At the 2023 Adobe MAX conference, one of the biggest conferences for technology and creativity in the world, onlookers were treated to a number of incredible innovations. These “Sneaks,” part of a showcase that is often the highlight of the event, are sneak peeks at prototypes for new technologies not yet commercially available. And while there were many interesting things to see, one creation drew shock and awe from the audience: a dress that can dynamically change colors and patterns through the use of generative AI.
On October 11, 2023, a presenter stepped onto the stage wearing what seemed to be an ordinary white dress. However, the crowd was quickly treated to several “changes of attire” as the dress transformed into a reflective covering that was then capable of shifting colors and patterns with the woman’s movements. Essentially, the dress is a flexible textile display capable of changing its appearance in real time. For any comic book fans out there, the closest sci-fi example of this type of technology would be the mask Rorschach wears in Watchmen, which has black patterns that are constantly swirling on its white surface.
Dubbed ‘Project Primrose,’ the dress utilizes a technology called Non-Emissive Flexible Display Systems, in which polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) uses reflective light-diffusing modules to create and shift patterns and colors dynamically. Of course, the tech is designed to take advantage of modern Adobe software for its creative flair. As outlined by the Adobe Communications Team, “Project Primrose, displayed at MAX as an interactive dress, makes this possible with wearable and flexible, non-emissive textiles which allow an entire surface to display content created with Adobe Firefly, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Stock, and Adobe Illustrator.”
As such, it is no fantasy to consider a future in which people could buy new designs by famous brands online and download them to implement into their clothing. Since the material can be molded into any number of shapes, it isn’t hard to imagine a person’s entire wardrobe incorporating flexible display systems, from formal wear to t-shirts and pants. The concept could be carried even beyond the fashion world, perhaps one day even being used to design furniture or wallpaper an entire house.
Experts are already praising the extraordinary new tech, some citing it as being even more advanced and awe-inducing than other similar technologies, such as E Ink. This is the color and pattern-changing material used by BMW to coat the exterior of the company’s iX Flow automobiles (for an example of it used in current fiction read NET FORCE: MOVING TARGET). Still, it isn’t hard to imagine a time when people might be able to coordinate the designs displayed on their cars and clothes to really stun onlookers during a night of club-hopping or use them as camouflage to ditch a bad first date.
Although Project Primrose is still only in the proof-of-concept stage, fashionistas and designers are hoping it won’t take too long for the tech to become commercially available. But as the future looms ahead promising incredible marvels such as dynamically changing clothing, one has to wonder: Will it be machine washable or dry-clean only?
Jason Robbins is a features editor and writer, attorney, computer scientist, bio-exorcist and inventor of the piano key necktie.
