For those not in the know, 3D printers are just a fancy version of the printers we already use at home.

However, instead of printing ink onto paper, these machines print molten material layer-by-layer, using anything from plastic to cookie dough to titanium.

The printing process can take hours for larger items, but it can craft shapes that would be even more difficult and expensive to make with run-of-the-mill tailoring.

3D printing company Stratasys hosted a display of works by designers using a 3D Printer-friendly version of Photoshop, aiming to move beyond cloth and leather for their couture.

Here’s our pick of the top five items created by futuristic designers.

For big nights out

When making a stylish entrance, your shoes are the finishing blow to the knockout outfit you’ve put together — and wedges like these will easily have everyone at your feet.The blocky design and acid colours feel like they were lifted out of a video game from the 80s, and the way the colour slowly fades from purple to green to orange is an impressive detail.

Speaking to the designer, Francis Bitonti, his inspiration for these killer heels was keeping up with technology.

“I want to create a design language for our time. I want to create the aesthetic for the next industrial revolution,” he said.

“We haven’t had software solutions for designing with colour. The technology is shifting, there are more colour options available now.

“We started using Photoshop CC exactly to address this gap in our software arsenal.”

For high-class dining

It’s not only independent designers who’ve gotten into 3D printing, high class brand Pringle of Scotland also arrived on the scene with some preppy print-outs.Richard Beckett designed these garments made from laser-sintered nylon fabric and they previously graced a London Fashion Week catwalk for Pringle of Scotland’s Autumn/Winter 2014 collection back in February.Usually, 3D printed items are made from hard, inflexible materials that would be impossible to wear as regular clothing, however the sleeveless cardigan and long coat here are actually made from over 1000 individual printed shapes that are then woven into the fabric like ordinary knitwear.

You might want to be careful if you give anyone a hug though, you may be a little pointier than you expect.

For bedroom fantasies

This corset designed by Michaella Janse van Vuuren looks like it came straight out of a gothic fairytale and makes me think of stained-glass windows and butterfly wings.3D printers have the benefit of printing any shape the heart desires, so instead of the corset being many separate parts stitched together, it’s simply three parts – the front, the back and the cups – laced together with ribbon.The loops and frills on the edges that would be an absolute nightmare to do with cloth are no problem for a printer and you’ll never have to worry about the piece fitting you — just print it in a larger or smaller size as you need.

Even the bust can be customised!

For a night at the theatre

These outrageous designs are by Israeli designer Noa Raviv, who definitely took a futuristic angle to these designs.Though the curves may look like flowing silk but it’s actually a rigid structure, separate to the dresses underneath. The shapes were modelled using Adobe Photoshop CC, which helped turn 2D concept sketches into these alien rollercoaster-style shapes.The printed waves on the white dress can actually be removed and worn as a separate item — if you’re brave enough to reveal that much skin.

For a day at the races

These 3D printed hats from Gabriela Ligenza easily put Princess Kate’s Ascot hats and fascinators to shame. The pure white material is simple, but the loops and weaves that make up each design are far from it.The ‘Poem’ design, right, is seriously something special, put together from the words of Day Dream by John Tessimond — making a sun hat that both keeps you in the shade and leaves a seriously striking shadow.Despite the delicate look, the hats are actually designed to be unisex.

The Mobius Nautilus, left, looks like a Kangol flat cap – imagined 30 years in the future.