Circular Wardrobe: a 3D Fashion Design Training Project
Founded in 1999, POLI.design is the postgraduate design school of Politecnico di Milano and part of the Polimi Design System, alongside the School of Design and the Design Department. The school collaborates with leading Italian design associations, including ADI, AIAP, AIPI, and FederlegnoArredo, and welcomes students from over 80 countries to its programs each year.
This training project was a joint initiative between Style3D and POLI.design, bringing together international students from two leading Chinese universities—Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology and Jiangnan University—to explore how 3D technology can be applied to sustainable fashion design. The course introduced students to Style3D Studio, equipping them with the skills needed to create digital capsule collections. The central theme, “The Circular Wardrobe”, focused on sustainability: students were encouraged to design garments that could be reused, modified, or transformed to extend their lifecycle. Using pre-made assets from the Style3D Marketplace (eStudio), they developed practical yet conceptually strong designs that minimized waste while highlighting adaptability.
One standout project, Flowing Home, addressed the modern demand for mobility and personal comfort. The student team designed versatile outdoor garments, such as a down jacket that transforms into a scarf, a skirt that unfolds into a blanket, a dress that converts into a sleeping bag, and a coat that becomes a tent.
These designs combined innovation and functionality, offering flexible solutions for fast-paced lifestyles. transformed to extend their lifecycle. Using pre-made assets from the Style3D Marketplace (eStudio), they developed practical yet conceptually strong designs that minimized waste while highlighting adaptability.
Integration of Style3D Solutions into fashion design education
“Style3D Studio offers several key advantages in fashion education. It enhances creativity by allowing students to experiment freely with digital design, while aligning closely with real industry workflows. The software’s speed and ease of use streamline the design process, enabling students to quickly develop and iterate sustainable concepts-such as transformable garments-without relying on physical prototypes,” says Xiaozhu Lin, PhD in Design, Research Fellow at Politecnico di Milano, and Adjunct Professor at POLI.design.
“I believe the integration of Al and 3D represents a major trend in the future of fashion. The student projects showcased at the Milano Unica 2025 in collaboration with Style3D were a great example and experimental trial of this direction. It is important to expose students early on to industry trends and equip them with the latest digital design tools, so they can transition smoothly into their professional careers after graduation.”
Methods & instructional strategies for the 3D approach
Xiaozhu Lin continues: “Students need some time to learn and adapt to the new software. Those with a background in digital fashion tend to pick it up quickly, while others without prior experience may need to start from scratch. In classes where students have varying levels of digital skills, it is recommended to design assignments that can be adjusted based on individual proficiency, ensuring inclusive and effective learning for all.”
Thanks to the excellent feedback from students, the project will be offered again in the upcoming academic term, this time expanding the training to cover the Style3D Fabric and Style3D AI solutions.
Are you ready to elevate your fashion curriculum? Style3D injects innovation into students’ learning, turning creativity into industry-ready skills. Join POLI.design International and the growing number of leading schools worldwide that are redefining digital fashion education, and discover how Style3D can transform your classroom.
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