One of the most harrowing realities of the fashion industry is the amount of unsold clothing that goes to waste – most often in a very environmentally damaging way. Unsold garments are either buried in landfills or burned, emitting pollution due to the toxic nature of the fabrics. In order to imagine a solution, it is essential to consider how the industry can use less in order to produce the same. While some designers and garment technologists explore alternative textiles, others have proposed a zero-waste solution in the form of 3D printing. Iris Van Herpen, the renowned designer, has showcased 3D printed garments on the runway for many years, shifting boundaries in terms of how we perceive the techniques of traditional couture manufacturing. In her last season, she collaborated with kinetic sculptor Anthony Howe on the finale “Infinity” dress, a skeleton of aluminum and stainless steel with a delicate layer of feathers that seemed to fly around the model at its center.
Another alternative to the zero-waste solution is Fabrican which was created: ©Spray-on fabric. The British company has developed a way to bond and liquefy fibers so that textiles can be sprayed out of a can or spray gun straight onto a body or dress form. The solvent then evaporates, and the fibers bond, forming a snug-fitting garment.
Unmade is a software company that tackles the production excess head-on with its innovative manufacturing strategy for fashion brands. They do this by offering technology that enables consumers to customize their garments of choice online, allowing the brand to manufacture the apparel based on a live transaction. As a result, the brand creates uniquely crafted pieces specifically for the customer and economic & environmental reduction for the brand.
Last but not least, Intech Digital, offers a ‘’waterless’’ printing technology that provides coloration for textiles. Omitting the use of water and employing a digital program in the dyeing process demonstrates that we live in futuristic times where the possibilities are truly unlimited.