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Shapeways
Lindsay Ellingson in her complete Snow Queen Costume
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Shapeways
Architect Bradley Rotherburg
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Victoria Secret Angel in her 3D printed wings
Despite being less than 20 years old the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has become one of the world’s most renowned fashion extravaganzas. Since its inception in 1995 the budget for the show has increased by over one thousand per cent. Bigger budgets mean more elaborate production values, performers and costumes.
The 2013 Victoria's Secret catwalk show on Wednesday night at the Lexington Armory in Manhattan was the most expensive catwalk show ever staged. The centrepiece of lingerie show is, of course, the Victoria's Secret Angels and their increasingly ostentatious wings. Amongst the 28 different pairs of wings, for the first time ever, was 3D printed angel wings.
The New York show was inspired by the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale The Snow Queen with American fashion model Lindsay Ellingson as the titular Snow Queen. For the Snow Queen’s snowflake costume Victoria's Secret turned to New York-based Shapeways, who have a growing influence in the fashion world what with the Dita Von Teese modelled dress and the N12 collections.
The corset and wings combination was designed by architect Bradley Rothenberg and printed by Shapeways. Victoria's Secret Angel, Lindsay Ellingson’s form was 3D scanned so as the high-tech costume fitted perfectly to her and only her. The geometric latticework characteristics of the print’s snowflake motif were then encrusted with millions of illuminating Swarovski crystals.
Shapeways continue to position themselves as the go-to 3D printing service for established US companies, this Swarovski and Victoria's Secret partnership follows swiftly on the back of the Marcus Neiman and Museum of Art & Design link ups.
“Shapeways is thrilled to help make the 2013 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show even more dazzling in partnership with Swarovski,” said Peter Weijmarshausen, CEO of Shapeways. “Shapeways’ 3D printing technology brings an unprecedented design element to the famed Victoria’s Secret wings, showing the immense opportunity 3D printing brings to creating beautiful, customizable items. This partnership helps push the boundaries and show what’s possible for the 3D printing industry, within fashion and beyond.”
You can see the Snow Angel The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will air in the US Tuesday, December 10th at 10/9C on the CBS television network.
