The Girl and the Machine is a Netherlands-based company which launched a Kickstarter campaign last week. The campaign promises modular, high-quality 3D printed knitwear which reduces waste and allows you to decide what’s in fashion.
The 3D printed knitwear collection ‘The Code of Knitwear’ has raised $4,409 of its $34,364 goal thanks to 21 backers. There are still 27 days to pledge.
The cheapest option costs €149 (around $171) and is the Early Bird Softwear Sweater – a Merino wool single jersey seamless body, topped with a collar add-on. Of course, this price tag is a far cry from the fast fashion of today.
But, the founders of the company, Rosanne van der Meer and Annelie Ansingh, explain: “Since we met at Fashion Academy we are inspired by the idea that the best possible clothing should function and feel like animal skin: distinguished, flexible, climate adaptive, sustainable and with a perfect fit. With our Digital Tailoring System we can offer everybody a unique Knitcode.”
“Future of Fashion is About Less CO2 and More About You”
If you choose to pledge, when the Kickstarter campaign ends, the Girl and the Machine team will be in touch. Thus begins a process of developing a sustainable, 3D printed knitwear product.
You’ll be directed to a web-app (which is currently under development). Here, you choose from a range of different necklines, sleeve lengths, styles, cuffs, colors, and sizes.
The idea is that this web-app then creates a Knitcode which is essentially a knitting pattern. The Girl and the Machine website explains: “We are all different. We all have a unique genetic code that makes us who we are. What if we could write a code for creating unique clothes for every individual? Our designs are easy to change and made to measure on customer demand. You can decide what is made. We believe this is the future of fashion.”
The 3D knitting machine will then create the garment in one piece, making it completely seamless. Supposedly, as a result, the clothing item is like a “luxurious second skin” and has body-hugging properties.
The company is working with a small high-end knitwear factory in Spain to turn the production process of clothes from bulk to in demand.
Find out more by visiting the Kickstarter campaign. If the campaign is successful, you should receive your product by April 1st, 2019.
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