Frisson: How Iga Weglinska is redefining fashion through neuroaesthetics and posthuman design
The Frisson project by Iga Weglinska represents a pioneering exploration at the intersection of fashion, neuroaesthetics, and technology. Rooted in the concept of atavism—the reappearance of evolutionary traits long thought dormant—Frisson investigates how ancient physiological responses like piloerection and paresthesia persist in modern humans, recontextualized through sensory and emotional experiences. The project examines how these involuntary reactions, once triggered by survival instincts, are now awakened by moments of beauty, awe, and emotional resonance, particularly in response to music, film, or ritual.
At the core of Frisson is a garment capable of responding kinetically to its auditory environment. It integrates a real-time sound sensor that detects shifts in acoustic stimuli, triggering subtle movements on the fabric’s surface. These micro-responses—gentle tremors or vibrations—are choreographed to mimic the body’s spontaneous reactions during emotionally charged experiences. Much like a shiver during a musical crescendo or the goosebumps brought on by a powerful whisper, the garment becomes an external manifestation of internal affect.
Iga Weglinska’s approach positions clothing not merely as a passive layer or a visual statement, but as a dynamic, communicative interface that extends human perception. Frisson aligns with contemporary discourse in posthuman design, emphasizing garments as prosthetic extensions capable of sensing and interpreting environmental input. It interrogates the boundaries between the body and technology, suggesting a future in which clothing becomes a cognitive tool—one that reads and reflects emotional states and facilitates a multisensory dialogue between individual and world.
This experimental design enriches ongoing research in sensory communication and intelligent materials, offering a provocative vision of clothing that transcends its traditional role. By embodying affective response and biological memory, Frisson proposes a new paradigm where garments not only dress the body but also speak its unspoken language.
All images courtesy of Iga Węglińska, shared with permission
