3D Printers

A Collection of 3D Printed Hats by Renown Milliner Gabriela Ligenza

Anyone that knows me will easily be able to picture the grin that spread across my face as I discovered and started writing this particular story. Two of my favourite things of all time intertwine here resulting in some glorious hats, 3D printed of course, and none of which I would be adverse to adorning myself — occasion permitting. Although a couple I would wear regardless, just because they’re fantastically original and eye-catching — simply amazing. I love, love LOVE these. As you may have gathered, this is not objective prose. I remain unapologetic in this instance. Some 3D printing applications just make me happy beyond reason, this is one of those applications. If I’m making you nauseous – click on!

ltvs-gabrielaligenza-07This is my favourite:

The designer that has been inspired to create and put together this collection is renowned London/Italian based milliner Gabriela Ligenza. Gabriela seems to draw her inspiration from numerous sources, not least her training as an architect and interior designer. Traditionally known for hand-crafting her designs the move to 3D printing is a leap forward but certainly demonstrates, skillfully, how sophistication and advanced technology can coexist in high-end fashion.

NewImage310 Indeed, the leap forward is significant as the primary goal of Gabriela’s F/W 2014 Capsule Collection is to blend the old and the new, now and in the future. The collection was developed as part of a collaboration with Francesco de Comite, an expert of mathematical art from the University of Science and Technology in Lille, France; Joaquin Baldwin, an animator and storyteller specialized in digital creativity; and Adam Mellotte of Inner Leaf, a 3D modeler specializing in designs for fashion and TV.

No details are available via Gabriela’s website of the process, but it looks very much like the high-end SLS process was utilized.

3d printing hats gabriela ligenza

Over 25 years, Gabriela’s hats have graced the heads of royals, movie stars and super models, including Princess Diana and Princess Caroline of Monaco. Her work has also been taken up by prestigious retailers including Harrods, Saks Fifth Av, and Bergdorff Goodman. She currently works between Italy and London but has a boutique and design studio in London, just around the corner from Sloane Square.

I’m wondering if one of these will ever grace the head of an Editor with a penchant for hats and 3D printing?

Enough with the narcissism – a much better note to end on is the meaning behind this hat, it’s beautiful (the hat and the meaning):

NewImage308 It has been called a poem wedding hat and using John Tessimond’s poem ‘Day Dream, ’demonstrates “old and new crafts and techniques can exist in harmony and technology, when applied correctly, needn’t conflict with centuries old art forms.”

The poem is one I haven’t come across before, but, if you made it this far, it’s definitely worth a minute or two of your time ….

One day people will touch and talk perhaps easily,

And loving be natural as breathing and warm sunlight,

And people will untie themselves, as string is unknotted,

Unfold and yawn and stretch and spread their fingers,

Unfurl, uncurl like seaweed and return to the sea,

And work will be simple and swift as a seagull flying,

And play will be casual and quiet as a seagull settling,

And the clock will stop, and no one will wonder or care or notice,

And people will smile without reason,

Even in winter, even in the rain.

Image Credits: Photography, Josh Shinner