As function becomes a greater priority for a growing number of fashion designers, we're seeing some interesting innovations and novel uses of material and textiles. Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Marlies Schets' latest collection aims to balance form and function in a range of pieces that feature cleverly concealed reflector technology, meaning that by day they look like normal items, but by night they become luminescent road safety pieces.
With a clever method of weaving the reflector fabric into the cotton, Schets' designs, which consist of a backpack, scarf and bike lock, don't fall into the same fashion pitfalls as your average high-visibility wear. It's interesting to see designers looking for ways to incorporate function into their pieces, we recently looked at the Germinator Transit Jacket, a coat designed for germophobic commuter.