From football boots to period underwear and medical devices, many products are still not properly designed with women's bodies in mind. At Dutch Design Week (DDW), discover designers who are working to change that. Through clever innovations, new technologies and a critical look at existing designs, they show how design can better meet women's needs.
Making pain relief accessible to women worldwide
Did you know that millions of women around the world undergo gynaecological procedures without anaesthesia? With Chloe Innovations, designer Karlheinz Tondo Samenjo has developed a clever, affordable device that aims to change this.
A simple attachment for a syringe makes it possible to administer local anaesthesia without expensive equipment. The device is also reusable. A small design with the potential to make a big difference to women's healthcare. Discover the project at the Secrid Talent Podium in the Klokgebouw at Strijp-S.
Football boots designed specifically for women
Did you know that many football boots are still designed around the male body? That's something 21-year-old designer Eva Sherlock wants to change. With her project BróGAA, she has developed a football boot specifically for women who play Gaelic football, a sport combining elements of football, rugby and volleyball.
Women are at greater risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, and Sherlock believes football boot design may play a role. That's why she developed a sole with shorter, rounder studs and an adapted stud pattern. Using AI and 3D-printing technology, the sole can also be customised to suit each individual player.
Curious to see the result? Discover BróGAA at 25 years of Industrial Design in the Atlas building on the Eindhoven University of Technology campus.
Sportswear without beauty standards
Why does women's sportswear so often emphasise breasts, bottoms and hips? With BUTTSCRUNCHED, designer Simone Winder challenges the sexualisation of women's bodies in sportswear.
She takes familiar sportswear items, such as the popular butt-scrunch leggings, and transforms them using asymmetrical lines, unexpected shapes and repurposed materials. By breaking away from the traditional hourglass silhouette, she reveals just how strongly fashion influences our perception of the female body. Discover the project at Fashion Tech Farm.
Underwear that helps relieve period pain
Technology and underwear? Turns out they're a surprisingly good combination. With Fem Relief, DoMicro and by-wire.net have developed innovative underwear designed to help relieve menstrual pain.
An integrated heating system is built into the fabric and remains completely invisible under clothing. A great example of how smart technology can make everyday life more comfortable. This project is also on show at Fashion Tech Farm.
Design that sees the body differently
These projects show what happens when designers challenge existing norms.
Discover them at DDW, running until 25 October in Eindhoven. Explore the full programme and get your ticket!
