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BLEND
Gloria Makafui Mifetu
2024 ITAA ANNUAL CONFERENCE EXHIBITION-Nov. 20-23
Exploring 3D Printing with Black Hair in Design: Bantu Knots and Braids.
Keywords: 3D printing, Bantu Knot, Braid, Technology
This design, inspired by the artistic and cultural significance of Bantu knots and braids, transforms these black hairstyles into wearable art using 3D technology. The garment combines historical Rococo elements with 3D-printed lace, featuring Bantu knot and braid designs. Yellow is used for the knots and lace to symbolize cheerfulness, while the black background represents African heritage.
The lace was created using Adobe Illustrator and Tinkercad, printed with flexible TPU filament, and applied to the dress without cutting, reducing waste. The bodice lace was fused using a 3D pen, and the collar and neckline were adorned with 3D-printed Bantu knots. The skirt was draped with 42 pieces of printed lace, creating a striking silhouette supported by a hoop structure.
This project integrates hairstyling, fashion, and 3D technology, exploring how black hairstyles can inspire fashion design. The intuitive design process opens up possibilities for future research in 3D fashion and artistic innovation around black hair as a source of inspiration.
Bantu Knots
Keywords: 3D printing, Bantu Knot, Technology​
This sustainable dress is made from black linen and old T-shirts, featuring a reversible fabric that adds volume through its underlying structure. The design combines traditional draping with modern technologies like Adobe Illustrator, laser cutting, and 3D printing to depict Bantu knots, symbolizing hairstyling exuberance with yellow against a black background representing African heritage. The silhouette incorporates Bantu knot elements, reflecting the vibrant nature of hairstyling.
The garment's creation involved hand sketches, digital illustrations, and 3D modeling in Tinkercad, where the Bantu knot elements were printed and attached. This design explores incorporating African hairstyles like Bantu knots, braids, and cornrows into wearable art. The process was intuitive and open-ended, embracing materials and technologies. Future research could further explore 3D fashion design and other techniques to integrate these hairstyles into fashion, highlighting black hair's creative and cultural significance.
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