When these charged droplets come into contact with the surface of the print they collect any substances deposited on it, creating a thin liquid film.

ECONOMIST: Forensic technology

"The pencil skirt has the perfect shape to highlight a print because it's a really clean surface, " said designer Joseph Altuzarra of the high-waisted, nipped-in style to which he returns season after season.

WSJ: Rethink: Pencil Skirts | Off Duty Spring 50

And because the company uses capsules rather than beads, it can mix them with a binding agent and print its electronic ink on to almost any surface, just as though it were real ink.

ECONOMIST: Showing off