The symbiotic relationship between fashion and tech continues to intrigue. Amidst the search for a more sustainable approach to our shopping habits, many creators have turned to tech to improve their production chain. The results have sparked innovation to the nth degree.
Cue 3D printing, a technique toyed with by tech-savvy designers, which has marked a notable shift in how we make things. 3D printing is the process of constructing three-dimensional solid objects by laying down multiple thin layers of a material in succession. Rather than segments being cut from a block of material to create an item, 3D printing champions an additive process, meaning less fabric is wasted.
Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen catapulted the use of 3D printing into the fashion sphere back in 2010, when she first designed her ‘Crystallization’ 3D printed top. Since then, the designer’s futuristic garments have been sported on the red carpet by the likes of Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Bjork.
Following in van Herpen’s tech-forward footsteps, the accessories market quickly caught up. 3D laser cutting and digital manufacturing techniques started to permeate the high fashion market, with price tags to match. Givenchy experimented with 3D printed sunglasses, while emerging Berlin-based brand 44 LABEL GROUP incorporated 3D printed elements into its sneaker collection.
While the extravagance of 3D production often comes at a higher cost, there are a handful of more affordable 3D printed buys to consider. From cute, quirky rings to snakelike chokers, your jewellery arsenal can be easily elevated with a space age piece that won’t cost the earth – literally.
Even homeware has willingly fallen prey to the grip of 3D printing. Vases boasting strong graphic accents and textural finishes are the perfect extra-terrestrial touch to any interior space.
Keen to discover more about 3D printing? We’ve rounded up the most tempting tech-inspired pieces on the market.
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Givenchy Cat-eye 3D-printed nylon-frame sunglasses in black
Givenchy’s cat-eye 3D printed sunglasses will coolly take you from festival to fiesta. Designed with a Matrix-esque dynamism, these shades boast snug integrated nose pads, notched logo detailing and sleek grey lenses.
Buy now £510.00, Ssense
ROUSSEY Pink 3D-Printed Single Luv Ring
Exclusive to SSENSE, ROUSSEY’s pink hand candy is hard to resist. Tap into the Barbiecore obsession with the piece’s 3D-printed biopolymer band complete with crystal-cut detailing in red, purple, and white hues.
Buy now £40.00, Ssense
44 LABEL GROUP White Low Sneakers
Step into the world of 3D technology with 44 LABEL GROUP’s pristine sneakers that feature a cutting-edge twist. Displaying a sculptural 3D printed rubber midsole paired with a padded tongue, a mesh lining, a lace-up finish and crimson accents, these ethical kicks exude luxury with a street style edge.
Buy now £189.00, Ssense
Etsy Arrow 3D Printed Necklace
Costume jewellery is officially back, and what a way to welcome its renaissance than with a futuristic spin? Treat yourself to a unique forever-piece that showcases the most intriguing trompe l’oeil in coiling candy cane shades.
Buy now £50.00, Etsy
The Design Museum 3D Printed 'S Vase 05'
Ensure your interiors looks out of this world with 3D printed furnishings. A versatile option for any style lover, The Design Museum’s 3D printed vases are the ideal blend of functionality and aesthetic brilliance. Stationary storage has never looked better.
Buy now £95.00, The Design Museum
Celine Kwan Tailored Wool Jacket
If you want to support emerging designers and enhance your summer wardrobe at the same time then look no further. Celine Kwan’s pastel pink wool jacket with floral 3D printed detail is a pricey yet chic piece to punctuate your sartorial archive with colour.
Buy now £500.00, Celine Kwan
TOUCHLESS Silk 3D-printed clutch bag
Taking a note from Issey Miyake’s ‘Pleats Please’ collection, TOUCHLESS has expanded on the geometric 3D trend. Slip your evening essentials into the brand’s 3D printed clutch bag, crafted from 100 per cent thermoplastic polyurethane that offers a reimagination of the classic black purse.
Buy now £120.00, Selfridges
Sheyn Purple Zayl Vasek
Run, don’t walk to get your hands on one of Sheyn’s modish 3D printed vases. Spanning hues from acidic yellow to preppy lilac and sunset pink, the brand’s collection has something for everyone.
Sheyn’s items are carefully crafted from recycled PLA, a semi-crystalline polymer with a melting temperature of between 170-180°C - a fact you can tell people when they inevitably ask about your hi-tech soft furnishing.
Buy now £44.00, Ssense
Benedetta Bruzziche's Armonia 3D-printed clutch
Nothing says space age quite like a holographic print. Benedetta Bruzziches’s 3D printed clutch is the designer’s answer to Simone Rocha’s popular pearl clutches. The piece is hand-painted in Italy and catches the eye with its transparent shell and crystal fastening. This feminine oyster of luxury is a statement piece you will treasure for years to come.
Buy now £1717.00, Farfetch
