Alvanon, Target to Launch 3-D Shape Survey in Australia

Integrated fit solutions provider Alvanon and Target Australia have joined forces for a 3-D body-shape survey of up to 20,000 men and women.

Using Alvanon’s 3-D AlvaScan body scanners, the survey will gather data on the body shapes and sizes ofAustralian consumers.

The information will help Target design “better-fittingfashion with consistent sizing” for its customers, according to a release byAlvanon.

“We know that Australian customers are confused andfrustrated by inconsistent size labels on clothing items,” said Dene Rogers,managing director of Target Australia. “We are delighted to have joined forceswith the world’s leading fashion fit expert, Alvanon, in a bid to standardizeour sizing strategy and make clothes that fit more of our Target customersbetter.”

AlvaScan booths were set up at Target Australia's stores inSydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The scanners use radio-wavetechnology to scan consumers who stand fully dressed in the booth for a scanthat lasts less than a minute. The scan collects 200,000 data points on thebody, which are used to generate a three-dimensional shape from which 55 technicalmeasurements are gathered for garment design and production.

“Our revolutionary Alvanon scanners do not recognizeclothes, but they do recognize the water content of human skin, so shoppers canstay fully dressed.  Each scan isincredibly detailed and accurate to about 1 centimeter, although we do not scanfaces for reasons of anonymity and privacy,” said Janice Wang, chief executiveofficer of the Alvanon Group.

“Once we have taken the 20,000 body scans, wewill analyze them and produce the most dominant shapes and corresponding sizecharts for Target’s consumer population. Target’s fashion-development teams will then use this data to optimizethe fit of clothes for its shoppers.”

Founded in 2001, the Alvanon Group offers full-service,integrated fit solutions for the apparel industry, including strategic fitconsulting and customized fit mannequins and tools. The company has a databaseof 300,000 body scans and a team of more than 70 sizing and body-shapeprofessionals.  Headquartered in NewYork, Alvanon has an operations center in Hong Kong and operating offices inthe United Kingdom and Germany.

For more information, visit www.alvanon.com.—Alison A.Nieder