Behavioural Photobiology can be defined as the study of the link between identifiable colours and behaviour in animals and humans. In 1969 Dr Alexander Schauss developed the theory that since changes in human emotions are related to the endocrine system (collection of glands in your body that produce hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, sleep, mood, reproduction etc.) that colours could therefore be used to cause hormonal changes in humans.
He then went on to test this study in 1978 alongside Dr. John Ott, together they experimented with a certain shade of pink, and had incredible results exhibiting that this shade of pink now known as Baker-Miller Pink did consistently show reductions in hyper excitability. The colour is called Baker-Miller pink because when doing the tests at the Washing State Department of Corrections, only Commander Miller and Warden Baker were willing to have their rooms fully painted in this colour to allow the tests to proceed.
So how does this translate to creating a hoodie that relaxes you? London based creators Steve and Nick Tidball created a super technical hoodie especially for athletes, so they could wear the item and relax before a big event. Steve and Nick are quoted as saying they would like to treat athletes the way NASA treats their astronauts. The hoodie is perfectly designed to calm you down, it possesses a hood that zips all the way over your face, apart from the fact that across the eyes it has a section of Baker-Miller coloured mesh which, doesn’t allow people to see in but provides you with the ability to look out but with a baker-miller pink filter providing 80% visibility. The mesh also slows heartrate by slowing your rate of breathing, delivering a two pronged calming feature through the colour and the fabric. The hoodie also has two very specifically placed pockets perfect to rest your arms over your diaphragm, that act not only as a protective sling, but allow you to be naturally in tune with taking deeper breaths. If all of this wasn’t enough the hoodie also comes with its own soundtrack that puts the wearer into a state of meditation whilst regulating brainwaves.
It goes without saying that the hoodie definitely the ‘go to’ comfort clothing item, the garment just seems to be synonymous with feelings of cosiness, snug and softness. It is amazing how scientists can take natural feels one step further engineering products to increase those natural benefits. I believe it’s only a matter of time till a product like this, which has been technologically engineered for comfort, finds its way onto the promotional market.