By now you may have heard about an inflatable helmet that works like an airbag to protect a cyclist’s melon upon impact.

The Hövdig, or “Cheiftain” looks like a stylish–albeit bulky–collar that can be worn around the neck. An accelerometer and gyroscope are in place to sense abnormal movements, and within 0.1 seconds of detection, the airbag is deployed and you’re free to smack your head on a car’s hood or windshield in the knowledge that you will not have your brain scrambled.
According to FastCo. Design, the Chieftan has been in the works for the past six years.

Some other helmets might look a bit dorky, but there’s nothing that looks worse than a split skull. Fortunately the Hövdig has got you covered on all fronts. Not only is the helmet cutting edge, but its fashionable, as evidenced by the coterie models hired to display the product.

The Hövdig can be warn with a shawl.

Layered with a keffiyeh it also looks nice.

Or a long ponytail dangled to the side.

(Swedes are such gorgeous people, aren’t they?)

The photo shoot, however, begs the question; how effective is a bicycle helmet whose value proposition is that it goes well with fashionable clothes? It seems like a shawl or a scarf has the potential to get in the way of the airbag, negating the purpose altogether. We’d like to see that dummy from the crash test video dolled up in his Saturday night club best to prove whether the Hövdig is really as effective as the designers claim when its integrated into the wardrobe.

The Hövdig story is making the rounds, and as it does, we’ll continue to collect some of our favorite headlines. Here’s what we’ve got so far. Enjoy!

From Popular Science, “This Ridiculous Inflatable European Bike Helmet Could Save Your Life — and Your Hairdo”