EmPowered is a wearable experience that explores how design and technology can facilitate conversations about consent and empowerment. The dress is relatively simple in design but is equipped with electronics that give its wearer explicit agency over their own undressing. By combining subtle human gestures with embedded electronic sensors, EmPowered acts as a tool to give (or not give) explicit consent.

       Part of “unlocking” the dress invites the wearer to assume a stance commonly referred to as the power pose: by placing one’s hand on the hip where a button is embedded in the built-in belt. The wearer fully steps into the act of giving consent. Once the wearer decides to press the button, a fingerprint sensor is activated to confirm their identity, which is pre-programmed to recognize the wearer. Once the correct identity has been established, the sensor breaks the current to an electromagnetic closure at the left shoulder strap. By breaking the current, the magnetic closure opens, releasing the shoulder strap, letting the dress's left side fall open, revealing the wearer’s chest.