continuum fashion: n12 3D printed bikini

‘n12’ 3D printed bikini by continuum fashion

designed by continuum fashion, the ‘n12’ bikini is the first completely 3D printed, ready-to-wear item of clothing. the bikini demonstrates the intricacy possible with this technology, as well as the technical challenges of creating a flexible surface. thousands of circular plates are connected by thin springs, creating a wholly new material that holds its form as well as being flexible.

nylon 12, the source of the bikini’s name as well as the material from which it is printed, is well suited for swimwear as it is innately waterproof. the ‘n12’ was designed using rhino 3D CAD software and a specially written algorithmic script to create the structure of the 3D printed fabric, using a complex ‘circle packing’ equation on an arbitrarily doubly curved surface. for a smooth responsive pattern, the size of the circles need to respond to curvature and edge conditions of the form; therefore, the aesthetic design is completely derived from the structural design.

detail of the ‘digi-fabric’

  black bikini top

CAD model

patterning process

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions’ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.