Undressing Room – A Smart Sensual Space

Wendy is a designer, a technologist, an entrepreneur and a mother. Her first degree in Computer Science from Imperial College set up a career in IT and Finance, leading to starting her own internet business in 1999.

Following the successful sale of her business Moonfruit.com in 2005. Wendy continued her transition to interiors and textile designer culminating in her MA in Textile Futures at Central St. Martins. Also Marketing Director for Gandi Group Ltd. Wendy is married with 2 children and lives in West London.

These sensory textiles seamlessly combine emotional, sensual, aesthetics with interactive, smart technology.

Inspired by the idea of ‘restrained eroticism’ – the tension and anticipation experienced while holding back ones feelings of desire, I have designed my work on a spectrum to appeal to different individuals' interpretation of this notion.

The ‘Undressing Room’ aims to draw in the participant, encouraging them to touch and interact with the room and enhance their feelings of well being. Smart textiles enable the room to respond in turn to the touch of the participant.

Soft touch sensors are embroidered on to a chaise lounge to trigger heat, light and colour change in wall hangings and lamps. The base fabrics chosen are luxurious, revealing, soft, textured and layered to reflect my design inspirations. The surface transformation techniques I use also reinforce this, flock and foil, acid silk screening, resist spray painting and embroidery. I combine digital printing and laser cutting with the softer aesthetics of traditional techniques.

This project was developed in response to research ‘Sensism’ showing increased sensory deprivation in our modern, urban world, particularly ‘light and touch hunger’ which leads to lethargy, depression and de-motivation.