It's easy for candy-colored fiber optic fashions to come off as hokey and garish, but Francesca Castagnacci brings a touch of elegance with her techno-stilletos.

via: Inhabitat

Cute Circuit, a wearable technology company, has made the red carpet in style. Katy Perry wore a beautifully designed illuminated gown to the the Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4th. The dress has a colorful rotating pattern made from over 300 LED lights with an on-off switch hidden in the cleavage. Katy told InStyle that, “Fashion can be a little stuffy, so I wanted to lighten up.” Mission accomplished!

"Want more of those flashing lights? For a more dramatic disco effect, click the image below from JEZEBEL!"

(More images after the break)

Hi Kittens!  I am getting ready for the Smart Fabrics Conference where I am holding a workshop in DIY electronic craft. This is a big event and I have not had time to post. Hopefully this DIY and video of the tilt/touch switch that I made for the workshop will keep you from having Switch withdrawal.

Here is how it works: The string of beads in the middle has a conductive bead on the end. This bead carries the power and as it turns and moves on the conductive fabric pieces the corresponding LEDs light up. Simple but powerful! What can you make with this idea? 

Materials:

• conductive fabric
• LED Sequins
• regular craft beads
• conductive thread
• 3V battery holder
• one large silver bead.

NOTE: In the video I had small silver beads and they didn't work too well, I added the larger one later.

Fabric Tilt Switch from iHeartSwitch on Vimeo.

This is not your grandma's quilt! Last week in Rio de Janeiro, participants at the Clube de Idéias created 64 interactive patches for Aniomagic's interactive quilt workshop. The participants were passersbys who stopped for a few minutes to sew, iron, decorate, or program. The patches often have many authors, combining skills and styles to create a truly unique interactive artifact. Each patch has a mimeolight, a light you program with flashlight or waving of your hands, which makes it easily programmed and personalized. (Images after the break)

Go to Aniomagic's website to find out more!

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

Congratulations to Jane Larson from Ann Arbor, Michigan!

Jane holding up her prize winnings, a signed copy of Switch Craft and a swatch of Luminex lighted fabric. She plans to incorporate the fabric into a little black dress she's making along with some LEDs.

We want to thank everyone who took the survey. We have new projects and posts planned to incorporate your feedback, so be sure to stay tuned!

As promised, here is a more robust update to the Rodarte's light-up heels that was posted two weeks ago. I used the LED sequins from Aniomagic, you can find them here. The battery pack is from Switch Craft, the materials below account for this. You can use a different battery holder if you like, both  Aniomagic and Lilypad's battery holders work well.

Wow, not only did Canada kick our butts on the ice, they are doing it in Fashion Technology too. Don’t believe me, take a look at these gorgeous lighted fabrics and this dress from Karma Chameleon.

Never buy old leather shoes at the Goodwill store. Either the shoes have been broken to fit another man's step or the leather is dried out, or both. But, these (above) randomly hung art pieces around Richmond, Virginia are a most fitting memorial to many miles traveled.

It's Fashion Week 2010 and the signature cool and futuristic cozy style of Rodarte hit the runway with beautiful glowing heels. Come back at 6:00 P.M. EST and I'll show you how to make your own little lighted darlings. Images from HighSnobette and theFrisky