Case Study: Fashion Institute of Technology achieves museum‑grade 3D‑printed sari innovation with Stratasys

Traditionally Modern Bridging Ancient Indian Culture with 3D Printing at the Fashion Institute of Technology

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) student Hemani Kumar set out to reimagine the traditional sari by blending ancient Indian culture with ultra‑modern 3D‑printed embellishments. With support from FIT faculty and using Stratasys technology—namely Stratasys 3DFashion™ direct‑to‑textile printing on the Stratasys J850™ TechStyle™—the challenge was to produce cohesive, museum‑quality structural pieces and color effects that conventional methods couldn’t achieve.

Stratasys collaborated with Hemani and the FIT team to 3D print intricate collar, sleeve and leg embellishments directly onto mesh fabric, delivering strong adhesion, full‑color detail and complex textures. The finished sari premiered at FIT’s Future of Fashion 2023, earned praise in Vogue and was described as “museum grade,” demonstrating that Stratasys’ direct‑to‑textile solution made the design possible, faster than sewing or gluing, and ready for commercial development back in India.

Fashion Institute of Technology

Amy Sperber

Asst Professor