Those who enjoy reading science fiction or fantasy might enjoy the idea of an article of clothing that makes them vanish from sight. This could help you avoid those painful social situations, would allow you to leave the house without worrying about makeup, and could even present some more interesting possibilities. For some celebrities, the idea of disappearing may soon become a reality. At least, disappearing from a photo.
Designed by Saif Siddiqui, this interesting new invention, called the ISHU scarf, is now being offered as a “paparazzi-proof” way for wearers to get a little bit of privacy when they leave their home. It works by reflecting the light from a camera’s flash back towards the picture taker, effectively darkening the image and making it virtually impossible to see the wearer in the photo. While it doesn’t work on pictures without a flash, it can be great indoors or at night when light is limited. This opens up some definite possibilities for those who need some extra privacy. Currently, the scarf sells for around $500, and ISHU is also working to develop a variety of other clothing items, including a tie and pocket square. The idea is to give celebrities, or anyone else who cares to avoid flash photography, the ability to avoid unwanted photos.
If you’re a fan of fantasy, the concept of a fashion accessory making you disappear might seem familiar. J.R.R. Tolkein covered this in his “Lord of the Rings” series by introducing the One Ring. Sure, this scarf may not be as a cool as a magical ring that makes you disappear, but presumably it doesn’t have the side effect of an all-seeing eye that watches you. It also doesn’t come with nine ring wraiths chasing after you whenever you put it on. So, when you think of it that way, it is a really nifty invention. While it was designed for celebrities, it could also serve as a great prank for your friends or the perfect accessory for anyone who just wants to avoid the spotlight.
Of course, some suggest that perhaps being a celebrity eliminates the possibility or reasonable expectation of privacy. Considering the amount of money some of these people pull in, it might sound like a small price to pay that people are constantly trying to take your photo. Still, it has gotten to the point where it is ridiculous. Many celebrities can’t even get a moment to themselves and they are under constant pressure to look good, “act right,” and never have a chance to relax. This makes living a chore, and some might wonder why anyone seeks such fame in the first place. Fortunately, inventions like this might help contribute to some semblance of privacy in the future, allowing them to leave the house without fearing constant harassment.