DAY 18

Streamline Clothing

Characteristics of the 30’s movement not only inspire the outfits of architecture, products and travel, but also led to development in fashion on sports apparel and trendy outfits. Examples such as The LZR Racer suit by speedo, 2008 and Light Suits costume design of TRON Legacy, 2010 – SCI-FI film demonstrates streamline fashion of today and tomorrow.

LZR Racer swim suit by speedo consist of; strategically placed patches that reduce drag, elastic suit material provides an air tight fit to make the body streamline/ aerodynamic and gives the suit an overall futuristic, Avant Garde appearance. The suit went under wind tests via facilities at NASA and was later released in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics. Streamline influence on the suit design resulted in setting new world records almost regularly for water sports whilst reducing human performance. Later the LZR Racer faced a ban because the athletes relied on streamline technology rather than physical capabilities.

I felt like a rocket wearing the suit – Michael Phelps

Figure 1: LZR Racer suit worn by Michael Phelps

The suit was later dubbed ‘the rubber suit’ because it gave the user a ‘rubber skin’ that repels water on contact with the surface of the suit increasing the streamline affect, function & form of the user- allowing you to travel efficiently and faster. This streamline technology and form of the suit is currently being practiced in sports where natural elements restrict performance, such as cycling apparel for heavy wind conditions and jerseys for football teams for less tug and pull.

Figure 3: Re-inventing LZR Racer suit by University of the Arts London.

Although streamline has participated in changing the appearance and function of sports gear; it is realised that streamline costume design in cinemas has opened doors to smooth air tight high street fashion trends.

TRON Legacy, 2010 – Streamline film of synthesised world and a concept of the future. Costumes used in the film went on to inspiring leading fashion brand Versace to release a clothing range that takes the streamline light suit fashion approach – giving high street fashion a new genre of clothing.

Figure 3: TRON Legacy, 2010 – Light suits

For a synthesised world theme, the light suits powered by lithium batteries is originally cut very close to the body to give an industrial look. Even though the costumes were produced for the film, the idea of air tight streamlined fashion in the film draws smooth surface and line work found in streamline architecture and travel, which later inspired Versace and high street fashion.

Figure 4: Versace – TRON inspired fashion show

It is Fairley clear that streamline fashion is here to say because it gives a futuristic look, reveals curvature of the body and ultimately makes the outfit look sleek and attractive. Skinny Jeans, lace less shoes, slim ties, and discrete cuff links echo streamline fashion of today.

– Nevil Fernandes

The Douglas Sleeper Transport (DST)

Streamline Design has been vital in enabling the development of aeroplanes. Without considering this style of design there would be no such thing as air travel. Streamlined aeroplanes have reduce drag, minimised noise emissions and increase stability, these ensure that the aeroplane is aerodynamic. In the early 1930’s America Produced a wide variety of transport planes that all were streamlined and had similar characteristics.

The First major Aeroplane was the Douglas DST which took its first flight in 1935 and has become an icon throughout history. It was the aeroplane that made the modern age of air travel possible, this plane transported Allied soldiers and supplies into combat against the enemy, and it has long since set records for its ability to function over time among all aircraft designs. Its range, power and speed revolutionised air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. It had a huge impact on the World War II and the airline industry which makes it one of the most significant aircrafts ever made. After numerous amounts of tests and regulation checks it sold to American Air Lines in Chicago and was approved for national flights, where people could be transported day or night across America.

The Douglas Aircraft Company were responsible for designing this magnificent machine along with several others like the DC-3, Skytrain and the C-47. The Company was an American aerospace manufacturer based in Southern California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and then merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas. Since they started they have produced planes based on the original designs which all related to Streamline Design.