Zac Posen, GE Additive and Protolabs unveiled a collaboration featuring
a range of innovative, sculptural 3D printed garments and accessories –
inspired by the concept of freezing natural objects in motion. Over the
past six months, Zac Posen and his creative team have explored a range
of 3D printing and digital technologies with design engineers and 3D
printing experts from GE
Additive and Protolabs.
This collaboration has resulted in breathtaking results – unlike any 3D
printed garments produced before.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005386/en/
Jourdan Dunn’s custom Zac Posen x GE Additive x Protolabs rose gown features 21 total petals, averaging 20 inches in size and weighing 1 lb. each. The petals and interior bodice were 3D printed and finished with primer and color shifting paint (DuPont “Twilight Fire” Chromalusion). (Photo: Getty Images)
With his vision and foresight, Zac Posen is demonstrating that almost
anything is possible with 3D printing. He and his team are not afraid to
push the boundaries of what is possible. His latest collaboration is a
continuation of his vision of incorporating cutting-edge technology and
innovation in his sophisticated and glamorous style.
“I dreamt the collection, GE Additive helped engineer it and Protolabs
printed it,” said Zac Posen.
Capturing Nature in Motion
Four gowns and a headdress featuring 3D printed elements and structures
were unveiled at the Met Gala, and worn by British supermodel Jourdan
Dunn, actresses Nina Dobrev, Katie Holmes, Julia Garner and Bollywood
icon, Deepika Padukone.
Jourdan Dunn wore a custom Zac Posen x GE Additive x Protolabs
rose gown. The gown features 21 total petals, averaging 20 inches in
size and weighing 1 lb. each. Every petal is unique. The petals are
fastened in place by a modular cage which is invisible from the outside.
This dress was designed to a 3D re-creation of Jourdan’s body. The
petals are made of Accura Xtreme White 200 durable plastic and printed
on a stereolithography (SLA) machine. The petals are finished with
primer and color shifting automotive paint (DuPont “Twilight Fire”
Chromalusion). The cage that fastens the petals are made of Titanium
(Ti-64) printed on a GE Additive Arcam EBM machine. The printing and
finish of the rose gown took over 1,100 hours and was printed at
Protolabs’ 3D printing facility in North Carolina, one of the largest in
the world.
Nina Dobrev wore a custom Zac Posen x GE Additive x Protolabs
bustier. The bustier is a clear printed dress with 4-piece assembly for
custom fit. The interior is designed to perfectly match Nina Dobrev’s 3D
re-creation. The bustier is made of Somos Watershed XC 11122 plastic and
printed on a stereolithography (SLA) machine. It was sanded and sprayed
with a clear coat to give it a glass appearance. The printing and finish
of the bustier took over 200 hours and was printed at Protolabs’ 3D
printing facilityin Germany.
Katie Holmes wore a custom Zac Posen gown with a Zac Posen x GE
Additive x Protolabs palm leaf collar accessory. The pearlescent purple
palm leaves are draped over the shoulders and attached to the gown at
the neckline. The palm leaves are made of Accura 60 plastic and printed
on a stereolithography (SLA) machine. The structure is finished with
pearlescent purple paint (Pantone 8104C) and holds the custom Zac Posen
water colored tulle gown at the clavicle. The printing and finish of the
palm leaves took over 56 hours and was printed at Protolabs in North
Carolina.
Julia Garner wore a custom Zac Posen ombré silver to gold lamé
gown with a Zac Posen x GE Additive x Protolabs headpiece. The intricate
printed vine headpiece with leaf and berry embellishments is printed as
a single piece and made of Nylon 12 plastic and printed on a Multi Jet
Fusion (MJF) machine. The headpiece is finished by brass plating. The
printing and finish of the headdress took over 22 hours and was printed
at Protolabs in North Carolina.
Deepika Padukone wore a custom Zac Posen metallic pink lurex
jacquard gown. This gown includes Zac Posen x GE Additive x Protolabs
embroidery which have been sewn on. The embroidery is made of Accura
5530 plastic and printed on a stereolithography (SLA) machine. The
embroidery is vacuum metalized, and center painted with Pantone 8081 C.
These 408 delicately printed embroidery pieces are attached to the
outside of the custom gown. The printing and finish of the embroideries
took over 160 hours and was printed at Protolabs in North Carolina.
In addition, Zac Posen and his other guests are also incorporating 3D
printed accessories to their evening wear;
Zac Posen wore a Brooks Brothers made-to-measure purple velvet
shawl collar dinner jacket and black tuxedo pant with coordinating pink
vest, tuxedo shirt and bow tie. He also wore Zac Posen x GE Additive x
Protolabs palm leaf brooches. These lapel brooches are designed to mimic
the larger palm leaf in a scaled down design and are made of high
resolution Accura 5530 printed on stereolithography (SLA) and Multi Jet
Fusion (MJF) machines. The brooches are finished in pearlescent purple
and gold paint.
Andrew Garfield wore a Brooks Brothers made-to-measure blue
tailcoat with coordinating light blue vest, dress shirt, and bow tie. He
will also be wearing Zac Posen x GE Additive x Protolabs Rose cuff
links. These cuff links will be a dramatic red and gold which will
represent a scaled down version of the rose gown, with Zac Posen’s logo
integrated into the design. The rose cuff links are made of MicroFine
Green material and printed on a stereolithography (SLA) machine. The
cuff links are finished with color changing red and gold paint.
Vito Schnabel wore a Brooks Brothers made-to-measure navy velvet
peak lapel dinner jacket with white dress shirt, black bow tie and black
tuxedo pant. He will also be wearing Zac Posen x GE Additive x Protolabs
Rose cuff links. These cuff links will be a dramatic red and gold which
will represent a scaled down version of the rose gown with Zac Posen’s
logo integrated into the design. The rose cuff links are made of
MicroFine Green material and printed on a stereolithography (SLA)
machine. The cuff links are finished with color changing red and gold
paint.
Collaboration & the power of 3D Printing
Fashion designers traditionally use hand-drawn sketches, before draping
fabric on a mannequin to form and shape their creations. By combining
conceptual thinking, tried and tested techniques from fashion design,
computer aided design and 3D printing, the collaboration with GE
Additive and Protolabs has resulted in a range of garments that are
unprecedented for House of Z, if not for the entire fashion industry.
3D printing offers unique capabilities, such as near-complete design
freedom, enabling the manufacture of designs that would have been
difficult to achieve using other traditional methods of fashion design.
The majority of the garments were manufactured at Protolabs’ US additive
manufacturing facility near Raleigh, North Carolina, while the bustier
was made in Protolabs’ Feldkirchen, Germany facility. The titanium cage
for the rose gown, which provides the structure on which the petals
attach, was printed at the GE Additive Technology Center in Cincinnati.
GE Additive and Protolabs have worked closely together for a long time,
including formally collaborating on development of 3D printing
technology and production processes, so working together on this project
was a natural fit.
GE Additive has brought its deep experience in mechanical and industrial
design, creative and complex CAD modeling, and additive design for a
range of modalities to the collaboration.
Protolabs has brought its wealth of industry expertise across a wide
range of manufacturing processes, materials and industries. Its
expertise in high-quality 3D printing and additive manufacturing spans
both polymer and metal technologies along with numerous custom finishing
options. Custom finishing was of particular interest to Zac Posen’s
team, given the custom polishing and painting work that was performed on
all the pieces, including the rose gown.
What might seem like an unlikely collaboration of design engineers and
Zac Posen – one of the fashion industry’s leading lights, at the
forefront of innovation – in fact makes complete sense when you consider
the transformative impact 3D printing is having on our everyday lives.
Online Media Room
High-resolution images, assets and the complete press pack for the
collaboration is available online at: https://www.pressreleasefinder.com/2019/Zac-Posen-GE-Additive-Protolabs-Met-Gala/
The Met Gala – Often referred to as “fashion’s biggest
night out,” the Met Gala is a pinnacle of iconic style. A fundraising
benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the 6 May,
2019 event welcomes celebrity stars, young creatives, and industry
paragons alike. The gala also signifies the highly anticipated grand
opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibition: “Camp:
Notes on Fashion” opening on 9 May, 2019.
About Zac Posen/ House of Z – Zac
Posen launched his namesake label at the age of 21. In February
2002, he debuted his ready-to-wear collection in New York City. The
presentation captured the attention of key fashion editors and
retailers, signaling the presence of a new force within international
fashion. Following the success of this presentation, Posen quickly
established his design studio in Tribeca. Since this date, Zac Posen has
remained committed to his vision of artfully crafted, innovative
ready-to-wear for women worldwide. His strong, feminine aesthetic has
become a favorite of style leaders.
About GE Additive GE
Additive – part of GE (NYSE: GE) is a world leader in additive
design and manufacturing, a pioneering process that has the power and
potential to transform businesses. Through our integrated offering of
additive experts, advanced machines and quality materials, we empower
our customers to build innovative new products. Products that solve
manufacturing challenges, improve business outcomes and help change the
world for the better. GE Additive includes additive machine providers
Concept Laser and Arcam EBM; along with additive material provider AP&C.
About Protolabs Protolabs
is the world’s fastest digital manufacturing source for rapid
prototyping and on-demand production. The technology-enabled company
produces custom parts and assemblies in as fast as 1 day with automated
3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and injection
molding processes. Its digital approach to manufacturing enables
accelerated time to market, reduces development and production costs,
and minimizes risk throughout the product life cycle.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005386/en/