This intricate 3D-printed tile dress recently appeared at New York Fashion Week 2016. The design by Alexis Walsh is known as 'The Spire Dress' and it has been featured in magazines, 3D Printshows and even a music video.
While 3D printing accounts for the creation of the "fabric" of this dress, the assembly process is still quite labor-intensive, meaning that not everything is left up to a machine. After the 400 individual SLS nylon tiles were printed by Shapeways, they needed to be put together by hand using metal ring connectors, which gives the high-tech garment a couture handcrafted feel.
Walsh was named the recipient of the first-ever Shapeways Education Grant in 2015, which she used to create the LYSIS Collection, which also makes use of CAD modeling and 3D printing.
3D-Printed Tile Dresses
Alexis Walsh's 'Spire Dress' is Made of 400 Individual Nylon Pieces
Trend Themes
1. 3D Printed Fashion - The use of 3D printing technology for high-fashion garments and accessories creates opportunities for advanced manufacturing techniques and novel design possibilities.
2. Collaborative Production - Labor-intensive assembly processes that require human intervention after 3D printing could lead to innovative production models that involve collaboration between automated machines and skilled craftspeople.
3. CAD Modeling and Digital Fabrication - The combination of computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing allows designers to explore new possibilities in materials, shapes, and textures, leading to novel products and experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - 3D-printed textiles and garments offer new opportunities for innovative design and manufacturing processes in the fashion industry.
2. Product Design - The use of 3D printing and CAD modeling allows designers to create highly customized and intricate products, leading to disruptive innovation in fields like furniture, lighting, and consumer goods.
3. Manufacturing - Advances in digital fabrication and automation are poised to revolutionize traditional manufacturing methods, enabling more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable production models in industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.