The process of mass customization gained popularity in the late 1990s. It was found that 36% of the customers were ready to pay 12 to 15% more for custom apparel. The manufacturers of jeans were the trendsetters in customization as they extended customization to apparel. Teenagers were their main targets. The jeans were custom-tailored and then delivered to the customers’ homes. Designer apparel is flaunted by those who can afford the high fashion labels and their accompanying price tags.
Custom Apparel
The reputed companies offer catalogs, which provide information about high-quality shirts, jackets, caps and other pieces of apparel. The customers can place a special order for the items not found in the catalog. Custom embroidered apparel is also used to promote group identities in companies and organizations. Some companies also attempt to sell customized apparel through the websites of their customers. The digital tailoring system for customized jackets, trousers and shirts was introduced in November 2001. This system enables recording the measurement of the customers in data points in a short period of time. These data points would then be translated into exact measurements. Then, the customer is allowed to select from a variety of fabrics. The greatest advantage of custom apparel is that it helps in providing individualized services.
Apparel customization comes in three variations:
* Personalization: A shirt, which has the owner’s initials, could be an example of custom personalization.
* Fit: In the customization by fit, the customers could provide the measurements by visiting the customer facility.
* Design: Here, electronic equipments are used in the design process. It helps the customers in deciding the color of their apparel.
Shirt customization includes different types of fabric, colors, cuffs, collar styles and options of a chest pocket. Most major companies offer custom-tailored apparel. The custom-made apparel is priced higher and it yields more profit. Online ordering of custom made clothes helps the customers to avoid inconvenience. Custom apparel caters to all buyers irrespective of their size and shape. The fabric is usually cut by the digital pattern and labels are attached to the product.
If the customer is not satisfied with the apparel, the companies are willing to replace the product for the customer accordingly. The customer has to return the original product to the company along with a note explaining the problem, the date of purchase and the invoice number.
Critics of custom apparel feel that there are many confusing choices and the customers may find it difficult to select one product. Many independent custom apparel stores use software programs to enhance the quality of their product. The software programs include image ware technologies and clothes logic. These stores also use advanced technology in order to combat the stiff competition from the other manufacturers. Digital photographs enable the sales staff to offer a variety of choices of new apparel to their customers.
Custom apparel is fueled by the imagination of the customers, their preferences and tastes. Many manufacturers make note of the various specifics such as colors, labels and trims. Custom clothing is now affordable to customers, due to the advances in the techniques of manufacturing and thereby lowered costs.
Designer Apparel
Designer apparel is innovative and exclusive and is usually created by a recognized apparel designer. Such designer apparel is expensive and it can be purchased online. The designer apparel could include formal wear, casual wear, men’s suits, women’s suits, skirts, trousers, Jeans wear and sports wear. Apparel designers combine practical knowledge with abstract ideas to design clothes. Many apparel designers usually excel in a particular area. These are the various steps involved in apparel designing:
* Determining the needs of the client and checking if the design appeals to the customers.
* Secondly, the sketches are prepared with the help of the computer.
* Thirdly, the designers create the final design with the help of the product development team. CAD (Computer aided design) tools are also used to visualize the final product. These computer models are flexible and they enable an apparel designer to explore the various alternatives.
Some apparel designers are self-employed whereas others design for high-fashion departmental stores. Many apparel designers create designs for the mass market. It is estimated that nearly one-third of the apparel designers are self-employed. Creativity is the most important element in the apparel designer’s job. The following skills are necessary for an apparel designer:
* They should have thorough and in-depth knowledge about the tools and instruments involved in production as well as the various design techniques.
* They should be innovative in adapting to sudden requirements of the market.
* The apparel designer should have originality and creativity.
* The apparel designer should be flexible and be capable of adapting his designs to suit the needs and requirements of his customers.
Apparel designers should possess a flair for the job. They should be able to communicate and present their ideas in an impressive manner. The tastes and needs of the people change constantly. So, it is necessary for the apparel designer to react speedily and be open to new ideas.
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