Bradley Rothenberg Brings Unique 3D Printed Textiles to NY Fashion Week

3D printed cellular structure

With the semi-annual New York Fashion Week coming to an end, there were a few particular designs which left many people quite intrigued. With 3D printing becoming more and more a part of fashion, at least on runways as of late, it was no surprise to see 3D printed textiles on display at one of the more popular fashion events in the world.

Fashion designer Bradley Rothenberg had quite the showing at this year’s event, with several new 3D printed garments. Some of the pieces included a fully wearable 3D printed tank-top that was designed in collaboration with designer Katie Gallagher, and was printed entirely in one piece. Rothenberg also 3D printed details for skirts, and jackets, as well as helped designer Katya Leonovich incorporate 3D printing into her SS15 line.

The 3D printed tank-top. Printed in SLS nylon in one piece.

The most talked about piece was the 3D printed cellular tank-top which incorporated a new textile pattern that Bradley has been working on, and has been very excited to see come to life. It is 3D printed using a selective laser sintering machine, that prints using a nylon powder. When the laser hits the powder, the nylon is solidified. This is done, one layer at a time, until the garment is completely printed. When finished, it comes off of the 3D printer fully assembled.

The cellular structure in the design makes for an interlocking pattern which provides flexibility and comfort. One very unique feature that this cellular structure provides is its ability to change the overall textile properties throughout the garment. The flexibility of each section can be different, simply by thinning or thickening parts of the individual cellular units.

“Bradley continues to push boundaries to create never before seen 3D Printed textiles and is focused on how changing the properties of a textile on a local level can create different performances throughout the entire textile such as opacity, flexibility, and stretch. The studio is also currently in the process of developing tools to grow textiles around any shape, be it a 3D scan or modeled dress,” explained Bradley Rothenberg’s PR firm.

3D printed skirt details

It seems as though 3D printed textiles have become common among runway shows, and it is no longer surprising to see such pieces shown off by some of the most talented fashion designers on this planet. It seems as though 3D printed clothing was considered “futuristic” just a year ago, but now it appears to be on its way to becoming the ultimate fashion statement of the decade. It won’t surprise me to see this continue to become more of a trend as time goes on, with 3D printing becoming a norm within the industry.

What do you think about Bradley Rothenberg’s designs? Discuss in the Bradley Rothenberg 3D printed textile forum thread on 3DPB.com.  Check out some more photos below:

Katya Leonovich’s dress with 3D printed features

Katya Leonovich’s garment with 3D printed features

Bradley Rothernbergy & Katie Gallagher’s tank-top featuring the 3D printed cellular pattern.