Dichroic dress with metallized fiberglass corset
Flocked shirt jacket with metallic polyester collar
- Metallized fiberglass collar
Metallization can produce a metallic look on many different materials using an innovative technique: with standard painting equipment, two water-based solutions (oxidizing metal salts and a reducing agent) are sprayed at normal pressure and at room temperature onto the desired base. The resulting chemical reaction produces a metallic layer of less than ten nanometers (one nanometer being equal to one billionth of a meter).
The practical applications are numerous, including electromagnetic shielding as well as electronic shielding in vehicles pour people with sensitivities. Metallized materials are also used in firefighters’ uniforms, allowing 98% of the hot infrared rays to be reflected. They are also used as insulation in the construction industry. Thanks to their high thermal conductivity, these materials can be used in heated ski jackets, among other things. In addition, this process renders both organic and inorganic materials fungicidal and antibacterial.
- Flocking
Flocking consists of heat-transferring a film onto a piece of fabric (usually cotton, polyester, or a blend) by using a heating press at over 150°C for a few seconds.
The sheets of film are made from high-quality multilayer polyurethane. They are cut by a machine known as a cutting plotter, and fall into several categories, depending on their appearance. SEF Laval provided this exhibition with several samples: Flexcut Advance has a laminated look and comes in a palette of thirty-two colors, as well as being available in black-light neon colors; Sifflex has a more velvety feel; Metalflex has great elasticity and is available in seven basic colors; and Glitter, featured on this coat, showcases dazzling and sparkling colors.
PARTNERS:
Fashion design, model making and assembly of the dress and shirt: Atelier Anna-Barbara // Metallization: Jet Métal // Coat design and art direction: Atelier Anna-Barbara // Fabric: Verne et Clet – jakob schlaepfer // Flocked elements: SEF Laval // Flocking: Emode Cholet