In our last article, we explored how the use of digital tools can streamline the entire process from design and planning to production. However, many of you might still find it challenging to shift away from the traditional workflow within your company. In this third installment of our six-part series on accelerating digital transformation within the fashion industry, we show you steps for successfully implementing virtual samples, along with some real-world success stories.
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The content of this article is based on the webinar series hosted by Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. on the same topic. You can register to view all six webinar recordings and download related materials from the following site.
Fashion Tech Webinar Series Archive Released!
The Fashion Tech Webinar introduces solutions to promote digitalization in the fashion industry in a six-part series.
View the site
Related Link
To create virtual samples during the design planning phase, we recommend the SDS®-ONE APEX series design software. But how can you smartly incorporate virtual sampling into your company’s workflow to reduce sampling costs and shorten lead times? Let’s take a closer look at the project setup process, using a fashion company with multiple designers and pattern makers as our example.
For those who want a quick overview of this article, feel free to download it using the following link.
Virtual Samples: The Savior of the Apparel and Fashion Industry?
Today, let's dive into the game-changing world of "virtual samples," which is key to making our industry more sustainable by cutting down on sampling time and costs.
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The Three Phases of Digital Transformation
The SDS®-ONE APEX series is particularly strong in knitwear design, so if you’re working on 3D virtual sampling for knits, including both pattern makers and designers in your specialized team is highly recommended. If your company doesn’t have a knitwear pattern maker, it’s helpful to involve pattern makers from other fields, such as woven products. Those with experience using other software or who have studied pattern making in school are also valuable assets. Having members with knitting programming knowledge can further strengthen your team dynamics.
Seamless Linkage with Production for More Efficient Sampling!
Virtual Samples: the Savior of the Apparel and Fashion Industry, is key to cutting down on sampling time and costs in clothing manufacturing and avoiding creating wasted resources. In the second session of our 6-part series on solution for promoting the digitalization of fashion industry, we will focus on the process of creating specifications to help product planners communicate designs to producers.
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Once the project team has established the workflow, the next step is to educate the rest of the employees who are not part of the specialized team. This in-house training goes beyond simply teaching how to create virtual samples; it’s also about unifying the company’s direction and goals.
Before diving into the design software, it's crucial to ensure that everyone in the company understands the benefits of using virtual samples and the internal policies related to their operation. This shared understanding will help the project move forward smoothly and is a key factor in its success.
Once everyone is on the same page regarding virtual samples, the next step is to train the designers and pattern makers on how to use the software. The SDS®-ONE APEX series is supported by Shima Seiki’s e-learning system, “SHIMANAVI®,” which is an excellent resource for mastering the software. We’ll delve into the details of this later.
Additionally, the specialized team formed in Phase 1 will act as super users, supporting other employees as they learn, which will elevate the overall skill level within the company.
Now, it’s time to fully implement the system across the company. Even after operations have begun, there may be instances where staff encounter difficulties with the software, so the project team's super users will continue to provide support and guidance.
To efficiently implement virtual sampling across the entire company, we recommend utilizing “digital assets.” For example, creating a shared library of yarns and patterns used in simulations can enhance the efficiency of each team member’s work. Super users can lead the development of these digital assets, which also fosters stronger teamwork.
These digital assets can also be shared with external partners who use the SDS®-ONE APEX series, enabling smooth digital expansion both within and outside the company.
The document below provides a concise summary of the steps we've discussed for incorporating virtual samples into your workflow and accelerating digital transformation within your company. Feel free to download it and put it to good use!
So far, we’ve covered how to launch a project to incorporate virtual sampling into your company’s workflow. Now, let’s take a look at a success story where the project not only got off the ground smoothly but also delivered significant results—Cobalt Fashion.
Cobalt Fashion is a company under the L&F Group, one of the largest textile trading companies in Asia, based in Hong Kong. Specializing in knitwear, they handle everything from developing knit products to managing mass production at partner factories, primarily serving clients in Europe and the Americas. At Cobalt Fashion, they established a lab specifically for virtual sampling and formed a dedicated digital team to drive this initiative.
While we’ve highlighted Cobalt Fashion as an example, many other companies are also advancing their projects to create virtual samples using the SDS®-ONE APEX series.
Now, let’s take a closer look at SHIMANAVI®, the e-learning service that’s incredibly helpful for super users and on-site staff to master their operations.
SHIMANAVI® is an e-learning system designed for the SDS®-ONE APEX series by Shima Seiki. It offers a variety of courses tailored to different industries, allowing users to learn at their own pace. Here’s a list of the available courses.
| Flat Knit Design | 3D Knit Design | 3D Pattern Making |
| Circular Knit Design | Weave Design | Towel Design |
| Print Design | 3D Socks Design |
You can pick the courses that suit your design software needs and learn through video lectures with voice explanations from instructors. If you’re starting with 3D virtual sampling, it’s a good idea to take the Flat Knit Design, 3D Knit Design, and 3D Pattern Making courses.
Learn the basics of knit design, such as creating patterns like jacquard and structure designs.
Master the creation of basic patterns like set-in sleeves and raglan sleeves, along with fitting techniques, and learn how to add structure patterns to your designs.
Build on the basic patterns learned in the 3D Knit Design course by adding details like frills and pockets to create various styles.
Additionally, we also recommend utilizing yarnbank® as a digital asset.
yarnbank® is a web service that connects users with yarn suppliers, featuring a vast collection of yarn information from classic to the latest trends worldwide. Most of the yarns listed on yarnbank® are available as downloadable data for virtual sampling, and the best part is that they’re free! By using real yarns in your product planning, communication with the production side becomes much smoother.
If you find a yarn you like, you can also inquire with the yarn manufacturer through the website and purchase the yarn, making it an increasingly versatile tool for your projects.
We’ve walked through the know-how of incorporating virtual sampling into your company’s workflow, complete with real-world examples. Now, for those seriously considering implementing this in your workplace, we’re offering a summary document of this article, which can also be useful for explaining the concept internally. Feel free to download it below and use it to kickstart your digitalization project for virtual sampling.
Starting something new within your company requires a lot of time and effort. It’s understandable if you find it difficult to take that first step. However in the long run, there’s no doubt that digitalization will improve both efficiency and productivity. It can also enhance your design proposal capabilities.
Moreover, the process of building a new workflow offers the opportunity to visually confirm your existing operations. This allows you to identify and eliminate unnecessary tasks, or to integrate workflows, thereby increasing cost awareness. This could be beneficial not only for staff but also for managers.
As your company develops in-house experts who become super users, and as in-house training improves teamwork, overall company morale will also rise. Cutting-edge tools and the courage to constantly challenge new things may be what the fashion and apparel industry needs today.
Finally, we would like to briefly introduce the SDS®-ONE APEX series. Developed by Shima Seiki, a manufacturer of flat knitting machines, the SDS®-ONE APEX series is a design system equipped with software specialized in creating and simulating textile designs, patterns, and colorways for flat knitting, weaving, printing, circular knitting, towels, embroidery, and more. It is widely used not only in the fashion industry but also across various sectors.
If you’re curious about how to create virtual samples, which we’ve mentioned several times in this article, be sure to check out the following link.
Key Features for 3D Virtual Sampling of Knitwear!
Virtual Samples: the Savior of the Apparel and Fashion Industry, is key to cutting down on sampling time and costs in clothing manufacturing and avoiding creating wasted resources. In the first session of our 6-part series on solution for promoting the digitalization of fashion industry, we will introduce the process of planning knitwear using virtual samples.
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Introducing the APEXFiz® software subscription service from the SDS®-ONE APEX series. Just like the SDS®-ONE APEX series design system, it allows you to perform everything from planning and design to colorway evaluation, realistic fabric simulation, and 3D virtual sampling of products. It digitally connects planning and design with manufacturing, shortening lead times and enabling environmentally friendly production.
When planning fashion and apparel products, what software do you use? From CLO3D, Browzwear and Optitex to the familiar Adobe suite, there are certainly many options out there. This time, we introduce APEXFiz®, a design software that is extremely useful for everything from planning and production to e-commerce.
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Interested in learning more about APEXFiz® design software? Shima Seiki, the developer and distributor offers a newsletter subscription with information on products, services and exhibition updates. You can subscribe to their newsletter here.
At wearware, we are introducing solutions to promote digitalization in the fashion industry in a six-part series. Please look forward to the upcoming articles!
Overview of 6-Part Series
Fashion Tech Webinar Series Archive Released!
The Fashion Tech Webinar introduces solutions to promote digitalization in the fashion industry in a six-part series.
View the site
Related Link
Summary material for Session 3 is available from the following link.