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Friday, March 29, 2024

The ‘Perfect Fit’

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A prototype sizing system fit for the Filipino physique has been developed.  

The ‘Perfect Fit’
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising Program chairperson Christine Benet, Benilde’s School of Design and Arts Environment Cluster associate dean Architect Ma. Cynthia Funk, and Department of Science and Technology Philippine Textile Research Institute director Celia Elumba with the 3D Body Scanning System. 

The Department of Science and Technology Philippine Textile Research Institute partnered with the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the project, dubbed Perfect Fit, which is geared towards producing a Philippine standard sizing system with the help of an innovative 3D Body Scanning System. 

The projects included the availability of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, design visualization, and the establishment of an integrated textile product development processes through the grant-in-aide project.

“This will lead to a generation of accurate measurements and the ability to optimize pattern layout [that will] result in a more efficient textile product development, material utilization, and human resources input,” said DOST international cooperation assistant secretary Dr. Leah Buendia. 

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Buendia added “Interestingly, it will not only promote mass customization in the garment industry, but will also find application from industrial design for manufacturing of ergonomic goods and health and nutrition for nationwide monitoring of body size and shape.”

“The possibilities are endless.”

DLS-CSB FDM chairperson Christine Benet talked about two kinds of product development: customized and ready-to-wear (RTW). The first includes designer pieces, which are easier to control because of individualized measurements. 

“However, there is still a challenge in terms of tools. In the Philippines, We have limited mannequins and dress forms. We rely on products made in China,” she stated. “Our RTWs, on the other hand, basically follow the standard sizing of international brands and it does not always fit the Filipino size. In fact, there are questions being raised now, such as: How come we don’t have our own sizing system?”

The 3D Body Scanning System, developed by the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Textile Research Institute and Benilde’s Fashion Design and Merchandising Program, is a prototype sizing system fit for the Filipino physique. 

Benet shared that in DLS-CSB, students are educated to manually take and create measurements and patterns, and at the same time, discover the ropes of the process through a CAD, which is what multinational companies use. 

“However, although our students are trained, the local scene is not yet ready for such innovation,” spilled Benet. “This existing cooperation with DOST PTRI allows us to create awareness with the industry and the public that it is possible to do everything in a certain way wherein we are blending sustainability and technology.”

DOST PTRI director Celia Elumba stressed out that this initiative is just one of their many projects in redeeming the local textile industry. “We are not just researching to put this into paper and to the shelves for publication. It is something that is meant to address a particular need in the society,” she stated. 

“We have over 100 million Filipinos and we are not even dressing 10 percent of our own people; we are missing out on that industrial capability to move the economy,” added Elumba.

“We would like to see how technology can help provide access to product development and visual prototyping for design innovation while reducing time, wastage, energy, and error,” said Elumba who also noted that currently, the Philippines is the only nation in Asean that has the particular system which has a higher accuracy and capacity as compared to what other countries use. 

Currently housed at DOST’s Textile Product Development Center, the first 3D Body Scanning System will have its much-anticipated public view at the “Sinulid: Epilogue,” the third and last installment of DLS-CSB FDM’s culminating exhibit, on Oct. 8-10 at the SM Mega Fashion Hall.

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