Joanna Hir

Vision Quest is a trans-seasonal couture collection, designed by Joanna Hir, supported by ElektroCouture, and offering modern occasion-wear with elements of technology for men.

The leading theme of the collection is “enlightenment”. Each piece in the collection is enhanced by different technology. Light technology on each look, created with glowing print, El Wires, EL panels and LED Matrix board, symbolises spiritual awaking, intellectual growth, evolution and progress.

Silhouettes are influenced by medieval Asian ceremonial-wear, print by distorted graphics and lenticular illusion, embroidery by the shapes of the modern architecture.

The accessories are created in collaboration with MuArts. Headpiece and earrings use EEG technology, capturing and providing users with the information about brain data, allowing users to be conscious of their mental state in the real time, predict, control and manage brain states. The tech installed on both pieces was programmed to activate with mental focusing and change modes of the light, depending on the user’s concentration level.

Joanna Hir works on called enlightenment engineering, aiming to enhance human potential and heal some aspects of human psyche with the help of wearable technology, for example, to reduce anxiety, depression or increase focus or relaxation. Moreover, it allows the user to control all the tech on the body and in the space around her/him through mental focusing.

Joanna Hir is a London based fashion designer, costume designer and fashion stylist. She works in the field of Fashion Tech, uses the human body as an interface, creating a unique combination of classic couture design techniques merged with technology, engineering and neuroscience.

Joanna graduated from London College of Fashion with an MA in Strategic Fashion Marketing and Management, a BA in Fashion Design Technology Menswear and a BA in Business Management and Marketing from National Louis University.

Joanna’s craftsmanship was recognised by British Industry in 2015 as she was awarded the Gold Arrow for the Best Costume and Wardrobe on British TV for the costume design in the bionic pop artist Viktoria Modesta video’s “Prototype”.

Joanna worked for some of the biggest names in the industry including BBC, Rita Ora, Little Mix, Viktoria Modesta, among others. Key publications include Vogue, Elle, Dazed & Confused, Wired and many more.