The use of 3D printing within the fashion world has certainly been gathering steam. We have seen several companies, including 3D Systems enter the market for 3D printed shoes, while the number of fashion shows 
When most people hear the phrase ‘3D printed clothing’ they likely think of rigid, uncomfortable pieces what we have seen printed in the past on SLA or FDM machines. There is another method of 3D printing clothing, however, which may actually overcome the obstacle of rigidness. I’m sure you have all heard of the 3Doodler by now, the 3D printing pen which raked in millions of dollars on Kickstarter last March. Well, one fashion art house based in Hong Kong called SHIGO, has created a 3D printed dress that is simply put, amazing.
SHIGO, which bases their ideas behind their projects on concepts of transforming the ordinary into imaginative ideas and inspirational pieces of work, teamed with 3Doodler, using their 3D printing pen to almost entirely print an elaborate dress.
The lace plastic seashell dress was produced over a three month period, and has turned out even more phenomenal than the designers could have imagined. The design is based on two different kinds of seashells that interconnect with each other. The only parts of this amazing piece, which has not been 3D printed, are the buckles on the sides of the dress and on the shoulder, which ensure an easy exit and entrance for the those who wear it.
To begin, the designers printed out the basic template for the design, using a 2D printer. They then constructed the outline of the dress with a thick paper material, and pasted the design template onto the outline. The next step was to begin tracing each and every line within the template onto the paper outline. The entire dress was printed with two different 3Doodler branded PLA filaments, Blue Steel and Diamonds & Pearls. Once the entire design was printed onto the outline, the plastic was gently peeled off of the paper, and the buckles were securely attached to the dress with more PLA plastic.
Because of the very thin lines which have been 3D printed at varying angles, the dress has a soft texture, and a feel which is unlike that of past 3D printed apparel we have seen.
Could we end up seeing designer dresses customized for women and hand printed with a device like the 3Doodler anytime in the near future? SHIGO has certainly done an amazing job, which I’m sure many women would consider wearing as long as it holds up to daily wear and tear. Let us know what you think about this incredible 3D printed dress in the 3Doodled dress forum thread on 3DPB.com. Check out the video below detailing how this awesome piece was created.
