/
27 March 2024
Until recent years, designers relied on pencils for sketches, fabrics were stitched together either by hand or with manned machines, and brands predominantly sold their clothes in physical stores.
However, technology has not only transformed how industry insiders operate but also reshaped the relationship between consumers and fashion. Today, the market is more informed about the structures of the fashion industry than ever before, with consumer opinions significantly influencing a brand’s success. To keep pace with this rapidly evolving market, embracing technology has become paramount. Among the various segments of fashion, bodywear – including lingerie, swimwear, and activewear – has undergone a significant transformation thanks to advancements in technology. From 3D body scanning to AI design tools, technology has dramatically reshaped the bodywear sampling process, making it more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective. Join Bodywear Lab as we explore how technology is revolutionising the sampling process for lingerie, swimwear, and activewear production.
3D TECHNOLOGY
3D technology has emerged as a valuable tool for streamlining the sampling process in the fashion industry, particularly benefiting segments like lingerie, swimwear, and activewear. One of its standout advantages lies in virtual prototyping, enabling designers to meticulously craft virtual prototypes of garments. This allows for accurate visualisation of designs before committing to physical sampling, thus eliminating the need for multiple iterations and saving valuable time and resources. Moreover, the agility of 3D technology allows for swift iterations during the design process. Designers can make instant adjustments to 3D models, from changing colours to modifying design elements, and witness immediate results. This accelerated timeline significantly speeds up product development cycles, facilitating quicker decision-making and enhancing overall efficiency.
Explore how Bodywear Lab’s 3D services can greatly improve your sampling process!
Another significant benefit of 3D technology for both industry professionals and consumers is its ability to reduce material waste. Traditional sampling processes often involve producing numerous physical samples, leading to significant material wastage. However, with 3D technology, designers can experiment virtually without producing physical samples until the design is finalised, thereby minimising material wastage. Furthermore, many 3D platforms, such as London Contour Experts‘ partner Style3D, facilitate remote collaboration among designers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders. This seamless collaboration, regardless of geographic location, leads to faster decision-making and reduced delays associated with physical sample shipping and review. Additionally, this ability to collaborate globally fosters creativity among designers, providing a virtual platform for ideas to flourish and resulting in innovative product design.
A huge advantage of 3D technology for the intimate fashion sector is the soft body avatar. Soft body 3D avatars for product design offer benefits such as realistic fit representation, catering to diverse body types, enabling rapid prototyping, facilitating virtual fitting rooms, and improving overall customer satisfaction and market reach. Lingerie, swimwear, and activewear products come into close contact with the skin and must be able to adapt as we move our bodies. Soft body avatars are a relatively new subsection of 3D technology that helps designers better understand how components specific to intimate wear will affect the fit. While there are still improvements to be made, such as the technology gaining a better understanding of cups and wiring, the 3D industry is rapidly evolving with companies such as Style3D leading the charge.
BODY SCANNING
In 2024 and beyond, customisation and personalisation are key interests for consumers, areas where 3D technology can offer unparalleled advantages. In the realm of garment design and production, the integration of 3D body scanning technology has ushered in a new era of precision and efficiency. This cutting-edge capability not only revolutionises fit accuracy but also enhances the overall customer experience. At the heart of 3D body scanning lies its non-invasive nature, which eliminates the discomfort associated with traditional measuring methods. By utilising specialised equipment such as scanners or cameras, detailed measurements can be captured without any physical contact. This approach ensures a more comfortable experience for individuals while also providing designers with comprehensive data sets.
A key advantage of 3D body scanning is its unparalleled accuracy. Unlike traditional measuring techniques that are susceptible to human error, this technology delivers reliable results down to the millimetre. Such precision guarantees consistency in garment sizing and fit, thereby minimising the need for extensive adjustments during the sampling process. Moreover, 3D body scanning enables a new level of customisation and personalisation in contour creation. Designers and manufacturers can tailor garments to the unique body shapes and sizes of their clientele, resulting in made-to-measure clothing that fits flawlessly. This not only enhances comfort but also ensures greater satisfaction for the wearer, with great benefits to brands who work to a made-to-order basis for sustainability reasons.
The integration of 3D body scanning into the design process not only improves fit accuracy but also enhances efficiency and time savings. By streamlining measurement collection, designers can iterate designs more rapidly, accelerating the production timeline. This efficiency translates into cost savings and improved resource allocation for businesses.
Ultimately, the adoption of 3D body scanning technology leads to an elevated customer experience. By offering personalised, well-fitting garments that align with individual preferences and requirements, brands can cultivate greater customer satisfaction, loyalty, and a positive brand reputation. In essence, 3D body scanning heralds a paradigm shift in the fashion industry, where precision, efficiency, and customer-centricity converge to redefine the standards of garment design and production.
AI TECHNOLOGY
The integration of AI technologies further enhances the capabilities of 3D design in the fashion industry. Fabric scanners streamline the visualisation process, significantly reducing the time required for tasks such as creating prints or embroideries. Intelligent textiles AI facilitates swift alterations in colour and texture, whereas Neo Couture AI concentrates on manipulating materials, thereby elevating artisanal craftsmanship. Neo Couture AI is a trend within the fashion industry that focuses on the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into design, production, and retail. This emerging trend harnesses AI algorithms and data analytics to improve various facets of the fashion industry, encompassing trend prediction, design generation, supply chain management, personalised shopping experiences, and virtual try-on solutions.
The goal of Neo Couture AI is to transform the conception, production, and consumption of fashion, presenting fresh prospects for innovation and efficiency in the constantly evolving domain of fashion and retail. One real-life example of Neo Couture AI in fashion is the use of AI-powered virtual fitting rooms by brands such as Adidas. The sportswear giant has experimented with AI-powered virtual fitting rooms that allow customers to virtually try on shoes using their smartphones. These virtual fitting rooms utilise AI algorithms to provide customers with personalised recommendations and styling advice based on their body measurements, style preferences, and previous purchases.
AI inspection tools like Wise Eye help detect fabric defects during production, thereby reducing unnecessary waste. Another AI tool, Ailoupe AI, simplifies fabric composition analysis and organisation, benefiting brands, suppliers, and manufacturers alike. AI tools such as these offer innovative solutions for established brands, enabling them to reinvent their archives or collaborate with other brands seamlessly.
Here at Bodywear Lab, we have the capability to generate a digital twin, incorporating a lifelike 3D design infused with AI, alongside a physical sample. This ensemble serves as a powerful tool for brands and retailers, aiding in proof of concept or facilitating pre-order sales. These digital assets hold immense value and can be utilised for various parallel endeavours. For instance, Dress X, a notable company in the fashion industry, effectively employs such digital assets. They leverage digital twins to offer virtual try-on experiences for customers, allowing them to preview garments in a realistic digital environment before making a purchase. This demonstrates how these digital assets can enhance the customer shopping experience and drive sales for fashion brands. Partnering with tracking and traceability platforms such as Retraced or Made by demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, allowing stakeholders to showcase their efforts transparently.
AI tools analyse data to design consciously and efficiently, further contributing to sustainable practices within the fashion industry.
STYLE3D
Announced last month, Bodywear Lab’s parent company, London Contour Experts, and Style3D have joined forces, leveraging AI technology to transform design concepts into final e-commerce images on web shops. This innovative approach eliminates the necessity for traditional photography, opting instead for cost-effective 3D models with visuals that capture consumer attention.
One standout feature of this collaboration is its ability to champion diversity. Through meticulously crafted 3D bodies, inclusivity in terms of size, skin tone, age, and gender representation can be effectively showcased using a variety of 3D avatars. The lifelike appearance of these avatars is further enhanced by the advanced AI plugin tools offered by Style3D. The forward-thinking Bureau Model Agency has already embarked on a journey towards digitization by creating 3D digital versions of their models. This strategic move not only facilitates better-fit management but also streamlines the transition from design to 3D campaign. As digital representations of models continue to gain traction, they are poised to be licensed for campaign management purposes.
Want to create a 3D campaign that makes an impact? Head to Hysculpt to learn how their 3D services and 360 campaign services can help your brand make a splash!
Virtual prototyping emerges as a game-changer in terms of circularity and sustainability within the fashion industry. Brands now can conduct comprehensive consumer testing online before finalising products for market release. Furthermore, they can capitalise on the demand by offering pre-orders based on digitally enhanced designs, thus optimising production processes and minimising excess inventory. The current climate presents an ideal opportunity for the launch of 3D campaigns, particularly in driving pre-order sales across various channels. By harnessing the power of 3D renderings generated through this cutting-edge technology, brands can elevate their visual merchandising and marketing strategies. They gain the flexibility to showcase their products in diverse environments and on different body types, all without the logistical constraints and expenses associated with traditional photoshoots.
The partnership between London Contour Experts and Style3D marks a significant advancement in the realm of e-commerce imagery. With its emphasis on diversity, efficiency, and sustainability, this collaboration heralds a new era of innovation and effectiveness in online retail for our clients.
3D and AI technology are revolutionising the sampling process in contour fashion by offering efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced creativity, making it particularly advantageous for lingerie, swimwear, and activewear products where fit, customization, and rapid iteration are crucial. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, embracing these technological innovations will be essential for staying competitive and meeting the ever-changing demands of consumers. From enhancing comfort and performance to advancing sustainability, technology is paving the way for a brighter, more innovative future in bodywear design and production.
Melbray House,
Melbray Mews,
158 Hurlingham Road,
Fulham,
London
SW6 3NS
Brands of Tomorrow is a curated program, designed to support the growth of an exclusive group of creative entrepreneurs embarking on the journey to develop their businesses in the bodywear sector.
Interested? Find out more on our sister company,
London Contour Experts website.
Brands of Tomorrow is a curated program, designed to support the growth of an exclusive group of creative entrepreneurs embarking on the journey to develop their businesses in the bodywear sector.
Interested? Find out more on our sister company,
London Contour Experts website.