(Pocket-lint) - Dita Von Teese wore a fully articulated 3D printed designer dress for the first time this week, and it's a real eye-opener for the technology.

Where most 3D printing applications seem to involve a bust of some kind, Dita Von Teese's dress however... Er, actually...

Designed and made as a collaborative effort between fashion designer Michael Schmidt, tech design studio Francis Bitonti and the Shapeways factory, where it was printed, the dress features 3,000 unique articulated joints and is adorned with more than 12,000 Swarovski crystals.

It was made from 17 different printed sections, which were then dyed black and lacquered. It was made to fit the exact body contours of Von Teese - who wore a flesh-coloured basque underneath.

It was debuted at the Ace Hotel in New York as part of NYC Fashion Week, where Von Teese was joined by celebrities including Blondie's Debbie Harry.

Michael Schmidt Studios is responsible for other innovative celebrity outfits, including a completely see-through plastic Basque with bubble attachments for Lady Gaga to wear on the front cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

Technology has been creeping more and more into high fashion of late. Pocket-lint recently ran a story about an LED dress by Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde that turns transparent as the wearer becomes aroused.

Pictures: Jeff Meltz, Albert Sanchez

Writing by Rik Henderson.