Cornell designer concocts garb that prevents colds, shuns pollution

We've seen sensor-laden, iPod-friendly, and electroluminescent garb in years past, but a crafty design student over at Cornell University wasn't satisfied with stopping there. Olivia Ong is hoping to get her career in fashion off to a very safe start, as her functional clothing lines include "a garment that can prevent colds and flu and never needs washing," and if that wasn't fresh enough, she's also conjured up another that "destroys harmful gases and protects the wearer from smog and air pollution." The prototype Glitterati garb was showcased at the school's Design League fashion show, and both articles contained "cotton fabrics coated with nanoparticles" that give them the unique qualities. No word on whether or not we can expect such protective (albeit stylish) threads to hit the strip anytime soon, but considering that "one square yard of nano-treated cotton would run you about $10,000," we doubt us common folk would be selling off assets to take it home anyway.

[Via MedLaunches]

[Pedro @ May 7th 2007 7:23AM]

Oh great, yet another way over-sensitive, over-protective, over-bearing mothers will be able to hide their kids from the world. Yes, they will be waiting for kids' sizes - and lower prices but still.

Why is everyone so obsessed with removing all dirt and germs; people use far too many cleaners these days - you need to be exposed to some stuff to build up an immunity.

/end rant

[elan @ May 7th 2007 7:27AM]

And she's cute.

[ryan @ May 7th 2007 8:45AM]

damn cute at that!

[NoblesseEblis @ May 7th 2007 9:47AM]

it's basically a textile treated with silver; what a stupid markup- and the designs are sorta sucky.

[EatingPie @ May 7th 2007 9:53AM]

Is there any actual SCIENCE to back any of her claims?

No, no, I mean beside the science of fad-economics. :-)

-Pie

[Doogs @ May 7th 2007 10:19AM]

Never needs washing? I'll believe it when I see it.

[jp @ May 7th 2007 10:57AM]

Is that the snorg tees girl?

[Ryao @ May 7th 2007 10:58AM]

I went to highschool with her!

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ May 8th 2007 1:25AM]

"I went to highschool with her!"

Shens x Googolplex² squared = you're full of BS..

[Ryao @ May 8th 2007 1:42AM]

I don't know what the heck that means- but i really did- the webb school of california. (or for her- the Vivian Webb School)

[Galley @ May 7th 2007 1:48PM]

Is that the same Olivia Ong who's a pop start in Japan?

[steve @ May 7th 2007 3:04PM]

Yay! Now you can fart to your heart's content!

[psychojoe @ May 7th 2007 3:37PM]

:D

[Dustin @ May 7th 2007 4:09PM]

Not the pop star (at least she never told me), but she is my friend's girlfriend

[LikeICare @ May 7th 2007 5:41PM]

She looks goofy