The Olympus PEN E-P1 camera.

ConnectedWomen was both wowed and busy at the Imaging Technology Show in Sydney last week when we sighted not only the world's smallest camera but a wedding dress where the design was printed onto the fabric with a large format printer.

One of the buzzwords at the Imaging Technology Show in Sydney last week was the Olympus PEN E-P1 camera, a stylishly designed, revolutionary new product that shoots first-rate pictures without the size and fuss of bulky and often harder-to-use digital SLR cameras.

It is set to become the "must-have" accessory for any style-savvy photographer, with its classically inspired, high-end design and premium metal finish. However, Olympus www.olympusimaging.com.au says the PEN E-P1 is much more than just a good-looking fashion accessory. It is a serious camera that oozes cool and credibility.

For the creatives amongst us, the Olympus PEN E-P1 allows you to instantly give your photos an artistic touch through its six special Art Filters. The Art Filters allow you to create images with dramatically richer colours, providing a nostalgic grainy black and white appearance, or even an artistic vignetted effect, to name a few. These special filters can be used for both stills and movies.

Meanwhile, a special E-Portrait setting is just like having your own automatic personal re-toucher in your camera. This powerful new feature means that anyone can now look like they should be on the cover of the latest fashion magazine.The camera will be available mid-July and pricing starts at $1,399.

The Acme Made Signature series (top), “Sexy Little Laptop Sleeve” (middle) and more accesorries, including "The Bowler" (bottom).

Camera and laptop accessories to die for
Another big story at the Show was at the Maxwell International Australia exhibit. The company has brought in a new range of female-targeted camera and laptop bags to Australia with the Acme Made Signature series and the soon to be released 2am series.

According to Maxwell’s marketing manager Paul Gibbs, an extensive range of fashionable accessory options for female professional and amateur photographers hasn’t really been available up until now.

Firstly, the Acme Made Signature range brings to the market a subtle and trendy option for women to house their laptops and cameras. Www.connectedwomen.net.au had an up close and personal look at the bags and they look and feel gorgeous. CW personal favourites include a laptop case finished in grey felt and another with a striped woven look. In early August, the 2am series will be released with even more innovative designs, all with a fashionable flair, and starting with the “Sexy Little Laptop Sleeve.”

Available in sizes to fit Macbooks, notebooks and small netbooks - it features a very pretty design. Take a look at the picture to get a better idea.

New twist on the ‘Bowler’ bag
If you are like many women these days and have a D-SLR camera, you can’t go past “The Bowler”. To the naked eye, it looks like a cute little bowler bag but on the inside it can fit your D-SLR camera, a lens and there’s even a bit of extra room for your personal items. Visit www.maxwell.com.au for information on where to buy these great new products if you can’t find them at your local electronics store.

The e-wrap I chose for my own mobile phone.

Fujifilm had Show all ‘wrapped’ up
One of the most innovative products at the Show was the e-wrap at the large FujiFilm stand. This makes a decorative cover for your electronic devices, including mobile phone, camera, iPod, iPhone, Nintendo DS…the list goes on.

You may have seen these kiosks (that look like photo printing kiosks) in your local Smiggle store, however you will soon be able to also find them at your local Strathfield store as well.
Once you choose your device and design it’s as easy as walking over to the counter and your funky e-wrap is ready in around 15 seconds. You can have your phone covered for around $20.

Some examples of the beautiful Roocci artwork. (From top left running clockwise) Hanging About, Baby Wombats, Possum Family and Snake Necked Turtles Playing.

PMA innovates with printing
Photography wasn’t the only new technology on show at the PMA, we also found some fantastic innovations in printing.

Roocci makes gorgeous prints on canvas that are perfect for hanging in a child’s bedroom or nursery. The prints on display were fun cartoon prints of mostly native Australian animals from wombats to snake neck turtles to cockatoos and much, much more. Each print on canvas is handmade and UV varnished at the artist’s studio and stretcher bars are from 100% regrowth timber. Roocci says there’s no need to frame the artwork with each canvas stretched around a thick 1.5 inch edge for a great finish.

You can also personalise your print on canvas with your child’s name at no extra cost. For more information and to take a look at the designs visit www.roocci.com.au or visit the artist’s working studios in Sydney by making an appointment, call 1300 78 28 66.

The gorgeous wedding gown made of 100% pure silk habotai and printed with standard Epson Ultrachrome K3 inks- and believe it or not- you can wash it!

Print out your own wedding dress
We also discovered this gorgeous wedding gown from Giclee Media Supplies- the design was printed onto the fabric with a large format printer. 

Probably not something everyone will rush out to buy, but we wanted to fill you in on the innovative new options available via technology that could set apart your wedding gown, bridesmaid dress or ballgown. It could also be perfect for budding fashion designers looking for a new edge for a fashion line. It is just a beautiful example of how new technology can contribute to a tradtional artform.