From

Future Fabrics
(Part 2)

(ELLE.com) – French designer Elisabeth de Senneville is changing the fashion landscape through her new, high-tech fabrics. Here she talks to ELLE.com about the future of fashion. See yesterday’s page for the first part of the interview.

ELLE.com: What types of new fabrics do you work with and why?
Elisabeth de Senneville: For the spring/summer collection I worked with micro-capsules which are tiny balls that are invisible to the naked eye. You can put anything inside the micro-capsules, from pigments to scents.
The problem with working with new fabrics like micro-capsules is that they’re very expensive. I have to get the micro-capsules from Japan and 1 kilo (2.2 pounds) costs 30,000FF (about US$4000).
I also worked with fiber optics for some of the coats in the collection. It's the first time fiber optics have been woven for clothes. I was also thinking one day, why not come up with clothes that are useful as well as being fashionable? So in October 1999, I created clothes that tell you what the weather is like.

ELLE.com: Which designers do you feel work with fabrics in an innovative way?
ES: Among the designers who I think are doing some interesting things are Marithe and Francois Girbaud. Many designers go through retro looks for inspiration, but Marithe & Girbaud always seem to try to push ahead rather than rely on retro looks.

ELLE.com: What is your opinion on the future of fashion?
ES: When I look at Andre Courreges, there are all these futuristic shapes in his clothes. And I think that's inspiring. But you know, all fashion has its place. Now fashion has become too commercial. In some respects, unfortunately, business has replaced creativity. But regardless, I just continue with my collection.
Ready for clothes that light up, change color, moisturize your skin or give you a weather report? Below are some of Elisabeth de Senneville's fashion innovations. Check out ELLE.com Stylemaker for the full story on her cutting-edge collection.

Fiber Optic Collection
The clothes light up when you're in a dark room because of the fiber optics woven into them.

Cosmetic Collection
Clothes hydrate the skin with UVB protection because the micro-capsules are filled with moisturizer that is released on the skin.

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