Maya Kaplan is a fashion and textile designer and researcher, working at the intersection of material innovation, digital technology, and performance.

Her work is driving innovation in the fashion and textile industry by integrating computational design, digital fabrication, engineered knit, and advanced textile development to create high-performance, functional products.

Her work within innovation and R&D teams in the textile industry has resulted in four patented inventions in engineered knit and 3D-printed textiles, and she has been awarded several international design awards.

Maya explores the potential of 3D printing for fashion, textiles, and footwear.

She is guided by the main question: How can we improve product performance by integrating 3d printing and computational design into textiles?

This practice led her to focus on the research and development of algorithm-based, data-driven 3D-printed textiles; the integration of 3D-printed components into textiles and apparel; and the development of simulation-based digital design workflows for fashion design.

Pink lace lingerie top with thin straps, laid flat against a white surface.

Workflows

Maya’s workflows explore the intersection between traditional craftsmanship and emerging technologies, blending computational tools, digital fabrication, material experimentation, and hands-on practices.

  • Sheet of paper with sketches and plans for weaving or lace patterns, alongside samples of intricate woven or lace strips in black, beige, and purple on a white surface.
  • Close-up of a person's hand holding a piece of black, sheer fabric with wavy striped pattern, revealing the skin underneath.
  • Screenshot of a 3D modeling software interface showing a wireframe and a node-based editing layout with parameters for curve and region trimming.
  • Various black and patterned fabric pieces, some shaped like shoes or insoles, with white marking paper and sketches in the background.
  • Back view of a woman wearing a black lace bra with adjustable straps and a rear hook closure.
  • Computer screen displaying 3D models of abstract, blob-like shapes with wireframes and shaded surfaces, along with a graph editor and node-based interface.
  • Various shoe parts and accessories, including insoles, soles, mesh fabric, and shoe molds, arranged on a light wooden surface.
  • A fabric shoe last form on a white surface next to a blue mechanical pencil.
  • Outline of a one-piece swimsuit decorated with red rhinestones creating a star pattern on the front, set against a gray background.
  • Hand carving wood with a rotary tool, creating detailed designs on a wooden piece.
  • 3D printer inside a machine with a green object being printed.
  • 3D illustration of a human head in profile view displaying facial muscles and anatomy.
  • Multiple sheets of black mesh screen material with different grid patterns stacked on top of each other for craft or industrial use.

Performance-driven design

With a background in sports and movement as an acrobat, coach, dancer, and yoga teacher, Maya’s work is inspired by a deep understanding of the human body.

Through computational design and digital tools, she develops data-driven, body-adapted functional products designed to perform, creating a bridge between technology, movement, and performance.

  • Two individuals on stage, one woman wearing colorful striped outfit and a matching hat, and one man wearing a white jacket with a red scarf and a red cap, engage in a conversation with a microphone, with a blue background displaying the name Maya Kapran and the words 'Human Marionette'.

  • A performer on a dark stage, dressed in a colorful, rainbow-patterned bodysuit, suspended with harnesses and ropes, with their arms extended.

  • Two individuals dressed in colorful, patterned costumes with one person holding the other's hands, set against a dark background.

  • A woman performing a handstand on parallettes against a black background.

  • Close-up of a person wearing beige high-heeled shoes with black straps, standing on a light-colored wooden floor. The person's leg is near thick white ropes. The image is part of a promotional poster for the Global Footwear Awards 2022, featuring the logo and text indicating it is a category winner.

  • Close-up of a person wearing futuristic, colorful shoes with neon green and blue elements, and leggings featuring a purple and green leaf pattern. The shoes are pointed and have small green knobs on the sides.

  • Two decorative vases resembling paint cans with red bases and dripping brown paint on top, set against a white background.

  • Close-up of two legs wearing colorful knee-high socks and orange slippers with green pegs, lifted against a plain white background.

  • Two performers in colorful costumes sit on the floor in a dark space with a spotlight, surrounded by toys and a hanging doll. One performer has a pink and purple costume with dreadlocks and the other has a blue and green costume with a head covering.

Seen at

Black and white logo of the word 'designboom' in stylized lowercase letters.
Logo with the letters 'ARE' in a stylized font.
Logo with black stylized letters 'g', 'l', and 'r' over a red circle with a black outline, next to the text 'goodreads' in black.
Close-up of the word 'KREEP' in bold, white uppercase letters on a black background.
Cover of 33 Magazine with black background and bold white text reading '33 MAGAZINE'.
Text logo that reads 'la República' in black stylized font.
The logo of the UK newspaper 'Mirror' with white text on a red background.
Graphic with letter E in white, centered on a black circle background, with brown and black geometric shapes surrounding it.
The word 'Schön!' in bold black text.
A black circular logo with white lines forming the letter T and three parallel lines above it.
De Limburger logo with white text on a blue background
The text 'KALTBLUT' in large white block letters on a black background.
Close-up view of a dinosaur fossil resting in a display case in a museum.
L'Officiel magazine logo with black text on white background
Logo of the Virtual Shoe Museum with black background and white text
Text in Hebrew that reads 'פורטלפולי' with pink brackets on both sides.

Contact

For professional inquiries / innovation consultancy / R&D projects / collaborations

Please contact by Email:

mayakaplandesign@gmail.com