goes through a six-day curing process where it is woven, scoured, heat-set, and dried. The copper layer is combined with a c_change membrane, which is a waterproof and breathable barrier. This part can react to changes in temperature and humidity, so when the weather is hot, the virus-killing copper jacket opens to allow heat and moisture to escape. Then, when the weather is cold, the structure closes to retain warmth and keep the wearer away from frost.

all images courtesy of Vollebak

Using lasers to turn metal into yarns

The idea behind the virus-killing copper jacket was to build a wearable fabric that uses one of the oldest and most useful metals known to humans. Although metal is usually hard, copper’s atomic structure allows it to bend without breaking. This structure is called a face-centered cubic crystal, which gives the metal both strength and flexibility, making it possible to weave copper into textile form while keeping it functional as a fabric. The design team also picked copper for its ability to conduct heat and electricity and for its believed natural ability to resist bacteria and viruses (although the team admits to not having tested the clothing yet to prove the hypothesis). When microbes touch copper, electrically charged ions disrupt their outer membranes and destroy their DNA, preventing them from reproducing and letting Full Metal Jacket stay cleaner and resist contamination. 

There are three layers in Vollebak’s clothing, with the third one being a soft inner fabric that makes contact with the skin. These combined parts then create a textile that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable, and the seams are sealed to stop water from getting in, and all zippers and snaps are water resistant. The jacket weighs about 1,400 grams and is designed to be easy to maintain and can be wiped clean instead of washed. There are two side pockets with fleece lining and water-resistant zippers found on the virus-killing copper jacket. Those plus two large front bellows pockets with angled storm flaps and metal snap fasteners; each of these pockets can hold small tools or a tablet. Hidden behind storm flaps are two chest pockets for phones or other small objects and another internal pocket on the right side, both of which are for extra storage. 

Vollebak’s virus-killing copper jacket can wipe out different kinds of germs and bacteria

the technical clothing contains three layers of textile with 11 kilometers of copper wire

the design team uses industrial lasers to convert the copper into yarns

the yarns are made from industrial copper rods that are stretched

rear view of the clothing

each strand is measured by lasers to make sure it stays soft and uniform

the yarn goes through a six-day curing process where it is woven

project info:

name: Full Metal Jacket Copper

brand: Vollebak | @vollebak

The post virus-killing copper jacket can get rid of germs and bacteria before they can even grow on it appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Prolo Ring is a wearable computer mouse with a trackpad designed to control computers, smartphones, TVs, and other gadgets. It allows the user to control a screen without using a traditional mouse or touchscreen and gives full cursor control, shortcuts, and over forty gestures. With these gestures, users can point, click, scroll, take selfies, play and pause music, adjust volume, move through slides, or run preset commands.

The wearable computer mouse ring connects through Bluetooth and works directly with computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs. Because it supports major operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, it can work with almost every device and can run without software or installing drivers. The device is said to use a patented technology called Modtouch, which combines a two-zone touch surface and a motion sensor. The touch surface includes a Trackpad and a Modstrip, allowing finger movements to control the cursor and gestures. Then, the six-axis motion sensor detects hand movements and helps translate them into screen actions.

all images courtesy of Prolo Team

Users can change gestures and assign keyboard shortcuts

The trackpad, the one easily reachable by the thumb, is made with high-resolution capacitive sensors that give the wearable computer mouse ring precise cursor control. Around the device, the sensors and integrated circuits help detect finger pressure and direction for accurate response. The Prolo Ring also acts as a smart power system, which means it goes into sleep mode when not in use and wakes up within 0.2 seconds when the user moves or touches it to save battery power. The device is designed to be ambidextrous, meaning it can be used on either hand, and the software inside the ring automatically adjusts the control direction when worn on the opposite hand.

The ring works right out of the box, but there is an optional desktop app called Prolo Studio, an app that lets users customize how the accessory behaves. Through the app, users can change gestures, assign keyboard shortcuts, and create macros. A macro is a sequence of commands that can be run with a single motion, so, for example, a user can create a macro to open an app, type a command, and play music. The wearable computer mouse ring’s physical design is minimal and button-free, and the band is wide and smooth to fit comfortably on the finger. It is made in three finishes: Champagne Gold, Future Silver, and Carbon Black. During a presentation at Google Devfest 2025 in New York City, the Prolo Ring was shown to the public for the first time, and the team says that after the ongoing campaign, the first batch of the wearable computer mouse ring is set for December 2025 shipping.

there are three finishes: Champagne Gold, Future Silver, and Carbon Black

the wearable computer mouse ring’s physical design is minimal and button-free

Prolo Ring is a wearable computer mouse designed to control computers, smartphones, and other gadgets

it gives full cursor control, shortcuts, and over forty gestures

users can point, click, scroll, take selfies, play and pause music, adjust volume and more

the device works directly with computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs

project info:

name: Prolo Ring

design: Prolo Team

campaign: here

The post wearable mouse ring lets users control computers, smartphones and TVs using their finger appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Cleverhood, a rainwear brand established in 2010, has introduced the Stormy and Rover 2.0 Rainwear as part of its limited-edition series. The pattern is based on NOAA Doppler radar data, visualizing intensified weather patterns linked to climate change. Designed for both the Raincape and Anorak styles, the print enhances pedestrian and cyclist visibility in traffic-heavy environments.

The Rover 2.0 Rain Cape is offered in four solid colors and a black-and-white Dazzle print, the latter referencing the Razzle Dazzle camouflage used on naval ships during World War I. While originally intended to obscure, in this context the pattern increases wearer visibility for safety in urban conditions.

all images courtesy of Cleverhood

Rainwear engineered for durability and sustainability

Cleverhood’s rainwear is designed for individuals who walk, cycle, or use public transit, with an emphasis on durability and sustainable materials. All the brand’s garments are waterproof and breathable, treated with a PFAS-free C0 durable water repellent. Functional features include arm snaps to form sleeves, an adjustable hood, thumb loops for cycling, a back wind cinch, high-visibility reflective details, YKK waterproof zippers, and a front pocket that doubles as a self-stowing pouch. Over 5% of all sales are donated to organizations that make streets safer and more inclusive.

the bold Cleverhood Dazzle Rover 2.0 Rain Cape uses PFAS-free water repellents

high performance Rover 2.0 Dazzle Raincape is waterproof and breathable

Hello Yellow Rover 2.0 Raincape

sunshine on a cloudy day with Hello Yellow Rover 2.0 Raincape

Rover 2.0 Raincape in Pluto Blue with bike-ready features, gives lots of air circulation getting you there dry, inside and out

Rover 2.0 Pluto Blue Raincape

sustainably made for a sustainably minded lifestyle, Verdant Green Rover 2.0 Raincape

essential livable city gear, Galactic Black Rover 2.0 Raincape

Clever design details, Rover 2.0 Black Raincape

the new Stormy limited edition print is available in Raincape and Anorak

project info:

name: Cleverhood Stormy and Rover 2.0 Rainwear
designers: Susan Mocarski and Isaac Mocarski

brand: Cleverhood | @cleverhood

The post cleverhood uses storm tracking radar for weather-predicting rainwear appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Vollebak releases the Electromagnetic Shielding Bomber jacket made with the materials used in NASA’s Mars rover. Based on the technology used by the space agency for the Curiosity Rover during its Mars mission, the fashion piece can block any kind of signal, including text messages, microwave waves, and signals from space. The wearable follows the brand’s Shielding Suit with the same aerospace-grade fabric by Shieldex, which is used to protect electronics from cyberattacks, block thermal detection of satellites, and support wearable sensors for health monitoring. 

It is the same Bremen-based laboratory that created the tent that blocked all outside electromagnetic waves for NASA’s Curiosity Rover that flew to Mars. The outer layer of Vollebak’s Electromagnetic Shielding Bomber is made from ripstop nylon with the silver being grown into the fabric instead of sewn in. Because of this, the silver is built inside the fibers of the material, which makes up about 20 percent of the jacket’s surface. Since silver is known as an antimicrobial material, the surface of the fashion piece can kill bacteria, becoming another purpose of the wearable aside from blocking the electromagnetic waves.

all images courtesy of Vollebak | photos by Sun Lee

Silver-made jacket that can kill bacteria

Radio waves and microwaves travel far and are used for things like phone networks and radar, while ultraviolet rays, x-rays, and gamma rays are powerful but do not travel far. These waves can change atoms and damage living tissue, and the Electromagnetic Shielding Bomber by Vollebak can block certain parts of this spectrum. Its silver layer shields radio waves and microwaves between 0.2 GHz and 14 GHz, meaning it can impede 99 percent of signals in this range. The piece also includes a pocket for a phone, which acts like a Faraday cage. Once the phone is placed inside the pocket, it cannot send or receive signals, and this happens whether the phone is turned on or off. 

In this way, the pocket works like a sealed container for signals, similar to a waterproof bag but for electromagnetic waves. Explaining the silver used in the jacket that kills bacteria, it releases ions when it touches bacteria, and these ions break the outer part of the bacteria cell, enter the cell, and stop it from working or spreading. Vollebak says that they’ve created the Electromagnetic Shielding Bomber as a preparation for future risks from electromagnetic radiation. So far, the team is also working on new materials for different future problems, including health, climate, space travel, and digital security. With the bomber jacket, it currently blocks low-frequency waves, but the team adds that future versions may block stronger radiation like x-rays or gamma rays.

Vollebak releases the Electromagnetic Shielding Bomber jacket made with the materials used in NASA’s Mars rover

the fashion piece can block any kind of signal, including text messages and signals from space

the outer layer is made from ripstop nylon, with the silver being grown into the fabric

silver makes up about 20 percent of the jacket’s surface

detailed view of the cuff

the piece also includes a pocket for a phone, which acts like a Faraday cage

the wearable currently blocks low-frequency waves

project info:

name: Electromagnetic Shielding Bomber

brand: Vollebak | @vollebak

laboratory: Shieldex

space agency: NASA | @nasa

photography: Sun Lee | @sunleestudio

The post vollebak electromagnetic shielding jacket blocks radiation with materials used in NASA rover appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Nik Bentel Studio unveils its latest limited-edition drop: two electronic handbags that double as functioning sound devices. The Speaker Bag is a Bluetooth-enabled wearable boombox, while the Mixer Bag features a working 4-channel audio mixer. Both are crafted from translucent acrylic and assembled with exposed circuitry and hardware, channeling the visual language of retro tech toys and experimental audio gear. The bags are not just accessories, they’re sculptural tools for play and performance. Inspired by NYC’s DJ scene and portable music culture, the project reimagines the bag as both a sonic device and a fashion statement.

all images courtesy of Nik Bentel Studio

Limited-Edition Audio Handbags Double as Post-Party Gear

The Speaker Bag becomes a personal sound system. The Mixer Bag is a control panel for spontaneous collaboration. Together, they offer a portable DJ kit designed to be worn, seen, and heard. Each unit is handmade in Nik Bentel’s New York studio, utilizing precision-machined acrylic, embedded electronics, and visible wiring, a nod to circuit bending and DIY synth aesthetics. Styled in the campaign as futuristic gear for post-party survival, the bags are worn by artist Swordes, evoking a kind of rave armor that blends music and utility. This release continues the studio’s exploration of the absurd and the functional. Known for viral, performative objects, from pasta handbags to furniture-as-sculpture, Nik Bentel Studio creates collectible drops that push the boundaries of product design, fashion, and spectacle.

Nik Bentel Studio’s latest limited-edition drop that plays loud

DJ-ready design worn like a fashion piece

the Mixer Bag transforms into a live audio console

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4iDJIN9UhJs

the Speaker Bag: a Bluetooth boombox you can wear

hand-assembled with exposed electronics and hardware

acrylic body, high-performance sound

retro tech toys inspire this sculptural handbag drop

a rave accessory for post-party survival

visible wiring pays tribute to circuit-bent gear

crafted in NYC with a nod to DIY synth culture

project info:

name: The Speaker and Mixer Bag

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AIR-0 is a pair of inflatable work boots for astronauts who work outside of a spaceship when they’re out of Earth. Designers Gert Duvenhage, Orr Kalati, Yuying Lin, and Jacob Payne develop the techy footwear at MIT, keeping in mind the astronauts floating around the Low Earth Orbit, or LEO. Since there’s no gravity in LEO, it’s hard for the space cadets to stay in one place. It’s also challenging for them to push and pull objects. The designers say that their inflatable work boots for astronauts can help with this issue.

The footwear has two main parts. One part is a lock, while the other part is air support. The bottom of the shoes is 3D printed soles that can rotate. The footwear also has transparent tubes attached to them to inflate the airbags before putting them on. As soon as the bags balloon, the astronauts can step out of the spaceship and feel as if they were standing firmly even if they were actually floating in space.

all images courtesy of Gert Duvenhage, Orr Kalati, Yuying Lin, Jacob Payne

two soft airbags fill with air around the ankle

The work boots for astronauts are inflatable, built at MIT as part of the Space Architecture Studio. When the boot locks, two soft airbags fill with air around the ankle. These bags are called pneumatic cushions, and when the air filling is complete, they become firm. This gives support to the ankle, which helps the astronauts find their footing. They use it when they need to move tools or build things outside a space shop. The designers say that the footwear is made from different materials. Some parts are 3D printed hard plastic, while others come from soft plastic. 

There’s no light foam and soft cloth inside the inflatable work boots for astronauts to cushion their feet. The airbags are more than enough to do so. The designers also make the airbags from TPU, and they bear parts that let the air in and out. These valves allow the user to fill and expel the air from the footwear. AIR-0 is a design example that can support researchers in space when they need to maintain their vessels or help them carry out tasks outside of the spaceship. So far, there’s no news yet on the availability of the inflatable work boots for astronauts.

AIR-0 is a pair of inflatable work boots for astronauts who work outside of a spaceship

these boots have 3D printing rotating soles

the footwear has two main parts: one is a lock, while the other part is air support

view of the shoe with inflatable airbags

video of the air filling the bags around the footwear

the shoes have a transparent tube attached the astronauts’ life support system

when the air filling is complete, the footwear becomes firm

there’s also light foam and soft cloth inside the shoes

the designers  make the airbags from TPU plastic

project info:

name: AIR-0

design: Gert Duvenhage, Orr Kalati, Yuying Lin, Jacob Payne | @gpjduvenhage, @orrkalati, @yuying.l.i.n,  @cjacobpayne

institution: MIT | @mit

The post meet AIR-0, the inflatable work boots for astronauts who work outside of a spaceship appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.