[TC]² Bi-Weekly Technology Communicator
Reyes Infographica, [TC]² partner to add 3D Garment Design Tool for 3D Body Scanning
based Virtual Fashion Applications
By Karen Davis, [TC]²
Virtual Fashion, a division of Reyes Infografica, a 3D software company based in Madrid and producer of 3D garment design and simulation software (VF Professional 1.5) is partnering with [TC]² to enable VF Pro as a garment integration resource for [TC]²’s 3D body scanning based virtual fashion application. As part of this cooperation, Reyes has outfitted [TC]²’s computer classroom with VF Pro licenses for future training exercises for [TC]² current and prospective body scanner customers.
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“By enabling Reyes VF Pro application to create 3D garment fashions for [TC]²’s real time 3D body scanning, a great low cost fashion design resource can be within the reach of any fashion designer from student to industry professional,” comments David Bruner, VP of Technology Development at [TC]².
More information and free trial software for Virtual Fashion Professional can be found at www.virtual-fashion.com.
More information on [TC]² 3D body scanning products can be found at: http://www.tc2.com/index_3dbodyscan.html.
Reyes Infografica clients include internationally well known companies such as Microsoft, Disney, Sony, Sega, Nintendo, Boeing and NASA.
March Seminars at [TC]²
Grading for Fit March 2-4
Proper grading ensures good fit of a manufactured garment. Learn basic principles of fit and grading. Hands-on projects include deriving grade rules and manual grading of three basic garments.
Lean Strategies for Product Development March 12
Learn basic lean principles, terminology and concepts.
Introduction to Apparel Manufacturing March 23-27
[TC]²’s signature course provides a great overview of the manufacturing process, its techniques, its systems, and its business strategies.
Seminars will be held at [TC]²’s facility at 5651 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC.
A complete description of these programs and others can be viewed at http://www.tc2.com/what/seminars.html
For additional information or to register, contact Debra Gill at 919.653.3501, or via our contact form.
Connecting Through Creativity, Technology and Business
Designers and Product Developers Meet the Challenge
August 12th and 13th, 2009
Philadelphia University, Philadelphia PA
Co-Produced by
[TC]², AATCC, and Philadelphia University
[TC]², AATCC and Philadelphia University announce ‘Connecting Through Creativity, Technology and Business’, a symposium for professionals in the design and product development field that will bring together a diverse range of speakers and participants from the textile, apparel, home furnishings and related soft goods industries. This event will take place August 12th and 13th, 2009 on the campus of Philadelphia University and speakers will address topics and issues related to:
• Sustainability |
Call for Papers:
Symposium organizers invite abstracts for presentations that address the topics listed. Abstracts and related questions can be submitted via email to Kerry King at kmaguir@tc2.com. The deadline for abstract submission is February 6th, 2009. Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified by March 6th and asked to submit a paper in support of their presentation by June 19th. The papers will be distributed to attendees in electronic form. The papers will also be reviewed for potential publication in the AATCC Review and [TC]²’s on-line publication, techexchange.com.
Nanotechnology in the Textile Industry
By Kim Anderson, [TC]²
Nanotechnology is defined as the precise manipulation of individual atoms and molecules to create layered structures. Nanosize particles can exhibit unexpected properties— different from those of the bulk material. The basic premise is that properties can dramatically change when a substance’s size is reduced to the nanometer range. For example, ceramics which are normally brittle can be deformable when their size is reduced. In bulk form, gold is inert, however, once broken down into small clusters of atoms it becomes highly reactive. Incorporating nanomaterials into a textile can affect a host of properties, including shrinkage, strength, electrical conductivity and flammability.
To read the entire article, go to http://www.techexchange.com/thelibrary/nanotechnology.html.
Sustainable Consumption: The Consumers' Perspective
By Kim Anderson, [TC]²
Since the 1970’s the public’s concern for the environment has fluctuated. In the last five years it has once again gained momentum. However, this time the focus is somewhat different. One of the themes to emerge is sustainable consumption. But what is sustainable consumption and what do people think about this new concept?
The emphasis of sustainable consumption is on the demand side as opposed to the supply side of the supply chain. Sustainable consumption addresses the way in which the goods and services that are required to meet peoples’ needs are delivered. Goods and services should be delivered in ways that will reduce the burden on the Earth's carrying capacity.
Examples of goods and services are food, health, shelter, clothing, leisure time and transportation. Sustainable consumption also considers social, economic, and environmental concerns related to consumption.
Sustainable consumption implies continual improvement in the consumption behavior of current generations as well as future generations. The concept requires that consumption be optimized by maintaining superior service, quality of resources and the environment over time.
In an apparel context, sustainable consumption has focused on a few key strategies:
• Buying second hand clothing and recycling
• Choosing more durable and higher quality clothing
• Purchasing timeless styles
• Repairing as opposed to disposing of clothing
Although clothing is one of the biggest retail sectors, there has been little research that has investigated how consumers feel about sustainable consumption in regard to fashion and clothing. Most studies on sustainable consumption in the retail sector have focused on grocery shopping. Research has revealed that consumers are unclear about what sustainable fashion consumption is, and what is considered to be sustainable clothing.
In order for sustainable consumption to be successful in the apparel industry, it is paramount that consumers understand the concept. A recent survey detailed in an article titled "Fashion clothing—where does it all end up?", revealed some interesting insight into consumers’ feelings toward disposal and recycling of apparel.
In general, consumers do not have a good idea of how long they keep clothing. Most keep clothing for as long as it is wearable. The main reason they stopped wearing an article of clothing was because of poor quality, new fashion trends or because clothes were bought for “one event.”
The majority of consumers said that they kept high quality clothing even if they no longer wore it. If they did dispose of higher quality clothing they donated it to a charity. Cheaper clothing that quickly wore out due to wear and tear was most often simply thrown away.
Most of the consumers surveyed were unaware that there was a need to recycle clothes. There was a general lack of knowledge of how and where clothing could be disposed of, how it was made, and the environmental consequences of synthetic fibers and intensive cotton production.
It was surmised that the lack of knowledge was due to poor media coverage. The participants of the survey believed that if the environmental impact of clothing manufacturing and disposal was better understood, they would likely modify their clothing consumption and disposal behavior.
In the article titled "Sustainable Fashion: How big is the fashion carbon footprint?", Nandita Abraham states that “The fashion industry is considered to be one of the most damaging industries—judged on par with the infamous chemical industry.” The success of sustainable consumption in the apparel industry will be dependent upon the participation of retailers and consumers. Both parties must be committed to contributing to environmental quality through the efficient production and use of natural resources, the minimization of waste, and the optimization of products and services.
References
Annu Markkula. Sustainable Consumption – Sustainable Ways of Consuming Fashion, Proceedings of the Nordic Consumer Policy Research Conference 2007. http://www.consumer2007.info/wp-content/uploads/design8-%20Markkula.pdf
G. Birtwistle and C.M. Moore. Fashion clothing—where does it all end up? International Journal of Retail &Distribution Management. Vol. 35, N0. 3, 2007.
Instruments for Change: Definitions and Concepts. http://www.iisd.org/susprod/principles.htm
Nandita, Abraham. Sustainable Fashion: How big is the fashion carbon footprint? http://www.pearlacademy.com/media/news/08/77.pdf
[TC]² Activity
INTERMODA January 2009
By Arturo Rodriguez, [TC]² Latin America Manager
During the past 25 years, IM (Intermoda) has been held in an uninterrupted manner in Mexico’s premier fashion city, Guadalajara. This past January 20-23, [TC]² was present at the event’s 50th edition, Spring/Summer 2009. The exhibition center (Expo Guadalajara) dressed up for Intermoda by inaugurating its new wing, bringing the total exhibition area to some 50,000 square meters (some 500,000 square feet) which is completely world class.
In the words of Jaime Barba, Intermoda’s new president, “even in these troubled times IM continues to support the fashion industry by continuing to produce this significant business platform, today recognized as one of the most important in Latin America.” Barba concluded that teamwork has guided them through the years of the 100% Mexican IM organization, and will continue to be the focal point in the future.
At the 50th IM show, I was a witness to the globalization of our fashion industry. Products and services from the USA, China, South Korea, Panama, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Peru, the Bahamas, and Poland were present. Mexican services and products were also strong – comprising 70% of the exhibitors.
I contributed to IM’s show magazine with an article titled “Green is in Fashion,” a summary of a presentation done in July of 2008. In it, I compared a typical textile/apparel supply chain to “green” standards. At the end, I stressed the new triple bottom line – people, planet and profit.
At the January 2009 show, [TC]² was present with a small booth in the Services area and also conducted a two hour seminar on the 22nd entitled “How GREEN is YOUR Wardrobe?”
The presentation included an introduction into what the color green indicates and how it is perceived. It initiated queries to the audience on their apparel purchasing decisions and if they were green or not. Questions such as: Do you have clothing made from bamboo fiber? Have you thought of substituting dry cleaning your wool garments with using Burlington’s Easy Wool and washing at them at home with water? Polemic as it might be, fashion is an intrinsic part of the apparel supply chain and yet it can be Green. The program drew attention to what we as consumers can do to reduce the carbon footprint that we are leaving on our planet. At the conclusion, a list of ten Green buying tips were given that suggested items such as making a list of what purchases are planned before the shopping trip or Buy Local.
Member Profile
American Apparel and Footwear Association
By Karen Davis, [TC]²
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global marketplace.
AAFA, based in Arlington, VA, was formed in August 2000 through the merger of two highly regarded trade associations: the American Apparel and Manufacturers Association and Footwear Industries of America. The AAMA was founded in 1960 as the national association representing U.S. apparel manufacturers. FIA's roots reach back to 1869 serving as the only national association for footwear manufacturers, importers and distributors, and suppliers to the leather and allied trades.
AAFA's mission is to promote and enhance its members' competitiveness, productivity and profitability in the global market by minimizing regulatory, legal, commercial, political and trade restraints. It speaks on behalf of its constituents before Congress and a variety of federal and state agencies on issues ranging from trade policy to safety regulations. The association has an influential voice on Capitol Hill and around the world, and represents approximately 80% of wholesale apparel sales of U.S. companies.
Some 15 committees and councils with member representation focus on a number of areas including government, trade, and regulatory issues, including social responsibility, environmental and product safety; management issues, such as financial management and human resources; the Footwear Division and Intimate Apparel Council; and technology areas for supply chain, information systems, and product innovation.
AAFA is an official sponsor or endorser of a number of educational programs and trade shows including Material World in Miami and Los Angeles, the Prime Source Forum in Hong Kong, and [TC]²’s recent Fast Fashion Event in New York City. Its signature event, the AAFA Annual Executive Summit, will be held March 11-13, in Bonita Springs, Florida, where top industry executives will gather for a high-level program and business networking. For more information, or to register to attend, go to http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/annualsummit.html.
Important Dates
March
2-4 |
Grading for Fit, seminar at [TC]² . For details, click here. |
11-13 |
AAFA Executive Summit - Hyatt Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, FL. For details, visit www.apparelandfootwear.org. |
12 |
Lean Strategies for Product Development, seminar at [TC]² . For details, click here. |
23-27 |
Introduction to Apparel Manufacturing, seminar at [TC]² . For details, click here. |
24 |
Apparel Tech West Conference, Fashion Design and Merchandising, Irvine, CA. For information or to register, go to www.apparelmag.com. |
For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com
Thanks to the techexchange site sponsors
Apparel Magazine, Gerber Technology, Lawson, Lectra, Methods Workshop and Reach Technologies.
A Look Ahead in the Newsletter
Colombiatex
View previous editions of this newsletter
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