PARIS — March 3, 2015 – Lectra recently hosted its 7th Education Congress in Paris. The 2015 Lectra Education Congress brought together over 60 professors, department heads and directors from 33 international fashion schools and universities, around the theme of change and transformation in the fashion industry. The event was held on the banks of the Seine river at the French Fashion Institute (IFM) which is housed in Paris’ Cité de la Mode et du Design.

“This congress organized by Lectra and welcoming fashion schools and industry players helps highlight the importance of technology in fashion today. Our industry is both creative and traditional. Development techniques and information systems are constantly evolving and becoming increasingly sophisticated, thus allowing us to combine these aspects in an optimal way, while better managing the supply chain and the integral management of all processes,” said Dominique Jacomet, Dean of IFM.

The congress highlighted transformational shifts in the industry and the impact on both fashion companies and also on fashion education. Major industry trends were explored: globalization, the digital disruption, new consumer expectations and the continued rise of luxury. Stéphane Wargnier, Executive President of la Fédération Française de la Couture presented a study on the changes now occurring inside the industry, such as the emergence of new job roles and thus the need for new competencies. “Every brand uses collaboration as part of its strategy today,” he noted, “and thus companies need talent who know how to work in a collaborative, yet innovative, manner.”

“Students have changed a lot over the last 10 years. It’s our role as teachers to adapt to these changes and this new generation who no longer have same way of behaving vis-à-vis teachers and education in general. They are much more active in their learning; they challenge teachers’ knowledge, because with the internet, they feel that they can check everything the teacher says. Education and teaching has become more a concept of support and co-operative learning,” explained Chantal Fouqué, Director of French fashion institute La Fabrique.

The importance of industry in education, was underlined by Michael Ernst Professor of Textile Product Development at Germany’s University Niederrhein “At universities you can bring students to a certain level but they need to do internships or start working together with companies so it is not just a university thing or otherwise there is a gap.“

This observation was illustrated by the UK’s De Montfort University as their delegates joined French lingerie company Aubade to present their joint student competition using Lectra solutions. While representatives from French companies agnes b. and Paule Ka participated in discussions providing insight into the current challenges faced by their companies and gave schools the opportunity to hear what companies are looking for in today’s graduates.

“Lectra has done that great thing of bringing together industry and education. We can cross over and pollinate ideas and talk about the future and the past to aid and benefit education and our students,” concluded Sharon Blackford, Senior Lecturer at the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, UK. Fiona Dieffenbacher Director of the BFA Fashion Design program at Parsons, USA agreed, “It is an opportunity for us as international peers to come together and share with those who are may be grappling with similar issues.

From the presentations we saw how other curriculums are run and gained an overview of the issues facing the fashion design industry from the perspective of Paris.”

Posted March 10, 2015

Source: Lectra

LOS ANGELES — March 9, 2015 — The Spring/Summer 16 Edition of the Los Angeles International Textile Show (LA Textile) took place March 2-4, 2015 at the California Market Center (CMC) with an impressive roster of designers and companies in attendance.
 
“Many exhibitors were pleased with the quality of attendees this Show,” says Rebecca Aguilar, LA Textile Spokesperson. “Despite the local and national inclement weather affecting travel on Monday, exhibitors reported seeing an evident increase in notable designers and companies throughout the Show.”
 
The attendee turnout was studded by prominent company names representing almost every Market segment, including Lilly Pulitzer, Guess ?, Gap Inc, Perry Ellis, Spirit Activewear, Joes Jeans, Modcloth, Miss Me, Tobi, Walt Disney Company, Style Stalker, Wildfox, Jenni Kayne, Corey Lynn Calter, American Apparel, PacSun, BCBG Max Azria, Nasty Gal, Party Skirts, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Lovers and Friends, David Tutera, Trina Turk, Free People, Splendid/Ella Moss, Rory Beca, Planet Blue, Skechers, Toms, Obey Clothing, 7 for all Mankind, Billabong, Mark Zunino, J Brand, Vera Bradley, The Honest Company, American Rag & CIE, David Meister, Juicy Couture, Celebrity Pink Jeans, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Edenation, Spiritual Gangster, G-Star, Stussy, Heidi Merrick, Volkswagen, Brian Lichtenberg, Three Dots, Manhattan Beachwear,  Michael Stars, Kohl’s, Karen Kane, Havianas, Current/Elliott, The Reformation, Speedo, Warnaco, Black Halo, Rachel Pally, Little Giraffe, Robin Piccone, Levi Strauss, Honeydew Intimates, Jachs NY, Torrid, Trashy Lingerie, Obey, Iron & Resin, JC Penney, Monique Lhuillier, Fresh Jive, Hudson Jeans, and many more.
 
In addition to quality, exhibitors embraced the assortment of LA Textile’s diverse designer and buyer audience, including newcomer Vintage Indigo Textiles, whose vintage 100% natural dyed cotton range from Mali was an attendee favorite, enjoying a consistently busy booth on the Show floor as well as trending significantly among visitor activity on LA TEXTILE’s social media. “This Show was great,” says Carol Sissoko. “We saw many store owners, designers, and interior decorators.  It was an awesome Show.”
 
Another attendee favorite was the Trend Forum co-curated by LA Textile’s official trend partner Promostyl. The Paris-based trend forecasting company presented four trends for the Spring/Summer 16 season including Bliss, Flux, Antik, and Stuff.
 
“The SS16 Show was great, and a total success,” says Janna Stark of Promostyl. “We had amazing exhibitors and I was able to meet and talk with so many great attendees who are working on all kinds of different projects.  I am personally always inspired by the quality of the textiles and the innovative designs I see each season.  Promostyl was happy to see so many exhibitors taking note of the trends and I think that this also made the attendees quite happy.”
 
The Fall/Winter 16/17 Edition of the LA Textile Show will take place September 28-30, 2015 at the California Market Center.

Posted March 10, 2015

Source: LA Textile

ATLANTA — March 9, 2015 — FineLine Technologies Inc. introduces RFID “As You Like It,” an innovative new process that enables fashion brands and retailers to quickly and easily order attractive branded hangtags with integrated RFID capability.
 
With RFID “As You Like It,” apparel companies can leverage RFID while enhancing their carefully cultivated brand image. They can break free from unsightly secondary RFID stickers and tickets — while realizing efficiencies and cost reductions in their supply chains.
 
Key benefits of FineLine RFID “As You Like It” include:

• 48-hour turnaround times for production orders, anywhere in the world;
• one-week turnaround on integrated tag samples;
• no annual quantity or inventory commitments; and
• lower costs compared with the combined expense of traditional branded hangtags and secondary RFID tickets or stickers.

 
FineLine’s RFID “As You Like It” process meets demand for an attractive, efficient and cost-effective alternative to today’s typical RFID tagging products and processes. With RFID “As You Like It,” apparel brands and retailers gain the benefits of RFID without compromising their brand image, cost competitiveness or supply chain efficiency. FineLine integrated RFID hangtags have an RFID chip embedded inside a stylish branded hangtag, which contains all of the usual pricing and sizing information. The hangtags eliminate the need for separate RFID stickers or tickets, which can cost from $70 to $100 per 1,000 units. Integrated RFID tags also reduce the extra labor required to attach multiple tags or stickers. They also minimize the risk for mismatches between the secondary RFID ticket or sticker and the primary UPC tag.
 
“With our new RFID ‘As You Like It’ process, we make it easy for fashion brands and retailers to integrate RFID into labels their designers, merchandisers and customers will love, with flexible sampling, ordering requirements and delivery terms they and their entire supply chain can enjoy,” said George Hoffman, CEO, FineLine Technologies.
 
FineLine can produce integrated RFID hangtags to virtually any brand specifications, including diverse hangtag sizes, color graphics and variable text. After a customer’s brand art is set up in FineLine’s systems, FineLine can ship flexible order quantities, including short runs, within 48 hours anywhere in the world. This service level is critical for fashion businesses that otherwise face long sampling cycle times, design limitations, high minimum order quantities and typical delivery windows of three to four weeks.
 
Integrated RFID hangtags can be leveraged in vendor source tagging programs, which reduce cycle time and optimize lower labor costs associated with product ticketing. Or they can be attached in distribution centers or retail stores.

Posted March 10, 2015

Source: FineLine Technologies