3D Printed Fashion

3D-printing is an additive manufacturing process of making a three-dimensional solid plastic object of virtually any shape from a digital model. It is achieved using an additive process, where successive layers of material are laid down in different shapes. 3D printing is considered distinct from traditional machining techniques, which mostly rely on the removal of material by methods such as cutting or drilling.

The first 3D printer was invented by Charles ‘Chuck’ Hull, who started 3D Systems in 1986. It started in 1983 when Hull proposed an idea to use the UV technology in lamps to bring computer designs to life into prototypes that people can work with. In recent years, 3D printing has broken into the fashion industry and taken it to a whole new dimension.

In early 2013, architect Francis Bitonti (who has been involved in 3D printing technology since 2007) and fashion designer Michael Schmidt designed the world’s first fully articulated 3D printed dress with improved functionality for the queen of burlesque Dita Von Teese. The gown is printed by Shapeways and according to Shapeways, the sensual black gown was designed to be an exact fit to Dita, “assembled from 17 pieces, dyed black, lacquered and adorned with over 13,000 Swarovski crystals” and it has attracted famous celebrities like Madonna, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

The World's First Fully Articulated 3D Printed Gown

Fashion Designer Michael Schmidt explains his creation of the gown in the video below and it also features Dita Von Teese moving in the 3D printed gown.

Victoria Secret's 3D Printed Angel Wings

3D printed clothing has also been showcased on runways worldwide. During Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2013, model Lindsay Ellingson appeared on the runway with a custom-fit 3D printed “angel wings”. The wings were printed by Shapeways, layer by layer, after scanning Ellingson’s body and then encrusted with millions of Swarovski crystals.

Continuum

Continuum, a San Francisco-based company was among the first few to adopt the concept of 3D printed clothing. The startup allows people with access to the Internet to explore their own creativity by designing their own garment online before Continuum proceeds to manufacture these customized garments. 3D printed designs are printed by Shapeways - an online marketplace for 3D printing. Continuum believes that they are producing “fashion for the digital age” such that everyone has “access to creativity”.

N12 Bikini

Among the wearable 3D printed pieces, customers have designed their own bikinis according to the body measurements they provide online and Continuum uses nylon to print out these personalized orders thereafter without the need for sewing. N12 is named after the material that the bikini is made from: Nylon 12. The bikini consists of circular plates linked together by thin strings that creates a new material. This material is suitable for the making of bikinis as it is strong and flexible - it is able to bend without breaking even when it is printed thinly. It is also waterproof and comfortable to have on your body when soaked.

Mary Huang, the founder of Continuum Fashion elaborates on the N12 Bikini Project in the video below.

Strvct shoes

Continuum also creates 3D printed shoes with its collection named “strvct”, which refers to structure. There is a range of styles under this collection, from a platform to a pump and customers will be able to select their preferred choice of colour, style and length of the heel. The shoes are lined with a patent leather inset and coated with textured rubber at the bottom to make it wearable. Continuum is also exploring on using the Nylon 12 system to produce the shoes.

There has been growing hype on 3D printed fashion in recent years as it provides a greater advantage over regular clothing production. The cost of manufacturing a 3D printed design is reduced to zero until customers customize their own garments and place an order. Designers will not have to risk selling their mass manufactured designs to optimize cost of production. Small-scale designers can benefit by creating their designs in small batches without having to physically create it, which requires hard work. Thus, aspiring fashion designers have an alternative avenue to expand their creative horizons. Furthermore, there will be no need to alter the garments by retooling since instructions in the software can be easily tweaked.

However, 3D printed clothing is still a work in progress and it will take years before it hits mainstream; and even more number of years before we can print clothing of our choice at home. One drawback of such a technology is the hefty sum that customers will have to pay in exchange for a 3D printed apparel. Continuum’s bikini top costs approximately $300 and a pair of shoes costs $900. As technology advances to become more efficient, there is a possibility that the prices of 3D printed clothing could be reduced to make it more affordable for average consumers.

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