3D-Printed Fashion Collection: Melinda Looi And Samuel Canning Make Waves
For the second time, Belgium 3D printing powerhouse Materialise and multi-award winning fashion designer Melinda Looi teamed up to launch yet another artistic and technological breath-taking 3D printed fashion collection entitled “Gems of the Ocean” at Meckler Media’s 3D Print Week, New York.
3D-Printed Fashion: The Designers
For this collection, Melinda Looi teamed up with Samuel Canning of Griffith University. Canning, an expert in 3D print design, developed the technical concept and modeled the undisputed highlight of the collection and what is probably one of the world’s first full-length 3D gowns, printed in a single part.
When asked why the designer chose the ocean as the collection’s theme, she smiled and said, “The ocean has always held a certain allure to me. I’m not the strongest swimmer, but I will never forget my first snorkeling experience in crystal clear water on a beautiful island west coast of Malaysia. There is something so magical about the vibrant colors that transmute and ‘dance’ in gentle waves that wash over reef systems in clear seas. I wanted to bring the enchanting underwater world to the land above.”
Coral Boleros from Melinda Looi’s collection entitled “Gems of the Ocean”.
Coral Colonies from Melinda Looi’s collection entitled “Gems of the Ocean”.
3D Printing Fashion: The Inspiration
Inspired by the iridescent shades of the sea and the tropic colors of coral reefs, Melinda brings to life such an exotic world with this collection, “Gems of the Ocean” — one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring wonders of nature, with sparkling crystals set in flowy chiffons and lace in the colors of the sea. The collection consists of Coral Boleros (Shoulder pieces), Dive into Me (Gowns), Coral Colonies (Shoes), Swim Corals Swim (Bracelets), and Whisper to Me (Earrings).
The undisputed highlight of the collection is what is probably one of the world’s first full-length 3D gowns, printed in a single part. The gown, which was specifically folded to fit into the much smaller 3D printing machine, came out of the machine fully assembled and was then finished off by the designer with color dye and by applying over 5,000 Swarovski crystals.
Melinda Looi’s “Dive Into Me” gown — one of the world’s first full-length 3D gowns, printed in a single part.
3D Printing Fashion: The Pieces
This collection comes as a continuation of Materialise and Melinda Looi’s first project together, showcasing the first 3D-printed fashion show in Asia back in 2013. The resounding success of that collection, which has up to day been shown in numerous countries such as the USA, UK, Singapore, Japan, India, China, and Australia, resulted in both parties entering into an over a yearlong development process by a team that was literally spread all over the world.
“We are committed to accelerating the implementation of 3D printing technology around the world and believe that our collaboration with Melinda Looi will help to create interest in the endless ways 3D printing allows to break traditional product design barriers and inspire any industry to apply 3D printing in developing unique and individual designs,” said Wim Michiels, Executive Vice President Materialise Asia.
In true fashion industry manner, with the collection just launched, the designer and Materialise are already working on the next project, beginning to develop commercially viable products as affordable price points in the form of fashion accessories, which will then be available for sale.
Whisper To Me from Melinda Looi’s collection entitled “Gems of the Ocean”.
3D Printed Fashion: Collection Overview
The people behind the collection:
- Concept and Design — Melinda Looi (Malaysia)
- 3D Printing — Materialise (Belgium)
- 3D Modeler V-neck Gown — Samuel Canning (Australia)
- 3D Modeler Accessories — Kaecee Fitzgerald (Australia)
- 3D Modeler Shoes — Tony Mun (Malaysia)
- Model Scanning — Daniel Siri (Italy)
- Model – Eleen Yong (Malaysia)
About the 3D printed collection — Gems of the Ocean
Inspired by the iridescent shades of the sea and the tropic colors of coral reefs.
- Coral Boleros (Shoulder pieces) — Come alive with Swarovski embellishments
- Dive into Me (Gowns) — V-neck gowns with more than 5,000 crystals molded into printed ‘fabric’ which ends in lacy hems that swirl like the eddying tides
- Coral Colonies (Shoes) — Shoes that bathe your feet in sparkling light
- Swim Corals Swim (Bracelets) — Meld together hundreds of beads to lie softly and seductively on your wrists
- Whisper to Me (Earrings) — Loop-on ear accessories that will encase you in the sweet murmurings of the sea
Swim Corals Swim from Melinda Looi’s collection entitled “Gems of the Ocean”.
For more information about 3D printing in fashion, please visit our latest blog post about a 3D printed armor or a 3D printed spider dress and learn how 3D printing is changing modern footwear. If you want to turn your own idea into 3D printed reality, you can simply upload your 3D file here and order a high-quality 3D print in more than 100 materials, finishes, and color options.
