3D Printing Highlight at Paris Fashion Week 2022 with ROCIO Handbag

13 January 2022: Several 3D Printed Apparel and Accessories have made their debut on the Paris Fashion Week, showcasing the innovative use of technology to provide greater creative freedom and demonstrate more sustainable manufacturing techniques for the fashion industry.

ROCIO, a Scottish luxury eco-fashion brand and Scotland’s National Institute of Manufacturing (NMIS) are exploring more sustainable manufacturing techniques for the brand’s bags. ROCIO will showcase its 3D Printed Handbags at Paris Fashion Week 2022.

“NMIS’ primary goal is to engage with and support SMEs to facilitate a positive impact on the local economy and the wider industry,” said Andrew Brawley, NMIS Research and Design Engineer. “We have a dedicated team to assist SMEs on their journey towards innovation and exploitation of new goods and services in response to industry needs and this ROCIO project is a prime example.

Once seen worn on the sleeves of celebrity models and actresses such as Irina Shayk, Kate Upon and Susan Sarandon, the ROCIO luxury decorative handbag is traditionally crafted from acacia wood harvested through a 19-stage process.

Eager to explore new, more sustainable ways of making its handbags, ROCIO embarked on a research project with NMIS to combine its own expertise with the center’s technological capabilities. This project focuses on developing an inner structure of the bag that can be used as the basis for a luxurious fabric cover.

“We were very surprised by the results,” said Hamish Menzies, Creative Director of ROCIO. “We are at the heart of sustainable fashion and take pride in each accessory as a unique creative masterpiece. The resulting pieces are works of art and this unique leather handbag concept delivers extraordinary beauty in a structured art form that I believe pushes the boundaries of design.”