In class, we had the wonderful opportunity to explore some of the diverse applications for 3D printing by printing 3D headphones. This activity demonstrated how difficult it is to achieve the detail and precision of 3D-printed objects, given the limitations of 3D-printing software such as SolidWorks. Nevertheless, the 3D-printed dresses designed by Iris Van Herpen above proves the opposite and pushes the boundaries of 3D printing by achieving an impressive level of intricacy and detail. Van Herpen achieved this level of intricacy by experimenting with materials, such as silicon and plastic. I find these 3D-printed dresses to be true works of art, and although I would not personally wear them, I truly appreciate the care and the amount of work it must have taken to print such an elaborate design on a 3D printer. 

Additionally, I think the insight to 3D print garments is very insightful and innovative. Given some of the limitations associated with the scale of 3D printing, in which the time it takes to print any given object on a 3D printer is excessively long, I think 3D printed garments has the potential of capturing luxury retail markets. Because luxury retail markets pride themselves on exclusivity and customization, 3D printed dress may be sensible for luxury retail designers with high-profile clients willing to pay hefty prices for unique 3D-printed dresses. Perhaps with the progression of 3D printers, there will be a printer that can even deal with fabrics and make garment making on 3D printer a trend.