Fashion and Tech: 3D printing

The humble printer. Used to print off letters, notes and last week’s homework, it’s a necessary (but dull) piece of tech that gets hidden away in a cupboard.

Enter the 3D printer. A younger, more exciting sibling to the printer we know and love, it does much more than mundane household jobs.

In the latest edition of our Fashion and Tech series, we explore how this breakthrough technology is taking the fashion world by storm.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing

From car parts to prosthetic limbs, 3D printing is already being used to create a variety of products for different industries.

With the potential to print furniture, food and even fabric, it makes sense that the fashion industry soon caught wind of its potential. But clothing isn’t quite as simple to create. Previous attempts have resulted in garments that are uncomfortable, non-breathable or shatter when you try to sit down.

Can it be done?

While printing off a whole new wardrobe isn’t the norm yet, designers are beginning to defy the limits of what can be achieved with 3D printing.

Ever since Dita Von Teese modelled the first fully 3D printed dress in 2013, the fashion world has challenged itself to transform the impractical into the ingenious. From otherworldly dresses to eco-trainers, these are the designs that are on our radar.

From the home office to the runway

New York designers threeASFOUR create dresses that are ethereal, mesmerising and entirely 3D printed. The Harmonograph and Pangolin are striking and otherworldly, demonstrating how printers can create garments that have movement and texture.

The future of footwear is taken care of too

Printed shoes create minimal waste and can be tailor-made to the buyer’s exact specifications – perfect for the modern consumer. Because of this, we’ve seen 3D printing in action from loads of big name brands.
Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and New Balance are all currently competing to design the best flexible running shoes for athletes.

Are you a designer defying limits?

If you’ve found new and creative ways to tackle a tricky fabric, find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – we’d love to hear your innovative ideas.

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