3D printed fashion at the Met Gala 2019!

The Met Gala is undoubtedly one of the most famous fashion evenings in the world, bringing together celebrities and young designers to promote innovation and design. This Met Gala 2019 saw some amazing creations combining craftsmanship and 3D printing: designer Zac Posen worked with GE Additive and Protolabs to design unique 3D printed pieces, whether it was a full dress or accessories. Carried by a model and various actresses, this range reflects well how 3D printing and fashion go can go hand in hand!

3D technologies have been penetrating the haute couture sector for a few years now, offering infinite possibilities in terms of design and shape complexity. We have seen the creation of original and unique dresses, shoes and accessories thanks to 3D printing, and the project led by Zac Posen, GE Additive and Protolabs is yet another example. The three partners went further this time by offering pieces inspired by moving natural objects – the objective being to show that “almost anything is possible with 3D printing” according to the American designer.

From left to right: Jourdan Dunn, Julia Garner, Nina Dobrev, Vito Schnabel, Gia Coppola, Katie Holmes and Zac Posen | Photo Credits: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

A dress entirely 3D printed at the Met Gala 2019

Named Rose, this dress is undoubtedly the centerpiece of this collection presented at the Met Gala. Worn by the model Jourdan Dunn, the garment consists of 21 3D printed rose petals – each petal measures 53 cm and weighs 0.4 kilos. They were manufactured on a SLA 3D printer – the printing process was managed by Protolabs’ 3D printing department in North Carolina. All these petals are fixed on an invisible modular net, itself 3D printed in titanium using electron beam fusion technology.