Wardrobe for the Weightless: Space Inspires Fashion Show

By Leonard David
Senior Space Writer
posted: 09 June 2006
04:45 pm ET

Maybe musician Donald Fagen was onto something. In his classic 1982 song, I.G.Y. (What A Beautiful World), the sometime-Steely Dan collaborator sang of adventurers buying a ticket to the wheel in space and a world with spandex jackets for everyone.

Well, while the wheel is still in the drawing stages, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Rocketplane Ltd., along with numbers of designers and artisans, have taken it upon themselves to improve on the spandex: a Hyper Space Couture Design Contest.

Runway fashion

The multi-part competition has been underway for several months, patterned to elicit space tourism fashion ideas. A key rule is that suborbital wear submittals must be functional and scientific—but don’t forget a stylish chic.

“Rocketplane made the fundamental design decision to fly in a true ‘shirtsleeve environment’ very early in the development program,” explained Chuck Lauer, Vice President of Business Development for Rocketplane, based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Rocketplane’s XP vehicle will accommodate a pilot and three passengers. The fighter-sized craft is powered by both turbojet engines and a rocket engine. The vehicle is being built to accelerate to speeds of some 2,386 miles per hour (3,500 feet per second) and reach altitudes in excess of 330,000 feet (100 kilometers). Flying that suborbital profile, all onboard will be weightless for three to four minutes during the trek to the edge of space.

“In our view, not having to wear bulky pressure suits, helmets or breathing masks will enhance the customer’s space flight experience,” Lauer told SPACE.com.

Say no to Nomex

It was Misuzu Onuki, Asia Liaison for the Space Frontier Foundation and Rocketplane's Asian Business Representative, who first identified the need for design, creative expression and personal preference to become a part of the customer’s individual space flight choices.

“We were stuck in the ‘old school’ way of thinking about space flight clothing. We assumed that our choices were limited to picking our own Midnight Blue company color for the standard Nomex military flight suit, with our own logo patches in place of the NASA meatball,” Lauer pointed out.

The Space Couture Design Contest—organized by Ms. Onuki, Eri Matsui, a fashion designer based in Tokyo, and their colleagues in JAXA and the fashion industry—have spurred a fresh and exciting look at what the possibilities for personal space wear really can be.

The contest is zipping forward to having the top 10 finalists produce and test their personal creations, Lauer explained. The winning designs will become part of the catalog of Rocketplane Official Space Wear.

“Ultimately, we would like to see additional design contests for the European and American markets and a whole line of winning space wear fashion designs become a part of our catalog,” Lauer said.

Casual wear for space

The space wear contest is for the first generation of space tourism, Onuki explained.

“So far, space tourism wear has been not so considered … though space tourism is very popular among the general public,” Onuki observed. “However, wear for space tourism is one of the important elements to make space tourism very dramatic and exhilarating.”

Onuki told SPACE.com that she has been engaged in research geared toward casual wear for space over the last five years.

“Though it is easy to ask a famous fashion designer to design space suits, I chose another way to encourage mass market public attention to space tourism by performing the competition,” Onuki added. “To do that, we got a new pleasure. I was sure that it must be interesting to see the design pictures which embody people’s image and dreams towards personally experiencing space flight.”

Catwalk in space

Onuki said that, in working with fashion designer, Ms. Matsui, the intent is to cross-thread mathematics, science, art, and physics with fashion.

To date, there have been several kickoff events, as well as fashion shows to stir interest in the multi-step contest. At the end of March, contest officials had received 882 drawings by 365 individuals. Last month, the top 10 designs plus three alternate designs were picked. The actual winner, second and third place will be selected later this year.

“I think that it will be very hard to select one as the ultimate winner,” Onuki admitted.

Contest organizers plan to perform the first space fashion show—“Catwalk in Space”—this autumn hosted by Space Travellers of Germany, as well as German and Japanese media.

A Zero G Wedding Dress designed by Matsui, as well as the top 10 designers garbed in their own outfits, will float in weightlessness courtesy of a parabolic-flying Russian Ilyushin 76 aircraft.

Boy 14, Wins Cancer fight, but dies after he is hit by car

Singapore- A 14-year-old boy on the road to recovering from cancer died after he was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver while crossing a Singapore street, news reports said Wednesday. Tan Kwang Zhen died in a hospital and was cremated Tuesday, only hours before an interview detailing his battle with the disease cancer was screened on television, The Straits Times reported.

The driver of the car, a 27-year-old man, was arrested after knocking down the secondary school student who was walking with his mother and 7-year-old brother on August 31.

Kwang Zen described his ordeal with the disease in the prerecorded programme.

Diagnosed with leukaemia when he was 12, Kwang Zhen said that he and his mother cried for a "whole day."

"To die at 12 was a bit early," he said. "There's a lot of things I had not done."

At one point, his weight dropped to 28 kilograms, but Kwang Zhen's condition improved after an 18-month struggle.

The cancer went into remission, and he was well enough to return two months ago to school.

Though he started school six months after his classmates, he had a "strong learning ability" and coped well, the newspaper quoted counsellor Soh Shiow Jiuan as saying. He "always carried a smile."

"You can't tell what's going to happen in life. Whatever comes, you have to try to grapple with it," were the youth's last words on the TV programme.

Get close with the stars at PSS Male Auditions! *Videos included

If you couldn’t get a close-up view of the stars last Sunday, don’t beat yourself up over it, we’ve got videos for you here!

Kwok Kar Peng

They were there since early morning (Sun Sept 3), hugging the cold yellow metal dividers at the Project SuperStar Male Audition stage. Reason: to get unblocked screaming and drooling panoramic views of Taiwanese singing sensations Van Fan Yi Chen and Tong En; SuperHost’s Charlyn Lin, Lee Teng, Sim Yunying and Wu Luoyi; Project SuperStar’s Jason Tan and Chia Wei Choong; Campus SuperStar’s Teresa Tseng, Geraldine See, Renfred Ng, Hong Yu Yang and Ng Imm Khim; and SuperBand’s SOUL and Juz-B.

For the rest of the 328 people (or so) who had to make do with bobbing heads and jiggling arms blocking their vision that day, here’s how you can get close-up looks at the stars:

Step 1: Turn on and turn up your speakers

Step 2: Move your mouse to the blue underlined words below and click

Step 3 (optional): Bite on a piece of toast to muffle screams and absorb saliva

Enjoy.

Click here to read more about the people who caught our eye in the Male Auditions!

Tong En 1. Tong En on how applicants can stand out in the auditions “Don’t sway around on your feet or stand woodenly. Take note of your body language…” 2. Tong En on how contestants can prevent falling ill during competition “I hope the contestants can take care of their health and take note of the changes in the temperature. Always have a jacket with you and keep drinking water!” 3. Tong En on the things that contestants should never do on stage “I think forgetting lyrics or falling down is inevitable sometimes, but you must never fool around on stage!”

Van Fan Yi Chen 1. Van Fan on how applicants can stand out in the auditions “Show them the uniqueness in your voice and select the right song to display your special qualities…” 2. Van Fan on how to attract a lot of fans (after all, they are the ones who vote and keep contestants in the competition!) “Since you can’t change your looks much, try to attract fans through your performances instead.” 3. Van Fan on the things that contestants should never do on stage “Be natural and show your passion; don’t just immerse yourself in the performance, show your enjoyment to the audience and your rapport with them will be better.”

SOUL 1. How SOUL occupied their time during the long wait in the SuperBand auditions “We talked nonsense with the other applicants, sang, played UNO, made new friends and warmed up our bodies and voices.” 2. SOUL’s tips to help contestants choose the right song “You must like the song; understand the lyrics so as to portray the right emotions; and pick one that suits your vocal range and sing it in the right key.” 3. SOUL on their song in the compilation album The band spent four hours recording the song Sun Zi Bing Fa, which they felt suited them quite well with its R&B and hip-hop tones. Click here to read more about the SuperBand Top 10 compilation album!

Juz-B Not only have they have been busy with the SuperBand compilation album, Juz-B is also preparing to record their own debut album, which will be a capella with pop, R&B and Chinese songs, some of which were written by the band! 1. Juz-B on self-funding their debut album The band is so passionate about music that they are willing to throw in $10,000 to produce the album! 2. Juz-B on the songs in the album “One of the songs we wrote is called Oh Yeah and it’s a very reggae and hip hop song. Some of our songs will make you dance, some cute ones will make you go ‘ahhh’ and hopefully the sad ones will make you cry!” 3. Juz-B on the things that contestants should never do “Keep your feet on your ground so don’t be snobbish. It’s the fans who make you who you are so no matter how good you are, stay humble. At the end of the say, it’s about your passion, not being a star.”

Jason Tan 1. Jason on how he feels seeing all these PSS applicants “Our registration and first audition were on different days, unlike theirs. I’m nervous and also happy for them!” 2. Jason on how contestants should face the media “Be polite and natural in front of reporters. Don’t think too much, just answer the questions directly. Singing-wise, be natural and take care of your appearance.” 3. Jason on what contestants shouldn’t do “Don’t criticize others easily because you don’t know what people will be saying about you behind your back. And of course, don’t dig your nose in public!”

Chia Wei Choong 1. Wei Choong’s advice on how to stay in tiptop condition “Drink more water and sleep early during competition. I know it’s hard to, especially when work finishes late. Make the best out of your time. Select some songs first and practice at home; it’s easier for you to choose one later.” 2. Wei Choong’s tips on selecting the right songs “Go to the KTV with your friends and select a lot of songs to sing. Most of your friends’ opinions will be right so ask them what suits you.” 3. Wei Choong on what contestants should look out for “Be humble and treat everyone with courtesy. Maintain your image in public and also be nice to your fans because they are the ones who support you!”

Teresa Tseng 1. Teresa on how her life has changed since the competition “Life is pretty much the same… I have to study hard to catch up. The only thing I’m not used to is how people will look at me strangely wherever I go.” 2. Teresa’s advice to the contestants “Work really hard, don’t think too much and drink a lot of water to protect your throat!” 3. Teresa on how to keep yourself in tiptop condition during the competition “Sleep early, drink a lot of water and don’t practice till too late…”

Renfred Ng 1. Renfred on how to keep relaxed during competition “I’ll go to the movies with friends, go shopping, play computer games and sing real loudly…” 2. Renfred on how to attract fans and communicate with the audience “Keep smiling, don’t put on a black face and maintain eye contact. People will find you more likeable this way.”

Geraldine See 1. Geraldine on how she feels about her fans coming so early to chope the space in front of the stage “I’m very touched. Don’t come so early; it’s ok if you aren’t in front, I’m already very happy that all of you are here!” 2. Geraldine on whether she misses the Campus SuperStar days “I really miss those days. Even though there was a lot of pressure, we had a goal which I feel is a good thing. Young people should pursue their dreams.” 3. Geraldine on how to face criticisms and incorrect reports “Some people like us, some don’t; we can’t change ourselves to please everyone. Initially I was affected by it; I’ll feel sad and will even cry. But my father told me I should just concentrate on doing my part well.”

Hong Yu Yang 1. Yu Yang on how to handle the fans “Don’t give the fans information that’s too personal, like your mobile phone number or else you could be harassed. It’s strange to make friends with fans… I’ve never done that. Be friendly towards them and they’ll like, not hate, you.” 2. Yu Yang on the truth about the entertainment industry “I used to think that artistes are very arrogant but now that I’m in the industry myself, I finally understand that they are not, it’s just that they cannot make everyone like them.” 3. Yu Yang on how to handle elimination “If you didn’t get in to the next round, practice and learn more. There’s always the next time. This for sure isn’t the last singing competition; there’ll be more coming up. Become better and you’ll perform better in the next competition.”

Ng Imm Khim 1. Khim on how to attract fans “If fans wave at you, respond and smile at them. Do your best at every round so that they won’t feel they’ve wasted their votes on you.” 2. Khim on what to look out for “Take note of your image. You are already a public figure and you need to be very certain of what you can do and cannot do. Don’t fool around in public places; maintaining your image is very important.” 3. Khim on whether it’s necessary to go to music schools “It’s better to have someone guide you, so that you’ll know your weaknesses and selling points.”

The Project SuperStar Female Auditions will be held this Saturday Sept 9 at Toa Payoh HDB Hub from 9am. More stars will be attending the event; return to this website for more details soon!

Black 60s Shift Dresses - Little Black Dresses - LBDS

Baby's in Black

No female over 16 is too young to own a little black dress. Younger girls and women can opt for little black evening dresses like these mini dresses, which can be teamed with opaque tights or leggings or just show lots of leg. I especially like the youthful quality in this black evening dress right from the USA company Shine.

LBDs - we all need several, so start collecting now!

Choose from trapeze styles with added hemline flare or empire lines. These styles have child like baby doll elements and being shorter very much suit the young.

Always take every opportunity to wear these 'baby doll' styles when you are young, as all too soon the stage will come when you simply cannot get away with this look. Woe is me!

There are so many shoe styles on offer, from the gold platforms from River Island seen at the top of the page, to these high black ankle strap shoes from Matalan.

You will be spoilt for choice and will be able to totally indulge whatever personal style preference for footwear you have.

The black shoes from Matalan have a real vintage feel to them and would create a totally different look to that of the ballerina shoes.

Velvet

Yes, you can wear any combination of skinny jeans and trousers, but autumn occasions are just that - occasions that offer you a chance to dress up a little more than usual. As an alternative to jeans and trousers, wear a classic velvet coat like this Matalan version on the left. As a result you will have a luxury, but low cost evening look.

Velvet offers romantic looks that can move from day to evening with ease. This rich midnight blue velvet dress from Boden would suit many girls and women. It's a real party frock.

You could give it a quirkier edge by pushing the skirt out with a visible net petticoat. Midnight blue is one of the best colours for velvet, as it retains a richness lost on pastel velvets which are horribly fattening.

Velvet is a lush fabric that is perfect for Christmas and New year celebrations.

Brown shades are one the colours trends of autumn 2006 with earthy natural tones being important. This velvet V-neck evening dress is from John Lewis.

Learn how to care for velvet and how to press it without damaging the pile. With the proper care you can keep your velvet party dress looking in good shape for years.

Separates

Boden

If a dress is not for you, then seek out a skirt with an embellished hemline. This skirt with a folkloric decorated hem from Boden may be an option.

Boden have teamed their skirt with matching ballerina flats. In UK we see ballerina flats in every shoe shop and people skipping around town in them.

Or you may prefer more of a clubbing look that follows a trend not yet worn by everyone. Bubble skirts are just coming into mainstream fashion.

Shine New York

This pretty creamy bubble skirt from Shine New York fits the bill for young women's fashion. This is one of the few bubble skirts I've seen that I really like.

The matt fabric deep golden ochre top is a very good choice and also a strong colour for autumn 2006. This is a very refreshing change from the looks of the Teri Hatcher floaty tops and jeans with which we are now very familiar.

If you prefer a dress to separates, Shine New York has this classic red mini bubble dress which would be a perfect colour choice for the festive season.

The red style by Shine is very similar to a dress Paris Hilton has been photographed wearing.

Again like the golden ochre tone, red is another strong colour for fall and I've written a page about Lady in Red as a colour choice in detail.

Images all courtesy of Matalan, Oasis, New Look,House of Fraser, French Connection, Boden, John Lewis, River Island Dorothy Perkins image courtesy of Arcadia UK. In USA Shine New York. Header image courtesy of River Island.

Gold Brocade Looks

River Island - Young Women's Fashion

As Christmas draws nearer and festive party dressing makes the agenda, watch out for the glimmer of gold with brocade. This brocade look is in every range no matter what your age.

The golden brocade dress, to the left, is youthful especially, when teamed with the unusual, such as thick dark tights and gold platform shoes.

Left is a young women's dress by River Island, Jacquard Brocade Mini Shift Dress - bow detail at £59.99. This is a jacquard brocade dress in soft gold that is cut in a 60’s shift shape and finished with a simple bow for a romantic ethereal feel.

At River Island, accessories continue to play an important fashion role and reflect the overall mood of the season. The shoe collection features metallic wedges and stacked leather court shoes. You may also consider patent cutwork shoes and round toe ankle boots with chain and animal print trims.

Dorothy Perkins

At Dorothy Perkins, young women's fashion takes its inspiration from the 1960s and 1980s with hints of C17th romanticism in a collection that ticks all the trend boxes this season. You can see that the youthful look is achieved with a beret.

For the festive season, Dorothy Perkins have subtle metallic evening wear with both vintage inspired jacquards and shimmering Lurex.

Left - Image courtesy of Dorothy Perkins - Deep Gold Brocade Dress £50/€80. Cream and brown striped beanie £8/€12.

This gold brocade dress is one of the prettiest high street brocade dresses that I have seen whilst viewing PR images this season. You can see lots more gold tone colours and styles on the gold tone accessory page.

Gold is not the only metallic on offer, there are plenty of soft silver toned clothes around, from the palest shimmering dove grey ivory, to steel magnolia. Dorothy Perkins has a whole range of grey clothes, but my favourite is this slinky, silver jersey, sixties shift dress with a silver thread running through the knit fabric. See below.

Silver Looks

Sweater dresses are a big look this fall 2006. This simple long sleeved 60's straight knit shift, in silver grey and from Dorothy Perkins has a Lurex thread running through it. Silver Lurex mini dress £25/€40. Leopard print envelope bag £8/€12.

It is perfect for relaxed festive winter evenings and could look great showing plenty of leg just as the model does. Or, it could be teamed with leggings and worn like a tunic or gain a more kooky twist with any type of boots.

Slinky and shimmering, this straight empire line shift right from French Connection can be worn belted as show here or unbelted if you prefer. Silver fully sequinned dress from French Connection is £150. Fabulous and a classic to add the party wardrobe!

Team it with classy jewellery and a brocade or a black velvet cropped jacket, feather shrug or cape.

To make this French Connection liquid silver dress right more versatile over Christmas, you could wear it 60's style as a pinafore dress over a black polo neck cashmere or skinny rib sweater.

Leggings and Footless Tights

Use the layering technique to add warmth through a festive day like Christmas Eve. Wearing boots with the silver dress would add a different dimension. You can play the glitz up or down. Play it down with opaque or lace tights.

Make sure you have some footless leggings like these from Shine New York, so you can play dress-up at home to work out some fresh new looks for fall. Or get some three quarter leggings like these from Marks and Spencer.

Footless tights and footless leggings will have different wearing qualities so make sure you understand the difference between these when you shop. Price reflects the thickness, quality, depth of dye, laddering, comfort factors, extensibility of the fabric and wearing elasticity. Footless tights can be priced around £2- £5, footless leggings are more likely to cost £10 to £20. Check the quality of samples the shop displays. Leggings should fit like a second skin and not be prone to bagging.

Silver and Gold Shoes

These inexpensive silver shoes right are from Matalan. These fashion shoes would team well with many silver grey outfits. Metallic block heel shoe at £14.

Different shoes can make the appearance of an outfit look quite altered and present an opportunity to reflect your personality.

These gold ballet flats below are from Marks and Spencer and would look good teamed with brocades too. The silver peep toe ballet flat is also very girly. You can buy any of these three shoes from the picture links.

If you would like to see more details of these snakeskin effect shoes, with cone heels, there is a link to Marks and Spencer in the above picture.