6. Computational Couture¶
Let’s talk about Computational Couture.
To be honest, my relationship with this week has been… complicated. Maybe even a little toxic.
I came into Fabricademy with zero experience in 3D modeling—no Rhino, no Fusion, NOTHING. And for a while, I kept avoiding this week entirely. It felt intimidating, distant, almost like a foreign language to me.
But at some point, I had to face it. Because if you don’t face your fears, you carry them around forever—and I’m not here for that. When I started working on The Archive of Emotions, my final project, I was terrified of incorporating 3D printed elements. But here’s the twist: I did it! And it was amazing! And now, after completing the full project, I’m coming back to revisit and reimagine this assignment with clarity, courage, and creativity.
This week is about translating code and computation into form and fashion.
It’s about using digital tools to build physical, wearable expressions. And for me—it’s about reclaiming something I once feared and making it mine. So let’s dive in.
This is my take on computational couture.
I’m going into it with zero expectations—just curiosity, chaos, and a whole lot of intuition.
The only thing I do know? I’ll be using a lot of black and grey.
So if you’re here for bright colors and rainbow explosions… I hate to break it to you—but you might want to exit now before the monochrome takes over.
This is going to be dark, muted, possibly a little dramatic—and very, very me. Let’s see where it takes us.
| Stage | Tools / Software |
|---|---|
| 3D Modeling | Rhino + Grasshopper |
| Fusion 360 | |
| Slicing | Cura (for Ultimaker S5) |
| Bambu Studio (for Bambu Lab A1) | |
| Fabrication | 3D Printers: Bambu Lab A1, Ultimaker S5 |
| PLA Filament, TPU Filament | |
| Assembly | Tulle Mesh |
| Magnets and Clips |
Art Deco-Inspired Embellishments
For this project, I decided to take a modern approach to creating embellishments by 3D printing them. Instead of using traditional embellishments, this method allowed me to integrate techniques and skills I’ve learned through the Textile Academy.
One of my key influences for this project was the Chrysler Building—one of my all-time favorite buildings! Its bold geometric patterns and iconic spire perfectly encapsulate the glamour and sophistication of the 1920s. I wanted to channel its elegance into a unique amulet-like embellishment or necklace, designed to mimic the neckline of a classic flapper dress.
To bring this vision to life, I created the design in Fusion 360, translating the building’s architectural details into wearable art. After finalizing the design, I sliced it in Cura and set it to print. When the print was complete, I was left with so much beauty—it was thrilling to see the intricate details come to life!
Next, I draped the embellishments over the dress to get a sense of how they’d look. This step helped me visualize the placement and decide how best to accentuate the neckline. However, I didn’t glue them at this stage—I waited until after adding the fringes.