Cabrio launches a collection of glasses that are 3D printed and have a finish that is inspired by the interior of automobiles. 

Across the fashion industry, many designers are harnessing the power of 3D printing technology. However, many hope that their actual designs speak louder than the technologies used to conceive them. One such company that is going above and beyond 3D printing is the Belgian eyewear brand Cabrio.

Hoet Design Studio, the designers behind Cabrio, are no strangers to 3D printing and its benefits. Since 2014, the company has utilized the technology in its designs, releasing four collections of 3D printed glasses. The latest collection is called the Bi-Color, and their most unique aspect is the finish, which is inspired by automobile interiors.

Hoet is working with Materialise to bring their new designs to consumers. They hope that their glasses are recognizable due to their fluid lines and soft angles, not just because they’re 3D printed.

Designer Bieke Hoet is the mind behind this unique, two-tone color scheme for the glasses. He explains: “For me, 3D Printing is a sandbox full of possibility. And the Bi-Color collection really brings out our playful side.”

So far, the Bi-Color collection offers mixes of the following colors: black-grey, brown-black, or red-brown. However, the company hopes to add further choices soon.

Going Beyond “Just” a 3D Printed Hype

Alireza Parandian, the head of wearables at Materialise, explains: “Bi-Color is our statement piece. It stands for the fact that we’ve gone way beyond ‘just’ 3D-printed frames.”

In fact, Parandian hopes that 3D printing is no longer the main talking point of the glasses. Instead, the main focus is the post-processing method that give the glasses the look of luxurious leather found in automobile interiors.

Check out Hoet Design Studio’s previous collections on their website. As well as Hoet, Materialise has also worked with a range of other designers to develop 3D printed wearables. These also include: We DDD and Hoya.

Parandian continues: “There’s another fantastic co-creation with Hoet in the pipeline, which I’m especially excited about. I won’t give away too much now, but let’s just say that several materials are involved.”

Source: Materalise