VISIONARY LUISA OLIVERA & HER 3D GARDEN

Visionary Luisa Olivera is leading a new wave in fashion where nature, tech, and art bloom together. By using 3D printing, she creates designs that are not just worn, but felt, moved, and experienced. Her work blends natural shapes with smart design, turning each garment into a living sculpture. She focuses on sustainability by using recycled materials. At the same time, she teams up with artists and performers to bring her pieces to life on stage and screen. This makes each design both stylish and deeply personal. Surely, this designer is not just making clothes. She’s growing a future where fashion connects to our bodies, our planet, and our stories.

“After working on Mythic Flying Athlete, I wanted to take my research on active tensile structures further. I was fascinated by the idea of designing 3D printed forms that could balance tensile tension and structure to respond to the body’s movement. In Tropism, I explored that equilibrium, creating garments that not only moved with the wearer but were activated by their movements. It was an idea rooted in my master’s thesis and became the collection’s foundation.”

3D Garden Visionary Luisa Olivera Redefines Fashion

3D Garden Visionary Luisa Olivera is reshaping fashion through movement, technology, and nature. Her work blends 3D printing with organic shapes, resulting in garments that feel alive. One key idea in her designs is “active tensile structures,” which use fabric under tension, paired with 3D-printed elements, to form flowing, responsive shapes.

Inspired by flowers—especially orchids—Luisa Olivera’s Fantasy Flowers collection captures the grace of nature in sculptural fashion. Over time, her natural references evolve into abstract forms, pushing her designs into bold new territory.

Collaboration plays a vital role. Working with dancer Chris Fargeot, for example, brought motion into her pieces in unexpected ways. As a result, her fashion moves and responds, making each piece feel like a living part of the performance.

Her Mythic Flying Athlete line fuses retro futurism with today’s tools. Influenced by 70s music and optimistic views of the future, the collection reflects a world where art and tech thrive together.

A DESIGNER WHO OPENS DOORS

What excites 3D Garden Visionary Luisa Olivera most is how 3D printing opens doors. Unlike sewing or draping, 3D printing attracts creators from science and tech, bringing fresh energy into fashion.

Moreover, Olivera’s path is shaped by her background in design school, not fashion school. This gave her a wide, artistic view. She also draws inspiration from designers like Iris van Herpen, who use technology to expand fashion’s limits.

Sustainability is central to her work. She often uses recycled materials, though sourcing them is tough, especially for 3D printing. Yet, she enjoys hunting for hidden gems in deadstock warehouses.

To conclude, her process begins with a message, not materials. Mistakes often spark her best ideas. For new designers, she advises staying curious and exploring beyond fashion, because real innovation happens where ideas mix and grow.

Read the full interview now when you order your copy of the TECHNE ISSUE

CREDITS:

Shot & Art Directed by FRENCH COWBOY A JULIEN CROUÏGNEAU & MIA MACFARLANE CREATION
Interview by AP CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Models LEA & CHIHIRO at UP MODELS, DMG PARIS
Stylist MARGHERITA ZOPPI
Makeup NADIA KYRYCHENKO
Hair NATALIA SEREDA