3D Printing In The Fashion Industry

Applications and Possible Impact

Necklace by Jenny Wu

Quick Bit: What is 3D Printing?

• “Additive manufacturing” originally invented for industrial prototyping in the 1980s

• Finally becoming accessible to general consumers, through desktop-like designs

• Still in the “early adopters” phase

• Popularized by grassroots companies like Makerbot, Shapeways, and Formlabs

• Material used most is plastic resin, but new methods are created rapidly, including printing metals and organic matter

• 3D Scanners also available

How Does Fashion Fit In?

Fashion is constantly changing, and the fashion-minded are constantly pursuing the latest trends, clothing, culture, etc. 3D Printing is already appearing in:

• Jewelry

• Shoes

• Prosthetics

• Makeup

• Hair pieces

• Bags

• Accessories

• Costumes/Wearable Art

• Starting to see fabric

There is a possibility for complete customization once body scanning techniques are improved and made more accessible.

3D Printed fashion by Iris Van Herpen

Who Are Leaders?• Iris Van Herpen, Fall 2013 Voltage Collection

• Michael Schmidt & Francis Bitoni, model Dita Von Teese • Over $100k to make, via Shapeways (right)

• Claudio & Enrico Pieraccioli for textile design

• Catherine Wales’ Project DNA• Entire body scans for perfectly tailored

garments (left)

• Xuedi Chen, 3D Printed bodice that goes transparent when wearer tweets (below)

3D Fashion For High Tech Art

Artists can make one of a kind pieces that fit their whimsical vision

NEUROTiQ by Sensoree is brain animating fashion – a 3d printed, EEG brain sensor – that maps thoughts and exhibits brain states with color (left)

Anouk Wipprecht’s anamatonic ‘Spider Dress 2.0 mimics arachnid ′defense if anyone approaches too quickly, or come-hither motions to friendlier, slower-moving people (right)

Fashion & Function3D Printing in fashion is becoming functional• Nike special edition FIFA World Cup 3D

Printed bag net and cleats (below)• Oak & Dust custom fit glasses (top left)• Beautifully customized prosthetics by

Bespoke Fairings (bottom left)

Anyone Can Do ItSoftware such as Tinker CAD and Sculptirs are free to download. Tutorials are widely available online. Desktop printers are fast becoming affordable, and 3D Printing shops are becoming more common.

This is leading to a movement towards independent designers with online shops such as Etsy, selling made-to-order items.

No inventory/stock needed, can work independently

Shoes by Continuum (top left)

3D Printed Necklace by Nervous System (right)

3D Printed custom cufflink on Etsy (bottom)

Main Benefits

• A revolution in small business ownership

• Minimal waste manufacturing

• Complete customization/personalization

• End of overstocking

• Shorter lead times

• Unlimited design capacity

• Integration with other technologies

Possible Consequences

• Gutting the remaining manufacturing industry

• Severing business ties with foreign manufacturers

• Will designers be needed

• Increased use of plastics (new technology pending)

• Easy of counterfeiting, especially with 3D scanners

• Decreased power of brands

Only time will tell…………

The End

Bodice By Catherine Wales