The technology
behind the light
Every piece of Parallel 13 apparel is built on two core lighting technologies engineered by Ellumiglow — used in professional architectural, automotive, and stage lighting for over a decade. Here's how we brought them into clothing that's actually wearable.
VynEL Wear
VynEL is a flexible electroluminescent panel technology — a laminate of phosphor between two thin conductive layers. When you pass AC current through it, the phosphor emits light. The whole panel is about 0.7mm thick and bends with the fabric it's attached to.
It's the technology behind the lit emblem on the No. 13 Standard Hoodie. Cut to shape, sewn into a hidden channel on the chest, removable for washing. Unlike LEDs, there are no hot spots — the entire surface glows evenly.
- Chest emblems on the Standard Hoodie
- Custom-cut brand patches and wholesale emblem programs
- Modular light panels for jackets and outerwear (roadmap)
SewGlo Thread
SewGlo is an electroluminescent filament you can sew directly into fabric. The light source lives inside the thread itself — you stitch it into a garment the way you'd stitch any decorative element, and the line glows the length of the stitch.
It's the tech that lets us turn outlines, graphics, wordmarks, and patterns into light. Where VynEL gives you filled shapes, SewGlo gives you line art. The upcoming Varsity Jacket uses SewGlo for the piping and the wordmark on the back — illumination that looks sewn in because it is sewn in.
- Wordmarks and graphics on the Light Varsity Jacket
- Custom linework on co-branded apparel programs
- Piping and outline illumination on upcoming jackets
- Team names, numbers, and sponsor marks for wholesale
The Control Layer
Both VynEL and SewGlo run on AC current, which means they need an inverter. We engineered a micro washable inverter that is virtually indectable, takes DC from any standard USB-C battery pack, converts it, and drives the light system.
The battery slides into a dedicated inner pocket. The battery is swappable (standard USB-C power banks work), so you're not locked into proprietary charging.
- All P13 apparel — same inverter across the line
- Swappable battery means no downtime on long nights
- Lighting tuned for daily wear, not novelty
How a Garment Gets Lit
We map where the light goes — emblem, outline, wordmark — and pick the tech (VynEL for shapes, SewGlo for lines).
The light element is cut, shaped, or spooled to match the garment. Hidden channels house the wiring. Nothing pokes out.
A small connector joins the light system to the USB-C controller pocket. Plug it in, cycle modes, glow.
Unzip the channel, slide the battery out, toss the shell in the wash. The light and controller stay put, even when washing. Slide the battery back in when it's dry. Done.
Ellumiglow. Lighting since 2010.
Both VynEL and SewGlo were developed by Ellumiglow, a specialty lighting manufacturer supplying EL and LED systems to architects, automotive customers, film and stage designers, and OEM clients for over a decade and a half.
Parallel 13 is how that technology gets into clothing. Same engineers, same materials, same certifications — in a form factor you'd actually put on in the morning.
Visit EllumiglowTry the tech on
The No. 13 Standard Hoodie is the first production garment using VynEL Flex. Pre-order now, ships Fall 2026.
Pre-order the Standard HoodieAdd light to your line
We build custom VynEL and SewGlo programs for brands, events, and apparel lines. Wholesale and co-branded options available.
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