Page 101 - Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

64 Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

Furthermore, such pioneering research offers confirmation of “the continuation of
world-class, dynamic and responsive research …” and contributes to national assess-
ments and ratings to ensure accountability of public funding, establish reputational
yardsticks, and support allocation of future funding (Research Excellence
Framework [REF], (2018) the United Kingdom—e.g., UCL’s contribution to
SizeUK).

3.3.3 Apparel industry: Size and shape

The main driving force for the majority of national surveys has been better body data
for the apparel industry. Initial interest in surveys on the part of industry was limited to
the use of one-dimensional data to update, augment, or create new body sizing sys-
tems. However, provision of new shape and size data is enabling a much wider range
of products for clothing design and development, and as tools for interrogating survey
shape data continue to develop (Ruto, 2009), these shape data help to structure the
basis for:
l new body shape and sizing systems
l understanding the impact of body shape through the ageing process
l identifying body shapes within a specified market
l confirming the body shape and the body size of physical fit models within selected shape and
size ranges
l accessing a 3-D avatar library relative to market requirements
l three-dimensional digital design
l automating block and style pattern generation
l morphological classifications and grading
l creation of physical fit mannequins relative to identified body shapes
l digital in-store and online fitting and purchase
The availability of these products and of market-specific applications created from
3-D anthropometric data (e.g., Sizemic Ltd) has the potential to meet some of the envi-
ronmental, social, and economic challenges discussed earlier and, in doing so, help to
streamline the fit of products across the supply chain, by:
enabling apparel designers and technologists to understand demand in specific shape and
l
size categories and encourage expansion of shape and size ranges to meet the needs of a
whole population;
improving garment fit and consistency of fit tests across shapes, sizes, and products, bringing
l
a positive impact to sustainable development and on customer loyalty and sales;
l allowing both physical and digital fitting to take place on all the same body shapes and sizes
within a target market that can increase the efficiency of the product development process
and establish a fit standard for all products across supply chains;
l reducing the number of iterations of samples with shorter lead times, with a positive impact
on sales and longevity of garment wear;
l achieving efficiencies in the product development cycle with consequent environmental and
cost benefits (fewer samples, fewer fit sessions, lower fit model costs, and a reduction in staff
time for processing and managing sample approval);