Lectra, a leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using fabrics, leather, technical textiles and composite materials, has welcomed partners from the world of education to the company’s Bordeaux-Cestas campus for its eighth education congress. The event was dedicated to the mega trends shaping the fashion industry and impacting professions from design to production.

Over fifty representatives from among the most important fashion schools in Germany, Canada, China, USA, France, Hong Kong, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Sweden, participated in this biannual meeting between industry experts and teaching professionals.

“Lectra’s eighth education congress confirms the company’s commitment to our partner schools. We shared our analysis of the market, the digitalisation of the eco-system, and how Industry 4.0 principles can be applied to the fashion industry. We also discussed mass customization and the role of PLM. While these are key subjects for our customers, many schools are only now approaching them,” commented Céline Choussy Bedouet, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Lectra.

Illustrating future changes

Fashion professions are evolving as companies make their first steps towards Industry 4.0, adopting 3D and rationalising the lifecycle management for their collections thanks to PLM. Lectra’s congress enabled schools to discuss the developing role of designers and patternmakers, and the new elements to be integrated into training programmes. Lectra illustrated future changes through presentations on design, patternmaking, 3D prototyping, and PLM.

“It is fundamental to bring innovation experts in the industry together with fashion schools, because students will drive the evolution of this industry,” said Pascal Denizart, Managing Director of the Centre européen des textiles innovants (CETI).

Collaborative experiences

During the event, the company presented collaborative experiences between partner schools and fashion brands, such as the competitions organised by Lectra with Missoni, Balenciaga, and Armani in Italy, as well as Peacebird in China and JC Penney in the US. In the UK, Lectra collaborated with COS (H&M group) and the Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) for a competition centred on the design of a collection with zero waste.

“The process was totally digital, from design to the creation of a virtual prototype in 3D. Our students learnt to optimize each stage of the process. By leveraging the use of Kaledo, Modaris and Diamino, the collaborative work between AUB, COS and Lectra is exactly the type of project that enormously motivates our students. Live briefs developed with leading fashion brands and Lectra offer excellent opportunities which directly inform industry currency and student employability,” explained Penny Norman, a lecturer at AUB.

Spotlight on China

The event also shone the spotlight on China and its major role in the evolution of the fashion industry. Li Min, Vice-Dean of the fashion and design faculty at the Donghua University in Shanghai spoke of the event, organised by Lectra, which brought together major Chinese companies, experts, and representatives from the biggest schools in China.

“Exchanges on the impact of the Made in China 2025 plan on the fashion industry can better prepare students for tomorrow’s professions, where digital and automation will occupy a far more central position than today,” testified Li Min.

“The fashion industry is evolving so fast that sharing insights and best practices with experts and other fashion schools has become vital to ensure we offer the best learning experience and technology tools to our students,” said Dr Trevor J. Little, Professor of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management in the College of Textiles at NC State University.

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