Book Description

The fashion industry continues to contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. It is one of the biggest polluters, one of the most wasteful of all global industries and is under increasing pressure to address unsustainable practice. Emerging out of the pandemic era the fashion industry is also responding to a variety of complex industry challenges such as high return rates, customer demand for better fitting apparel, faster fashion, the drive towards personalisation and greater transparency and sustainability across the value chain. These factors along with increasing labour costs are furthermore exerting force on the industry to embrace nearshoring and reshoring. Based on extensive primary research involving oral histories methodology with leading industry professionals involved in the innovation of technological and digital solutions for the fashion industry, this book presents the latest advances in sewn product technology which offer solutions to many of the fashion industry’s current and emerging challenges whilst also informing how these developments are influencing fashion jobs of today and tomorrow. This book is therefore of value to fashion students, academics, researchers, and technicians as well as those working within the fashion industry involved in the design, development, manufacture, buying and retail of fashion apparel. Features: Provides a comprehensive insight into the latest advances in sewing machine technology including advanced automation and robotics used in the manufacture of fashion apparel. Provides a comprehensive insight into the latest industrial sewing threads and needles that can effectively support sustainable design practice. Exclusively covers advances in digital technologies to support sustainable practice including advances in 3D body scanning and digital measuring systems, recent advances in digital pattern making and pattern design systems, recent advances in 3D fashion design software and the latest advances in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems used within the fashion industry. Includes sections on advances in No-Sew Seam Bonding and ultrasonic welding technologies. Provides an insight into advancements in 3D cloth simulation and prototyping for apparel design and gaming. Enables readers to understand the impact of the latest advances in sewn product technology on the jobs of today and tomorrow. Case studies that provide working examples of advances in sewn product technology.