US' Adobe & Christian Cowan debut Primrose dress at NYFW 2024

The ‘Adobe x Christian Cowan Dress Powered by Primrose Technology’ debuted as the new Fall/Winter collection’s main look at the designer’s runway show. The unique design uses laser-cut polymer dispersed liquid crystal ‘petals’ that electronically change appearance into Cowan’s iconic stars, bringing the dress to life in an instant. Under each column of petals is an underlay with a flexible printed circuit board, allowing the petals to alternate and shift between shades of gray and ivory. The dynamic dress unlocks boundless possibilities in fashion design, showcasing how static clothing can be transformed into dynamic expressions of art and technology, the company said in a press release.

“As someone who is always trying to push the limits and embrace new ways of working, after seeing what the project Primrose technology was capable of, I was very eager to further explore this intersection between fashion and tech and collaborate with Adobe for my F/W ‘24 NYFW,” said Cowan. "I was immediately inspired by its potential and was particularly drawn to the notion of sustainability behind it with the ability to create multiple iterations of a singular garment. I am honoured to be the first designer to showcase how this impactful technology can be used to bring fabric and designs to life in ways like never before.”

The reveal of the Adobe Primrose dress at Adobe MAX 2023, was a pivotal moment in showcasing this innovative technology that transforms fabric into a living, breathing work of art. In less than two months following the conference, the collaboration with Cowan went from concept to a wearable piece, marking an incredible accomplishment for both Adobe and Christian Cowan.

“We are very proud of this collaboration with Christian Cowan which not only empowers designers to dream bigger and envision garments that evolve and interact with their environment, but also underscores how Adobe's suite of products can help pioneer new realms of possibility,” said Gavin Miller, head of Adobe Research. “With Primrose, traditional clothing, once static, can now be transformed into dynamic expressions of art and technology, and the Adobe x Christian Cowan Dress exemplifies Adobe’s continued vision to shape the future of creativity and design.”

Behind this one-of-a-kind creation were Adobe’s own tools, which were integral at every stage of the design process. Adobe Illustrator laid the groundwork, mapping out the flexible printed circuit boards and petal positions, and sketching the patterns while Adobe After Effects breathed life into the dress, animating it with captivating motion graphics.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)