Lecture on 3D Printing in Fashion

Introduction

• Personal anecdote of traveling with limited clothing and designing a skirt using 3D printing at a technology conference.
• Wearing a 3D printed skirt at the presentation.

Early Experiences in 3D Printing

• Fashion design school project: 3D printing an entire collection.
• Limited knowledge of 3D printing initially and a nine-month timeline to create five looks.
• Enjoyment of experimenting with new materials and developing unique textiles.

Transition to Advanced Equipment

• Internship in New York at a fashion house working on 3D printed dresses.
• Challenges with hard plastic dresses: breakability, discomfort for models.

Discovery of Home 3D Printing

• Inspiration from a 3D printed necklace created on a home printer.
• Realization of the potential to print clothes at home.
• Motivation to design and print fabrics personally.

Learning and Experimentation

• Learning 3D printing at a local makerspace.
• Experimentation with PLA filament: issues with being hard, scratchy, and breakable.

Breakthrough with Filaflex

• Introduction to Filaflex filament: strong and flexible.
• Creation of the first garment, a red jacket with the word "Liberté" (freedom).
• Open-source design pattern for a lace-like textile.

Challenges and Process

• Small printer plates required piecing garments like a puzzle.
• Requirement of 1,500 hours of printing for the collection.
• Use of six printers at home, printing continuously.

The Future of 3D Printing in Fashion

• Expectation of faster printing times, likening it to the evolution of Internet speeds.
• Presentation of a fully 3D printed outfit on a model, including shoes.

Vision for Digital Fashion

• Future materials that resemble traditional fabrics like cotton or silk.
• Possibility of personalized garments that perfectly fit individual measurements.
• Analogy to the digital transformation of music: from physical to downloadable.
• Wonderment about the future of digital clothing.

Conclusion

• Expression of gratitude and optimism for the future of 3D printing in fashion.