Oregon-based company HILOS is looking to combine the modern technology of 3D-printing with an eco-friendly ethos and fashionable aesthetic with the release of its range of 3D-printed shoes, which are designed to be easily repurposable in order to foster creativity and reduce waste.
What's great about these 3D-printed women's shoes is that they are all designed to be easily disassembled and repurposed. What's more, customers are incentivized to contribute to the HILOS mission through the offering of a 15 percent discount off their next purchase if they send their used HILOS shoes back to the company. When the HILOS team gets their hands on a used pair, they disassemble them and distribute the components to partners, who can then re-use them in new products.
Additionally, the use of 3D-printing means that the HILOS shoes use far less water in their manufacturing process compared to traditional shoes, making this a consummate example of how environmentally friendly fashion needn't be incongruous with fashion.
Image Credit: HILOS
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Repurposable Fashion
- The trend towards repurposing clothes and accessories offers opportunities for businesses that specialize in sustainable, customizable products.
- 3d-printed Footwear
- The rise of 3D printing technology in footwear presents opportunities for businesses looking to disrupt the fashion industry with innovative and eco-friendly designs.
- Circular Economy
- The circular economy trend offers opportunities for innovative businesses to reduce waste, increase sustainability, and improve their bottom line through new business models.
Sectors Adopting This
- Fashion
- With the rise of sustainable and customizable fashion, the industry has an opportunity to embrace innovative and eco-friendly designs that can improve its environmental impact.
- Manufacturing
- Innovations in manufacturing, such as 3D-printing technology, are disrupting traditional production methods and offering opportunities for businesses to create more efficient and sustainable processes.
- Sustainability
- The trend towards sustainable practices is creating opportunities for businesses to embrace circular economy principles and reduce environmental impact while improving brand reputation.
