10 September 2012

Google’s Augmented-Reality Glasses Makes Runway Appearance





Although Google’s augmented-reality glasses ‘Project Glass’ may not be commercially available yet, the company has already started fighting its geeky stigma.



At this year’s New York Fashion Week for spring/summer 2013 season, Google teamed up with fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg for the project ‘#DVFthroughGlass’—for the Glass to make a runway appearance and help document a ‘new perspective’ for the brand.



Using the quirky, hands-free half-glasses, first-person footage and images from the perspective of models’ (walking down the runway), Diane von Furstenberg’s and DVF staff were recorded—images were updated onto DVF’s Google+ page to show the Glass in action.



On 13 September (the last day of New York Fashion Week), DVF and Google will debut their short film entitled ‘DVF through Glass’—which will comprise of footage taken from the wearers’ of Glass during the show.



The short film will air on Google’s YouTube channel and DVF’s Google+ page.



“You’ll get a glimpse into what it’s like to design, prepare and experience the DVF show at New York Fashion Week through Diane’s eyes and a few other views,” according to a WWD.



Google cofounder Sergey Brin told WWD that the Glass has been “under development for over two years now,” he said, “and the goal is to really connect you to digital life without really taking you away from real life.”



“You can [record] video, still [images], get text messages—reply to them and things like that. We have hundreds of ideas, we just only have so much time to implement them now,” he added.



“I think it’s not just about technology. It’s about lifestyle.”



Brin hopes that the Glass will not be considered as a fashion faux pas, rather a must-have vogue accessory.



“It’s a very important component of making technology desirable and compelling,” he said. “It’s got to be stylish and fashionable.”



“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.”



The device will sell for about US$1,500 each, and is expected to hit the market next year.









































[via Women’s Wear Daily and DVF]