Profile: Rayanni Oliveira da Silva – Only Natural Design Competitions

Rayanni Oliveira da Silva

Griffith College

My name is Rayanni Oliveira. I am a Brazilian fashion designer based in Dublin, Ireland, where I have been living for the past five years. I am passionate about creating innovative designs that empower women through technology and sustainability, blending safety systems like RAYDAR’s conductive fabric with modern aesthetics. My goal is to redefine fashion as a force for social change, ensuring every garment fosters confidence, fearless resilience, and encourages community involvement. I have three years experience working as a lead visual merchandiser and assistant buyer in Bruna Fashion House in Espírito Santo, Brazil. I led the visual merchandising work to enhance creative product presentation and customer engagement. Additionally, I assisted in buying decisions by analyzing trends and customer preferences. I trained and supervised staff to ensure high standards of customer service and implemented strategies that improved sales performance and optimized stock management. What inspired me to create this collection was the ongoing reality of violence that women still face today. About a year ago, I began researching statistics and real-life stories of women who experience violence not just in public spaces, but also at work and even in their own homes. The more I learned, the more I felt the need to respond through my work. As a designer, I believe fashion should go beyond aesthetics. It can be a powerful tool for protection, empowerment, and social change. That is why I decided to integrate discreet safety technology directly into the garments, like the RAYDAR button hidden within the design or the use of conductive fabric that connects to an app. These features are intentionally subtle, so only the wearer knows they are there, offering a sense of control and security. This collection is rooted in my strong sense of community and my desire to use fashion to give voice and power to women and others in vulnerable situations. When I began developing this collection, I knew I wanted to incorporate technology in a subtle but effective way to support women's safety. I collaborated with a professional in IT who has experience in coding and electronics. Together, we conducted extensive research to explore how wearable tech could be seamlessly integrated into garments without compromising design or comfort. We went through multiple rounds of prototyping, testing various microchips, conductive fabrics, and triggering mechanisms before finalizing a solution. The process involved both creative experimentation and technical precision, and it was important to me that the result was reliable, functional, and empowering for the wearer. Balancing style, sustainability, and functionality was a challenge, but also a rewarding part of the design process. I focused on using sustainable materials where possible, such as natural fibres like cotton and wool, as well as deadstock fabrics to reduce waste. On the tech side, I made sure to use rechargeable batteries in the wearable devices to minimize environmental impact, and I was mindful about integrating the technology in a way that would not compromise the aesthetic of the garments. It was important to me that the pieces still felt beautiful and empowering to wear, while serving a practical purpose. Wearable technology is set to become a key element in the future of womenswear, particularly when it comes to personal safety. With advancements in smart textiles, colour changing fabrics, and integrated LED systems, the next natural step is to merge security focused technologies into everyday clothing. Fashion has always reflected society’s needs and values, and today, personal safety especially for women remains a pressing global concern. By embedding discreet, functional technology into garments, clothing can empower wearers not only through style but also through protection. The fashion industry must approach wearable technology with both innovation and empathy. This means fostering cross disciplinary collaboration between technology, design, and sociology, and focusing on user centred design. It is not just about adding smart features but about understanding lived experiences and designing meaningful, seamless, and inclusive solutions. When technology becomes an extension of care and protection, fashion can be redefined as a powerful force for change.

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RAYDAR

Category: Apparel

Competitions: Fashion Competition 2025

My inspiration for my collection, RAYDAR A/W 25, stems from the resilience of the women’s rights movement. I was drawn to the idea of merging security technology with contemporary design to transform fashion into a tool for empowerment. This collection focuses on reclaiming power and ensuring that women feel both protected and independent in their everyday lives. The colour story features bold red, black, and grey. These tones represent strength, urgency, and modernity. The fabrics have been carefully selected to prioritize sustainability and comfort, using organic cotton and wool to ensure durability and wearability for daily use. At the core of this collection is the RAYDAR Alert System, offering two intelligent layers of discreet protection. The RAYDAR Button is a small, subtly embedded safety trigger located within the garment. Pressing it for three to six seconds sends an alert signal, while holding it between six and twenty seconds activates a full SOS response. This feature provides a familiar and deliberate way to call for help without compromising the aesthetics of the design. The Invisible Fabric Sensor is a conductive material woven directly into the garment. It acts as a hidden lifeline. If the clothing is forcibly removed or experiences sudden strain, the sensor detects the change and sends an automatic SOS alert. The system is finely tuned to respond to shifts in fabric tension, offering silent protection even when the wearer is unable to act. In addition to individual safety, RAYDAR also supports community protection through its integrated mobile app. Each garment allows the wearer to pre-program emergency contact numbers, whether it be a trusted person, a helpline, or local authorities. For those who opt in, alerts can also be shared with the RAYDAR Community Network, connecting users nearby who may be able to respond or offer support in urgent situations. The RAYDAR woman is someone who demands safety without compromising style. She views fashion as both a form of expression and a tool for self-protection. This collection features a range of minimalist yet impactful garments that integrate smart technology into purposeful, wearable design. By bringing together technology, community, and fashion, RAYDAR redefines clothing as both armour and ally. It proves that safety and style are not separate concepts but essential elements of how we choose to present and protect ourselves every day.