On demand fashion manufacturing: the way of the future?

From fast, mass produced fashion, to customized clothing produced one by one on demand. Well, the shift haven’t actually happened yet, but the idea is definitely starting to get traction, as Vogue Business reports. So what is it all about? This is the thing:
With on demand manufacturing, a brand can produce only what is actually likely to be sold, which reduces overproduction. It also allows for some personalization which makes a better fit for the customer, thereby reducing the risk of the item being discarded.
And now several startups are trying this out. A few Swedish players that have already been doing this for a while, is Stockholm-based Studio Heijne who offers a number of ready designs that can then be customized and produced to the buyer’s needs and preferences. Gothenburg-based Atacac takes a more digital approach, as their garments exist digitally only until they’re sold and only after that are sent to production.
In San Francisco, Topology makes custom eye wear, using an Augmented Reality app to make a 3D model of the customer’s face on which they can preview how a pair of glasses would look and then sculpt one at a time. Ministry of Supply from Boston and Florida brand Variant Malibu on their hand, make on demand 3D-printed knitwear.
Rachael Stott of The Future Laboratory, says a on demand model has the benefit of opening up a dialogue between a company and its consumers. This I think, really takes away the guessing part for companies, making it easier to give their customers what they actually want.
It’ll be interesting to see how this will develop over the next few years, in the wake of other shifts that are happening in this area right now – like for instance the rise in clothing rental, second hand, and digital clothing, that have the potential to change how we look at fashion, clothes and consumption as a concept.

Swedish Volumental lands deal with New Balance

Swedish company Volumental has received at lot of attention for their 3D scanning software, making it possible to create products that fit your individual body shape. Now the Stockholm based company has landed a deal with shoe brand New Balance, according to a report in Swedish tech magazine Breakit.
The first launch was made in London in October and come summer, Volumental’s product will be in one hundred New Balance stores in over 30 countries. So far Volumental have collaborated with German company Mykita, making custom made glasses, and with American department store Nordstroms who use their 3D scanning matching feet with shoes.

Photo credit: Aurora Horwood

”Skräddarsytt ska bli normen”

Svenska Volumental som jag tidigare skrivit om här och här, gör ju skor med hjälp av 3D-scanning av kundernas fötter. Härom dagen hade de en stor intervju i brittiska techtidningen Wired också. Kul! I intervjun säger en av grundarna, Caroline Walerud, att målet är att skräddarsytt ska bli normen, inte vara en lyx. Bra tänkt, tycker Stil & Teknik som för länge sedan ledsnat på kläder och skor som inte passar exakt. Förhoppningen är att kunderna själva ska kunna 3D-scanna via sina telefoner så småningom. Google till exempel, planerar via sitt Project Tango att integrera sensorer som kan hantera djup i framtida enheter.
Well, frågar ni mig, så kan framtiden inte komma fort nog.

Snygga hörlurar som passar just dina öron

Jag tror inte att jag någonsin har haft ett par in ear-lurar som har passat optimalt i mina (små) öron. Visst har det blivit bättre sedan märken som Jays och andra erbjuder pluppar i olika storlekar, men heeelt bra blir det ju aldrig. Därför låter ju OwnPhones lite hoppfullt. OwnPhones (som söker finansiering via Kickstarter) gör individanpassade 3D-printade in ear-lurar. För att ta ”måtten” på örat tar man ett foto med sin smartphone, och en app översätter sedan fotots information till en 3D-modell.
Men det roligaste är egentligen att de verkligen utnyttjar 3D-printingens möjligheter. Förutom anpassningen till individens öron har man också passat på att skapa estetiskt spännande lurar. Fyra kollektioner har man satt ihop hittills, varav en Jewllery Collection i guld-, silver och bronsmetallic. Skitsnygga ärligt talat.
Slipper jag ta nya hål i öronen också. PRAKTISKT!
Och just ja: inga sladdar!

OwnPhones Jewllery Collection.