Winter Clothing Show

There goes another wonderful clothing show, thanks to everyone that took part. Thanks also to the random stranger that helped push my car along on that snowy sunday morning. He didn't quite know what to say to me as I was rocking my car back and forth with the driver's door open, reaching in to tap the gas pedal intermittently. A great trick if youre slightly stuck by yourself. Just be sure to hop back in once it starts going.

Me and my boothmate, Adrienne Butikoffer, had a great time and did quite well, considering the blizzard's affect on attendance. Her awesome and unique products can be seen and purchased at www.butikofer.com

In general, im very pleased with the improvements I was able to make this time around. Heavy guage antique brass zippers were added and a traditional hoodstring to block out the cold. The thicker wools keep out the cold as does the raised neckline.

Also, in efforts to put material scraps to use, I made scarves and mittens out of the leftovers. Wearing a scarf with the jacket really seals the neck area quite well.



Jackets can be purchased through my online store:

www.chrisparkerdesign.com

The Future of Print Media

The future of media, with respect to emerging technologies, was one of my semester projects. As this slide depicts, my envisioned future for print media is something of a hybrid between electronic and printed material. Multi-media, Audio readings and Print-on-Demand are a few of the possibilities explored. Also, Quick Reference tags will allow magazines to connect to online material. This is an exciting development that does not significantly change the existing experience while enabling a broad base of enhancements. I was happy travel down this hypothetical road lo these past few months. Along the way, I have developed other ideas of my own within the realm of speech-recognition and discreet self-surveillance which will eventually come in the form of an automatic transcription device which passively monitors your life, writing down the important things. Stay tuned.

Mrs. Helmet Hat

Mrs. Helmet Hat is in town for the holidays and she's looking saucy. While working on prototypes for this winter cycling product, I was glad to have Sheila around to model for me. Make no mistake, it's a unisex product and designed to fit most helmet sizes. Right now, developing the earflap is my main focus.

In general I find winter cycling a challenge. It is tough to coax one's self out there to begin with...it's cold, it's less safe than usual and if youre into helemets to safen things up, you have to somehow negotiate the headwarmth situation. I see people jamming their helmet over a toque which im sure works fine but it strikes me as less than ideal.

The helmet hat is intended to be a more unified approach to cold weather cycling as well as an opportunity for enhanced style. Natural, breathable wool hats are popular throughout various cultures and with youth. That being the case, we might have a shot at this. Materials for these hats often come from leftovers from my line of jackets. How about that.

Any interested parties, contact cparker80@gmail.com

Feedback appreciated.

Packo De Backo

This bag is designed for the busy city dweller. Encompasseng the best elements of a backpack with the accessiblity of a courier bag, it is perfect for errand running and the general urban scramble. Backpacks are the best for bearing a load comfortably, but cause problems when you want to get anything out. Taking a bag off, putting it down on the dirty ground (with the dog doo and hork), and then put it back on again? Sounds like a pain and it is. The courier bag is better for this as it can shift to the stomache area, but! placing the load over one shoulder at a time leads to malalignment and pain with prolonged use (referecnce needed).

If youre really into the courier style, the extra strap stows leaving you pleased as punch. Development continues with potential for spring "release".

Prototypes were made of reclaimed Dacron (sail) and salvaged Nylon webbing (Auto).

For Sales, contact cparker80@gmail.com. In the spring.