Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Ministry of Supply have created a revolutionary 4D knit dress using heat-activated yarn to allow instant shape adjustment. Based on 3D knitting, the dress is knitted in a basic tube shape, but can be reshaped by heat to change shape from a coat to a bubble dress, allowing for a custom fit. Developed by MIT’s Self-Assembly Lab, the dress offers a sustainable alternative to traditional manufacturing, reducing production waste and excess inventory. According to Skylar Tibbits, founder of the Self-Assembly Lab, the fashion industry’s current practice of producing multiple sizes and styles is costly and unsustainable.
All images courtesy of MIT SELF-ASSEMBLY LAB and MINISTRY OF SUPPLY
