California Apparel News

New York–based Alvanon Inc. introduced a new series of technical fit mannequins for the Mexico market at the recent at Expo Produccion in Mexico City.

The Mexico Standard AlvaForms were created based on Alvanon’s analysis of the “Size Mexico” body-scan campaign, which included thousands of body scans conducted over the course of a year by Mexican apparel-industry chamber CANAIVE with the assistance of Wal-Mart de Mexico, French software firm Lectra and CVS Group. The survey revealed the average weight, height and body measurements of Mexicans from 14 cities across the country.

Alvanon experts evaluated the population data—including the measurements, stature and posture—of the thousands of scanned participants. They used proprietary software that highlights key patterns and body-shape tendencies in the data. The process also includes integrating past standards and existing practices, no matter how divergent they might be, as well as their knowledge of human anatomy and patterns so the finished forms replicated the shape and posture of the human body. Once all of those elements were combined, Alvanon determined what the optimum body would be for developing a fit standard, enabling designers and manufacturers to create garments that best adhere to a region’s dominant body shapes. The AlvaForm Studio features two styles, a dress form and a torso form. Both are made with memory foam, wrapped in a stretch-cotton weave, and feature measurement lines.

The new mannequin forms are expected to save Mexico’s apparel industry $400 million by 2017 in reduced merchandise returns. Alvanonuses sizing and product-development strategies, body-scan research, and technological advancements to create fit solutions that ensure measurement among varied demographics. Maintaining accurate measurements helps increase efficiency and streamline product development.

The Mexican fit model is not the first international product conceived. “Alvanon developed a U.K. standard set of fit forms for women in 2007, and the same year, we launched our EU Series of standard children’s forms,” said Edward A. Gribbin, Alvanon president. “We partnered with IFTH, the French apparel and textile federation, on the French standard for men and women in 2009, and we developed our own EU Series for men and women that year as well. In 2010, we launched our China standard series fit forms for men and women. In addition to our Mexico standards this year, we are launching a line of China infants’ and children’s standard forms and, in partnership with the Hohenstein Institute in Germany, we will unveil a line of men’s and women’s standards for Europe based on the recent Size Germany study.

Next year we are planning to develop standard series fit forms for India and Brazil,” Gribbin said. Gribbin joined the company in 2006, launching the AlvaInsight strategic consulting division. Prior to Alvanon, Gribbin served as president of Intellifit Corp., where he helped invent the Intellifit Body Scanner. “Adopting the Mexico Standard fit solution will provide consumers with better-fitting garments,” Gribbin said. “This will, in turn, help brands and retailers to improve conversion rates and sell-throughs while reducing returns and alterations.”