DVF Debuts Google Project Glass On The Runway
Fashion’s heavyweight, Diane von Furstenberg and Google may be one of the most interesting matches this season. At this year’s New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013, Google teamed up with the celebrated fashion designer to showcase Google’s Project Glasses.
The eyewear worn by some of DVF’s models are actual prototypes and were shown in various colors that matched the silhouettes, sculpted ruffles, polka dots, and color-blocking of each ensemble. Backstage the designer was wearing pair of glasses herself as she ushered the models onto the runway. The glasses have a built-in camera on the right-side of the eye that will record the entire show.
It’s apparent that Google is taking steps toward branding its geeky gadget as a must-have wearable high fashion accessory, especially with one of fashion’s biggest influencers. Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, says:
“We were at a conference together and we were testing out a prototype,” Brin said of the collaboration. “I talked about it to her and she [Diane von Furstenberg] loved it. We thought about it. It’s really a perfect combination. What we really have been going for is style and comfort, and I can’t really think of a brand that signifies that better than Diane’s.”
Project Glass’s appearance at Fashion Week is its first officially endorsed appearance after its concept reveal early this year. Sergey Brin adds,
“It’s been under development for over two years now, and the goal is to really connect you to digital life without really taking you away from real life,” Brin said. It looked like he was wearing a pair of sporty blue-and-gray sunglasses without the lenses. “You can [record] video, still [images], get text messages — reply to them and things like that,” Brin said. “We have hundreds of ideas, we just only have so much time to implement them now.”
The device will likely include navigation functionality and photo capabilities. It is slated to sell at less than $1,500 when it hits the market in 2013.
The footage recorded on the runway will be featured in a short film called, “DVF Through Glass,” and also gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look into DVF’s creative process in bringing her collections to life. The film will be released on September 13 on the designer’s Google+ page and YouTube channel.
