California Apparel News

Even though a significant amount of pattern-making has moved offshore, executives at PAD System Technologies aim to create a new level of interest for domestic pattern design with the launch of a new—and more affordable—CAD design package.

The company kicked off the North American release of its popular Master Pattern Maker software during a half-day workshop Nov. 7 at the California Market Center in Los Angeles. A receptive audience appeared to like what they saw, as prices were slashed by almost 50 percent for PAD’s “Elite” package, consisting of the Master Pattern Design, Made-to-Measure and Clone applications.

The event, hosted by PAD’s North American agent, GCL Distribution, attracted about 30 companies and organizations, including Bebe, Rock & Republic, Stoney/Great Escape, Cal Poly Pomona and Johnny Was.

“We have been nonstop busy since the launch,” said PAD Vice President Kristine Gloviak. “A lot of people are interested in this.”

PAD’s new 4.8 system features a number of upgrades, including new floating technical-sketch windows, universal drivers for plotters, improved grading tools, retro-save features going back to version 4.0, and markers for plaids and stripes.

“You can look at the sketches now while you’re working on the patterns,” Gloviak said. “There are new templates for grading, so when you change the grading, you can see the difference.”

The additional applications bring more specialized features to the masses.

MTM enables users to update several pieces in all sizes simply by entering new measurement specifications into the system. Designers can customize a pattern by specifying the personal measurements of any given client.

Retailer or client measurement specifications can be imported from and exported to any common database or spreadsheet.

The Clone system automatically updates modifications made from the pattern- development phase to cloned-production pieces, thus eliminating many steps during the modification process.

Among those making presentations at the PAD launch where Rocio Evenett, creative director for Los Angeles–based Unlimited Design Services. Evenett said pattern-making has changed little since the 1500s—until recently.

“It wasn’t until the last 20 years or so that technology has facilitated mass production and supported the just-in-time manufacturing model and become relatively affordable,” she said.

Evenett recalled taking measurements from clients at Greg Chapman’s Executive Clothing in Beverly Hills back in the early ’90s and then entering them into a chart, followed by taking profile photos for reference.

“The information would then be faxed to the team of tailors in Hong Kong, who would proceed to send a muslin in one to three weeks. It was very important to be accurate, because at $200 to $500 per yard in those days, there wasn’t much room for mistakes,” she said.

With CAD, Evenett was able to make dramatic improvements. She said she introduced the PAD system while at Perry Ellis in Europe and was able to cut the company’s pre-production budget by 40 percent.

“I had to contend with a very small pool of skilled patternmakers who in most cases had only ever worked manually, so the organic nature of PAD System was a determining factor when choosing a CAD system that wouldn’t need too much training.”

Gloviak said the company will soon stage several group training seminars in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago. For more information, call (800) 570-4274.

Tukatech Delivers 3-D Files to iPhones

Los Angeles–based Tukatech Inc. can now send 3-D sample images to Apple’s new iPhone.

Using its e-fit simulator 3-D application, Tukatech is sending movie files to mobile devices such as the popular iPhone, which was released earlier this year.

Designers can click on their phones and view samples fitted on moving mannequins, or avatars, to visualize how the garment fits and responds to movement.

Tukatech customer Arshad Sattar, managing director of the Timex Group in Sri Lanka, is among those using the system.

“One of our major customers in New York really wanted to see the motion videos of her samples on her iPhone. I am very glad to see how Tukatech helped us deliver files on her iPhone directly from our e-fit simulator software. We are getting fit comments while she is taking the train ride to office. The interesting part is that we fix the digital sample and e-mail her generally before she reaches her office,” Sattar said.

The e-fit system features a built-in motion simulator with colorized tension mapping and x-ray vision.

For more information, visit www.tukatech.com.

Lectra’s Japanese Branch Recognized by Trade Group

Lectra Japan was presented with the “2007 Investor in Japan Award” by the Invest in France Agency (IFA) on Nov. 15 in Osaka, Japan.

The award was presented during the “France-Japan Investment Awards Ceremony” evening before Gildas Le Lidec, France’s ambassador to Japan, and was chaired by Philippe Favre, French ambassador for international investment and chairman and chief executive officer of the Invest in France Agency.

The Invest in France Agency award recognizes outstanding French entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses in Japan.

Robert Agnes, president of Lectra Asia-Pacific, along with key Lectra Japanese managers, attended the ceremony and received the award on behalf of Lectra’s contribution to economic development in Japan through direct investment.

Lectra Japan was established in August 1985 in Osaka as the company’s first headquarters in Asia. Lectra has eight sales offices and service centers in Tokyo, Toyota, Okayama, Fukuoka, Hanamaki, Sakata and Morioka.

Lectra markets design and production software as well as cutting-room machinery.