Index Brooks Brothers Just in Time: SizeMexico [TC]² Activity - Intern Program Completed Member Profile - GIDC Important Dates A Look Ahead

Brooks Brothers Expands Deployment of 3D Body Scanners for Digital Tailoring

According to Joe Dixon, VP Production and Technical Services of  Brooks Brothers, “After several years of test and evaluation, Brooks Brothers has determined that digital tailoring using 3D body scanning is right for the customer and the brand. We are proceeding with the installation of the current generation of [TC]²'s smaller footprint scanner (NX-12) in our recently remodeled Short Hills, New Jersey store as part of a broader deployment of 3D scanners in other locations. Brooks Brothers has been working behind the scenes for some time readying many stores with "scanner-ready changing rooms" which will enable us to move forward quickly."

Brooks Brothers is not new to 3D body scanning. The company’s first installation of a [TC]² body scanner was at their Madison Avenue store in New York City in 2001.

“We are excited with this continued endorsement of [TC]²’s technology. No one has more familiarity in using 3D digital technology for clothing fit at retail than Brooks Brothers. They are leveraging that knowledge base with the latest precision 3D body scanning technology to create the highest quality tailored clothing and a unique customer experience,” comments David Bruner, [TC]²’s Vice President of Technology Development.

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Just in Time: SizeMexico
By Kim Anderson and Beth Newcomb, [TC]²

With a distinctive flair for fashion and an expanding expendable income, the growing U.S. Hispanic population is a burgeoning opportunity for apparel companies. However, knowing the right color and style might not be enough to reel-in this unique consumer. To keep them coming back for more, the successful apparel manufacturer must also consider fit.

Is the U.S. Hispanic consumer the same shape and size as the ‘traditional’ U.S. consumer? If not, it may help to take a look at popular Hispanic brands…but is the U.S. Hispanic consumer the same shape and size as the Hispanic consumer not living in the U.S.?

[TC]² is conducting research that might help with this dilemma. Over 1000 scans collected from a survey conducted at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico are being compared and contrasted to the SizeUSA data. Researchers are evaluating the body size and shape of females in Mexico and comparing them to the U.S. Mexican population and the U.S. population.

Thus far results show that in the U.S. women are taller and the hour glass shape is more predominant than in Mexico. Also, young women in the U.S. have bigger bust, waist, hip, thigh and calf measurements than young Mexican woman.  However, with age the waist increases in Mexican women, surpassing U.S. women’s waist measurements. What could account for the waist increases…more children, diet? More data is needed to understand the unique fit needs of this emerging consumer.

There appears to be little difference in size and shape between the U.S. Mexican woman and the Mexican woman; however, more data is needed to confirm this finding.

Marketing data shows that Hispanic women spend more time and money shopping than Caucasian and African-American women. Marketing surveys also show that the Hispanic woman seeks the trendiest fashion and quality is paramount. With the meteoric rise in the presence of the Hispanic female in the U.S., it’s time to pursue this opportunity with a cautious vengeance. [TC]² hopes to expand on the preliminary research to help apparel manufacturers deliver fashion-forward apparel with just the right fit.

18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64

18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64

Body scans illustrating growth in waist measurement as Mexican women age (from Guadalajara data)

Example of Hourglass profile – front view

Reference:
Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor, Latina Flavor: Today’s Hispanic Woman Feasts On Fashion, March 10, 2005.

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[TC]² Activity
Intern Program Completed

Several field trips highlighted Week 7 of the 2006 [TC]² student internship.  Belks’ Crabtree Valley department store hosted the interns to discuss merchandising and buying methodologies.  While there, the interns worked on the store floor to develop two displays in the Junior Department.  A visit to the Industries for the Blind run by the Raleigh Lions Clinic showcased the work being done by 250 sewers with varying degrees of impairment.  Sewing guides enable the workers to manufacture products, mostly sewn for military contracts.  A worker there made a lasting impression on the interns with a statement, “You can do anything you set your mind to.”

On Wednesday, the interns visited Royal Park Uniforms in Prospect Hill, where school uniforms in virtually every plaid imaginable are made to fit every student, in units of one, if necessary.  A three-story distribution center holds row after row of completed uniforms, ready for the next school term.  Royal Park has also entered into a partnership with Reebok to manufacture team athletic uniforms, and has recently acquired a contract to make uniforms for the Iraqi police force.

The final week of the internship began with a two-day seminar on Lean Manufacturing Concepts, which included industry participants.  As a culmination of the learning process, three teams of interns presented a startup business plan for new product ideas to [TC]² staff and invited guests.  Presentation attendees were given “money” to invest in the businesses which they deemed to have the most potential for success.  One team designed a line of apparel for the Hispanic-American female 24-34 years old, another offered apparel solutions for women with disabilities, and the third chose furniture in fabric treatments to resist stains and odor.  The apparel line for disabled, Modafit, received the most investment capital.

[TC]² expresses its appreciation to Belks Stores, Cotton Incorporated, Milliken & Company, North Carolina State University, Raleigh Lions Clinic, Royal Park Uniforms, and VF Corporation for allowing the interns to visit their facilities.  Additionally, [TC]² acknowledges AATCC, Cognis Corporation, Datacolor, Estmark, Finotex, Gutermann, Jockey International, Karla Coletto, Lectra, and Victoria’s Secret for providing staff members to meet with the interns, to present on various topics, and to discuss career opportunities.  All of the support from the industry helped to enrich the experience for the interns, and broadened the scope of the program beyond the classroom exercises.

2006 Student Interns – Front Row: Lorraine Nichols, Cal Poly Pomona; Meg Lahti, Univ. of Wisconsin-Stout; Ashley Jackson, North Carolina State University; Melissa Essenpreis, Western Kentucky University. Back Row: Katy Minor, Univ. of Missouri-Columbia; Adrienne Waller, Baylor University; Bronica Richardson, Lindenwood University; Marluy Andrade, Florida State University; Zalina Withem, Eastern Michigan University; Jenny Lerczak, Michigan State University.

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Member Profile - GIDC

The Garment Industry Development Corporation (GIDC) was formed in 1984 by the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), industry associations, and the City of New York to strengthen New York City’s apparel production sector. Since that time, GIDC has evolved into a multi-tiered service organization providing marketing, buyer referrals, training and technical assistance to New York apparel manufacturers and workers.  Currently, industry employers, UNITE HERE!, the New York State Assembly, the NYC Department of Small Business Services and the New York City Council support GIDC’s endeavors.

Programs offering assistance to management and production personnel include:

• Matchmaking service linking brands, retailers and start-up designers with appropriate local factories

• Information and referrals regarding public and private incentive programs for local manufacturers

• Job referral and placement service

• On-site technical assistance with management and engineering issues; quality control improvements; and health, safety, and   ergonomic reviews

• Training for skills improvement, such as apparel production and product development courses that feature current software programs

[TC]² has worked with GIDC in the recent past to offer seminars on lean manufacturing concepts, and to assess manufacturers for conversion to modular sewing teams.  In response to the 9/11 attacks on New York City, a Made In New York campaign was launched to encourage manufacturers to produce, retailers to sell, and consumers to buy more clothing made in New York factories.

Sarah Crean, GIDC’s Executive Director, comments, “GIDC and the New York apparel industry’s challenge is two-fold. We have to rebuild the cache and prominence of the New York Label. And that label will only have a future if we can ensure that New York producers are ready to do business in the fashion industry of the 21st century. There is an exciting and promising industry here in New York that merits attention. This challenge guides our work every step of the way.”

Visit www.gidc.org for more details on the organization.

[TC]²’s David Bruner to Present at SGMA’s Sports + Technology Convergence

At the SGMA's upcoming Sports + Technology Convergence event in La Jolla, CA October 24-26th attendees can expect to learn the latest information about how technology will impact and provide new opportunities to create, distribute, sell and market sports and fitness products--and ultimately how technology can enhance active lifestyle participation.

The conference covers two days of over 20 sessions to choose from of interactive panels, roundtables and breakouts with thought leaders and experts from the technology industry. David Bruner will present on 3D Body Scanning in Fitness Venues for enhanced body tracking and custom performance apparel.

For more details on the Sports + Technology Convergence event, go to http://stc.sgma.com.

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Important Dates

August

September

For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com

Thanks to the techexchange site sponsors Apparel Magazine, Gerber Technology, Intentia, Lectra and Methods Workshop.

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A Look Ahead in the Newsletter


MAGIC Sourcing Show Review
Material World
SEAMS Fall Meeting

View previous editions of this newsletter

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