Thursday, March 6, 2008

Future Technologies


The overwhelming success of the Apple iPod has proved that technology can also be fashionable but can fashion be technological? With 3D visualization software consumers can get a lot more input into design. This type of software already allows for a more life like shopping experience and for manufacturers to communicate their ideas and designs more effectively, but the future holds much more in-store. A technology, so far in its infancy, has emerged. It is called rapid prototyping (RP) or 3D printing. The technology is based on printer-like machines firing computer guided laser beams at materials, such as nylon, heating the powder and fusing it layer by layer into complex, solid 3D shapes. (New Scientist, 30 September 2000, p 24).
The advancement of 3D visualization software such as ours combined with the fantastical prospects of 3D printing will create a new era in fashion. Imagine consumers designing their own garments, then printing them and wearing them! A future of fashion on demand… a future of mass customization of clothes at home…. We are not there yet and it would probably take a considerable amount of time but I just can’t wait!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

A Masterpiece in Mass Production

The industrial revolution has brought the advantages of mass production to many industries. In high fashion the emphasis remained on creative designs and skilled craftsmanship. Ready-made garments started becoming popular and more accepted only when clothes-making machines advanced. However, the complete artistic freedom enabled by custom-made designs is still favored by many. I suppose that, I too, would love all my clothes to be masterpieces created by the spark of inspiration and perspiration exerted by a fashion designer at work, every stitch calculated for the achievement of a more perfect garment. Unfortunately, as I am no Hollywood Star or Real-estate billionaire, my choice of clothing is confined to those created by the miracles of mass production. The tools created at Browzwear are going to change all that. Designers that utilize 3D visualization tools are exceedingly librated to experiment, they are less bound to the rigidness of procedure dictated by the nature of mass production. They can communicate more efficiently with the manufacturer and make sure that the final product is a precise duplicate of their computer generated masterpiece.