Remember when Kim and Khloe Kardashian went to Armenia in Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Kanye West tagged along? Well during their visit, Kanye West toured the Tumo Centre for Creative Technologies and was shown a 3D printer that students had been using. He then pointed and referenced the printer saying, “This is what I’m afraid of, right here. Because the internet destroyed the music industry. And now this is what we’re afraid of right now with the textile industry.” His tour guide then responded with, “Still, you have to design. It doesn’t do it by itself.” Kanye who wasn’t so sure said, “Yeah, but I’m saying there will come a time where it’s like, people are making their shoes at home.”
Kanye did make a good point and it’s easy to take his side, but it’s much more complex than that. Yes, Kanye, the internet ‘destroyed’ the music industry however, the same can’t be made about 3D printers. Kanye is afraid that people will start creating knockoffs, inevitably discrediting authentic work done by fashion designers. However, 3D printers may actually be a really good thing for the fashion industry. Instead of destroying the industry, it’s merely a “manufacture revolution” says Eric Sprunk, Nike’s Chief Operating Officer. In fact, companies like Nike are excited about this new advancement in technology and are looking to bring 3D printers into retail stores.
Think about it, you won’t have to leave your house to purchase an outfit, or you won’t have to wait for an order if you bought something online. You’ll be able to print a top or a pair of pants in the comfort of your own home. One fashion designer who has already made an entire collection from 3D printing, Danit Peleg says that these ideas will soon become a reality, stating “Customers could download the patterns, just like music files, and print them.”
Because 3D printing isn’t a new concept, and because it has slowly entered the market – this has allotted time for companies to re-strategize their business models to fit the consumer demands. Again, this won’t be destroying the textile industry, Kanye, it’s only making it more convenient for the customer. If Kanye is such a ‘creative genius’, then he should jump on the bandwagon, seeing as the industry is headed in this direction. If you can’t beat ‘em, join em.
Sources:
Marriott, Hannah (2015). Are we ready to 3D print our own clothes? The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/jul/28/are-we-ready-to-print-our-own-3d-clothes
(2015). Who is Afraid of 3D Printing? Nike Isn’t. The Fashion Law. http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/who-is-afraid-of-3d-printing-kanye-not-nike