Since 3D printing can make the creation of any shape possible it should come as no surprise that this technology has been applied to shoes. Some interesting designers that currently apply this technology are Iris Van Herpen and the United Nude. Iris Van Herpen recently created custom 3D printed shoes for her haute couture show at Paris Fashion Week. These designs were inspired by tree roots and were only possible to create through 3D printing. Van Herpen was described as one of the first designers to use 3D printing in her collection.
3D printing in shoes is not only used for aesthetic, this technology has medical purposes too. SOLS is company that uses 6 images of a persons foot to create customized orthopedic soles for shoes.
With both design and medical uses 3D printing in shoes can be used in many applications. With many websites like Tinkercad and Thingiverse a person can download a basic shoe and change it to their liking, my personal favorite is the shoe with squirrel heel. Nothing says Kent State pride more than a squirrel heel. While the designs may look amazing I am still skeptical as to whether or not these 3D printed shoes are actually comfortable, because some look downright torturous.
3D printing in shoes is not only used for aesthetic, this technology has medical purposes too. SOLS is company that uses 6 images of a persons foot to create customized orthopedic soles for shoes.
With both design and medical uses 3D printing in shoes can be used in many applications. With many websites like Tinkercad and Thingiverse a person can download a basic shoe and change it to their liking, my personal favorite is the shoe with squirrel heel. Nothing says Kent State pride more than a squirrel heel. While the designs may look amazing I am still skeptical as to whether or not these 3D printed shoes are actually comfortable, because some look downright torturous.