by Star Padilla
Trikoton has stepped up the game when it comes to self-expression and individuality in fashion. The Berlin-based fashion house has found a unique way to reflect your personality in their clothing. The company uses the sound of your speech as source code for designs that are then woven into their high-tech knit garments.
They take audio recordings of their customers’ voices and feed them into a retro 1970’s knitting machine that has been hacked to make it interactive. A computer on the front-end transforms sounds into binary code. Microcontrollers and small engines respond directly to this computer-generated code, translating it into patterns, which are then incorporated into sweaters, vests, leggings and scarves.
The service isn’t limited to the sound of your own voice either; at a recent trade show, Trikoton designed clothing based on people’s favorite songs, which extends their reach to an entirely new (if famously unfashionable) segment: music geeks.
I’m a total music and tech nerd, so Trikoton’s ability to cohesively merge the two into an apparel line definitely appeals. Trikoton’s aim is to “make the clothes wearable and more or less affordable”. The prices seem a bit steep to me (a sweater costs $228, and leggings $200), but to have a one-of-a-kind piece (literally) is almost priceless.
With the holidays around the corner, if you find yourself stuck for ideas for a gift for that special someone (or me for that matter), this could be that very gift you’ve been looking for. Take note: my fave song right now is “Sleeping Sickness” by City and Colour. (You can’t blame a girl for trying!) Clothing can be ordered online at Trikoton.com/
