Science And Fashion Inspiration: An Unlikely Blend?

I know that by looking at my blogging identity it is sometimes easy to forget that my main occupation is actually science; I am currently doing a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology.
Ironically, it was my work on science that got me into the only magazine photoshoot that I have been part of so far, for an article about the work carried out by the research team I belong to: 

Here I am, apparently diagnosing cancer.

 

Another one of the final shots included in the article.

However, as professional and sciencey as I might look in those shots, it is my duty to disclose that most of the time I actually look more like this: 

Yes, this is an actual outfit that I have worn to work at the lab. I used to describe my style as "Rocker Scientist". Fitting? You be the judge.

 One of the advantages of working as a scientist is the lack of a fixed dress code to conform to. You can dress as plain and boring or as eccentric and fashionable as you want and no one gives a damn – especially if you work in basic science or theoretical fields, where it is almost expected that you will be a little bit nuts.
It is funny that whenever I meet new people, they always get really surprised when I tell them what I do for a living. They usually manifest some level of shocked amusement and immediately start gazing at me as if they were sizing me up while thinking: could that be true? One of them even told me “It is just that your appearance doesn’t quite match one’s expectations; it's odd when one learns that you are a scientist and not, let's say, the lead singer of an alternative punk band”. I take that as a compliment! Based on this seeming contradiction between being wacky-fashionable looking and working in something that’s apparently as boring and deadly serious as science, I started looking for some science-inspired fashion editorials. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find as many as I expected, even though the imagery in science is very rich and offers a lot of interesting aesthetic opportunities, from the animal and mineral wonders of Natural History displays to the cold sophistication of modern laboratories.  One excellent example is this beautifully made retro-style fashion editorial found in Vogue Russia, inspired by space exploration:    You can see the rest of the pictures here: Cosmonaut Couture. Also, this beautiful photo shoot in Aeroflot Style, with biogerontology researcher Maria Konovalenko as the protagonist: 

That's what I call doing research in style...

 Indulging in some science-infused dark imagery, photographer Ruven Afanador treats us with this high-impact merging of high fashion and natural science. I feel captivated by its slightly macabre appeal.   

Scientific inspiration brings this Fashion Editorial to another level.

 

Wonderful merging of science and fashion.

 So much potential awaits in this fashion + science interplay; maybe it is time to make a contribution, uh?
A blend of fashion and science doesn’t need to be so elaborate, though. One can easily incorporate elements hinting towards this wonderful branch of knowledge, to spice up the outfit of the day. It is the details that matter, after all… as usual, Etsy comes to the rescue:  You can get them here: Atom Pendant - Human Anatomy Bracelet With Brain Illustration - Spiral Galaxy Round Pendant - Carbon Periodic Table Symbol Tag (with an embedded diamond in the rough). When it comes to clothing, Imaginary Foundation T-shirts caters to people’s inner scientist. Their designs are very colorful, creative and innovative, and usually have a science flavor to them. If you would like to display your love for science, but are looking for something a bit more sophisticated than a “I F*CKING LOVE SCIENCE” or a "Kiss me, I'm a Scientist" T-shirt, Imaginary T-shirts are a great option that can be easily incorporated into an outfit to give it that stylish subtle science edge:  

Insider Berliner Fashion Tip: I got my Imaginary T-shirt at a small boutique in Wühlischstrasse that also carries Plazma Lab's t-shirts, another incredibly creative and innovative digital fashion design brand.

 

The Imaginary T-shirt I am wearing is the one called "New Generation". As soon as I saw it I knew it had to be mine!

 

I love that the psychedelic designs of Imaginary T-shirts often come paired with a beautifully inspiring quote related to knowledge and art. This is the back of the "New Generation" model.

"In the future... a new generation of artists will be writing genomes as fluently as Blake and Byron wrote verses".

 *** Do you know of any cool fashion editorials inspired or infused with science worth checking out?

What is your favorite subject in science, or the one you feel more curious about: Astronomy, Evolution, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Physics, Genetic Engineering, Aeronautics?

Do you like to let your love for science show in your personal style? Let us know in the comment section!
 You don’t have to be a scientist to enjoy science! That's the beauty of it.