Urban Camouflage

A vending-machine dress, the brainchild of clothing designer Aya Tsukioka, could offer a woman walking alone a way to elude pursuers. Although street crime is relatively low in Japan, many Japanese say they feel growing anxiety about safety. Ms. Tsukioka begins the transformation from dress to machine. Ms. Tsukioka said her idea of the vending machine disguise was inspired by a trick used by Japan’s ancient ninja, who cloaked themselves at night under black blankets.