Jan 12, 2016 | By Benedict
Desktop 3D printer manufacturer BEEVERYCREATIVE has used its wealth of 3D printing expertise to help Lisbon based Fashion Studio produce a range of Africa-inspired, 3D printed accessories.
BEEVERYCREATIVE has a history of helping aspiring fashion designers bring their 3D printed creations to life. After collaborating with designer Kitty Xiomara in November 2015 to produce some chunky video-game-style accessories, the company has now returned to the world of sartorial 3D printing for a collaboration with Fashion Studio. Francisco Mendes, Co-Founder of BEEVERYCREATIVE, met Fashion Studio’s Sandrina Francisco at the Lisbon Design Show 2015, introducing her to the world of 3D printing.
From that moment on, collaboration seemed inevitable, and Fashion Studio eventually sent BEEVERYCREATIVE some charming embryonic sketches, which would soon be turned into a set of stunning, fully-realized, 3D printed pieces using a BEETHEFIRST 3D printer. The 3D printed collection, called “Mama Africa”, features an abundance of feathers and traditional African prints, and was modeled by Mozambican singer Neyma. “The idea was to create a collection that reflected two realities: African tradition blended with European technology,” Francisco explained.
“The idea of 3D printing gave a different kind of input to the collection,” added Paulo Pereira, Footwear and Leatherwork Designer on the Mama Africa collection. “Mainly the handbags, as far as accessories are concerned. The accessories in question are what we call the fittings of a handbag. We applied these fittings to the straps, to the linkages on the ends of the straps. Why? Because 3D printing allows one particular thing: We can customize all of the elements of a handbag or shoe without having to resort to huge productions or large quantities of manufactured items. We can make everything in the color we want, in the size we want, and as many as we want.”
“We were incredibly surprised,” admitted Francisco, reflecting on the success of the project. “We never thought you could get such details on the feathers so quickly and so easily. And then with both their work and ours—because there was work on our part after the feathers were 3D printed, which was dipping the feathers in hot water and modeling them—we suddenly realized you can do anything: you can bend, twist and curl them. You can make bracelets, things for hats and shoes… it’s a never-ending world!”
Fashion Studio’s experimentation with malleable PLA prints even came as a surprise to BEEVERYCREATIVE, who were understandably impressed with the spontaneity shown by the innovative fashion designers. Fashion Studio were also satisfied with the PLA prints for other reasons: “With the PLA, the raw material, we realized we’re not obliged to invest in a mould, as we used to, with big costs,” said Mónica Gonçalves, Clothing Designer on the Mama Africa collection.
“We managed to have a smaller initial production run, with a great capability of fulfilling our designs,” she continued. “Normally, creative people have a reputation for extravagant designs in 3D, and without a doubt 3D printing has the ability to fulfill these ambitions. None of this would make sense without the application of 3D printed pieces, without a doubt. That’s a certainty.”
Delighted with the outcome of the collaboration, Fashion Studio hinted that the Mama Africa collection would not be its last 3D printing venture. “The 3D printer is the only machine that can understand us,” Pereira concluded with a smile.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- Czech firm Innomia uses 3D printing to accelerate production of auto components by 17%
- Colorful 3D printed zoetrope becomes real life award at Amsterdam's KLIK Film Festival
- 3D printable Martian concrete might be the best material to build a house on Mars
- Nasa selects Aerojet Rocketdyne to mature 3D printed MPS-130 CubeSat propulsion system
- Doctors uses 3D imaging and Google Cardboard to save baby's life
- Buick unveils ultra-modern Avista concept car with 3D printed interior details
- Swiss designer shows off amazing 3D printed fully mechanical tourbillon watch
- Audi building 3D printed rover to drive across the moon
- Laika wins technical Academy Award from the Oscars for pioneering 3D printing in animation
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
