The Origins of Fashionable $cience
Founding Date: 2012
What is Fashionable $cience? It’s a conversation, a guideline and a shirt that gives lifelong inspiration.
Two core motives for conceiving the Fashionable $cience series was: 1) to document how science is integrated into and changing fashion and 2) to provide smart styling guidance.
From spacesuits to reflective wear, garments are produced for form and function. The materials and design work together to yield wearable jackets, pants and shoes. Einsteins physics, digital sensors and the universe’s rocks all work to make our present and future fashionable. Dr. Kuver saw the importance of presenting Fashion in an approachable way so as to interest both scientists and non-scientists. The long-term goal was to increase collaborations between designers and scientists in materials, sustainability and Extra-Earth living.
But while we are on Earth… do you realize how difficult it is to dress for science? In an actual laboratory where experiments are conducted, specific clothing and shoes are required. Sandals are not permitted because they expose the dermis to harmful agents like acid. The perspective was that you cannot dress stylishly and do scientific work. Most find it difficult to choose professional clothes for giving a research talk, writing grants and holding lab meetings. Also, nobody wants to keep their same work look when they meet up with their friends after work or have to go home to change.
Beyond getting compliments for her style, Dr. Kuver created Lab $tyle out of recognizing the need for people to dress professionally without losing their identities and fun. Whether you are wearing sweats or tuxedo slacks, fashion is part of everyday life for everyone. The Lab is anywhere you conduct your work. As stated many times previously, the incorporation of the dollar sign ($), like the $cientist T-shirts, is about valuing yourself and individually rather than monetary confines. Lab $tyle looks provide key switch-ups to take a comfortable work look to a networking session… or Lab After Hours. Shoes, bags and cardigans are simple ways to make a huge difference.
Dosha Dressing is the newest addition to The Magazine. Always future-forward, Dr. Kuver foresaw the need to move people beyond trends like Dopamine Dressing. Ayurveda and color mesh to provide looks that are healing and nurturing for every dosha. The originals were the ever relevant dressing for the seasons and seasonal transitions like in Lab $tyle Winter to Spring Transition and Summer Lab $tyle 1.0.
Fashionable $cience transcends trends and focuses on personalization. Covering everything from fashion shows to daily looks incorporates Ayurveda, art and STEM. The next section gives a few examples of what The Magazine has covered for the last 12 years.
THE $CIENCE
In It Girl Vs. IT Girl: Information Technology Gets Fashionable, we looked at real examples of tech-fashion. From detection rings and bracelets to purse speakers, we compared practical wearables to Karl Lagerfeld’s Data Center Chanel show. These cross-overs are important to discuss because it exemplifies the public’s connection to STEM and invites a discussion on future uses for big fashion houses.
The fashion community is invested in STEM through materials, form and function. With sustainability, AI and commercial space flights on the rise, the role science plays in fashion is more widely discussed today. However, Dr. Kuver saw the need to discuss it 12 years ago. It benefits scientists and designers to collaborate. The Fhold Atak story looked at the physics of reflective garments by a NYC designer.
The physics of FAshion
Wear What Where series is Dr. Kuver’s favorite. These are pieces from Dr. Kuver’s personal wardrobe and the events are connected to science- from art openings to eclipses. This example of April mixed entrepreneurial talks with science fashion shows.
Before entrepreneurship became all the rage, Dr. Kuver shared her experience with being a founder of research and publishing. Both involve dressing the part. In Boss Lab $tyle and Keynote Edition, she provided guidance on the essentials needed to dress like a leader and innovator.
LAB STYLE FOR LEADERS