Global apparel fit expert Alvanon announced plans to launch a virtual fit form avatar based on its leading AlvaForm technical fit mannequins. The new Virtual AlvaForm will enable garment designers and fit technicians to create, develop, fit and share their designs on avatars that are an accurate match to their brand’s target consumer population.
Used in conjunction with popular 3D fashion design and prototype development systems, including Optitex and Browzwear, Alvalon president Ed Gribbin said the avatar technology is positioned to further increase the speed of the design to market process–a time saving solution particularly critical to fast fashion suppliers.
The technology is also expected to implement greater consistency in fit and sizing at each level of design. “Designers can plug the shapes into 3D systems and design, make patterns and drape in 3D until they have it right, saving multiple iterations of samples,” Gribbin explained.
According to Gribbin, the technology has been in beta testing with “huge companies” for a couple of years with approximately 14 active users. The Virtual AlvaForm will be available to all beginning Sept. 1, 2014.
“If you look at how far we’ve come, from starting with physical people to mannequins to today as we move toward a virtual world, with each of those innovations we have not only increased accuracy and execution, but have also cut down on time and cost,” Gribbin said. “That is incredibly important in this industry as apparel is being produced and sourced across the world.”