Chicago-based industrial designer Joyce Lai has created a 3D-printed hanger that extends a bra’s lifespan with the aim of reducing waste.
Named Bras Up, the 3D-printed hanger was made from recycled resin and stainless steel. It consists of side clips, a surface to support bra cups and a loop at the bottom, which allows multiple hangers to be connected for wardrobe efficiency.
Users hang their bra by clipping the fabric to the hanger’s side clips in an upside-down position and then smoothing the cups over the hanger’s surface.
Lai explained that the hanger was derived from 3D models of human breasts and is designed to mimic the way the body holds and supports the fabric.
Bra deformation happens when bras are washed and hung up incorrectly, causing the weight of the water to distort and pull on the cups during the drying process, according to Lai.
Lai’s hanger was created to ensure that the cups remain supported while both hanging and drying, which prevents deformation and preserves the underwear’s structure.
“By maintaining the intended shape of the bra, Bras Up helps prolong its durability and fit,” Lai told Dezeen.
The hanger comes in two patterned styles for airflow – circular or lined depending on the user’s preference, and three different colours: Pantone Sugar Swizzle, Flame and Classic Blue.
Lai explained that the prototype differs from traditional hangers, which lack structural support for bra cups, as they are primarily designer for general clothing rather than delicate underwear.
“While some existing products incorporate a similar bulging structure, they often require users to hang bras upright – a method that fails to provide proper support and can lead to misshaping,” said Lai.
“Bras Up eliminates this issue by allowing bras to be hung only in the correct, upside-down position, ensuring they dry without strain on the fabric or cup structure.”
According to Lai, women in the US collectively spend $16 billion on bras every year, yet many of them are discarded within nine months due to deformation, size changes, wear or improper care.
Lai’s research pointed to cup deformation being the primary reason wearers threw away their bras. She found that 59 per cent of women were aware of the correct way to hang bras while only 46 per cent followed the practice in their daily lives.
The designer explained that this is due to a lack of awareness of correct hanging methods, which led her to create a bra hanger that intuitively guides users to preserve the garment’s shape.
“Bras are essential garments that play a crucial role in daily life, yet the way we care for them—and their impact on sustainability—is rarely discussed,” said Lai.
“With the rise of fast fashion, we’ve become accustomed to treating clothing as disposable, forgetting the craftsmanship, materials, and resources that go into making these garments.”
Bras Up aims to protect the shape and lifespan of bras but to remind people to be mindful of their choices and the impact on the environment.
“In the long run, investing in proper bra care not only saves money but also reduces waste, making it an eco-friendly choice for consumers who value both quality and sustainability,” said Lai.
Bras Up will be exhibited from 4 April to 4 May in Athens, Greece, as part of Good Design Show. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
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