The Rise Of 3D Print Fashion- Tanvi Sri Manda
In today’s fast fashion era, the fashion industry is responsible for creating a staggering 92 million tons of textile waste each year, not to mention factory emissions and other manufacturing byproducts. This cycle is driven by planned obsolescence, where products are designed to deteriorate quickly, leading consumers to replace them frequently and generating consistent sales for large brands. Amid this backdrop, a shift in design practices is essential.
Tanvi Sri Manda, a student fashion designer at FDDI Hyderabad, India, is leading this shift towards sustainable fashion. She incorporates innovative approaches such as using 3D printers to create her designs.
“We have outstanding facilities, from well-equipped fashion design studios to the Digital FabLab, accommodating students to hone their technical garment-making and technology skills,” Tanvi Sri says. “The design professions have always spearheaded sustainability in the arts.”
Tanvi’s journey toward sustainable design began in India, where she pursued her undergraduate degree with the vision of making her mark on the runway. “I was able to explore the whole life cycle of garments and how they were made,” Tanvi says.
As fashion designer Tanvi Sri strode in the room wearing casual attire and a ravishing smile, I realized that her sense of style extends to her personality, too. But she says she is inspired by life:”Every new day comes with new ideas, inspirations and dreams.”
Her research led her to the emergence of 3D printing, and she began developing a plan to incorporate it into her work. Tanvi emphasizes the environmental cost of sourcing common materials, as well as the need for more durable options in the face of rapidly changing trends and the fact that most people discard their clothes before they are worn out.
However, Tanvi’s path was challenging when designing patterns for a 3D printer. One crucial piece of the puzzle was finding a material that could mimic the soft touch of typical garments while also being compatible with the printers.
Tanvi’s work, which often carries strong societal messages, has garnered numerous accolades. Her passion for wearable art is evident in this creation, which utilizes silhouettes of people holding hands to symbolize unity in adversity.
“This is an example of how I incorporate symbols and messages to try to bring awareness to social and cultural issues and, at the same time, promote sustainability,” Tanvi says. “So [I’m] not just talking about protecting the environment but also thinking about other political or economic issues around the world.”
Tanvi’s vision has inspired students at FDDI. Tanvi advises everyone not to be daunted. Starting small, like cutting down dryer time or shopping secondhand, can make a difference. She believes that tiny, everyday habits can snowball into creative solutions for consistent change.