Viral Style: Personal Space Dresses, Virtual Keyboards And Surfwear For, Well, Surfing The Web

Editor's Note: This is the 50th Viral Style column! A huge congrats and thank you to our Viral Style columnists for keeping us technologically chic for months on end. Visit the Viral Style archives here to revisit all their fashion and tech-related curation. 

VIRTUAL RETAIL SPACE OF THE WEEK

As part of their new fashion collaboration with SHOWstudio, cult London store MACHINE-A has been given a virtual upgrade, creating an interactive retail model that allows shoppers to experience the space and purchase products without having to you know, leave the house. Inspired by the idea of exploring ‘what makes a retail destination iconic,’ the area was first captured via 3D-scanning, before being constructed digitally. At the virtual space, you can purchase limited-edition SHOWstudio x MACHINE-A clothing by the likes of Raf Simons, Shaun Samson and Beth Postle, as well as watch video interviews or listen to an exclusive mix.

Whatever you usually wear to surf the Internet, here’s guessing you could probably up your game (seriously guy, change the tee, it’s been six days now). This week, you’re in luck—multimedia artist Cory Archangel has created a new line of clothing made to be worn through all your long, long online hours, keeping you both relaxed and stylish. A joint project with the Bravado International Group, the ‘Archangel Surfware’ line covers ultra-comfy hoodies, bed sheets and pillow cases, as well as iPad cases and tunes. Check out the new collection here as it drops next week on May 17th and see Vice.com for their interview with Archangel.

If you’re gonna be all kitted out for your Internet sessions, there’s no reason why your gadgets can’t get a sweet new update too (and you’ll totally be tapping into that whole Star Wars hype that’s going on right now too). Check out the imp. R2-D2 virtual keyboard, developed by Japanese electronics brand amadana. The portable design can hook up to your device via Bluetooth, and is compatible with iOS, Android, Mac OS X and Windows 7 and 8. You’ll have to hold tight till August to get your fingers around this novelty tech accessory.

If you live in the city, chances are you’re used to having your personal zone invaded pretty much every day. From having to elbow past people in the street to those intense, silent wrestles for arm rests on the Tube (or is that just me?), we could all use a bit of space. Here it is—the Personal Space Dress, designed by Kathleen McDermott as a piece of ‘Urban Armor.’ While it might not be winning any fashion prizes any time soon, built-in proximity sensors allow this animatronic garment to expand to protect the wearer when someone comes in too close—that’s pretty useful during rush hour.

UNKNWN (the Miami-based store run by NBA player LeBron James) has released the new instalment of its Augmented Reality editorial series, themed around KTZ’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection. North African-inspired garms like the flag print vest top, color pop poncho and statement print joggers are all showcased inside shimmering virtual cases—head over to the UNKNWN e-store to buy the look.