How do you think 3D printing might shape the future landscape of the fashion industry (eg: impact on consumers’ shopping behavior, structure of the supply chain, demand for talents and fashion companies’ business models?)
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FASH455 Global Apparel & Textile Trade and Sourcing 
3D printing has a direct affect on shaping the future of the fashion industry. The process of 3D printing will redefine how different sectors within the industry operate. This includes the job market, how designs are created, how fabric is made, and how articles of clothing are constructed.
The process of 3D printing opens new opportunities for designers and breaks down any creative barriers. It allows designers to draw and create in a new and innovative way. They are no longer limited to just drawing and sketching on paper. 3D printing also enables a new way of thinking and envisioning how a piece of clothing will be made.
The products needed for 3D printing are different from the typical textiles used. They vary in material such as air, light, and plastic. This change in use of products will affect the supply chain. The supply chain will be forced to provide other materials that are not textiles. The use of 3D printing requires more machines and less hand sewing work. These machines and changes in supply chain will lead to a direct decline in the job market.
These machines also affect the way that garments are constructed. There are no more separate parts that are sewn together at the seams. Instead, these garments are one continuous piece. The 3D printing process will additionally have an impact on the Ready To Wear market. This process will lead to body scans allowing shoppers to customize their clothes. As a result fashion companies will need to adjust how they sell their products. 3D printing is part of the future of the fashion industry and is on the rise.
Thank you sharing your “future picture”, which I really enjoy! I also believe that 3D printing may trigger a new round of revolution in the fashion industry because the nature of the game will be totally redefined in the 3D printing era. Stay close watch~
3D Printing is a relatively new phenomenon and can revolutionize all aspects of the textile and apparel industry, as we know it. Being able to offer custom made clothing with an array of new and interesting materials will dramatically change our industry. Major shifts would be consumer shopping behavior, structure of the supply chain and the demand for talent and the fashion companies’ business model. There are endless possibilities with the advent of technology in the textile and apparel sector.
If consumers are able to buy custom made clothing- fit exactly to their body scan- then it will most certainly change our shopping behavior. Soon brands and retailers will be able to produce “ready-to-wear couture” therefore, sizing and try on clothes will become an antiquated way of shopping for clothing. Not only will this affect the consumers, but everyone connect with the textile and apparel supply chain.
The structure of our global supply chain would result in dramatic changes. By having machines complete tasks normally done by the human hand, all direct labor could be obsolete. Since there would be no need for human labor, millions of people and companies would be out of jobs. Many developing countries rely on their labor abundance in the textile and apparel production to provide wages to their employees. Initiating almost all-mechanical production would result in the developing countries falling even farther behind the curve.
Moreover, human skill sets and talents would fall short with the increase in 3D printing. It would be more cost effective to utilize machinery because that it one fixed capital cost. I believe that couture, as we know it would eventually cease to exist, due to its loss of “specialty”. You cannot compare the quality of hand sewing with the endless futuristic possibilities of 3D printing. Although it would be nice to have all custom clothing for affordable prices, is it logical or morally ethical to wipe out such a high percentage of “low value added jobs”. Either way this advent in technology will eventually change the landscape of the textile and apparel industry with respect to shopping behavior, structure of the supply chain and demand for talent and fashion companies’ business model.
3D Printing is rapidly becoming mainstream, Although it’s still in it’s early stages. Every industry will be affected by this revolutionary technology. Some designers have already started taking orders for downloadable products. This could revolutionize fashion for both the manufacturer and consumer. The consumer will now have the ability to select any object, size and shape, right on the spot. Consumers will have the ability to have their bodies scanned and order clothes that fit perfectly.The consumer will now become both designer and manufacturer. In the world of Haute Couture, 3D printing will also change the way that designers and manufacturers operate. As it stands right now, production costs are based upon the number of garments a designer produces, However this will no longer be the case.New ways off distribution will off set the traditional supply chain. Designers will be able to produce a number of different items and will bypass conventional methods of distribution. The fashion industry currently employs 4.2 people worldwide. This number will drop drastically if tailors/seamstresses and ‘middle man’ positions are no longer needed. There is a serious potential for mass unemployment. It will also be interesting to see if individual retailers (privately owned) will be at a disadvantage.
3D printing is something that is fairly new but believed to be growing quickly. This new technology determines so much like how designs are made and how fast the production can be. 3D printing allows a whole new type of fashion and I think will lead into the future of the industry but not for long. Although 3D printing opens a whole new aspect on apparel and design and has already been spotted in couture the use of the high end machinery to produce these 3D looks is costly which could be a downfall. It also could end up eliminating jobs in the industry because there would be less need for human labor. I think 3D printing will make its way more into high end couture but not as much make it to ready to wear. Because it is expensive it would be an exclusive apparel which some consumers would end up buying but not enough to keep the phenomenon going for long.
Although 3D printing was seen at Paris Fashion Week in 2013, it is still a relatively new phenomenon for most people in the world. If it takes off as it is anticipated to, there will more than likely be a conflict between the positives and negatives that 3D printing can bring to the world of fashion.
Personally, I think it is amazing that technology has come as far as this point. Being able to have custom fit articles of clothing will change the fashion world as we know it. As mentioned in the video, the revolution of 3D printing will eliminate the gap between haute couture and ready-to-wear. People will have clothes that actually fit their bodies, as opposed to clothing that fits our bodies the best it can. No doubt that will change consumer shopping behaviors. It will also allow designers to have almost limitless creative capacity while using a variety of new materials.
These innovative new ways of doing things and the use of new materials will come with a cost though. 3D printing is basically entirely machine powered, therefore it is inevitable we will see a decline in the job market. Specifically, it will more than likely have a detrimental impact on the ready-to-wear industry, and our global supply chain will suffer severely. Anything that is currently done by hand in the production process will no longer exist. Almost all developing countries rely on their labor intensive jobs to keep their economies going. If nearly all jobs done by hand will become obsolete with the innovation of 3D printing this will hurt numerous countries in the process.
Depending on where one stands on the topic of 3D printing, you will likely get a variation of opinions on the topic. There is no right or wrong opinion, but everyones opinions, thoughts, and concerns should be taken into consideration before moving forward with the revolution of 3D printing. It is important that we consider both the benefits and the losses that will come with this innovation to see which out weighs the other.
good thoughts! Why you believe “it is inevitable we will see a decline in the job market?” Does the invention of TV simply kill job in the newspaper industry?
It did not completely kill the newspaper industry, and I do not think 3D printing would completely kill the market for ready-to-wear clothing. This being said, I do believe if 3D printing takes off and becomes increasingly popular and demanded by consumers, we will see a direct decline in the job market. It is inevitable because consumers that once wanted ready-to-wear clothing will now want the clothing made from 3D printing machines. Hence, there will be a transition from factories with workers to factories with machinery, eliminating the amount of workers needed to produce the 3D prints. Still, it is not a black and white situation and not everyone will immediately or permanently transition from ready-to-wear to 3D printing; as is the case with TV and Newspaper.
Also, this would be the case only if 3D printing really takes off. If consumers can have customer made clothing at moderate prices then the 3D printing revolution may very well take off. In any case, there is always unforeseen challenges with advancements in technology and it is not guaranteed that this transition will take place. If 3D printing is not moderately priced for the everyday consumer, it will not be as big of a hit as some may have hoped. Therefore, the job market will not be as greatly affected.
It is difficult to predict what the future will bring, but I believe if it does bring 3D printing mainstream the job market will be greatly affected, but if 3D printing does not end up making its way mainstream for whatever the reason may be, then we will not see the job market hit as hard.
3D printing is a relatively new phenomenon that I believe will change the future landscape of the textile and apparel industry. By having this new technology, there are many advantages for both producers and consumers. It will be easier to make specialized apparel for customers. Clothing can now be customized even to fit a specific body which becomes appealing to consumers. A benefit for designers and manufacturers is that with using the 3D printer, the limits are endless when constructing garments. Also materials such as thread and sewing machines are no longer needed, making it an easier and quicker process.
With the 3D printer available, the construction of garments no longer has to be with the use of textiles. This factor has a positive and a negative effect on the supply chain. The positive effect is that the cost may be cheaper for consuming materials because manufacturers will no longer need to pay for the prices of textiles. They can use recycled materials which can have a positive effect on the environment. On the other hand, this means using products other than textiles such as plastic, paper or anything else which could be costly or unappealing to customers.
The fact that this new technology is available in the textile and apparel industry has me wondering if more business will start to use it for production. I think that for some time, most will be skeptical to start using as a concern if it will ultimately benefit them in the long run. I think it will be exciting to see in the upcoming years the progression of using the 3D printing.
3D printing is still a new phenomenon, relatively expensive to make. It hasn’t break through mainstream but it has a lot of potential to change the textile apparel industry. In the future it may show up in fashion shows more and more. 3D printing allows the garment to fit close to the body and it can be made into shapes that traditional textile cannot do without using wires. It can give new refreshing idea to designers. On the other hand, all 3D printing apparels I’ve seen so far seems to be plastic like and not something a person won’t wear everyday.
In the future when 3D printing is more advanced and more variety of garments can be made, it will have a big impact on the supply chain, 3D printing garments can be cheaper to make than traditional garment, it doesn’t need cotton or other material that have a negative impact on the environment. Less labor is involve in 3D printing meaning textiles no longer have to be produced overseas, it will save time and cost. The negative aspect of 3D printing is even more people will be losing their jobs because robots are doing all the work for them, which will hurt the economy.
good thoughts! 3D clothing printer is coming: http://3dprinterplans.info/electroloom-3d-clothing-printer-ready-by-the-end-2014/
After watching the video I think 3D printing is extremely innovative. I love the idea of 3D printing bridging the gap between ready to wear and couture. It would be great to have affordable clothing made to fit your body with the use of a body scanner. A body scanner would definitely change the way consumers shop. Depending on how the body scanner worked, fitting rooms may become a thing of the past.
In class we learned how America does not have the skill set to produce clothing the way China and Bangladesh do. 3D printing could change where clothing is produced. Countries such as China and Bangladesh may not have the technology to make clothes with a 3D print. 3D printing could make America the center of the 3D printing industry.
Yes, I agree that 3D printing might trigger a revolution in the T&A industry. particularly, 3D printing is highly technology intensive and does not require traditional apparel production processes such as cutting and sewing. As such, 3D printing may result in a significant shift in T&A trade and production patterns. 3D printing also poses new questions for T&A educational programs like us. for example: what we shall teach and what new skills students need to acquire in the 3D printing era? Great thoughts!
I feel as if 3D printing can help better the future landscape of the fashion industry. We already have ready to wear fashions, and I believe 3D printing will take that to new level. Like mentioned in the video clip, in the future we may have machines that scan the body and create clothing for that persons specific body, which would be amazing. Knowing you don’t have to try on clothing and that it will fit perfectly will help the ready to wear fashions become even quicker and even more ready to wear. In the future we will need people to develop these machines and understand how to use 3D printing, which may create more jobs in that area. Consumer’s may be willing to buy more because of the fact that shopping for the perfect fit clothing is now going to be easier.
As a relatively new way of technology, 3D printing has already been in the spotlight such as Paris Fashion Week. It is considered to be a new phenomenon, but I feel as though it will always be considered “new”. 3D printing might shape the future landscape of the fashion industry because it will impact the consumers’ shopping behavior, the way designers design and the supply chain.
It will change the consumer behavior because now garments will be easier to make custom and fit. There will be no need for textiles and the process of hand drawing. 3D printing will also allow designers to create in a new way and they do not need to forced with the option of drawing on paper. Machine usage will effect the structure of the supply chain because they would need to come up with different materials such as plastic, which could be more expensive.
If 3D printing is taken care of the way it should be with all the right procedures then it can shape the future in a good way, but designers, consumers and the suppliers need to work together to make this 3D phenomenon a success.
3D printing once seemed like a thing of the future. However it is amazing that we are at a point where it is not only a possibility but a reality. The new technology can bring the fashion industry to a new level. Although not everyone thinks this is a great idea. Even though this will help designers gain a better idea of how something can fit while saving the company a ton of money, what about the job loss? The elimination of jobs is a valid possibility.
If 3D becomes widely implemented that will be a lot less need for human labor. Regardless though because of the expensive cost of 3D printing I don’t not foresee this becoming a wide spread phenomena anytime soon.
This seems to be only the beginning to 3D printing and its connections with the fashion industry. The possibilities are truly endless of where 3D printing can take us within designing and more. This video seems to be promoting a lot towards the printing process and their focus on a seemless design but 3D printing seems to consist of so much more than just what the design outcome may look like.
When considering all the aspects of what it takes to design a product, especially an article of clothing, 3D printing will change it all from the beginning to the end. Starting with consumer behavior, this is only the beginning as well. Showing it in runway shows, or in articles/blogs is just putting it out there, but after seeing the results of what it can look like compared to the textiles that are worked with daily, it goes above and beyond. The supply chain as well would change dramatically. In a textile world, we depend upon the producers of natural fibers and the manufacturing process of synthetic fibers in order to create yarns and textiles for us to design into clothing. Before the design process, there is so much more involved, but with the idea of 3D printing it seems much more direct, and one-of-a-kind. A designer can not only design the shape of their clothing but also the actual detail behind its structure.
If the future is 3D printing designs than the demand for it will change everything completely. And not so much for the positive. Our worlds economies depend on capital and the machine/hand sewing work that is involved in every peice of article worn. If 3D printing evolves into a demanding industry, than the worlds cut & sew industries will change. Then again there are the benefits of the scanning process and the immediate gratitude from the 3D printed article of clothing.
Finally when thinking of a business model and cost, it can go either way. It seems very proficient and cost affective, but once the technology catches up, what really goes into 3D printing? and will it be that much more cost effective than the traditional garment making? It is a wonderful concept to bring into the fashion designing world, but it is also a scary thought to imagine 3D printing pushing the textile and sewing world that we know of today into the past.
http://mashable.com/2014/04/04/francis-bitonti-3d-printing/
Above was an interesting article I found a few weeks back on 3D printing, with the tagline “The Future of Fashion is Code, Not Couture”. No longer are consumers strictly consumers, but they have the capabilities to become producers in their own garments. The implication of 3D printing is that the textile and apparel industry is no longer about different fibers and fabrics, but about information being fed through a computer system to create a wearable design. The technology can and has been used for a variety of different products including jewelry, garments, glasses, and other accessories. Designer Francis Bitoni describes 3D printing as a “hyper-luxury” or a “post-human luxury.”
While I am doubtful that 3D printing will replace ready-to-wear or traditional couture lines, it is an interesting concept when considering typical garments worn today. If code is eventually sold the way Bitoni describes it, all individuals will have the ability to download a design the way a song is downloaded on iTunes. There will be price variations dependent on the materials used and expertise of the design, similar to the way there are quality differences between a RTW and Couture line. Additionally, the concept of 3D printing is going to require an elevated skill set on individuals hoping to enter the design field. It will require technologically advanced skill sets and courses offered to prepare potential employees in the field, much to the way CAD has been implemented over the past few years. 3D printing could potentially limit a designer’s overall vision for companies in regards to being able to work on a finished product through to completion. There would no longer be a tangible product at each step of the way, it would solely be a design to a finished product. While it is an inspiring and innovative form of technology, it is also intimidating to future employment and the apparel industry as a whole.
3D printing will advanced the future landscape of the fashion industry. It is a new technology that opens a new world in thinking differently. It allows designers to bring their ideas to life and creates a very distinct design that appeals to many consumers. It will be very interesting to see where 3D printing will take us. If it is applied to ready-to-wear, it will shape the way to a higher developed industry. This also leads the consumers to a more customized look in terms of design and comfort. This new technology will impact many industries and will be interesting to see what the future holds.
We are beginning to see 3D printing being used in the medical field, therefore I don’t see why it wouldn’t be successful in the fashion industryr. It is cool to see that 3D printing was used during the 2013 fashion week and I definitely think we will be seeing a lot more of it in fashion.
3D printing has the potential tp greatly impact the fashion industry in the future. I think 3D printing would be a great way to create jobs right here in the US. We have the skills and technology needed to make the printing happen. I think it could even eventually help us compete with labor intensive countries. If we are able to print large quantities of clothing without needing the physical labor it could help our economy. However I am not sure if the 3D printer would be a success in the fast fashion industry. If the technology needed to create the machines is expensive than the prices of the fast fashions may increase. However it would be a great way to create jobs for those who are technology savy.
The process of 3D printing is truly amazing to me. With the ability to print clothing, our world would no longer be limited by what is “in stock”. We could literally print whatever we wanted or needed. In a different article I read, which I posted below, it could be beneficial for aspiring designers who are sewing challenged this futuristic machine could open doors for them. They could create whatever they wanted right on a computer and have the printer complete your work for you. 3D printing will revolutionize fashion—if and when it makes its way to the public. It will be good for fashion designers and companies to create high-demand brand name clothing without wasting anything. I think the process reshape how different sectors within the industry operate and manufacture clothing. For example: the job market, how designs are created, and how fabric and clothing are created. This technological innovation could change fashion forever. It will cause major shifts and changes in not only designers lives, but with consumer behavior and shopping experiences.
http://www.gnomonschool.com/blog/3d-modeling/your-cpu-is-your-sewing-machine-how-3d-printing-could-revolutionize-the-fashion-design-industry
3D printing is a phenomenon that is not only effecting the fashion industry but may other industries as well, such as the medical field. 3D printing will transform the fashion industry in a completely new way because it will allow designers to think in new ways. It will give designers new limitations. Limitations are now not just materials but environmental limitations. 3D printing will allow for seamless garments to be created- a more customized and individualized fit for each garment. One day this technology may advance so highly that 3D printing will be brought into fast fashion. I think it will set new standards for what we believe fashion to be.
3D printing will with out a doubt shape the future of the fashion industry completely. Now that this new technology for making clothes has emerged, we see a new market emerging. 3D printing will become/ is becoming a new market for fashion and a new popular phenomenon all together. This new way of creating clothing offers a completely new job market and new retail opportunities. Instead of labor intensive positions in making clothing with fabric by hand or operating machinery, there now will be more positions available for highly technical chemists, engineers, designers, and advanced machine operators. This new invention also brings forth specifically job opportunities domestically. Because the US is so technologically advanced, I think we are extremely capable of becoming successful in this area. As far as retail opportunities, stores and companies could soon potentially incorporate body scanning into their retail strategy to then create custom clothing particularly shaped for that person’s body. The possibilities are seemingly endless with 3D printing and I cannot wait to see what the future in the fashion industry has to offer!
3D printing will change every industry I think for the better. It will help create new jobs and a new market. It’s new and exciting to think about. It will help open up new possibilities of designs and creative thinking. It will definitely change on how an article of clothing is made, but with new technologies this is always bound to happen. Less labor would be involved with the making since all you would need is a computer engineer to make sure the machine is working well and doing what it is suppose to do.
3D printing is a prime example of how technological advances have relatively no limitations. As technology begins to grow within the fashion and apparel industry, the way “normal” way of doing things will soon change rapidly; from the way garments are being produced at the factory level all the way down to how it is being sold at the retail level. With advancements in 3D printing within the the textile and apparel industry some old methods of production, supply, and or retailing will become obsolete. As 3D printing becomes more effective throughout the industry, manual labor or more hands on jobs will be forgotten and replaced with technology.
Not only that, the way we think as consumers will soon face a change as 3D printing continues to make advances in the textile and apparel industry. 3D printing will have a direct impact on consumer behaviorism because now customers are able to see a more real idea of what they will be purchasing (or could potentially purchase) versus traditional 2d paper sketches.
I think that 3-D printing most definitely will be revolutionary for the fashion industry. Not only will it allow us to create higher quality clothing, but it will create new jobs considering there is a lot more knowledge needed in order to work the technology and machinery. I think that 3-D printing will shape retail stores as well as the way consumers shop. They will be able to see a clearer vision of what they are purchasing.
3D printing is not very new, but the usage of it is new for many industries. For the fashion industry, I do not believe the average consumer will be seeing a 3D printed garment in a store anytime soon. 3D printers are expensive and complicated. While this will create jobs for some, it can take away jobs from those whom the printer will replace. There is no doubt that 3D printing will impact the fashion industry in a huge way. Like any new technology, it is only a matter of time until it comes into our everyday lives.
In my opinion 3D printing will soon enough become a popular trend in the near future. Being a TMD major and just finishing a design project myself for my final, during presentations, a lot if my classmates clothing designs were inspired but 3D printing. Hunger Games for example, is very big on the 3D printing in a few of the outfit choices that the characters were wearing. Yes this will mean that big machines will be needed and will replace hand sewing, which then will be the decline of jobs. But, I do seeing this as a future trend.
3D printing is awesome technology! It will be a great resource to many innovators especially in the fashion industry. Creating seamless garments is a great asset to designers in the RTW or Couture world.
Fit is one of the most difficult aspects of design and production, we are used to wearing clothes that don’t fit but if body scan technology and 3D printing can combine and make custom printed clothing that would turn the RTW industry on its head. I really hope to see this happen in the coming years, however I hope it doesn’t eliminate jobs in production; because until now they haven’t found a replacement for sewing garments but this may change that which would create huge job losses globally.
After watching the video I think 3D printing is an extremely creative and innovative process and this has to one of the coolest videos I have ever taken the time to watch. I love to see the materialization of the idea that 3D printing could bridge the gap between ready to wear and couture. I think she brings up an interesting point that people often wear clothes that do not fit them and in the future she could possibly see people scanning their own bodies into the system and creating clothes especially printed for them.
In class we have learned that the United States has an abundance of both capital and technology. I know that it is hard for the United States to produce clothing the way they would in China for example because we simply do not have the labor force or the willing labor force to work in factories. I can honestly see 3D printing changing the way we produce clothing in the United States. With our capital and technology it would be easy for us to invest in such an industry in the coming future.
I think 3D printing will greatly shape the future landscape of the fashion industry by putting more of an emphasis on technology instead of on cheap labor. It could potentially bring more manufacturing opportunities back to the US and would create more jobs for skilled workers with knowledge of computers and machinery as opposed to unskilled laborers. It could also help reduce issues with unfair labor practices as highly skilled workers are often less likely to submit to lower wages.
3D printing goes to show how revolutionized and technologically driven fashion has become. It is very true in the video when the women stated that many people do not wear and fit into ready to wear clothing correctly. It is the truth. 3D clothing will allow perfect fits through body scans but it will also take away consumers from stores. Everything will be online. Designs will be ordered and online databases will have exact personal sizes of consumers and stores will not be a big relevance for trying on clothing since those clothes are ready to wear apparel that will not fit as well. 3D will change the face of apparel sizing while adding an extraordinary new appeal to the image of the clothing. 3D has very little limitations of things that can not be done to an image. Basically the landscape is limitless to what can be created. Higher demand for computer aided design will be what future apparel design jobs will be looking for. More energy and body volume is seen using this printing technology. Couture is being redefined by code instead of handwork which will eventually eliminate seamstresses and tailoring. Body scans, 3D ready to wear, and a shorter chain of supply will be the main outcome of this type of design.
3D printing goes to show how revolutionized and technologically driven fashion has become. It is very true in the video when the women stated that many people do not wear and fit into ready to wear clothing correctly. It is the truth. 3D clothing will allow perfect fits through body scans but it will also take away consumers from stores. Everything will be online. Designs will be ordered and online databases will have exact personal sizes of consumers and stores will not be a big relevance for trying on clothing since those clothes are ready to wear apparel that will not fit as well. 3D will change the face of apparel sizing while adding an extraordinary new appeal to the image of the clothing. 3D has very little limitations of things that can not be done to an image. Basically the landscape is limitless to what can be created. Higher demand for computer aided design will be what future apparel design jobs will be looking for. More energy and body volume is seen using this printing technology. Couture is being redefined by code instead of handwork which will eventually eliminate seamstresses and tailoring. Body scans, 3D ready to wear, and a shorter chain of supply will be the main outcome of this type of design.
I think 3D printing is will shape the future of new technology and innovations in the textile industry. It is a new advancement that will broaden our horizons in many aspects. 3D printing will make many changes to the textile market; not only will it change how clothing is made, but also jobs within the industry and how clothing is designed and constructed. The limitations designers have when designing their clothing, may be opened up and changed with the use of 3D printing. They will be able to overcome obstacles they faced in the past. It will also change things for the retail stores and consumers. People will have a much easier time finding clothing that fits them correctly and is the correct size, without even trying the clothes on. I think body scans would be a huge success and very popular for customers. Sometimes I wear things that fit me just a little off because that is the size that fits me best, but not perfectly. Body scans would eliminate this problem for people because the clothing would be made to fit the personal body. This phenomenon would soon close the gap/difference between ready to wear and couture.
3D printing is a new aspect to the fashion industry which is creating an entirely different form of creativity for designers and artists. While this new technological advancement is at its beginning stages, it will have success with those who are able to specialize in this very expensive technology. This new innovation of the fashion industry is giving designers the ability to take their intricately designed garments from photoshop and illustrator into real life without the hands on techniques that would have been required beforehand. By using such high tech advancements, designers are now able to create garments fitted and created for personalized, one-of-a-kind couture. While these new forms of fashion will create an entirely different market, I believe that it will begin to transform the idea of hand-sewn designs to scanning which might eliminate the “sweat shop type” companies. But, this technology could create an entirely different field of fashion that wasn’t there before, through body scanning and advancing the technologies of photoshop and illustrator into more than just design, but manufacturing as well.
3D printing is the next big thing for the fashion world! I think this is a great idea and really loved the designs and outfits the designer and artichect came up with. I hope these designs can go from old couture to ready to wear, I think that would be awesome to be able to order something like that. Being able to use these high tech technologies designers can now go up and beyond with their designs and be really creative when it comes to putting together all those geometric shapes. I believe with these new designs will target a whole new market of people and maybe the use of sweat shops can dissapear because hand drawn designs will now be put into this new technology.
3D printing has limitless product applications, and today 4D printing is being developed where component parts self assemble. These technologies will certainly have impact in that, consumers who can afford garments made of these novel technologies and have progressive tastes will gravitate having unique garments made specifically to fit them. However, standard clothing is a long way off from dying entirely, today we have 3D printing and fusibles and cut and sew continues to exist, in part due to cost and the capital intensive nature of mass producing such products.
Assuming their is a boom in 3D printing that would certainly impact the supply chain, and it would at least at first be to the advantage of capital intensive economies.
As far as demand for talent, it would completely revolutionize who is considered to be an apparel designer. Design programs would certainly need to adapt in order to compete with collaborations involving MIT grads like Neri Oxman who through the synergy of architecture and material science elevate clothing to something truly innovative. Designers like Iris van Herpen are true visionaries who seeks to make the invisible world visible and create garments that transcend mere trends but spur thoughtful and investigative conversations.
3D printing is opening the eyes of the fashion industry and showing us new and improved ways to design textiles. With 3D printing, we can now make clothing flexible and give it dimension rather than it lay flat to the body. This new way of printing will change the way some designers sculpt their clothing and will change the fashion industry globally. This 3D technology also allows clothing to be made seamless, which can give a new face to couture by veering away from hand made items and using codes inputted into the machine. I believe this 3D printing technology has an opportunity of being adopted by US fashion companies but it also has a change of being rejected. I feel haute couture companies will use this technology more frequently than middle-class companies because of this complexity of this process. The designs that come from this machine are avant-garde and usually would not be seen casually. When it comes to the haute couture designers using this, I feel they will benefit a lot from it since it will expand opportunities to change up their designs successfully. Common US companies will most likely reject this technology since it does not produce day-to-day comfortable clothing.
3-D printing opens up a new world to the fashion industry and allows fashion designers to think completely differently or “outside the box” to come up with new ideas. Creating projects by hand does have its limitations at times, but by having the advantage to use 3-D printing it allows these unique ideas to come to life. These new ideas create high energy, and the technology is able to redefine couture by replacing handwork with codes from the 3-D printing machines. This new technology gives the luxury to produce continuous services without seems or other parts. There are no constraints of material anymore when using the 3-D machinery, instead there are environmental constraints such as air and light. In the future this 3-D industry may be able to blossom and even become available in ready-to-wear clothing, which can hopefully fill the gap between ready-to-wear and couture. This highly advanced technology can use geometrical properties to avoid creating clothes that don’t fit, in the future there is talk of having “body scan” so everyone can always have a perfect fit item of clothing or even designing their own clothes which completely revolutionizes the fashion world.