Studio Nancy Tilbury is a “Fashion Laboratory” based in London who merge the aspects of both digital and physical intimacy into their wearables. Specifically, their denim line Fashion Phreaking, gives a playful and reformative touch to casual streetwear. The Lea and Hero Jackets are “star-crossed lovers” that are programed with proximity detectors that blink when the jackets (and companions) are close to one another.
Inspired by the informal wearability of these designs, we came across a similar Instructable that teaches you how to make a pocket square that blinks when around other programmed handkerchiefs.For each pocket square, you’ll need 1 handkerchief (the author suggests a studier material than silk), 1 LilyPad Simple Board, 4 white LilyPad LEDs, 1 LiPo battery, 1 XBee, and 1 XBee breakout board.The first step is to cut a small piece of fabric (4.5×3.5″) to make the pocket square patch. Sew the plus sides of each of the 4 LilyPad LEDs to an individual petal (PIN) on the LilyPad. Then, using conductive thread, sew all the minus sides of the LilyPad LEDs together and connect to pin 11.Next you will have to either design your own LilyPad XBee breakout board, or buy your own, then sew the two boards together.Afterwards, fold the pocket square like a burrito, nestling the patch into the upper half, so the lights can beam through the handkerchief.Then repeat the process so you have multiple “smart” pocket squares and download the code in Step 8 to program all the handkerchiefs to recognize one another.Visit the Instructables How-To for further instruction, more detailed photographs, and tips on where to buy materials.
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