Lifestyle

NeuThrone’s AI-Enhanced Sunglasses Bring Privacy to the Fashion World with “Deepfake Camouflage”

Published

4 months ago

November 21, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo credit: NeuThrone

By: Andi Stark

Privacy concerns have become more prevalent as digital technology increasingly permeates daily life. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) that can capture, replicate, and manipulate images raise questions about the limits of personal freedom in public spaces.

NeuThrone, a new player in the luxury streetwear market, is tackling these concerns head-on with its VISIONARIES sunglasses. Debuted at New York Fashion Week, the sunglasses offer a novel “deepfake camouflage” feature that disrupts AI systems’ ability to copy human faces. NeuThrone’s founders, Tim Shea and Eze Blaine, have created a brand that merges high fashion with technological privacy solutions—a first in an industry still adapting to AI’s impact on personal privacy.

A Fusion of Fashion and Privacy Technology

NeuThrone’s VISIONARIES sunglasses reflect an emerging trend: blending fashion with function. The brand’s “deepfake camouflage” design addresses a pressing issue for those who are wary of AI’s encroachment on their personal privacy. The eyewear features an invisible watermark that interferes with AI systems like Stable Diffusion, making it difficult for the systems to capture and replicate the wearer’s face. In doing so, the VISIONARIES line goes beyond aesthetics, catering to individuals who seek to limit the collection and misuse of their digital identity.

The glasses’ unique feature speaks to a growing demand for privacy-conscious products. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 64% of Americans feel that privacy protections are insufficient in the current digital environment. “People want more control over how their images are used,” says NeuThrone’s CEO Tim Shea. “Our goal with VISIONARIES is to create something stylish yet practical—a way for individuals to take back a bit of their personal privacy.”

The Technology Behind “Deepfake Camouflage”

The technology embedded in NeuThrone’s sunglasses incorporates complex algorithms designed to disrupt AI systems. Normally, AI systems can effortlessly replicate someone’s likeness, based on a small number of photographs. But the sunglasses interfere with this ability, overloading the AI tools with superfluous detail so that they struggle to faithfully reproduce the subject’s face.

Unlike similar products that may compromise style for function, the VISIONARIES glasses remain visually appealing, akin to designs from luxury houses like Yves Saint Laurent or Off-White. Shea and Blaine, veterans from the advertising industry, wanted to create a functional and elegant line. “It’s critical that we create products that blend into daily life,” explains Shea. “We didn’t want this to feel like another high-tech gadget; it’s streetwear with a purpose.”

The glasses’ functionality is inspired by a suite of AI technologies like Stable Diffusion that NeuThrone repurposed for personal privacy. The deepfake camouflage watermark builds on open-source AI tools, adapting them to mask human likenesses rather than recreate them. This technological pivot speaks to a new kind of consumer product where privacy is integrated by design.

A Strategic Debut at New York Fashion Week

NeuThrone debuted with a purposefully provocative launch at New York Fashion Week, where its VISIONARIES sunglasses quickly caught attention. The event provided a platform for the brand to engage directly with an audience of fashion insiders, influencers, and early adopters. The brand’s sunglasses sparked intrigue not only for their style but for their potential as privacy-protective fashion.

By presenting at Fashion Week, the brand captured the interest of influencers who shared the product on social media, leading to further conversations about digital privacy. The event’s visibility allowed NeuThrone to connect with consumers who value control over their digital identity.

The Founders’ Vision: AI for Privacy and Identity

NeuThrone’s founders bring a background in advertising and brand-building to their venture, drawing on years of experience working with major brands like Apple, Nike, and Facebook. Shea and Blaine met while working at TBWA\Chiat\Day, an ad agency where they learned the power of storytelling and branding. With NeuThrone, they are applying that experience to a venture that focuses not only on aesthetic value but also on ethical implications.

For Shea, the rise of generative AI presents both a challenge and an opportunity. “There’s a real anxiety around AI right now—especially about how it’s being used without consent,” he says. “We wanted to offer something that spoke directly to that, something that would empower people.”

Blaine, the Chief Creative Officer, has a similar outlook, believing that brands should reflect cultural shifts. He emphasizes that the design of VISIONARIES is rooted in an understanding of AI’s impact on society and individual autonomy.

NeuThrone’s Market Position and Future Plans

NeuThrone’s VISIONARIES sunglasses are a significant step forward in the emerging market for AI-enhanced luxury products. Unlike traditional brands, which may see AI as a means of production efficiency, NeuThrone applies AI with a consumer-first perspective to enhance privacy rather than solely as a marketing tool. According to a recent forecast by Grand View Research, the global luxury eyewear market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.1% from 2023 to 2030, reaching over $24 billion. The company’s entry into this market coincides with the trend toward more specialized, tech-driven luxury goods.

The company’s plans go beyond sunglasses, with future releases to expand its “deepfake camouflage” technology into other wearable products. The team has hinted at partnerships with creators across industries, including rappers and filmmakers, who share concerns about digital privacy. The company’s strategy includes a series of limited-edition product drops, tapping into the growing “drop culture” trend in luxury fashion.

NeuThrone’s next release will be auctioned in a Dutch-style format, a nod to the exclusivity that appeals to its target demographic. By meaningfully incorporating AI into luxury streetwear, NeuThrone is not only setting a precedent for privacy-conscious fashion but also responding to a critical societal issue.

Lifestyle

How To Combine Astrology With Self-Care Rituals To Enhance Daily Living

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2025

Michelle Langton

Self-care looks different for everyone. And it could look different day by day. Sometimes you just need meditation or journaling or a grounding ritual. Sometimes you need movement. Sometimes you need more rest. Have you ever wondered why it’s different day-by-day and why you can’t seem to “stick” to something?

Most of us know something about Western astrology, but have you ever heard of Vedic astrology (Jyotish)? Vedic astrology focuses on your moon sign (which may differ from your Western astrological chart), planetary transits, and Dasha period. These three areas shape how you feel, act, and process emotions every day.

The time management app align27 doesn’t just focus on your typical horoscope. It gives you a personalized Vedic birth chart and a daily favorability forecast based on planetary influences. It uses a simple yet powerful stoplight system — green for favorable times, yellow for neutral, and red for moments when it’s best to slow down — to help you navigate each day with intention.

Why Vedic astrology and self-care go hand in hand

Ever have days where everything flows effortlessly and others where nothing seems to go right? That’s not random — it’s the influence of the planets at play. Vedic astrology teaches that planetary transits and periods, and the Moon’s placement each day all impact your energy.

By understanding these influences, align27 customizes your self-care rituals to work with the planetary energies rather than against them. The result? A self-care routine that feels more natural, restorative, and in harmony with your personal astrology.

How to align self-care with align27

1. Follow your moon sign for emotional well-being

In Vedic astrology, your Moon sign reveals how you process emotions, handle stress, and recharge. The align27 app provides real-time insights into your Moon sign’s current state, helping you plan self-care that supports your well-being.

Fire Moons (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): align27 will highlight action-oriented times, which are perfect for movement-based self-care like yoga, walking, or a workout.

Earth Moons (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Your best self-care moments often fall during grounding planetary periods. The align27 app helps you time activities like cooking, gardening, or Ayurvedic oil massages.

Air Moons (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Mental stimulation is key for you. Use align27’s favorable green time slots to plan journaling, reading, or creative work.

Water Moons (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Emotional balance is crucial; align27 suggests introspective yellow periods during which self-care like meditation, breathwork, or music therapy can help you reset.

By checking your daily Moon sign insights in align27, you can sync your self-care with your emotional energy instead of forcing routines that don’t feel right.

2. Sync with planetary transits for daily rituals

Planetary movements in Vedic astrology directly influence your daily energy. Instead of following the same self-care routine every day, use the align27 app to check which planets are strongest and which ones need balancing.

Green periods: Ideal for action — schedule workouts, deep work, or personal projects.

Yellow periods: Best for reflection — meditation, light reading, or connecting with loved ones.

Red periods: Time to pause — prioritize self-care, avoid big decisions, and rest.

For example:

If align27 shows a red period under Mercury’s influence, it’s a sign to unplug from tech and practice silence (Mauna) instead.

A green period during a Moon transit suggests a great time for emotional processing through journaling or spiritual rituals.

If Saturn is active, align27 might recommend structured self-care, like a disciplined yoga practice or fasting.

The daily timing feature of align27 takes the guesswork out of self-care, helping you plan around when the universe is actually working with you, not against you.

3. Use your Venus sign for beauty and self-love rituals

In Vedic astrology, Venus (Shukra) represents luxury, pleasure, and how you experience beauty. But your Venus sign in your birth chart tells you what kind of self-care truly nourishes your soul.

Venus in Fire Signs: You love bold, energizing self-care. Ayurvedic herbal treatments, bright colors, and invigorating scents like sandalwood or saffron uplift your energy.

Venus in Earth Signs: You prefer high-quality, natural self-care. Organic skincare, silk bedding, and nourishing food rituals align with your Venus energy.

Venus in Air Signs: You thrive on social and intellectual beauty. Try mantra recitation, decorating your space with art, or engaging in deep conversations.

Venus in Water Signs: You need emotionally fulfilling self-care. Essential oil baths, soft textures, and music therapy create a calming atmosphere.

4. Strengthen your planetary weaknesses through rituals

Each planet in your birth chart has strengths and weaknesses based on its placement. You can balance planetary imbalances through specific self-care rituals:

Weakened moon? Drink warm milk with cardamom, wear white, and meditate under the full Moon.

Struggling with Rahu energy? Reduce digital distractions, light camphor, and chant “Om Rahave Namah.”

Mars overactivity? Avoid spicy food, practice slow yoga, and wear cool colors like blue or white.

The align27 app personalizes these remedies based on your birth chart and daily planetary shifts.

Align your self-care with the stars

When you integrate Vedic astrology into your self-care routine, you’re not just following trends but tuning into the ancient wisdom of timing and energy alignment. Instead of forcing yourself into a one-size-fits-all self-care plan, you can create rituals that genuinely support you based on the cosmic influences at play.

With tools like align27, you can easily track your best days for rest, action, and reflection — making self-care effortless and aligned with the universe. Because taking care of yourself isn’t just about doing more — it’s about doing what’s right for you, at the right time.