Tech-infused high fashion meets insectile aesthetic

In the world of FashionTech — a field that blends haute couture design and mechatronics engineering — nobody has more experience than Anouk Wipprecht. Her own creations are always intriguing, but she also mentors students to help them realize their own visions. As part of a collaboration between Summa Fashion and Fontys School of Engineering, Wipprecht and a team of students created these insectile garments for Dutch Design Week 2025, which will be displayed at Manifestations.

“Like Insects” is part of the BeCreative minor and, as the name suggests, it relies on insect bodies for inspiration. Each of the participating students examined a variety of insects, paying close attention to the way they moved. Those students then incorporated elements of the insects’ bodies and movements into their fashion designs.

With Wipprecht’s guidance, the students brought their designs to life using Arduino UNO Rev3 boards to control components like LEDs and motors. The students, including Fiyo van Ravenstein of Fontys and Lennard Sap of Summa, made use of a variety of fabrication techniques, from traditional sewing to cutting-edge 3D printing, to create their garments. Then, they integrated the Arduino boards and electronic components to enhance the dynamic elements.

One design has fluttering dragonfly-like wings, actuated by servo motors under the control of an Arduino. Another has a glowing skirt illuminated by LEDs, bringing to mind imagery of summer fireflies.

All of the students’ designs are sure to impress, both for their fashionable qualities and for their underlying engineering. Audiences will be able to view them from October 18^th to the 26^th at Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven and more information for the event is available on the Manifestations website.

Photography by Eline den Hond