The apparel industry is one of the largest industries in the world, with revenue reaching US$3 trillion in 2018. In the past 20 years, new technologies have changed the apparel industry in a subtle and subtle way.
We are currently living in a digital era. Social media is changing people’s consumption methods and preferences. As soon as new products are launched on the runway, consumers are eager to have the latest trends immediately; the younger generation wants to stand out and pursue individuality. , more inclined to tailor-made products, mass-produced clothing is losing competitiveness; in such an era, only players that follow the pace of small orders and quick responses and are more sensitive to market demand may be the final winner.
From technology development to commercialization exploration to application in specific industries, this development process is definitely not accomplished overnight. However, in 2019, we are excited to see that many technologies are being applied to clothing design , manufacturing and production to marketing and wear, etc.-artificial intelligence AI, 3D printing, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT)…
Let’s review the 7 major technologies in the clothing industry and their achievements in 2019 The commercialization results of Use AI to enhance your customers’ shopping experience, analyze data, boost sales, predict trends, provide inventory-related guidance, and more.
For example, chatbots and touch screens are used in many stores to improve customer experience and customize customer recommendations. The technology algorithm behind it tracks customer behavior and matches customers with the right products.
The application of artificial intelligence technology in inventory management and consumer trend prediction has broader development space. For example, real-time inventory tracking has become key for brands as it saves time and contributes to efficient warehouse management and operations.
When inventory tracking is combined with AI’s powerful trend-forecasting data tools, brands could have a significant competitive advantage. Traditional consumer trend predictions are based on observations and data collection by fashion designers, fashion magazines or fashion people. With the help of artificial intelligence algorithms, brands can quickly obtain data and quickly plan the styles and quantities corresponding to consumer needs. .
For example, Stitch Fix has launched an automated wardrobe planning tool that analyzes and records the purchases of female customers and imports this data into a virtual wardrobe. Using the platform, female consumers can create looks in their own virtual wardrobe, choosing from more than 10,000 stores.
TRUEFIT uses an online matching engine to help users find products that match brands and new styles on the market.
(TRUEFIT’s online fitting, Help users find brands and styles that suit them in the market)
STYLUMIA uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to extract text descriptions from pictures, user behavior data, social media and other sources. Extract information to help fashion professionals around the world make informed decisions about the direction of their brands.
HOOK, by tracking trends in real time, specific keywords entered by customers, user navigation patterns, price ranges, etc., HOOK’s artificial intelligence search discovery platform can also track products that exactly match or are closest to your product. matches, which can provide valuable insights into competitive advantage.
2. Internet of Things (IoT)
In recent years, smart clothing, wearable devices, multi-functional designs and responsive sportswear have gained greater attention. big development. As our “real” lives increasingly blend with our imaginary lives, many designers have been experimenting and pushing the limits of wearability. According to a retail forward-looking study, 70% of retail decision-makers around the world are ready to adopt the Internet of Things to improve consumer experience.
Take NADIX as an example. It is a kind of yoga pants with built-in sensors. When consumers wear it and do yoga movements, it can vibrate to correct their posture. Some of the most exciting innovations are related to health. For example, Hexoskin can track a person’s heart rate and body temperature. They also make socks that count steps, calories and other data.
Fuseprojects’ exercise suits help seniors with muscular dystrophy walk, stand and remain active for extended periods of time. All this data will help doctors and medical institutions help these patients.
LOOMIA, a San Francisco-based textile company, applies IoT technology to clothing production, creating soft, flexible circuits that can be embedded into textiles for heating, lighting, sensing or data tracking application.
(The Internet of Things technology on LOOMIA clothing can generate heat and light when it comes into contact with the sensor)
3. Data analysis technology
Thanks to the Internet and new software tools on the market, clothing brands and clothing factory manufacturers can save money, reduce waste, and be able to Deliver products quickly within the specified time.
For example: like IQMS��Enterprise resource planning management software (ERP) is used to monitor and collect production data in real time during the production process. There are other types of software worth paying attention to, especially the rise of cloud computing, which is opening up new ways to work together, allowing factories and different companies to work together around the world, resulting in a faster and more effective communication. Way.
For example: Techpacker in the United States, which optimizes the communication process between brands and production plants, making the entire process simpler and more automated. Its cloud-based application allows everyone in the design team and factory to understand changes in the product production process in real time. This completely changes the traditional communication method of constantly sending emails manually, making it possible to create and produce products 70% faster than traditional methods.
4. Mobile e-commerce
Mobile phones have an increasing impact on our lives, and mobile e-commerce has become one of the fastest growing areas of e-commerce. one. 90% of consumers in our country use smartphones to shop, and the world mobile e-commerce market is worth approximately US$672 billion.
With the introduction of smartphone digital wallet payment methods and the continuous innovation of technologies such as fingerprint and facial recognition, online shopping is becoming increasingly easier. According to BigCommerce, two-thirds of Millennials prefer to shop online rather than in traditional offline malls.
Based on the growth of e-commerce, by integrating social media into it, such as the currently popular Internet celebrity live broadcasts and brand promotions, brands can appear in customers’ favorite channels through fully integrated digital commerce products. This gives them greater visibility and gives them more sales opportunities.
5. Virtual reality and augmented reality technology
Virtual reality VR technology is widely used in the physical clothing retail industry. Customers can virtually try on garments with high precision thanks to custom measurement capabilities using augmented reality technology. In addition, the online shopping experience allows customers to see the products on themselves before purchasing, allowing customers to use their imagination to create their own style, thereby increasing customer engagement and retaining customers. Coupled with sharing to social media, the process of virtual fitting is even more attractive.
The following are some companies that apply AR and VR:
Obsesse is an AR technology platform. Through their 3D business cloud, brands and retailers can create content on their websites, Create a 360-degree virtual shopping experience platform on APP and social channels.
AVAMETRIC enables brands to present real clothing in 3D and customize clothing on digital human models for the web, mobile and AR.
(AVAMETRIC’s AR 3D fitting technology)
VIRTUSIZE, Enables online fashion retailers to virtually illustrate sizing, allowing every consumer to find products that fit and are accurately sized.
(VIRTUSIZE provides consumers with visual measurement clothing services without leaving home)
6. 3D printing technology
Since the advent of 3D printers, many brands have been studying the possibility of applying 3D printing for on-demand production, and A new way to achieve the coexistence of customization, sustainability, and creativity.
Designer Julia Daviy unveiled the first batch of garments entirely made of 3D printed materials at New York Fashion Week in September 2018. Although the manufacturing process took more than 300 hours, the garment materials were less wasted and far less labor-intensive than traditional garment production. In fact, printed-on-demand garments can reduce fabric waste by approximately 35%. 3D printing can reduce waste, improve factory conditions, and provide a solution for a sustainable society.
Digital knitting has also made progress in 3D printing and provides the possibility for the popularity of customization. Equipment like Shima Seiki’s, for example, can turn yarn material into complete, seamless garments in less than an hour. Clothing brand Ze-Kitis creates digitally knitted streetwear. Unlike traditional clothing production, Ze-Kitis clothing is made of yarn, which reduces waste and is more environmentally friendly.
(Shima Seiki’s 3D knitting printing equipment)
（ Traditional clothing production process)
(Ze-Kitis knitted 3D printing production process)
7. Blockchain technology (Blockchain)
Blockchain is an important tool to achieve supply chain transparency, traceability and improve efficiency. All participants in the entire industry chain can trace their origins on the blockchain and exchange data safely and directly.
(Application of blockchain in the shoe and apparel industry)
Every time a product is in the supply chain All transactions will be recorded in the blockchain. This prevents counterfeiting, as items missing the physical digital link will be obviously fake. At the same time, any attempts to move goods can be tracked. This can determine whether the final retailer owns the entire product, whether counterfeit products have been mixed in, and whether genuine products have been transferred out.
(Blockchain technology queries the parts on the clothing, traces the source, and prevents counterfeiting)
113101433381008.png”>
(Application of blockchain in the shoe and apparel industry)
Every time a product flows in the supply chain , will be recorded in the blockchain. This can prevent counterfeiting, because goods that have lost their physical digital link will be obviously fake. At the same time, any attempt to transfer the goods can be traced. This can determine whether the last retail party owns The entire product, whether there are counterfeit products mixed in and whether genuine products have been transferred out.
(Blockchain technology queries the parts on the clothing and traces the source, Prevent counterfeiting)</p
