Philips Lumalive Textiles Light up the Catwalk

The fashions of US-based Anke Loh are associated with a lookthat's modern and inventive. Her work has always been inspired by theworld of experimental arts and designs. This new collection goes astep further. Inspired by her move to Chicago from Antwerp, and thecontrasting light and atmosphere between the two places, she hasharnessed new technologies to create subtle fashions that not onlyreflect but also emit light.

"I spent a long time looking for the right technology to bringinto my fashion. I tried optical fibers - even weaving them togetherwith black cotton. But when I approached Philips and they showed metheir Lumalive textiles I found something special," explained AnkeLoh.

Where art and technology meet

Lumalive textiles contain an array of LEDs (light emitting diodes)that can display text, graphics or even animations. The only limit isyour imagination. They're soft and flexible and fit invisibly into thefabric. The patterns only become obvious when they light up to displayfor example vivid colored patterns.

"Philips Lumalive technology is the only technology that allowsmoving images to appear on the body in such an elegant way. It's theperfect combination of art and technology," explained Loh. "Werecorded video of city life and of different faces in Chicago andAntwerp and will display them as animations on the fabric usingLumalive technology. It takes personal expression to a new level. Ithas limitless possibilities and my collection is just the beginning."

Your new second skin

"The Lumalive technology is completely unique," explained BasZeper, Managing Director of Photonic Textiles, Philips Research."Thin, soft, flexible, light... you hardly notice you're wearing itunless it's switched on. It's like a second skin. The electronics andbatteries are completely hidden and you can easily remove them fromthe garment for washing."

This is the first time that a fashion designer has used Lumalivetextiles and it is part of Philips' vision for a future where oursurroundings and the clothes we wear become more intelligent, andinteract with the environment around us. Lumalive textiles arecurrently being developed for commercial use and will be available onthe market in 2007.

For further information on Anke Loh please visit: www.ankeloh.net

High-resolution pictures are available from:http://www.research.philips.com/initiatives/photext/photext-pictures.html (Due to its length, this URL may need to becopied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove theextra space if one exists.)

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI)is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe'slargest, with sales of EUR 30.4 billion in 2005. With activities inthe three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technologyand 158,000 employees in more than 60 countries, it has marketleadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patientmonitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting andsilicon system solutions. News from Philips is located atwww.philips.com/newscenter.