The Fashion Statement: Vivienne Tam's Digital Designs

by Kristin Young (RSS feed)
Sep 13th 2009 at 8:03PM

Vivienne Tam is one of the few designers who deigns to go near technology.

Tam unveiled the new design of the HP "Digital Clutch," a small purse-size notebook computer aimed at style conscious women. The machine, which costs about $700, will be available next spring.

Backstage before her show last night, Tam told me the print--a red butterfly on Champagne gold background--was inspired by the famous Chinese opera "Butterfly Lovers." The same print showed up in the designer's spring line which was all about ethereal printed caftans, origami shifts and hippie silhouettes. "It's a symbol of happiness, freedom and optimism," she said. All good.

But here's the thing: The Vivienne Tam notebook computer is pretty much your average HP notebook computer with a pretty design on the lid. Will there ever come a time when fashion designers actually design computers? Are we forever bound to squares and rectangles?

If Tam has anything to do with it, the answer is no. "I would love to learn that!" she said. Hear that, HP?

Tags: Butterfly Lovers, ButterflyLovers, Digital Clutch, DigitalClutch, HP, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Vivienne Tam, VivienneTam