» Clothing

Fabric scenting technology takes a leap

airsense — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:27:29 +0000

Portuguese scientists have found a way to improve fragrance-containing microcapsule technology for use in fabrics. Microcapsules are used in scenting not just fabrics, but ink for scratch-and-sniff applications and other printed fragrance implementations. Researchers have been seeking ways to extend the fragrance-giving life of the microcapsules for use in fabric, which generally undergoes plenty of torture by things like washing machines, electric dryers, or drycleaning processes.

In this Portuguese study, the scientists found that using polyurethane-urea as the encapsulating compound prolonged fragrance production and durability. The study involved infusing a wool-polyester blend fabric with capsules of limonene (the scent of lemon). The fabric was then subjected to a series of dry cleaning cycles and other tortures.

The fabric lost 24% of its limonene after one round of dry cleaning, 57% after three dry cleaning cycles, and 95% after five dry cleaning cycles. It also lost up to 60% of the scent after being run through an abrasion machine.

Links:

Fibre2Fashion
Science Daily
“Microencapsulation of Limonene for Textile Application,” from Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, July 2, 2008

image courtesty Fibre2Fashion

Feeling low? Try on a bacon-scented tuxedo!

airsense — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:34:34 +0000

To go with those pork-scented postage stamps, we now have bacon-scented clothing. A tuxedo, to be exact. It’s from those funny folks over at Archie McPhee, who finally came up with something worthy of mention in New York magazine. Sadly, it’s actually an April Fools’ hoax.

Links: NewYork Mag, Archie McPhee

Good news for stinky feet

airsense — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:49:00 +0000

Got stinky feet? Now you can mask that lovely aroma with a better one. Check out Summer Soles Fragrant Footings scented insoles. They’re using some kind of encapsulation technology, calling it “step-to-release.” Available with essential oils of lemon, jasmine and mint.

Available from summersoles.com

Reebok makes Kool-Aid scented shoes

airsense — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:40:00 +0000

Mmm, what foot fetishist wouldn’t want a pair of sneakers that smelled like grape Kool-Aid? Soon you’ll be able to have your very own. The scent is delivered via scented sock liners in grape, cherry and strawberry flavors. There will be a matching clothing line, too. All available on February 1 at retailers everywhere. More in the Cleveland Leader

Fusing fashion and olfaction with "Smart Fabric"

airsense — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:01:00 +0000

Feeling uninspired by stories about scent marketing and scented products? Get inspired by “Scentsory Design.” Imagine a dress that’s like a second skin, containing sensors that keep track of what’s happening in your body. Now, imagine that this dress also contains micro tubing and a fragrance pump, delivering scent to targeted areas of the body. Researcher Jenny Tillotson is imagining dresses like this, made of this kind of “smart fabric.” From her web site: “Scentsory Design chooses scent as a tool to improve mental and physical wellbeing, enabling the wearer to act on visual cues or detect scent signals, allowing immediate information. Scentsory Design creates Emotional Fashion: responsive clothes that offer social and therapeutic value in a desirable fashion context.”

See Fashion Trendsetter for more information and a fascinating video, as well as Jenny Tillotson’s web site, Smart Second Skin.

Shoes that smell like bubblegum

airsense — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:46:00 +0000

If you’re in the market for shoes that smell like bubblegum, Brazilian company Melissa is making your dreams come true. Melissa’s shoes are made from recycled plastic, so they’re green and ultra lightweight. Read about them at Hippy Shopper, buy them online at Clementine.

Italian textile maker adds scent to repertoire

airsense — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:37:00 +0000

Italian textile maker Tessitura Tainia is planning a line of shirts that smell like strawberry, mint, orange, lemon, and coffee. According to the company, the smells will be incorporated into the fibers, and the effect will last for more than 10 washes. The shirts will debut early next year at textile shows in Milan and Paris. Tessitura Tainia has been weaving fabric since 1933. Read more at Canada.com

Indian government launching scented shirt line

airsense — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 22:04:00 +0000

Just in time for Diwali, the Tamil-Nadu government’s Co-optex is launching a line of scented shirts. Inspired by Keralan weavers that used Ayurvedic materials in their yarns, Co-optex’s shirts will be made from organic cotton yarns that have been treated with aromatic ingredients. Available scents will include rose, jasmine and lavender. The fragrances are expected to last for up to 50 washes. Co-optex is working with Handlooms and Textiles Minister N K K P Raja on the project, and is considering exporting the shirts. Read more at DNA India