E-Shawl

E-Shawl is wearable technology designed to give the female body a voice. E-Shawl creatively explores applications of biometric data. Sensors embedded in the garment capture heart rate and sweat gland activity creating kinetic and aesthetic reactions in the design. The research motivations for the E-Shawl came from the current socio-political issues around women's autonomy in Ireland. E-Shawl creates a visual form of nonverbal communication by externalising emotions, bringing the user's attention back to their own body. E-Shawl seeks to act as a site for reflection on scientific and medical information by rethinking the relationship between clothing and self-expression.