Then there’s the potential for counterfeit goods or people copying designs at home. That number could be reduced if dressmakers aren’t needed and middlemen such as shop workers and delivery drivers are cut out. The fashion industry employs 4.2million people worldwide and 816,000 people in Britain. This also works for fitting bras, trousers, shirts, jeans – a perfect fit without endless shopping.’ Nike already prints some soles in 3D but they will soon scan your feet and print shoes that fit perfectly. ‘It will still take some time to become affordable for everybody,’ says Hinze, ‘but we are on our way. Nike and Adidas are among those already printing in 3D, which they say can reduce production times from six weeks to 48 hours. There are other savings besides a smaller carbon footprint.
You’ll need a £1,650 Cubify CubeX printer but Kyttanen believes costs are coming down and, if your shoes go out of fashion, you can simply recycle them and make a new pair. ‘The consumer now also becomes a designer and manufacturer,’ says the Finnish designer. Others pioneering the process include Iris Van Herpen, Steven Ascensao, and Francis Bitonti, who created a dress for burlesque performer Dita Von Teese. I am fascinated by the notion of mass customisation and the impact that this could have on the high street.’ ‘Printing off items you just purchased online using your desktop 3D printer shows the potential. She adds: ‘The technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, I’m sure it won’t be long until we see the production of cloth. While it’s possible to create a full outfit through 3D printing, Fagg says it may differ slightly to ‘what we conventionally consider clothing to consist of’. ‘My graduate collection was a chance to explore the facility of this technology without the constraint of commercial viability.’ ‘3D printing allows me to digitally form design to the body,’ she says. Her Arthropoda collection was influenced by the appearance of insects under a microscope.
Natasha Fagg is an Australian designer for Alexander McQueen in London. Fearless Forms makes jewellery and accessories using 3D printers – how do you like these glasses? (Picture: supplied)
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