Elena Corchero is an experienced fashion and interaction
designer with a fine arts background and specialist
knowledge in smart textiles through work on wearable
technologies as a research associate in
MIT Media Lab Europe Human Connectedness.
Recently graduated from MA
Textile Futures at Central
Saint Martins, Elena has developed new aesthetics
for solar
wearable technologies, inspired in tradition and antique
embellishment techniques.
She is currently a Senior Research Associate at Distance Lab, and the Foundor of Lost Values.
Dedicated to fashion design and
production from a very early age where hands-on experience
was gained in every aspect of the family business.
Very attentive to detail. Enjoy working in multidisciplinar
and multicultural teams.
Fluent in Spanish, English and German with working knowledge
of French.
Skilled in multimedia and interaction design with extensive
IT skills such as Adobe design suites (especially Photoshop,
Freehand, Ilustrator, Dreamweaver and Flash).
E D U C A T I O N
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England
2 years |
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Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Braunschweig.
Specialize in graphic design and multimedia.
Minors in Industrial Design and Ergonomics.
Governmental grant award. |
Germany
1 year |
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La Laguna University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tenerife.
5 year Licenciatura degree, Fine Arts. |
Spain
5 years |
TRAINING
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London Business School, London.
New Creative Ventures, entrepreneur skills for Creative Industries.
Achived 2nd price for business plan and Team
Lider. |
England
10 weeks |
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Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London.
Experimental textile finishes, experimental
hand and machine knitting, experimental fashion
design, Designing objects for interiors, art
direction and photography.
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England
6 months |
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LaLaguna University, Law Faculty, Tenerife.
Roman Law, History of Spanish Law, Natural
Law, Civil Law. |
Spain
2 years |
W O R K I N G E X P E R I E N C
E
Senior Research Associate:
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Research, design and development of new products and prototypes integrating textiles and technology, such as smart textiles, solar cells and other electronic components. |
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Develop a relationship with architecture and interaction teams at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. |
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Participating in several talks, exhibitions and workshops for textile conferences, science museums and art museums. These include Boston Science Museum, and London ICA.
- Demonstration of prototypes and presentation of concepts to international visitors. |
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Demonstration of prototypes and presentation of concepts to international visitors. |
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Business plan development, design and start up of the first spin-off company supported by Distance Lab, which will be launching an on-line store in August. |
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Market research on wearable technologies, smart textiles and other competitor products. |
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Resourcing short time inters or collaborations to implement specific projects. |
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Research and design on environmental concerns related to textiles and technology. Research and design of eco-friendly packaging for the products. |
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Research and development of alternative and ethical ways to manufacture locally. |
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Calculating budgets and time scales for design and manufacture of new projects. |
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Use of laser cut and other computer assisted facilities such as digital embroidery. |
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Use of wikies and Blogs to keep data organized, updated and accessible. |
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Participate in weekly brainstorms with Distance Lab’s multidisciplinary team and contribute with textile expertise to other researcher’s current projects. |
Research Associate:
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Worked on smart textiles projects exploring
the future of human relationships as mediated
by technology. |
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Researched and experimented with how electronics
can be integrated in textiles. |
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Created the
whiSpiral,
a spiral shaped shawl that consists of miniature
sound recording modules built directly in the
garment. Sourced materials and crafted shawl
incorporating electronic parts. |
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Shared knowledge and skills with other researchers, artists, and engineers. |
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Presented research to corporate and governmental
partners of MIT Media Lab Europe. |
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Attended
MIT Media Lab sponsors meetings on latest research, Boston,
as well as the
New Technologies and Smart Textiles for Industry and Fashion conference, London. |
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Designed logo for the
Human Connectedness research group. |
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RENA LANGE Pret a Porter and Haute Couture |
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Munich - Germany
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Junior Fashion Designer:
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Created sketches and designs for both Pret a Porter and Haute Couture collections, From Garments to knitwear and accessories. |
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Designed prints, embroideries and beadwork for wool, leather, knitwear and linings. |
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Designed detailed 3D computer visualisations
of buttons based on the theme of the collection.
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Worked backstage with models and stylists to
present the 2005 summer collection to European
and Japanese buyers. |
| NATIVE Pret a Porter (family business
since 1982) |
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Lanzarote - Spain
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Fashion Design and Prototyping:
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Selected fabrics, color palettes and sources
of inspiraton for several collections. |
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Prepared sketches and developed drawing skills
for textures and volumes. |
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Worked together with professional pattern cutters
and developed several own patterns. |
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Operated and maintained industrial sewing machines,
overlock machines from three to five threads,
and double bed knitting machines. |
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Selected garments and models for photo shoots
and worked closely with stylists. |
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Developed a habit of constant awareness of
trends and fashion flows for both Haute Couture
and Prêt à Porter. |
2007
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Design London 2020 -
Consultant. |
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ESDModa College, Barcelona -
Presentation of projects to Fashion Students.
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Trade and Economics Institute, Ukraine -
Innovative technologies presentation.
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2006
2005
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Strandcast, Scotland -
Interaction Designer and Action Script developer for a flash video sharing application. |
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Dynamic Woman, Scotland - Creative Career Advisor |
2004
2003
A W A R D S A N D C O M I S S I O N S
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BBC Blast comission - Hands on workshops for customize interactive garments, recycle plastics, and design textile prints.
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Scotland
19-20Jul'08
03-04Jun'08 |
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FAD comission - Design of the Trophy, a Solar Crown, for the 2008 winner of the Jewellery competition.
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Barcelona, Spain
30Nov'07 |
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Frist Prize FAD Jewellery Awards - Awarded as Best Technical Skills on Profesional Jewellery for the Solar
Vintage Necklace.
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Barcelona, Spain
30Nov'07 |
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Eco-Price for Creativity - Nominated as Emerging Talent on eco design for the Solar
Vintage collection.
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Glasgow, Scotalnd
13Nov'07 |
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Elekit
workshop comission at Dazaifu Museum - Design of a textile technology workshop for children. |
Dazaifu, Japan
10Mav'07 |
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Second Prize London Business School Creative Ventures Course - Educational smart textile toys, business plan and team leader. |
Dazaifu, Japan
10Mav'07 |
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Highlands and Islands Enterpris Comission -
Design an interactive textile toy to address language learning.
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Scotland
Aug'06 |
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Orkney International Science festival Comission - Design of smart textile workshops for children.
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Scotland
Nov'05 |
S H O W S A N D E X H I B I T I O N S
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"G de Joyas" Jewellery Gallery Exhibition - Preview of the complete Solar Vintage jewellery collection in September 2008.
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Barcelona, Spain
23May-20Jul'08 |
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"Techno Threads" at the Science Gallery Exhibition - Featuring the Solar Vintage dress.
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Dublin, Ireland
25Apr-25Jul'08 |
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ReDesign "Climate Cool" Asia Touring Exhibition - Curated for the British Council China. Exhibiting the Solar
Vintage Fan
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China
Nov'07-Feb'08 |
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Milan
Fashion Week Exhibition- Innovative Fashion Accessories, exhibiting the Solar Vintage collection. Sponsored by ANCI.
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Milan, Italy
25-29Feb'08 |
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Museum
of Science "Seamless 08" Catwalk - Showing the complete Solar
Vintage accessories collection. |
Boston, USA
30Jan'08 |
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ReDesign "Contains"
Exhibition - Showing the Solar
Vintage Fan.
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Newcastle, England
19-28Oct'07 |
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"Saving Planet Earth"
Exhibition at ICA - Showing the Solar
Vintage collection for the Textile Futures Salon.
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London, England
03-29Oct'07 |
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"Designers
block 07" Exhibition - Showing the Solar
Vintage collection as part of the "Surface Synergy" Stand.
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London, England
20-23Sep'07 |
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"Fashion
Extravaganza" Catwalk at RoundHouse - Showing the complete Solar
Vintage collection.
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London, England
25Aug'07 |
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"Unravel" Catwalk at Siggraph 07 - Showing Solar
Vintage.
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San Diego,USA
06Aug'07 |
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"Unravel"
Catwalk at Siggraph 06 - Showing the whiSpiral.
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Boston,USA
31Jul'06 |
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Cute Circuit "Future
Fashion" Catwalk - Showing the whiSpiral.
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Pisa,Italy
20Jul'06 |
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"Digital Future" Catwalk - Showing the whiSpiral.
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Scotland
01May'06 |
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"Skill City" Exhibition- Featuring WhiSpiral.
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Scotland
Sep'05 |
W O R K S H O P S A N D T A L K S
P R E S S A N D B O O K S
I N T E R E S T S
Technology, sustainability, new materials, architecture,
children and learning.
Travel and cultures.
Photography, animation, drawing and watercolour.
Piano, percussion, electronic music and african instruments.
Scuba diving, swimming, climbing, martial arts and macrobiotics.
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