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Creating Fabric with a Spray? How Fabrican is Transforming the Future of Clothing Manufacture & Materials
A technology is emerging that seeks to redefine the very concept of “What is clothing?” starting from the material itself. "Fabrican," led by Dr. Manel Torres—a fashion designer and materials scientist based in London—has developed a unique technology that instantly creates fabric by simply spraying it from a can.
This “sprayable fabric” is now finding applications not only in fashion but also in fields such as medicine, manufacturing, cosmetics, and wellbeing. What Fabrican is suggesting is a future in which clothing shifts from something that is “sewn” to something that is “generated.”
PROFILE
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Manel Torres
A fashion designer and material scientist from Spain, Dr. Torres studied fashion at the Royal College of Art in London and researched material science at Imperial College London. In 2003, he founded Fabrican Ltd., where he has been dedicated to developing and commercializing sprayable fabric. He currently serves as managing director while continuing research and development as a visiting researcher at Imperial College.
Photo by Andrew Rankin
The Technology Behind Sprayable, “Nonwoven” Fabric
The ability to create fabric with just a spray truly represents the fusion of science and fashion. Fabrican is a liquid containing fibers and a binding solvent; when sprayed, the solvent rapidly evaporates upon contact with air, causing the fibers to entangle and bond together, forming a fabric.
Dr. Torres first conceived this idea in the 1996s while studying fashion at London’s Royal College of Art.
"I have great respect for the craftsmanship of traditional fashion, but the process takes too much time and effort. That’s when I began to wonder: What if we could create perfectly fitting clothing instantly, with zero waste?" he recalls.
The result was the idea of “spraying fabric directly onto the body.” He then began full-scale research into materials, and, through joint research with Imperial College, developed a prototype of sprayable fabric. In 2003, he founded Fabrican Ltd. and has since been working on commercializing the patented technology.
"The first major hurdle was to create a material that was 'a liquid, yet functioning as fabric.' There was no material at the time that was soft, breathable, gentle on the skin, and immediately wearable as clothing. Through trial and error, we finally achieved a usable fabric by adjusting the balance of fibers, binders, and solvents.
“Another challenge was to 'optimize the spraying method.' We needed to precisely control where the material settled, the resulting texture, and the drying speed. By collaborating with experts in industrial design, medicine, and material science, we were able to improve both safety and reproducibility."
After many years of development, Dr. Torres now refers to the practical realization of this material as “Fast Couture”—a new approach to clothing that fuses the precision of tailoring with the speed of technology.
Fabrican’s Approach to Tackling Fashion Industry Issues
Today’s fashion industry faces structural challenges such as overproduction, textile waste, inventory loss, and labor costs related to sewing. Fabrican has the potential to address these issues at their roots.
Its greatest feature is that garments can be formed in a single step, without cutting or sewing. There is no fabric waste, and garments are generated to fit each individual perfectly—achieving a level of efficiency impossible with traditional manufacturing processes.
"Compared to conventional fabrics, Fabrican is lighter, fits the skin, and has no seams or excess bulk. In terms of durability, we are already producing items with sufficient structural integrity for long-term wear. Visually, the texture can be varied through the spraying technique—anything from a suede-like finish to sculptural silhouettes can be achieved.
“Moreover, reusability is crucial for the future. This material can be dissolved and re-sprayed, offering the option to 'update' rather than dispose of clothing."
Fabrican is not merely redefining the production process of clothing; it is offering a new answer to the fundamental question: “What is clothing?”
Expanding Applications—From Fashion Shows to Medical Settings
Fabrican gained global recognition after a sensational event at the 2022 Paris Fashion Week. In collaboration with Parisian apparel brand Coperni, supermodel Bella Hadid was “sprayed” into a dress live on the runway—a performance unlike anything seen before.
"Coperni approached us with the bold idea of 'creating a dress live on the runway.' It wasn’t just a performance—it was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate Fabrican’s technology in real time.
“Before the show, we tested the material on over 140 models to ensure safety and confirm that there would be no adverse effects on the skin. Bella Hadid trusted our team, and the live performance was a success, achieved in a single take with no rehearsal," Dr. Torres recalls.
Being selected for VOGUE’s “Inventing the Runway” exhibition at London’s Lightroom was another symbolic moment for the brand.
"What’s interesting is seeing people who encounter our technology immediately start imagining new possibilities—how it could be used. We’re delighted to see our technology serve as a source of inspiration, being applied across disciplines and design fields."
Balancing Creativity & Reproducibility—Redefining
Through these events, Fabrican has established itself not only as a form of artistic or fashion expression but also as a practical and versatile technology.
In medicine, applications are being developed for bandages, casts, and pain relief patches. For example, bandages that are gentle on the skin and can be molded instantly, or smart clothing that releases active ingredients as needed, are becoming tangible possibilities.
"Imagine a T-shirt that releases vitamin D while blocking ultraviolet rays. I feel that we are approaching a future where clothing can play a more effective role in healthcare."
Looking ahead, Fabrican is also considering integration with robotics, envisioning fully automated clothing manufacture. If highly precise spraying, similar to 3D printing, becomes possible, we might see an era where garments are produced without human intervention.
Finally, Dr. Torres shares his thoughts on the future potential of Fabrican:
"We are continuing to explore applications not only in fashion, but also in material science and wellbeing.”Fabrican is something you could call a ‘second skin.’ It will not only cover the body, but also interact with it and evolve as a purposeful material.
“We’re also considering protective coatings, personalized skincare, and clothing that reacts to environmental or physiological changes. In the long run, our goal is not to replace conventional fabrics, but to expand the choices available.
“Making only what is needed, when it is needed, and then recycling it when done—our vision is a future where fabric transforms from a ‘passive material’ to an ‘active, personal, ever-changing presence.’
“We are already stepping into a new era in which clothing harmonizes function, sensibility, and environment—and Fabrican is leading the way."
Header caption：Gene Kiegel（Photo）
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