Iris van Herpen: "I consider my atelier as a real laboratory"

Iris van Herpen is a genuine pioneer in high-tech fashion. She is working with architects and scientists in order to develop increasingly innovative materials and technology, such as laser cutting and ultra-sound welding. 

In 2010, the Dutch designer, winner of the ANDAM award in 2014, was the first to showcase a 3D-printed dress in a fashion show. Artists such as Björk, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga have all been wearing her outfits.

In this interview to CNN Style, re-broadcast on FashionMag.com, Iris van Herpen talks about her creative process, inspiring dresses that seem to come straight out of a fantasy or sci-fi saga.

Talking about...

Her atelier,

"I consider my atelier as a real laboratory. It's a place where art and fashion can really merge, where I can work with people who are completely outside of the fashion world. "
 
her technology inspiration,

"I think that the magic of technology lies sometimes in its invisibility. Technology becomes so small that you almost have to imagine the process hiding behind it."
 
and 3D-printed motifs...

"The beauty of 3D-printed motifs lies in their uniformity. They remind me of processes that can be observed in nature, that generate extraordinarily thin lines, looking like digital imprints. I couldn't have reached the same degree of complexity if I had hand-produced some of these models."