3D printing technology launches Rock Vault Collection
Feb 18, 2013 No Comments
3D NEWS> 3D PRINTING
3D scanning and printing technology was used to launch the 2013 Rock Vault Collection for London Fashion Week on Saturday
The Rock Vault is a jewellery initiative to support British jewellery talent and this year, it is sponsored by the International Palladium Board who’s goal is to establish the metal of Palladium as a contemporary metal of the future.
Ten designers were selected to present their earing designs, made from the expensive white precious metal, on 3D printed busts of themselves.
London-based creative technology agency Inition scanned each of the designer’s heads in 3D. They then put the resulting 360 degree virtual heads through a post-production process to create stylised, faceted versions to reflect the Rock Vault aesthetic. These digital models were then realised in physical form using a powder based Z-Corp 3D printer which were then painted black to create a strong contrast with the white metal designs.
Jewellery designer Jo Hayes Ward is 3D scanned by Inition 3D scanning consultant Rob Jeffries
Rob Jeffries, 3D Scanning and Print Consultant at Inition said: “We employ a range of scanning technologies and regularly scan everything from museum artefacts to pop stars. Scanning a human bust is particularly challenging, especially to capture the intricacies of hair and facial features accurately."
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He continued: "Post-production involved stylising the data to give the faceted look whilst retaining the recognisable features of each model. We are really pleased with the aesthetic of the finished life-sized heads and are excited about the huge potential for deploying these technologies in the fashion world.”
Ed Rawle of Inition and Ralph Cullum of Blonstein and Associates prepare the 3D printed heads
The heads are currently being showcased within the dedicated Rock Vault area at Somerset House (in the West Wing) during London Fashion Week up to February 19th.
Innovative designers are increasingly exploring the use of 3D printing technology to construct complex shapes that would be too expensive using other methods. Jo Hayes Ward, one of the ten designers presenting their jewellery as part of the Rock Vault, told 3D Focus that she can only create her intricate jewellery designs efficiently thanks to 3D printing technology.
Jo Hayes Ward uses 3D printing technology to enable moulds for her precious metal jewellery
At the Decoded Fashion event at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week earlier in the month, people were able to order Kimberly Ovitz designed jewellery from day one of the runway and receive the physical product within just two weeks.
Ovitz partnered with online 3D printing company Shapeways to cater for 'order-to-demand' and said "Consumer demands are changing. Everyone wants everything at the touch of a button."
In January, 3D printed garment proponent and couturist Iris van Herpen presented her new collection at the Spring 2013 Paris Haute Couture show: Voltage. Working in collaboration with Austrian architect Julia Koerner, her designs were printed by a Materialize SinterStation 2500 Plus. The material was TPU which was then colour dyed black.
Protos Eyewear designs and prints 3D printed sunglasses. They are the first company to create 3D printed pixelated designs and Continuum Fashion’s 3D-printed shoe collection,"strvct", uses 3D printed nylon to create strong but lightweight fantasy-inspired designs from $900 made to order.
Protos 3D Printed eyewear
Shoes are a natural beneficiary of 3D printed technology, not just from a bespoke design perspective, but also for practical reasons – 3D scanning can produce perfectly fitted shoes, a service that Swedish designer Naim Josefi offers with his Melonia service. This takes a digital scan of the customer’s feet to print custom-tailored couture shoes. And Brazilian designer Andreia Chaves’ “Invisible Shoe” encases your foot in a sleek, futuristic geometric wedge.
Continuum Fashion 3D printed shoe
JO HAYES WARD
CREATORS PROJECT
GRAVITY OF LIGHT
3D LEATHER SHOE COLLECTION
CONTINUUM FASHION
IRIS VAN HERPEN
FASHION DIGITAL STUDIO
PROTOS EYEWEAR
CREATORS PROJECT
GRAVITY OF LIGHT
3D LEATHER SHOE COLLECTION
CONTINUUM FASHION
IRIS VAN HERPEN
FASHION DIGITAL STUDIO
PROTOS EYEWEAR
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