Steve Madden-owned Dolce Vita partners with HILOS to launch on-demand 3D printed sandals manufactured in the United States.
The Steve Madden-owned footwear brand Dolce Vita launched an on-demand 3D printed footwear collection Friday in collaboration with HILOS, a software company specializing in product creation and on-demand workflows.
The initial product in the lineup, Holis 3D, is available for $130 and comes with a design reinvented from a trend 2024 shape. The sandal has 3D printed outsoles and uppers matched with leather-wrapped footbeds, and on the surface of the former, there is an ornate lattice pattern that echoes raffia or lace.
Holis 3D is available in women’s sizes 6-13 and comes in four colors: ivory, light sage, light yellow and café. According to the companies, these are the first commercially available 3D printed shoes manufactured on-demand in the United States.
“At Dolce Vita, we’re committed to leading sustainability by collaborating with emerging tech startups and piloting alternative production methods,” said Kerry Norlin, President of Dolce Vita. “Our partnership with HILOS pushes the boundaries of footwear innovation—leveraging cutting-edge technology and circular, low-waste manufacturing.”
The on-demand manufacturing process circumvents many steps in traditional footwear supply chains. A 2022 Yale study involving HILOS and partners BASF, HP and AMT found that 3D printing shoes could reduce carbon footprint by 48% and water consumption by 99% compared to legacy manufacturing methods.
Elias Stahl, HILOS CEO and Co-Founder, called the launch “truly historical” and praised Dolce Vita for embracing “a new way to design and make that is true to their heritage and craft while also setting new rules for design and production.”
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Holis 3D joins other commercial 3D printed footwear offerings including Adidas’ 4DFWD shoes and Nike’s recently launched Nike Air Max 1000.
