Kinematics Petals Dress II

The Kinematics Petals Dress II is a garment produced by scanning the female form with a software application which renders the file usable in a computer aided drawing (CAD) software program. The design is inspired by petals, feathers and scales, and the interconnected elements are articulated as imbricating shells.

Petals protrude from the underlying framework of tessellated triangular panels, sheathing the body in a directional landscape of overlapping plumes. Each interlocking component of the dress is rigid, but, in aggregate, they behave as a continuous textile. The dress is 3D-printed in durable nylon plastic by selective laser sintering.The design is composed of more than 1600 unique pieces interconnected by more than 2600 hinges, and emerges from the 3D printer fully assembled and ready to wear. The significance of this garment is that it is taking an experimental creative process - 3D printed garments - and making it practical fashion wear.