I don’t think anybody would normally associate 3D printing with fashion. One Dutch fashion designer did, however, and the results are pretty fabulous.
Objet released a video interview today with Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen and MIT Professor Neri Oxman, both of which worked on a multi-material 3D printed cape and skirt. The ensemble was composed of “both rubber-like and rigid elements that are 3D printed simultaneously on the Stratasys Objet Connex system.”
The Objet blog gives some more insight into how the cape and skirt were created:
Both the cape and skirt were 3D printed on the Objet Connex500 multi-material 3D printer. They pieces were divided into 4 parts each, with each part consisting of a flexible rubber-like substrate overlaid with rigid shell-like structures – all printed in the same job. The Connex platform is unique in its ability to simultaneously use different materials for the fabrication and simulation of different end parts and properties.
3D printed clothing doesn’t look very comfortable, but I assume most high fashion isn’t meant to be. The design itself, however, is incredibly compelling, and might lead other fashion designers to look into the technology for future designs.