3D printing is expanding beyond industrial and product design, making a substantial impact in the fashion world. The Open-Source Scale Dress, designed by Anouk Wipprecht, demonstrates how combining fashion with the latest advancements in 3D printing technology can lead to material innovation and new possibilities for sustainable practices. This project highlights the intersection of design disciplines and provides insights into how additive manufacturing can foster more eco-friendly methods in the fashion industry.

Innovative Design Process
The Scale Dress was designed with the help of open-source, digital tools and printed using the Elegoo Neptune 4 series 3D printer. The garment features several modular, interlocking components, each resembling scales, which contribute to its overall structure and aesthetic. This process of modular construction showcases how 3D printing allows for precise, on-demand production, reducing material waste and eliminating the need for traditional fabric cutting and stitching.

What makes the Scale Dress particularly appealing for the design community is the concept of mass customisation. Designers and users can adjust the scale size and arrangement, allowing for a tailored fit and a personalized aesthetic without significant resource expenditure. This capability demonstrates how 3D printing technology can transform bespoke fashion into an accessible reality while keeping production efficient and sustainable.

Material Innovations for Sustainability
The dress was constructed using PLA (polylactic acid), a plant-based biopolymer known for being both durable and biodegradable (under the right circumstances). PLA is derived from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. This biobased material, combined with a zero-waste 3D printing process, aligns well with principles of sustainability and circularity, crucial in today’s design landscape.

One notable feature of the Elegoo Neptune 4 printer used in this project is its efficient energy consumption and precise extrusion system. This precision reduces the likelihood of misprints, further minimizing material waste—a common issue with other types of production methods. By focusing on minimizing waste and using biobased materials, this project points towards more sustainable practices within the fashion industry, where overproduction and non-biodegradable textiles are major environmental concerns.

Relevance for Designers and Architects
While primarily a fashion statement, the Scale Dress also provides a model of interdisciplinary potential. Product designers and interior designers can draw inspiration from the innovative use of modular components, which might translate into furniture or interior wall treatments that are customizable and adaptable. Similarly, architects could explore how the scale concept could influence façade design, adding an element of adaptive shading or decorative detailing.

The idea of modular, interlocking elements can serve as an inspiration for product design beyond apparel—potentially influencing accessories, furniture components, or even architectural elements that emphasize flexibility and ease of assembly. The project highlights the potential of using additive manufacturing to innovate across different design fields while also focusing on sustainability through material choice and production technique.

3D Printing as a Tool for Circularity
The Scale Dress stands as an example of how additive manufacturing can contribute to circular design. The PLA scales can be recycled or repurposed at the end of the dress’s life, which is a significant departure from typical fashion garments that often end up in landfills. The garment’s modular nature means that individual pieces can be replaced or upgraded, prolonging its lifecycle and reducing the need for entirely new products.

Such principles of modularity, customisation, and material efficiency can be effectively applied to other disciplines, especially in furniture design and product prototyping. By adopting these strategies, designers can reduce the environmental impact of their creations, contribute to a more circular economy, and provide more value to consumers through extended product lifespans.

Source: Yanko Design
Photos: Martijn Cruyff