Digital style

Once upon a time in the fashion world, a printed necktie merely meant one that had print on it. Now, it can mean a tie generated from powder, liquid, filaments or sheets of material using 3-D printers.

The blue chain mail tie that Pekka Salokannel wore to this year's China International Clothing and Accessories Fair was made this way. Behind him, in glass display cases, were earrings, fashion eyewear and eyeglass frames produced in a similar way.

"Are you selling these here?" several female visitors asked Salokannel, pointing to the white, black and red dangling earrings in geometric patterns.