3D printed garments feel like real fabric

A pair of UK-based designers has created a new prototype collection of 3D printed garments and accessories that mimic traditional fabric and are comfortable to wear.

Architect Shaun Borstrock, associate dean of Business and Innovation at the University of Hertfordshire and Mark Bloomfield, the man behind electrobloom, calls the collaboration the modeclix project, which aims to make 3D printing technology wearable.

The project focuses on how weaves, stitches and knits work. Each prototype comes with parts that are 3D printed piece by piece, instead of the conventional one-piece construction, to ensure that each part is fluid and has fabriclike characteristics.

The collection consists of eight dresses and two headpieces that can be customized to any size or shape before and after printing, and can be dyed in an array of colors.

It will debut at the Mercedes-Benz Bokeh South Africa International Fashion Film Festival on April 21.

The duo plans to reach a wider market in the future. The collection will be available for viewing online at digitalhacklab.herts.ac.uk and modeclix.com on May 1, 2016. It will also be live for inspection at the electrobloom store in London, starting May 23, 2016.

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