3D printing: fashion industry implications

Last week, I had the pleasure of joining a really varied group of FashionTech specialists as a Speaker at Interlaced.

http://2015.interlaced.co/

I find the term 'FashionTech' extremely vague - and in many ways, am frustrated by the generality that many people attribute to this huge area of industry. From buying habits through to production methodology, there is SO MUCH content under the 'FashionTech' umbrella that I still have to understand - but for now, I stuck to what I knew and moderated a panel about how 3D printing is effecting fashion (via accessories and footwear).

I was joined by three speakers that I've worked with a lot before via my role at 3D Printshow: Roberta Luka from Wonderluk, Bryan Oknyansky from ShoesByBryan and Nikolay Piriankiv from Rare Pink. See below for my introductory notes:

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"Welcome everyone, and thank you for joining us at Interlaced today. There’s been some really varied content across today’s brilliant agenda – and although it’s been mentioned a few times, we’re here to get stuck into exploring how 3D printing technology is already being used in the fashion industry.

My name is Faith Robinson, and I‘m the Content Curator at an international tech exhibition called 3D Printshow. I’ve been working in the heart of the global 3D printing scene for over two years, and my role involves collecting and curating some of the best content for our series of temporary exhibitions and conference agendas around the world. In particular, I’ve produced catwalk productions of 3D printed fashion, exhibitions of stunning 3D printed garments, as well as numerous agendas exploring the tech across all kinds of sectors. As a result, I’m delighted to be moderating this session, so let’s crack on.

Particularly within the jewellery and footwear space, 3D printing is not only being employed to actually manufacture products, but (perhaps more importantly), it’s being used to engage the customer by heightening their buying experience. Since this leads to more spend, it’s a very exciting – and relevant – part of contemporary fashion tech right now."

Balenciaga Pre-Fall 2015

Can't get this super cute fluffy thing out my head:

Bright Old Things

I'm definitely down for celebrating beauty through age. Women who inspire fabulous individuals for a series of decades, not just a series of seasons. Women who provide soundtracks and mindsets that remain the foundation for a person's creative endeavors via the brands we love. Women who embrace their age by developing their identity, rather than changing it.

These campaigns have inspired me to listen to all of my old favorite music, and to learn more about the literature of a time already gone by. Its a clever marketing move from both fashion houses - but its one that actually does make total sense (providing you appreciate both the woman and the brand respectively). Hopefully we'll see more campaigns which suggest an alternative to the everyday beauty we've become accustomed to: I'm certainly more moved by these incredible and accomplished women - and that's what its all about, right?

That 70s thang

Take your pick ladies - although the choices are pretty simple .Stay current in full-tone looks channeling that 70s style that's sure to come around in early 2015 as it has done time and time again. It's pretty bold, but I'm sure you can find a way to give it a cool and chic modern edge - a la Gucci or Marc Jacobs. Like I said, take your pick...

Pre-Fall '15: Calvin Klein Collection

Obsessed with this look. Boxy, stiff, future-thinking leather. Lots of lines - 'futuristic' - but with a contemporary edge. It's kind of what Shania Twain would have worn in that video if she was born 20 years later. Don't even get me started on the pants... big up Francisco Costa.

Youth Code

In the last few seasons, fashion's tribes have become more and more succinct - and what Marques’Almeida presents in this context has continued to capture my imagination and my respect. They're confident, relaxed and striking; they push the normal paradigms of what it is to be feminine, and they're a little bit weird. Its a very clean grunge that loves line and texture, which plays that tomboy silhouette whilst managing to maintain an incredibly sexy edge. Model Malaika Firth plays this role beautifully for i-D, styled by Sarr-Jamois alongside a brilliant article about Marques’Almeida's effect on the fashion industry. I think what does it for me is how the Portugese pair of designers behind the brand manage to find the right (and very subtle) balance between funny serious. And being the right part of that balance seems like a wonderful sartorial goal for someone like me.

Is it spring yet?

Short days and long nights have already got me dreaming of spring 2015 - despite having this week packed away all of my summer clothes for good. Its a sorry state, however, I've got Rosetta Getty to thank for spurring on these uncompromising ideas about long, light dressing. Elegant, tonal, and beautifully tailored, these images from the stunning S/S15 lookbook have been on my mind for days. Like the images in my previous post, the dynamic perspective of these photographs really highlight a modern, clean and decided style that I can't quite put my finger on. It's a kind of aware, empowered woman, whose dreamy ideas for dressing are trapped in the rush of a post-modern life. Wherever the Rosetta Getty lady is off to, I wanna go too.

more here

Same Wool Different Day

Kim Peers by Charlie Engman, styled by Vanessa Reid - Pop Magazine A/W 2014.

Dope dynamic shots and super cool onesie outfits.

 

 

Hard Copy

Following on from my previous post, I wanted to focus on one of the most exciting designers I worked with whilst curating some of the 3D printed content in the fashion + arts gallery at 3DPS London '14. Israeli fashion designer Noa Raviv worked closely with Stratasys - our event sponsor and arguably one of the most powerful 3D printing companies in the world - to create some really beautiful, avant-garde haute couture pieces, which I was lucky enough to handle and exhibit.

The collection, entitled 'Hard Copy' explores the idea of unique and replicated pieces. This is a common challenge that artists and designers face when working with a technology that allows for (and is very often developed for) replication purposes - however, the 3D printed elements working within the following looks subtly develop the designers investigation beautifully. The 3D pieces look CGI'd - which strangely reminds me of Celine A/W13.

I'm currently working on a written piece about Noa for our digital magazine, which I will link to on my blog later this month. In the meantime, here are some images of her amazing work.

3D Printshow London 2014

Over the summer, I've been working on sourcing and curating a gallery of 3D printed arts and fashion pieces to contribute to 3D Printsow London 2014. I'm the Content Curator for the event, which means that I create some of the galleries (arts, fashion, architecture, food), as well as scheduling the conference program (taking place over three stages across three days). The event took place last month, and I've put together some of my favourite pictures form the gallery space:

 

I've been obsessed with the work of Pussykrew for months, so it was such a pleasure to research, handle and exhibit their work at such a major cross-disciplinary event. What's particularly fascinating about their work is the way that they laboriously finish the pieces- which has attracted the attention of a lot of the 3D printing industry. A good finish is notoriously difficult to achieve from a 3D printer, so a lot of people regard Pussykrew's sanding, buffing and painting as 'cheating'. They're wrong though - these sculptural piece bridge the gap between digital and tangible - between virtual and physical.

 

Both Dorry Hsu & Ge Bai's work involves 3D printed accessories worn on the head and face. Dorry's masks are colourful, technical and incredible beautiful: inspired by the forms of beetles and insects, the collection (named 'The Aesthetic of Fear') demonstrates the incredible capabilities of 3D printing. I'm also thrilled to see her work being recognised more and more in recent months. Ge Bai's work was premiered at this year's graduate fashion week, and the 3D printed eyewear pieces were brilliantly juxtaposed by some very classic knitwear looks and lines.

 Sophie Kahn's work is as a world-renowned digital artist presents a modern day idea of the self-portrait. 3D printed from glitched and broken body scans of herself, one might suggest that her work is the ultimate 'selfie' - however, there's a lot more to it than that. Her sculptures offer a vulnerable insight into the artist's perception of herself, which in turn reflects the common anxieties caused by digital technology across entire generations. It was a pleasure to curate her personal work into the exhibition.

This is only a very small selection of some of the incredible pieces that we managed to collect for our flagship 3D printing event in London (please contact me directly for more information). I'm currently working on our Paris show happening in a few weeks - after which we'll be in Berlin, New York, Madrid, San Fran, Dubai and a few more places. We'll also be running a series of high-level international conferences before the New Year - so keep an eye out.

Perhaps the best part of the exhibition was showing my Dad around though :-)

Dyspnea

I had to post a few more images of the latest Dyspnea collection, via Material Culture blog. Forgive me:

fluffy stuff

Last summer I bought a pair of white sandals from Clarkes. I never shop at Clarkes but these shoes were perfect: a low, block heel in silver, an ankle strap in white leather and another strap over the foot just the same. I completely wore them out, but instead of throwing them away, I had an idea of absolutely covering them in pastel, multicolored fur pom-poms. It looks as though a few other people envisaged something similar.

Fluffy stuff is everywhere at the moment - there are even a pair of fur-lined court shoes in my local (regional) Topshop - so you know its for real. Blame Celine, blame Fendi - blame whoever you want. But nothing will change the fact that wherever you go this Autumn, you will see fluffy stuff across the high street - especially since its already had such a profound effect on the blogs and the fashion weeks.

The work of Hannah Weiland has certainly done the rounds. London based faux-fur fashion label Shrimps is perhaps the reigning queen of high-style fluff: the colour palette is completely on point, as are the simple lines and shapes which make up the pieces. Stand-out faux-fur jackets in pink and orange are full-on fabulous, and critically poke a little bit of fun at an industry fraught with those that take themselves too seriously. What's also pretty cool is Shrimps' SS15 footwear range in collaboration with Sophia Webster. Match made in heaven if you ask me.

The woman that (arguably) brought Shrimps into the limelight (at NYFW earlier this year) perfectly demonstrates another brilliant fluffy number. Susie Bubble wears the following textured top by Somewhere Nowhere, again pushing for a girly aesthetic mixed together with some seriously fun pleasure dressing. It's not necessarily sexy - and I'm not a huge fan of the thick pink furry panel - but its really, really awesome and I want it. Those pom-poms!

 

 Finally, we move onto one of my favourite new brands (that I've been mercilessly following and liking on instagram for a while now). There's something about Australian fashion at the moment, and this small label from Perth are bringing such a dreamy look - as presented at Paris Fashion Week just last month. Dyspnea bring something modern which is at the same time whimsical. It's the kind of thing that Jasmine would wear if she liked hallucinogenics and raves - it's kind of 90's grunge with a touch of Frozen - and so unapologetically feminine. I want to dress up in in and wander around Paris when it sizzles. On top of making stunning things, the girls behind the label sound really cool - and I've recently become addicted to reading about their adventures on their blog.

Needless to say, I never actually got round to sticking all of the fur pom-poms onto my battered old sandals. I certainly still intend to however - but in the meantime, I might just go ahead and get stuck in with this super fun, super fluffy trend while the last of the UK summer sun is still shining. Either way, I'll keep you posted.

Some Shiny Material

S/S15 McQ Alexander McQueen - look 3

Come on. You must know by now that I can't resist something with this kind of glossy, rich, light-reflecting surface? Not fair.
Totally reminiscent of a personal project from a few months ago - photography here.

sheer blue

S/S15 Pringle of Scotalnd
Readers of this blog will know that I love Pringle of Scotland. Yes, that's partly because a high-end brand has (finally) started to take 3D printing as a medium seriously - but I also find all of Nicosia's collections so modern. As in, that Pringle woman is modern, intelligent and  knowingly stylish in her own smart and subtle way. She can see ahead, and I like that.

Sneaker Bags

S/S15 Alexander Wang.
Sneaker inspired bags - very consumer friendly. I want!

teddy bear

A lot more where this came from:
www.stopitrightnow.com

Camel & Beige

I started a blog with my friends a few weeks ago called beige-blog, because (egged on by Kim K) we started kind of loving anything that was beige. Little did we know that just a few months later, the nothingy palette would take over the catwalk as well as the editorials and highstreets - and I'm thrilled to take my obession to the shops and exchange it for an outfit.

Not only has the 'colour' taken over, but alongside it, the new aesthetic has sneaked its way into what's cool in fashion now - building on shapes that have gradually been introduced over the summer. Opposing the sexy, skin-tight nude beige look, its kind of weird. Thanks to the visionary work (as per) of Alistair McKimm (+Daniel Jackson), ID Magazine's latest beige editorial suggests further grunge (nice one, Acne + Celine) which includes long, heavy sleeves and flares.

I'm going to save my beige for some over-sized knits and that camel coat I've had for ever (and maybe a skin-tight beige dress) - but what I do love is this trouser shape. Low-luxe has always appealed to me, and the sporty nature of this featured marle fabric is really nice. I'm going to go for something similar in a more wearable colour - and hence, I introduce the tracksuit-bottom-esque, sophisticated knit flare. Below, Zara. Pair with pointed heels for extra contemporary sass.

Talk to me Jacquemus

Tell me what I'm guna be wearing.

Also
How long is this Stan Smith thing going to go on for? Hopefully not long enough for me to crack and buy some..

http://jacquemus.com/