Well, things don't always turn out the way you plan - this project certainly didn't.
I learned a couple of things:
1/ Magnetic core memory is very hard to find.
2/ Most people who are interested in magnetic core memory are very excitable, especially when they hear about an art project like this one (I received several interesting and mildly threatening email messages from people who felt that I should contribute the memory to very worthy projects to ensure that old computer systems continue to run. While I agree, I went ahead anyway).
Used extensively in the 1950's and 60's, magnetic core memory is today a relatively scarce item, found only in surplus military and medical equipment, such as oscilloscopes. I managed to locate a number of pieces in very good condition, two of which have been incorporated (front and back) into this dress.
This dress was co-designed by Suzanne Timmons (custom designer for Holt Renfrew) and Barbara Starr of Terra Cotta (who also fabricated the dress).
(source: www.vacuumwoman.com)