The accessories of the future are created with a 3D printer

In today’s fashion landscape, where innovation and sustainability are increasingly sought-after values, designers are competing with ideas to create hybrid projects, combining their creativity with technology. In an era where artificial intelligence invades our screens, it would be reductive to think that digital evolution only concerns certain areas of everyday life. After beauty tech, here come clothing items (especially accessories) created with 3D printers, a new world to explore, also from a sustainability perspective.

Jewelry Made with 3D Printers

3D printers are used to create futuristic-looking earrings and rings, like those from the brand bijouets, personalized pendants, cases for headphones and AirPods, and even super cool necklaces for this summer. The materials are often recycled, with contributions from the fashion world. A perfect example is the Magnum Vegan dress, born in 2022 from the collaboration between Magnum Ice Cream and Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen. The choice of sustainable materials, such as cacao bean husks transformed into a completely organic biopolymer, highlights the brand’s commitment to more ethical and environmentally friendly fashion. The 3D printing used to create the dress represents a significant step forward in haute couture, demonstrating the potential of this technology to create unique and personalized pieces.

The Origins of 3D Printing: How Does It Work?

One accessory in particular has been capturing the attention of the web recently: 3D-printed bags. Let's take a closer look, starting from the beginning. Chuck Hull is considered the "father" of 3D printing. In 1986, he patented stereolithography, a technique that uses a laser to solidify photosensitive resin layer by layer. However, it is important to recognize the contribution of S. Scott Crump, who in 1989 developed Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). This method, still widely used today, deposits melted plastic filaments to build 3D objects.

3D-Printed Bags

From classic rigid and minimalist shapes to more unique ones, 3D-printed bags embrace technology to create unique, customizable, and sustainable accessories. Among the pioneers of this revolution is Edoardo Amoroso, a Neapolitan designer who has created a collection of 3D-printed bags characterized by bold geometries and innovative textures, capturing the attention of TikTok users. Harmony 3dbag, an emerging brand, offers customizable bags with very unique concepts, similar to sculptures, while the Mexican brand Cueva stands out for its eco-friendly Gothic-style design of the secret hand bag.

Advantages and Disadvantages of 3D-Printed Bags

3D-printed bags are not just beautiful. This technology allows for the creation of complex and intricate shapes that would be impossible to achieve with traditional techniques, offering designers unlimited creative freedom. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, 3D printing allows for the use of innovative and sustainable materials, such as PLA (polylactic acid) derived from renewable resources like sustainable and biodegradable bioplastic made from corn and beet sugars, in line with the growing attention to the environmental impact of the fashion industry. However, if you’re thinking of buying one of these items, it's important to note that the lighter designs are also the most fragile, so avoiding rough drops is a must.