Fashion Meets 3D Printing – An Overview of Anouk Wipprecht’s Amazing Tech Dresses

Anouk Wipprecht is a rising star in the emerging field of tech fashion –a combination of fashion design and engineering. In a short period of time, the Dutch designer has created an impressive collection of tech-enhanced, 3D printed dresses. Anouk’s professional accomplishments are reason enough for us to take a look at her top five creations and share the recent RedBull TV documentary about her career.

When RedBull TV approached Anouk, they offered to dedicate a whole documentary to her stunning designs. Including behind-the-scenes footage, the documentary gives audiences a first-hand look at a designer working on the intersection of fashion and technology. You can watch the entire episode below or scroll down further to see our selection of Anouk’s top five 3D printed dresses.

1. The Spider Dress 2.0

The Spider Dress simulates the territorial instincts of a spider by using robotic arms that react according to data they pick up from motion and respiration sensors. When the wearer’s breath becomes heavy, the sensors read that she feels threatened so, in response, the robotic arms of the dress will extend to defend her. This defense mechanism will also be triggered if the wearer is approached in a quick, unexpected way. Once the threat has dissipated, the arms retract and the dress returns to a softer form.

2. The Synapse Dress

The Intel-Edison-powered Synapse Dress has the capacity to log actions, making both the wearer and others aware of sources of stress in the immediate environment. The dress’s headpiece is fitted with a sensor that tracks the wearer’s attention level. Not only does this function track your attention span but it also tells others not to disturb you while you areconcentrating on a difficult task. Another sensor embedded in the dress monitors proximity: if the wearer feels someone is invading her personal space, the lights in the dress can give off up to 120 watts of brightness, signaling to the other person to step away. The dress is also equipped with a camera that captures pictures whenever the subject feels either most tense or most relaxed.

3. The Open Source Dress

The Open Source Dress was created using a production process like no other: Anouk teamed up with Austrian creative network Polaire to invent a dress through a worldwide collaboration network of individuals with inspiration and an interest in 3D modeling. For this particular model, users from all over the world submitted design elements for the dress via a uniform connecting mechanism.

4. Cirque de Soleil Pieces

Anouk also worked on a set of technology-equipped, coordinated performance pieces to enhance the Cirque du Soleil experience. She integrated techno-teasing and interactivity into her creations to compliment the ambiance of the Cirque du Soleil stages. These components enabled her designs to be controlled amidst the changing sounds and beats of the venue.

5. Smoke Dress

Anouk created the innovative and interactive 3D printed Smoke Dress as part of a special eight-piece fashion collection for Volkswagen (seen in the documentary referenced above). When someone steps into the wearer’s personal space, the dress automatically unleashes a veil of smoke. To achieve this reaction, the dress is made of polyamide and rubber-like material produced by our parent company, Materialise.

For fashion-related blog posts, make sure to read how 3D printed footwear is changing runways and racetracks. You can also learn more about Melinda Looi’s latest 3D printed fashion collection.