By james art The exhibition, featuring human avatars wearing digitally reproduced police uniforms from as far back as 1839, will open at the West Midlands Police Museum on Steelhouse Lane in Birmingham at the end of the year.
The project, called Fashion Police, will see the museum join forces with games, technology and fashion students from Birmingham City University (BCU).
Fashion students will recreate 24 historically important police uniforms, from Peelers’ original 1839 uniform to contemporary outfits, while computer experts will develop meta-human ‘avatars’ by researching interviews and historical documents.
The uniforms and avatars will then be included in an exhibit at the museum.
The project was made possible by a £247,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Corinne Brazier, the museum’s heritage manager, said: “It’s so exciting to see the stories and pictures come to life and move like digital avatars.
“By using technology to show the story in this exciting new way, we can help people connect with the characters and understand who they were and what they went through.”
“Our relationships with the College of Computing and BCU’s College of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles give students real experience working with briefing and fitting products to produce something of high quality for the museum.”
Professor Carlo Harvey, BCU’s subject lead in the College of Computer Science, said: “By researching digital cultural heritage, we learn about the people who wore the uniforms and the perceptions associated with them, including families, victims and perpetrators.
“We help people understand the police through the stories behind the uniforms.”
A fashion show featuring 11 uniforms will launch the exhibition in November, while gaming students will also create a digital version for people to view using virtual reality.