Adobe x Christian Cowan: Unveiling the future of fashion with Project Primrose
24 June 2024: Adobe MAX 2023 was a landmark event, but there was one moment that captivated the world: the reveal of the Adobe Primrose dress, a groundbreaking Adobe Sneak. The Primrose dress uses laser-cut polymer dispersed liquid crystal “petals” that can electronically change patterns multiple times per second. Under each petal is an underlay with a flexible printed circuit board, allowing the petals to alternate and shift between shades of silver and ivory. This pivotal moment wasn’t just a showcase of innovative technology; it sparked a creative fire. Designers, artists, and brands from around the world were instantly drawn to the allure of the Primrose dress and the notion of sustainability and technology behind it.
Among these visionaries was fashion designer Christian Cowan. Known for embracing new ways of design, mediums and collaboration, Cowan is responsible for dressing celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Heidi Klum, Lil Nas X, Nicki Minaj, Naomi Campbell, and Miley Cyrus. Christian found immediate inspiration in the potential of Primrose petals. This fascination quickly evolved into a unique collaboration, leading the Adobe Research team to embark on a creative journey to Cowan’s NYC studio.
Debuting as the main look of the collection revealed at Christian Cowan’s 2024 Fall/Winter New York City Fashion Week runway show, this unique piece isn’t just a garment but a truly dynamic canvas. Emblazoned with 360 degrees of Primrose petals cut into Cowan’s iconic stars, it mesmerized the audience, from the front row to the streamers at home. With each step, the pattern shifted and animated the avant-garde look, bringing the dress to life.
“The true technological craftsmanship that has gone into this piece is mind boggling. And the simplicity you are left with is so seamless, you’d never know the layers upon layers of boning, satin, cable work, mother boards, transmitters and polymers scales that are all at play. The best part about the job I have is to be able to dream, and then make those dreams a reality, this was exactly that.”
Powered by Adobe: Redesigning the fabric of fashion
Project Primrose is more than a technological marvel; it’s a key that unlocks boundless possibilities in fashion design. Traditional clothing, once static, can now be transformed into dynamic expressions of art and technology. With Primrose, designers are empowered to dream bigger, envisioning garments that evolve and interact with their environment through time. The Adobe x Christian Cowan dress exemplifies this vision, merging fabric and technology into a living, breathing work of art.
https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2024/02/11/christian-cowan-adobe-primrose-new-york-fashion-week
