Materialise unveils new 3D printed clothes at Paris Couture Fashion Week

PROMISING to change the way we see fashion forever, Materialise have unveiled stunning new designs – created using 3D printing – at Paris Couture Fashion Week.

Dutch designer Iris van Herpen revealed her amazing new designs earlier this week as part of Couture Fashion Week in Paris.

Ingenius Belgian company Materialise is behind the ground-breaking 3D printing technology. This cutting-edge company promises to revolutionise the way we see fashion and design in the future.

Sven Hermans of Materialise said of the collaboration:

“Thanks to 3D printing the dresses are seamless and made to measure. It is exciting working with Iris van Herpen to bring her complex geometrical designs to life; 3D printing does what no other form of clothing manufacture can do when complex shapes need to be created quickly and as one piece.”

Iris van Herpen’s designs certainly embrace this futuristic aesthetic. The transparant, caged, bone-like structures are reminiscent of some kind of hollowed insect.

Iris van Herpen’s 3D printed designs using Materialise

So… how does this 3D printing actually work?

In a nutshell, the fashion designs are first made on a computer. Then, using Materialise’s technology, the designs are optimised for 3D printing. Then, it’s sent to the printer. Mammoth Stereolithography builds up the 3D print by gradually adding layer by layer to the object. UV lasers scan the design into a liquid resin that hardens wherever the laser hits and the 3D object gradually comes to life.

Phew!

We’re no scientists, but we know one thing for sure – this won’t be the last time 3D printing makes an appearance at Fashion Week…