# Water-Inspired Tech-Made Fashion The 3D Printed Top by XYZ Workshop Wins International Competition By Meghan Young | Published 2014-03-07 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printed-top-by-xyz-workshop References: [design-milk](http://design-milk.com/3d-printed-top-inspired-electrolysis-water/) & [xyzworkshop](http://www.xyzworkshop.com/3dfashion/) The 3D Printed Top by XYZ Workshop, a studio founded by Australian architects Elena Low and Kae Woei Lim, is a striking fashion design inspired by [sustainability and water](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/animalia). In fact, those were two criteria set out by the international [3D printed fashion competition](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portalm-x-virtual-fashion-exhibition) organized by Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Intrigued by the creation of hydrogen by water hydrolysis, the aesthetic of the top embraces the process beautifully. So beautifully, the 3D Printed Top by XYZ Workshop was awarded the top prize at the competition. The lace-like pattern is made up of 26 different sections. It took about 170 hours to print in Flexible Polylactic Acide. The designers aimed “to prove that you don’t require access to an [expensive large 3D printer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loop-concept) to create unique wearable pieces.” ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.2/10 - Popularity: 87% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Fashion:** The use of innovative and eco-friendly materials is disrupting the traditional fashion industry. - **3D Printed Fashion:** The use of 3D printing technology in fashion design is revolutionizing the way that clothing is produced and designed. - **Water-inspired Fashion:** Inspiration drawn from nature and water is leading to unique and visually stunning fashion designs. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion Industry:** The fashion industry is experiencing a shift towards more sustainable and innovative design practices with the use of 3D printing technology and eco-friendly materials. - **Environmental Technology:** The development of eco-friendly materials and technologies that reduce waste and carbon emissions is becoming increasingly prevalent in the fashion industry. - **Printing Industry:** The growth of 3D printing technology is disrupting traditional manufacturing processes in various industries, including fashion design. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Nature-Inspired 3D-Printed Handbags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/julia-koerner.md) - [Craft-Inspired 3D-Printing Styles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digitally-woven.md) - [Grass Root-Made Sculptural Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rootfull.md) - [Avant-Garde Biomimicry Fashion Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biomimicry-fashion.md) - [Vibrant 3D-Printed Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-design.md) - [Dynamic Shape-Shifting Dresses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/primrose-dress.md) - [Experimental Programmable Clothing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/programmable-clothing.md) - [3D-Printed Terracotta Cooler Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biomimcry-3dprinted-terracotta-cooler.md) - [Stunning 3D-Printed Sunglasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-sunglasses1.md)