For New York Fashion Week, Stratasys teamed up with designers threeASFOUR and Travis Fitch to showcase the possibilities for 3D printing directly on clothing. The Chro-Morpho shown at threeASFOUR's Fall/Winter runway show can be identified by its use of microscopic colors and light filtering, which takes inspiration from butterfly and insect wings.
Ordinarily, 3D-printed elements have needed to be printed on their own and affixed to garments afterward but this innovation from Stratasys demonstrates greater flexibility, as well as enhances the structural integrity of garments.
As Stratasys' Art, Design and Fashion Director Naomi Kaempfer sees it, "Within the next two years, I believe consumers will be able to purchase an array of 3D-printed garments from high-fashion brands and the result will be access to an explosion of unique color and texture combinations that are simply not possible through traditional methods."
Disruptive Printed Fashion
Stratasys, threeASFOUR & Travis Fitch 3D-Printed Directly on Fabric
Trend Themes
1. Direct Printed Fashion - Stratasys, threeASFOUR & Travis Fitch have demonstrated the possibilities of 3D printing directly on fabric, creating opportunities for innovative fashion design and customization
2. Microscopic Color and Light Filtering - The Chro-Morpho design showcased at threeASFOUR's Fall/Winter runway show demonstrates the potential for 3D printing to produce intricate and unique patterns and designs.
3. Structurally Enhanced Garments - By printing directly onto fabric, Stratasys' innovation could increase the structural integrity of garments and potentially lead to new, more durable clothing designs.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize the fashion industry, allowing for greater design flexibility and customization while reducing waste.
2. Textiles - The textile industry could benefit from 3D printing technology as it allows for the creation of intricate designs and novel structures that are not possible with traditional manufacturing methods.
3. Printing Technology - Stratasys' innovation in direct printing on fabric could disrupt the printing technology industry by offering new applications and markets for 3D printing technology.