French fashion firm develops suit that blocks electromagnetic waves

French fashion label Smuggler on Thursday said it had produced a suit that can block electromagnetic waves produced by mobile phones.

"This is the first use of technological materials in every day men's clothing that doesn't cause discomfort," said Benjamin Anin of the company's research and development department.

"Until now this type of very specific material was more rudimentary and only used by certain professionals who were particularly exposed," he added.

The material took three years to develop in collaboration with the XLIM Institute in Limoges in southwestern France which does research on electromagnetism.

The technique involves interweaving fabric with non-allergenic nickel, stainless steel, aluminium and faux gold in jacket pockets.

Anin said the material could block 90 percent of electromagnetic waves and was timely given the move to 4G and widespread use of wireless and smartphones.

The first suits using the fabric will form part of the label's spring-summer 2013 collection.

(c) 2013 AFP