It’s not the first 3D printed dress, but having Dita Von Teese model it might ultimately make it the most famous. I saw an interview with her about it this morning and she said that it was “comfortable” to wear. The dress was printed in sections and then constructed to allow for some movement, but she couldn’t do much more than walk and stand. Since the dress will end up on tour in various museums, and not in Ms. Von Teese’s act, that hard part seems to be over for both!
Dita Von Teese Models 3D Printed Dress
Burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese is known for her old Hollywood glamor, but that doesn’t mean her clothes can’t be straight out of the 21st century. She debuted a 3D printed dress, designed by Michael Schmidt of Lady Gaga bubble dress fame and generated by architect Francis Bitonti, last week at the Ace Hotel. It premiered during a showcase of 3D products hosted by digital printing marketplace, Shapeways.
Although we have seen 3D printed fashions before, this is the first be a fully motile, fluid, curve-hugging dress. Created using a technique known as selective laser sintering SLS, the dress was built up in layers out of nylon powder that had been fused together by lasers. Using the Golden Ratio, designer and architect came up with a spiral design and netted structure that would give the dress movement. Giving it flexibility, was the biggest challenge in creating the dress, said Schmidt: To do that you have to break it down into individual components so it can become something sensual. Taking this hard plastic material and making it flow and sexy and undulate around the body.
The dress was printed by Shapeways in 17 pieces and then was joined by hand in 3,000 places which allowed for its fluidity and textile-like movement. It was then draped over a nude corset and topped of with 12,000 black Swarovski crystals. The dress will go on display at Swarovski and then on tour in various museums. No one but Dita Von Teese will ever wear it, and as she told Mashable: ‘I’d like to see ‘em try.’
