14 DAY TRIAL // There are a lot of things that spring to mind when thinking about Google, but fashionista isn't one of them. Still, nothing that Google does should come as a surprise anymore, so $300 Google scarf shouldn't even raise an eyebrow. Apparently, Google doesn't only support budding software developers, with the Google Summer of Code, for example, the company also supports budding fashion designers through an annual competition.
"Each year, Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) sponsor a Fashion Fund to support emerging designers. In 2009, each participating designer was asked to create a one-of-a-kind item inspired by Google in some way — whether through our logo's colors, technology or our commitment to equal access to information," Michaela Prescott, group product marketing manager, wrote.
It may seem like an odd pairing, but Google has dabbled with high-end fashion designers at times before. For one thing, Google's VP of search and user experience Marissa Meyer is known for her high-fashion sense as much as for the meticulous approach she takes to any change to the homepage or other parts of the search engine. Last autumn, Google revealed 10 iGoogle homepage themes inspired by the finalists of the 2009 Fashion Fund. More recently, it also launched several themes for Google Chrome inspired by well-known fashion houses like D&G or Vivienne Westwood.
But now, Google is taking it one step further by actually offering for sale items inspired by some of the finalists in the competition. Three products are available in the Google Store, a "multi-purpose" scarf inspired by Google, a "vintage" T Shirt, with the famous Google Maps red marker, going for $85 and a magnifying glass silver pendant for $200. If there's anything that symbolizes search, a magnifying glass would be it. You'd better hurry though as the items are in limited supply.
