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The Creation of New Structures and Shapes.
The physical benefits of 3D printing are extensive. It has allowed the creation of new structures and shapes that were originally too intricate to be formed in one piece (Jewell, 2013). Fashion designers, such as the well-known Iris Van Herpen, have explored and pushed the boundaries and capabilities of 3D printing, and at the present moment have produced some exquisite 3D printed garments shown in plate 1. These garments are physically sculptured to the body, however are avant garde pieces, and not suitable for ready-to-wear. In my final collection I hope to simulate Iris Van Herpen's use of 3D printing through a sculptural lens, however for the physical needs of the wearer, I will be exploring 3D printing in a more functional way, producing a more comfortable design (Hiscott, 2014). 3D printing will enable me to produce something that with traditional fabrics would be almost impossible and unreasonably time consuming.
The fashion brand Pringle of Scotland have collaborated with scientist Richard Beckett to experiment on the incorporation of 3D printed fabrics into other fabrics that are seen as more ready-to-wear, producing a flexible and strengthened 3D printed fabric infusion through the process of laser sintering (Chavez, 2014). The brand has now produced garments that have the 3D printed nylon fabric knitted into them shown in plate 1. Pringle of Scotland's head designer, Massimo Nicosia, explains the design (Chavez, 2014); "I wanted to explore a move away from the more sculptural costume approach of such pieces, towards a more material, haptic-based approach.".
The combination of 3d printed fabric with traditional fabrics wields other favourable results, which include a more breathable and comfortable garment. This demonstrates that the physical needs of the wearer such as functionality, comfort and practicality are being adhered to as the technology is developing.