Innovative brand Audio Chi has just launched a range of technologically advanced headphones.
I recently asked a few questions about the headphones to one of the brand’s in-house designers, Jili Allen.
Allen studied Product Design at Edinburgh Napier University, but always had an insatiable love for fashion that prompted her to create an entire shoe collection when she completed her degree.
When Allen moved to Paris and worked in the local bureau of Vogue USA, fashion design became a more prominent obsession in her life and the local fashion weeks only ended up increasing Allen’s addiction.
Back in the UK Allen decided to mix her passion for fashion with her love for art, design and music.
Collaborating with a team of experts at Audio Chi, Allen worked on a range of headphones. Dubbed the W-Series, the range features headphones in different colour combinations and a Chanel-style quilted headband.
The look is not all though: the W-Series offers professional studio sound quality thanks to Audio Chi’s Flawless Sound™ Technology and features woven cables – so that they don’t tangle in the wearer’s hair – and a detachable connection. To celebrate the W-Series fashion connection, Audio Chi organised a photo shoot at Glasgow’s SWG3 Studio Warehouse.
What fascinates you about product design?
Jili Allen: Product Design gives me a different foundation to just fashion; it’s not just the way something looks that excites me, it’s also the way it works. The team that worked on the Audio Chi headphones comprises specialists in fashion, marketing, journalism and obviously sound engineers. This is exactly what I love about product design, it offers the chance of meeting real people who find their inspiration in the most untoward places.
How did you get involved with the Audio Chi project?
Jili Allen: I met the Audio Chi team while I was designing and creating hand-made shoes. We got talking and their passion was infectious. I instantly fell in love with the idea and felt that working on such a product was a natural progression for me.
Jili Allen: Our inspiration comes from one simple question: why does there always have to be a compromise between fashion and performance? We didn’t want to sacrifice technology for design; we wanted to tick all the boxes and bring quality headphones to the forefront – accessible for all. I guess we managed to reach our objectives: the W-Series design stands out but so do its sound, size and comfort. Traditionally, headphones of this sound quality are ridiculously huge but we changed all that.
What’s your favourite colour combination?
Jili Allen: Black with pink polka-dots; the colours go with all imaginable outfits, and, like other accessories, can make the most tired look interesting again. In fact I wore them around my neck the other night just as a statement.
Will you develop further accessories along these lines in future?
Jili Allen: Yes! Watch this space.
Photography by Brian Sweeney. Member of the Boxxet Network of Blogs, Videos and Photos Member of the Boxxet Network of Blogs, Videos and Photos
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