Joshua Miranda. Interview conducted by Glen Chan-Choong. November 18, 2022
(full interview can be found at the end to watch)
Neekta is a TMU alumni who graduated from the New Media program and specializes in 3D printing textiles. They have a passion for pushing the boundaries of what's possible in 3D printing and challenging those around them. Continuing their art practice, creating textiles and exploring different filaments are all things that Neekta is passionately working on.
With the current state and trajectory of 3D-printed fashion, how do you see it evolving in the coming years?
Where do you see 3D fashion in 10 years?
Neekta sees the trajectory of 3D printing blooming in three main areas in the future / 10 years from now.
1. Prosthetics
Neekta talks about the practical use of 3D printing in regards to prosthetics; however, they see a significant gap in what could be. Regarding the relationship between fashion and prosthetics, Neekta states, “It's serving its purpose, and it's fixing an issue, but people need to feel confident when wearing the prosthetic.” They believe that there is more to prosthetics than just functionality which is an opportunity for different customization or aesthetic options for the mental well-being of people with a prosthetic.
2. Customization of Clothing
Customization of clothing refers to the ability to make clothing that fits a consumer's needs and wants using technology which scans your body to make this happen. Neekta recognizes the work that has already been done in this area, although they see a future with more growth. They talk about the opportunity to have perfectly fitted garments for runways, accessible to models of all sizes, eliminating the one-size sample size standard used in high fashion companies and opening the doors for diversity in modeling.
3. DIY Culture
Neekta sees a large shift in the Do It Yourself style of consumers. Adding on how they see a future where 3D printers in homes become more standard and accessible, and people begin to print their own items, whether that be clothing or home objects etc. Praising other social media influencers who do this already and their work, as Neekta mentions, how they believe more people will be adopting this technology into their own homes in the future.
Whom do you see/think should be implementing 3D fashion?
What stores/brands/designers do you see or would like to see taking the initiative in this field?
Neekta targets the infamous topic of fast fashion and mentions how they would love to see stores like ZARA and H&M implement 3D fashion. “These kinds of brands, where there is so much emphasis right now on getting rid of fast fashion, and these two companies are the ones who stick out to me the most when it comes to fast fashion.” Neekta goes on to talk about the benefits of 3D printing in both marketing and environmentally. As well as how they can sustainably switch up the clothing pieces made without sacrificing the environment and workers. Finding an ethical way to run brands without damaging the current state of the brand is possible through 3D printing. Neekta also mentions the revolutionary technology of recycling filaments. For example, taking a previous garment and turning it back into usable filament to create a completely new item. Touching on the future of this technology as well and how this can be a future technology people can do at home and not exclusively as a big industry technology.
Do you see a future where 3D fashion can be sustainable and accessible to be mass-produced?
Do you think that this technology should be something we work towards developing in the mainstream?
Neekta absolutely sees a future where brands start implementing 3D printing in fashion, mentioning ADIDAS and how they have recently begun implementing 3D printing with their footwear. When asked what they see as a future where 3D printing can be mass-produced, Neekta stated, “If we are speaking in ten years, I think the technology will be much more developed that I think we will be able to cut down on that production time.” Neekta continues to explain how there are thousands of different ways or methods to 3D print, and with this, we can find what works best, there are no guidelines, and technology is ever changing and continuously advancing.
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