Who would ever think that 3-D printing would be possible? It still seems a little unclear to me but it is a trend that seems to growing as we speak due to the advancements within the digital world and technology. However, will this new break-through in the fashion industry kill the art of hand-made clothing and sewing machines or will it be so revolutionary we will never look back?
Under Armours 3-D printed shoes
Both Nike and Adidas have both dabbled on the idea of 3-D printed shoes and now it is also the sports brand, Under Armour who is testing the waters with this creation. Since the limited edition performance trainer goes on sale later this month, Under Armour teased their potential consumers earlier this week with information suggesting that the architectural shoe features a 3D printed midsole and a 3D upper design for the ultimate sculptured effect. The design of the shoe is made up of geometric shapes and structures to further communicate an image of modernism and innovative design elements. Then to top it off, by using computerised machines, the brand were able to use 3D printing, to layer materials and create three-dimensional objects on the shoes.
The product which goes on sale on 18th March can almost be classed as a sort of haute couture as there will only be 96 pairs made across the world at a price of £299. So as you can imagine once these exclusively designed trainers are gone, there gone. 3-D printed shoes may not exactly generate the greatest sales right now as it is a trend that is in simply unheard of in many parts of the fashion industry still. However, it is important for these brands to continue to experiment with the design and manufacturing of their shoes so as an industry, it can continue to grow and advance into new sectors and construction processes. Further, if Under Armour want to compete with the likes of super-brands Nike and Adidas, there going to have to pull out the stops to come up with new product innovations.
Iris van Herpen's 3-D printed haute couture
It is not just shoe brands who are taking on this concept of 3-D printing as the artist and fashion designer Iris van Herpen has also experimented with this technological style of art. Since 2008 Iris van Herpen has created many dresses which combine the elements of design, architecture, technology, and science to communicate a vision of chaotic shapes and natures performance. As an artist in the creative industry she values the reciprocity between craftsmanship and innovation of technique and materials. Therefore, she re-evaluates reality in a unique and individual way to change the way we look at female silhouettes and replace our initial views with something extremely digital, emotionally connected but still ever so beautiful. Furthermore, van Herpen also tries to communicate desire, moods and cultural setting as well as identity within her collections.
"In the first years I had my label, I did everything by hand. I didn’t even work with a sewing machine. At some point, I realized I had reached a level of control I couldn’t go beyond. I saw 3D printing in architecture, where it’s used for modelling. I was struck by the complexity and detailing it was able to do.”
Iris van Herpen
Last week Iris van Herpen debuted her LUCID collection in Paris which explored the theme of lucid dreaming and the control of a person's conscious whilst they discover new realms within their fantasies.
“When I design, the draping process most of the time happens to me unconsciously. I see lucid dreams as a microscope with which I can look into my unconsciousness. In this collection, I have tried to bring my state of ‘reality’ and my state of dreaming, together,” Iris van Herpen
Within the collection their are two distinctive looks which took over the show; the phantom dresses and the lucid looks. The Lucid looks were made from transparent hexagonal laser-cut elements that were connected with translucent flexible tubes to create a bubble-like exoskeleton silhouette around the model's body. The phantom looks were made with a super light tulle to which iridescent stripes are fused, shimmering the silhouette illusory.
Continuing van Herpen’s technique of fusing technology with handcraft, the collection featured two 3D printed Magma dresses that combined flexible TPU and polyamide printing to create a fine web of technological materials. One of the dresses was stitched from 5,000 3D printed elements.
During the March show van Herpen opted for organic, circular, and voluminous silhouettes in light, iridescent colours of nude, green, and grey. The Aero shoes which van Herpen created in collaboration with Finsk, were made from wood, laser-cut leather and finished with a transparent acrylic heel to separate the sole and the upper, creating a hovering look.
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