3D printing: Reinventing fashion By : Regina Henkel
3D printing is conquering the
fashion world. Although the pioneering new technology still has limitations,
more designers are today experimenting with it and create entirely new looks.
This spring, the first 3D print fashion show was organised in New York, showing
what the future of fashion might be like, writes Regina Henkel.
The future scenario in the context
of 3D printing is like this: every household will have its own 3D printer, and
everyone will be able to design and produce their own products by simply
printing them. The consumer will become the producer. Even if the consumer
downloads the design from the Internet, the production will easily be done by
the printer. It is the last phase of the democratisation of fashion, and the
final solution for no-waste-production.
Essentially, 3D printing is an
additive method: which means layer upon layer completely new structures can be
built in three dimensions and seamlessly - without producing any waste. And,
without over-production too. The raw materials for 3D printing are in plastics
right now, but metals and even biomass are also possible. It's only a question
of time when 3D knitting and 3D cloth will together build one's new wardrobe.
Fashion pioneers in 3D printing
These new creative possibilities
are inspiring fashion. The first 3D print fashion show, which took place in New
York as part of '3D Print Week' this spring, is proof. Designers like Melinda
Looi and Francis Bitonti, who designed the first 3D dress for burlesque dancer
Dita Von Teese two years ago, presented their latest creations at the event.
Among the highlights was the evening dress by Looi. The special thing about the
dress: it was made of one piece, and consisted of a flexible material. It
therefore provided some comfort - at least for a 3D dress. In comparison, the
Von Teese dress still consisted of 17 mesh-like pieces which had been put
together, polished, painted and decorated by thousands of Swarovski stones by
hand. It was rigid, and thus hardly wearable.
The potential is immense, as many
agree. "3D-printing will change the world," says Looi. The Malaysian
fashion designer has teamed up with Belgian 3D printing giant Materialise to
produce her 3D collection. Her amazing gowns have been almost completely 3D
printed, and are among the world's first full-length 3D-printed gowns. They
have also been 3D-printed as a single piece. In fact, Looi and Materialise have
already began working on the next 3D-printed fashion project, which is going to
be a bit more commercial. They are planning to create marketable 3D printed
accessories.
Also, Francis Bitonti launched his
own jewellery at the German 3D printing shop Stilnest.com. For the moment, the
new technology is still being used by designers, not consumers. Even Nike,
Adidas and Timberland are using the technology right now, but primarily in the
fields of footwear and accessories and in prototyping. Nike for example
presented the first football shoe with 3D-printed studs and a bag that
consisted of 3D components. US company Continuum Fashion developed a wearable
3D-printed bikini made from nylon, whose pieces snap together without any
sewing.
Natacha Alpert, curator of the New
York 3D Fashion Show, said: "I think high-end designers are going to lead
the process. I would predict that more of the high-end brands will adopt
3D-printed products first, and then they'll go mass. So, designers will still
be able to lead the process, but there will be a little more competition
because consumers will become creators too."
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