Isabel DiFabio

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Isabel DiFabio

A senior IMM and Computer Science double major who plans to become a full-time software engineer after graduation along with being the founder of Reactive Runway

What is Reactive Runway?

Reactive Runway is a tech-fashion experiment and business plan that aims to combine movement and textiles. In the constantly evolving world we have today, it’s more important now than ever that our clothes move with it. Combining my love for coding, interactivity, and fashion design, Reactive Runway aims to change the way we look at clothing in the modern day.

Leaders & Inspiration

Designer

Cameron Hughes is an innovative tech-fashion designer who has designed moving pieces for the likes of Dylan Mulvaney and Janelle Monae for the Met Gala. His work has been prominently featured on Rupaul’s Drag Race for many different drag queens.

Portfolio And Instagram

Color

This garment will explore thermochromic pigments and there ability to change designs within clothing.

The Problem

To often, drag artists and other people interested in digital textiles lack access to designers who care about their culture and want to achieve their vision. Reactive Runway aims to change this by allowing these unique people access to the garments their unique minds can dream of.

Impact

By providing a creative outlet for drag artists or fashioneers to achieve there dream, we set a new standard. Too often are these people taken advantage of in the fashion space, as it can be very close minded to non gender conforming people. The impact that this project will have will hopefully gear us up for a better future.

The Project

Light

This garment will use dynamic lighting embedded in fabric to change patterns on the fly.

Development Tools & Process

Reactive Runway uses tools such as sewing machines, hot glue guns, bedazzle guns, etc. The process starts with inspiration: maybe from a drag show I’ve just seen or an emerging textile technology. I then draw a sketch of my vision, and then purchase the materials I need to make it happen. I measure the person the garment is for (or myself) and get to work constructing the piece

AI Tool Usage

Reactive Runway aims to be at the for front of fashion technology. Throughout this project, certain AI tools such as Antigravity were used to find ways to display my work in the best way possible. However, due to the nature of this project being physical as opposed to digital, all the ideas and construction came from me. I believe AI should be used as a tool to aid in creativity, not take it over

The Business

Custom Designs

Reactive Runway will be a custom piece commission service that will create unique and interactive garments for galas, events, drag shows, art galleries, etc.

Expanding Outreach

By expanding the outreach of the company through social media, we will amass a following that will then lead to more commissions

Movement

This garment will combine movement and fashion design to create garments that move with our bodies as they change.

The Solution

Reactive Runway will take into account the richness of drag culture as well as leverage new emerging technologies to make never before seen garments for galas, drag shows, and museums.

Personal Goal & Future Plans

This project allowed me to combine both my degrees in computer science and IMM. I have always wanted to find a way to combine my love for creativity with my love for coding, so this will help push me further in my career. In the future, I hope to continue promoting this business to many people and design for others in ways not thought possible before.

What I Learned

When I first started this project, I only knew how to hand sew. This project challenged me to get outside my comfort zone and learn that new skill in the makerspace. I also learned how to host my own website, and how to work with digital textiles.

Successes & Failures

I succeeded in creating three garment experiences for this project. I also succeeded in documenting my process and making content about it. One failure was I think I bit off a bit more than I could chew with the movement dress. I decided to pivot to something more achievable in the timeframe, and I am happy with what I was able to produce instead!