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31 October 2023
Why 3D Designs Are The Future For Fashion
A new digital revolution is unfolding and evolving within the global fashion industry and it’s changing the way designers create and produce clothing.
This transformative technology has begun to redefine the fashion industry as we know it. The endless possibilities of 3D product design can positively impact sustainability measures, quicken production time, produce more accurate design details as well as provide designers with the tools to truly innovate the industry. 3D technology has the power to streamline many different vital components of the fashion industry for the benefit of the producer, the consumer and the planet. Join us here at Bodywear Lab, as we delve deep into the many ways in which 3D assets are the future of fashion.
For a couple of years now, sustainability has been a contentious buzzword that resonates with fashion consumers and industry players alike. It is no secret that the fashion industry is responsible for a considerable environmental impact, from excessive water consumption to waste generation with one-fifth of the 300 million tonnes of plastic produced globally emanating from the industry.
However, 3D product design has the potential to make a significant positive impact, reducing fashion’s carbon footprint through streamlining areas of the production process. By shifting from physical prototypes to digital simulations, fashion designers can drastically reduce any unnecessary fabric and material wastage as well as completely halt the use of water and electricity usually required for sample creation. These samples are usually not sold to the general public and often become waste products themselves, eventually ending up in landfills.
If more brands, companies and manufacturers implement 3D product design for sampling purposes, then there will be fewer physical samples and fewer resources consumed thus less waste generated. Moreover, 3D design allows designers to experiment with materials, textures, and colours digitally, reducing the need for physical fabric swatches or multiple samples in different fabrics, which also become waste products.
If sustainability is important to you and your swimwear or lingerie brand, head to our parent company, London Contour Experts to read up on our mindful policies and how we take measures to reduce our carbon footprint.
Anyone who works in the fashion industry understands that it is an incredibly fast-paced environment with a continual annual calendar with specific deadlines for certain styles. Professionals are constantly racing against the clock to deliver fresh designs to consumers that are stylish, and wearable but still ‘of the moment’ which can be tricky when your initial sketches are from two years ago. Traditional design processes often involve numerous iterations, sample production, and back-and-forth communication between designers, manufacturers and other decision-makers such as investors. These time-consuming processes can delay the delivery of new collections to market which increases the risk of collections feeling outdated or overdone by the time they hit the stores.
However, with 3D product design, fashion houses can significantly shorten their production timelines. Designers can create, visualise, and revise their designs in a digital environment, reducing the need for physical prototypes. This not only reduces the time required for design and production but also allows for quicker responses to changing market trends. It ensures that consumers can get their hands on the latest fashion sooner, enhancing their overall shopping experience.
Intrigued to learn how you can create 3D product designs for your fashion brand? Head to our 3D services where we can help you bring your business into the future!
True fashionistas know that the devil is in the details, and 3D product design excels in capturing these intricacies. Traditional 2D sketches can sometimes struggle to convey the complexity and nuances of a design accurately. 3D technology, on the other hand, provides a highly detailed, three-dimensional view of the product. Fashion designers can examine their designs from all angles, testing how fabrics drape, how seams align, and how accessories complement the outfit. This precision enables designers to refine their creations to perfection, ensuring that the final product aligns with their vision. Additionally, the digital environment allows for real-time adjustments, fostering creativity and experimentation that might not be as practical in the traditional design process.
Want to see real life examples of how 3D designs can benefit your brand? Check out our case study with Playboy, where we collaborate with the global business to create stunning 3D lingerie designs sparing no details!
Another benefit for designers and manufacturers is that creating 3D designs of a garment rather than 2D sketches or CADs is that they can see how the product will look in motion and on the human body, a very important factor for not only runway shows but for consumers who will wear the product in their day-to-day life. Especially within the contour industry, movement and comfort are vital aspects that shoppers consider when buying lingerie, swimwear or activewear. Having the advantage of spotting a potentially irritating button or a stiff fabric allows designers to make swift decisions before any production, and thus possible waste, has occurred.
Furthermore, fashion design is often a collaborative effort, with multiple individuals contributing their expertise to a single project. In the past, this could lead to complications in communication and coordination, as well as delays. However, 3D assets have resolved many of these challenges. Multiple designers, pattern makers, and manufacturers can now work on the same 3D CAD simultaneously, breaking down geographical barriers or opposing time zones and, once more streamlining the design process.
This real-time collaboration enhances communication, reduces errors, and ensures that everyone involved in the project is on the same page and that any adjustments can be made directly onto the 3D design, rather than samples being shipped back and forth between design studios and factories that are often overseas.
Fashion at its core is a creative industry where pushing boundaries and societal norms are all part of exploring human identity. 3D product design opens up a world of innovation in fashion. Designers can create entirely new forms, experiment with unconventional materials, and explore design concepts that might have been deemed too risky and expensive to test in the traditional design process. By leveraging 3D technology, fashion designers have the freedom to think outside the box and pioneer new trends.
This innovation is crucial in an industry that thrives on novelty and staying ahead of the curve and is actively trying to curb the dangers posed by fast fashion brands, such as the impacts on the environment and detriment to individual creativity. 3D product design empowers fashion houses to continually surprise and delight their customers with fresh and exciting creations, fostering new discussions about fashion and inspiring the next generation of designers.
Got 3D on the brain and want to know where else you can use it? Head to HYSCULPT, our marketing and PR brand who can help you create beautiful 3D designs for photoshoots, campaigns and socials!
3D assets are poised to revolutionise the fashion industry. The technology’s sustainability benefits align with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly fashion, plus the reduction in production time allows for faster response to market trends, while the accuracy of design details ensures that creations are brought to life as envisioned. Innovation is encouraged as designers explore new frontiers, and the collaborative potential of 3D design programs strengthens teamwork across time zones and continents. In embracing 3D product design, the fashion industry not only secures its future but also paves the way for a more sustainable and creative world of fashion.