The DVF X Google Glass collection is officially a huge thing since Diane Von Furstenberg hosted the first shoppable Google+ Hangout with co-host and Luckymagazine editor-in-chief Eva Chen back in 2013. The exclusively designed frames were launched on Net-a-porter on June 23 this year, but it was the 2013 event that paved the way for the project to be launched. The shoppable Google+ Hangout offered participants an opportunity to buy DVF products while Von Furstenberg answered questions about her career. It is unclear how many product were sold during the session, but Google and Von Furstenberg managed to generate huge buzz via YouTube with 2.3 million views. The interest shown by users led high fashion institutions DVF and Net-a-Porter to join forces with the tech giant to unveil the exclusive DVF X Google Glass collection.
According to a recent study (via washingtonpost.com) by IDC, a tech research firm, 19.2 million wearable devices will be shipped worldwide in 2014, and the number is expected to climb to nearly 112 million by 2018. The report also said that, to succeed in the market, smart wearables, such as Google Glass, “must convince users to shift to a new user experience while offering them a robust selection of third-party applications.” Keeping that in mind, it seems that Google and Von Furstenberg are on to something by making tech more attractive for the fashion world as well.
The DVF Made for Glass collection is being sold in an exclusive package that includes Google Glass, a choice of five frames and shades, a mono earbud and case. Net-a-Porter describes the lightweight eyewear as “elegant frames meet cutting-edge technology” intended to make Google Glass “flatter every face shape.”
Net-a-Porter Group Founder and Chairman Natalie Massenet said:
“We are thrilled to offer Glass to our tech-savvy customers who are true leaders and innovators in style and lifestyle,”
Von Furstenberg told Mashable in October last year:
“I love the idea of looking at all the products they have, and using it, and they love using me because I get it out there,” “It’s a nice relationship.”
At the DVF Fall 2014 runway show, beauty editors also used Google Glass to capture backstage excitement. Come on ladies, there is no more excuses to let that geek flag fly proudly. You can now be high-tech and on-trend with a designer version of the Google Glass, but be prepared to break open the old piggy bank. Expect to cough up at $1,800 for these babies.
DVF X Google Glass Specs
| OPERATING SYSTEM | Android™ 4.4 KitKat® (XE16 and above) |
| DISPLAY | High-resolution display is the equivalent to a 25-inch high-definition screen seen from eight feet away. |
| CAMERA | 5MP photos |
| 720p video | |
| WEIGHT | 1.51oz (43g) |
| AUDIO OUTPUT | Built-in bone conduction transducer |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi – 802.11b/g |
| Bluetooth | |
| STORAGE | 12GB of usable memory, synced with Google Cloud Storage. |
| 16GB Flash Drive. | |
| BATTERY | One day of typical use. Some features, like video recording, are more battery intensive. |
| PORTS | Micro USB |
For those of you who missed out on the launch last year, here is an overview of Google Glass courtesy of engadget.com:
“Google Glass is a project started by Google that is intended to bring hands-free display technology to the general public. By utilizing voice commands, users can interact with their Google Glass device to get information from their phones, participate in Google+ Hangouts or to get information from the internet. With a wireless data connection, Google Glass adds an augmented-reality overlay to whatever you’re looking at, automatically bringing up relevant information from various Google sources. This is still a prototype project, but Google hopes to bring it to consumers sometime in 2013.”
Google made the following announcement via their G+ page:
“Today we’re announcing the DVF | Made for Glass collection, a collaboration that brings chic eyewear designs by iconic American fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg to the Glass Explorer Program. These new designs build on the style choices we gave Explorers when we launched the Titanium Collection in January.”
“Starting June 23, you can purchase the collection exclusively on +NET-A-PORTER and google.com/glass, which includes five new frames and eight new shades to give you even more ways to make Glass your own. At that time, you’ll also be able to purchase the Titanium collection on +MR PORTER.“
“In 2012, we gave you an insider’s view of the +DVF Spring 2013 runway show withDVF [through Google Glass]. We’re honored to collaborate with her talented team again. Like Diane says, “technology is your best accessory.”
Additional Sources: techradar.com, brandchannel.com
