【3D Printed Fashion】Farewell My Concubine: The World's First 3D Printed Peking Opera Costume!
Doctoral researcher Mingjing Lin and startup fashion designer Cai Chun have been collaborating with Sinterit for some time. In an exclusive performance of "Farewell My Concubine" by a Peking Opera singer at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London, the performers will wear special costumes that combine traditional craftsmanship with new 3D printing technology. They believe that "craftsmanship" and "technology" together can create new and inspiring things. Based on their expertise, they applied 3D printing to create continuously pleated costumes for Peking Opera.
Challenging New Materials
The concept of the costume was to have a fabric with specific attributes; to create this texture, it had to be both flexible and continuous. In this case, the costume fabric was not just for special effects but an important element of the performance, so it had to be extraordinary. Using 3D printing could offer more possibilities for dramatic geometric shapes, such as three-dimensional, hollow textured designs, and some new materials even possess abrasion-resistant properties.
However, to meet these conditions, the 3D printing material also had to fulfill two main functions: first, it had to be able to achieve the shapes designed by the artists; second, it had to be in a form that allowed Peking Opera performers to wear it on stage and perform freely, as the costumes are inextricably linked to the storytelling in "Farewell My Concubine."
The Struggle of Culture and Technology
Mingjing Lin emphasizes: "I wouldn't describe myself as an artist, but rather a researcher. There was even a time when I was against high technology; many designs were done by hand. I really liked the feel of materials, wanting to touch and experience life and natural objects. But when I tried 3D printing, everything took off, because 3D printing indeed offered an opportunity to realize imagination."
Sinterit Lisa met all the expectations for this collaboration, using flexible powder—Sinterit Flexa Black—to synchronize the texture with the actor's body. This material is completely wearable, with the fashion styling partially replacing traditional materials; at the same time, the new material maintains a harmonious form with traditional costumes.
Although Sinterit Lisa's materials can also be dyed, the monochromatic colors and minimal embellishments of the costumes in this performance perfectly complement contemporary aesthetics. In the future, this SLS 3D printing material can further explore the relationship between movement, fashion, and the body.
Fusion of Old and New, Sparking Inspiration
The texture of 3D printed fabric differs from traditional costumes. The texture brought by special materials will attract different audiences to the exhibition, and combining it with the costumes of traditional Chinese opera can spark new cultural inspiration. Mingjing Lin stated in an interview: "Peking Opera is a communicative medium because it is beautiful, exquisite, and embodies rhythmic movement and body language. Furthermore, we believe that Peking Opera costumes have been unchanging in the past. If combined with modern design and technical elements, Peking Opera can be extended to a wider, younger audience." By blending new technology and traditional craftsmanship, fashion is elevated to a new level.
3D printing technology is increasingly widely applied in various fields. SLS technology has previously been used to produce swimwear for Miss South Africa (further reading: 3D Printed Fashion Enhances Miss South Africa), and various new powders are continuously being added and developed. In addition to the flexible Flexa Black mentioned in this article, you can also refer to previously shared new prints from the Sinterit series. (Further reading: Sinterit Composite Material New Prints, Super Flexible Structure!)
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