Mama Earth, Featuring Neyma: BEEVERYCREATIVE Provides 3D Printed Tribal Feather Accessories for Fashion Line  

Portugal’s BEEVERYCREATIVE is a 3D printing manufacturer that defines the term ‘dynamic.’ Producing 3D printers for both the home and office, they see human creative expression as the true path to the future, and believe the way to success is in nurturing a close relationship with their community and other designers. This is highly evident in their latest project, told to us as they continue to launch a host of narratives called ‘BEEStories,’ such as that told about designer Katty Xiomara.

The latest BEEStory that they have released is a perfect and inspiring example that shows not only how quickly they are able to jump in and work with another team, but also displays the versatility of 3D printing and the extensive capabilities of their own hardware. The BEEVERYCREATIVE team is making quite sure that the world realizes 3D printers are capable of producing far more than gaming figurines, keychains, and neon-colored sporks, as they tell the story of working on the ‘Mama Africa’ fashion line featuring Mozambican singer Neyma.

Collaborating with haute couture firm Lisbon’s Fashion Studio, deadlines loomed with a dire need for nothing less than amazing accessories, and the 3D printing manufacturer showed that they were definitely up to the task, time limit and all.

“The challenge was to 3D print some accessories to use across their entire new collection, and faced with time constraints, it was only us and our BEETHEFIRST 3D printer that could get what they needed done on time,” states the team on their blog.

The imagery and drawings they were given to go on invoked a feather design with a very definite African style and tribal element. The end goal, however, was to combine African fashion and tradition with European technology and design–and a definite contemporary touch with the addition of 3D printing.

“These feathers would be perhaps the defining visual element of the entire collection, and traditional methods of manufacturing just wouldn’t cut it. Not only was time an issue, so were the different sizes, the subtle differences in each design of feather, and the quantities needed.”

Putting their BEETHEFIRST 3D printer to the test, the team was able to employ all the benefits that this amazing new technology offers, and most especially that of the luxury of trial and error which digital design allows. The team was able to refine the accessories, testing and reprinting at very little cost ‘until the final product was honed.’

For material, they used PLA, which offers the benefit of post-printing adjustments. To adjust some of the pieces, the team dipped the 3D printed feathery pieces in hot water and were able to make them malleable enough to fit them into perfect, body-fitting shapes. The 3D printed feathers were even scaled down to be fitted onto handbags. Due to the malleability, the team was able to twist, bend, and curl the feathers however they saw fit–even making bracelets.

The fashion studio also appreciated not having to order thousands of pieces in bulk, but rather they enjoyed a small production run with exactly the amount needed for their show and new fashion line. The feathers were completely customized to size, color, and included an incredible amount of detail.

All of the pieces were delivered right on time to the design studio, with just the right amount of customization requested–and no technical glitches. As seen in the video below, the pieces are indeed visually stunning, and offer the perfect complement to the Mama Africa project. Neyma is one of the most well-known artists in Africa and the project definitely raised awareness regarding 3D printing not just in Portugal, but internationally as well–and will continue to do so as the Mama Africa fashion line is offered.  Discuss these designs in the 3D Printed Tribal Feather Accessory forum on 3DPB.com.