• Speaker: Sarah Krasley, CEO & Founder, Shimmy
• When: UK Time 14:30 – 15:30, Thursday, 4th of April 2024

The global fashion industry employs 60 million people worldwide. Their efforts support a supply chain that is fast-paced and cost-sensitive, and their ability to adapt and upskill alongside digital transformation is not just beneficial; it’s essential.

In this talk, Sarah Krasley shared the journey she and her team at Shimmy had been on to integrat tech with traditional training methods to create a blended learning environment tailored for the flexibility and modernity needed in the fashion supply chain in this moment in time.

Industry 4.0 won’t work without data and digital tools, and digitisation efforts on the factory floor are often woefully behind tools for white-collar workers or consumer-facing experiences. Krasley shared the approach her team took to blend human-centred design research, accessible design principles, and deep empathy for production, hiring, and technical trainers to create something fun and empowering for workers (two words not normally associated with industrial technical training).

The webinar covered:

• Bridging the digital divide: strategies for ensuring equitable access to digital tools and resources for all workers, regardless of their starting skill level or background.
• The importance of hands-on, practical training and mentorship in reinforcing digital skills and applying them in real-world scenarios.
• Collaborating with industry partners, educational institutions, and technology providers to create a cohesive ecosystem that supports lifelong learning and career advancement.

Sarah Krasley is a social impact entrepreneur focused on a fair future of work for fashion supply chain workers. As CEO of Shimmy, Ms. Krasley leads the company in its efforts to upskill and reskill the millions of workers in the supply chain who are in danger of losing their jobs to automation.

Prior to Shimmy, Ms. Krasley lead Sustainable Manufacturing at Autodesk where she and her team created software for hundreds of thousands of designers, engineers, and factory owners worldwide. She serves on boards and working groups for the World Economic Forum, the Urban Manufacturing Alliance, and the Americas Apparel Producers’ Network. Sarah has a BFA from Pratt Institute, an MBA from the University of San Francisco and lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

• Speaker: Leslie Holden, Co-Founder – The Digital Fashion Group
• When: 14:00 – 15:00, Wednesday 12th June 2024

The presentation delves into the transformative impact of Industry 4.0 on production and consumption, emphasizing the need for a digital supply chain that prioritizes transparency and efficiency. It distinguishes between digitization and digitalization, advocating for the latter as a means to catalyze business model transformation through enhanced processes and data utilization. While recognizing the buzz surrounding concepts like the Metaverse and AI, Holden, underscores the practical application of digitalization for sustainability. Case studies presented by experts underscore the potential of on-demand manufacturing and digital product creation in minimizing waste and streamlining supply chains. In essence, the talk champions Industry 4.0 as a pivotal force in reshaping traditional production paradigms towards a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable model. It underscores the importance of practical approaches to digitalization in addressing contemporary challenges while envisioning a future where technology empowers both global and local facets of fashion production.

As Head of Department at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI) and a member of the AMFI board for over 14 years, Leslie was responsible for the redevelopment of the international curricula focusing on digitalisation and sustainability in fashion. And as design director and entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience in the fashion industry Leslie worked for such companies as Dunhill, Stefanel, Byblos, Burberry and Liberty. Leslie is a mentor for The Farfetch Incubator Programme, sits on the Steering Committee of The EU Worth Partnership Project, and is an EU expert for the creative industries. He is also currently the co-chair of Manchester Fashion Institute’s External Advisory Group, and member of the Advisory boards of Digital Fashion Week and The Metaverse Fashion Council. He was for many years an Executive Board member of the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI), and a trustee of The UK Graduate Fashion Foundation. Leslie is an experienced keynote speaker and moderator.
Leslie is a graduate of The Royal College of Art.

• Speaker: Flora Zangue, 3D Fashion Specialist at the Hohenstein Digital Fitting Lab
• When: 14:30 – 15:30 (UK Time), Tuesday 6 February 2024

Flora explained the opportunities and risks of using 3D simulations for virtual prototyping and fitting, beginning with the important basics of a 3D simulation process. She showcased the challenges of digital versus real prototypes and discussed the path to creating a digital twin. Participants learned how to maximize the utility of their 3D tools and the necessary steps to achieve a representation that closely resembles a real product, along with understanding any remaining differences.

Flora also shed light on sustainable practices, focusing on how to use 3D tools efficiently and create reliable virtual prototypes that fit accurately.

Flora Zangue is a 3D Fashion Specialist at the Hohenstein Digital Fitting Lab and is responsible for 2D & 3D product development. During her clothing technology studies at the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, she became familiar with the traditional apparel development process. She is a part of the Hohenstein Team for 7 years now since she started in the fit testing and pattern departments.
In her present role, she forms bridge between 2D and 3D pattern development in the Hohenstein Digital Fitting Lab. This is the basis for creating 3D simulations for design, digital product communication and reliable virtual fitting. She is a key user for 3D simulation technology and is constantly passionate about driving this topic forward with training and lectures for customers, companies and universities. She previously worked for a made-to-measure clothing company, which sharpened her sense for well-fitting garments.

• Speaker: Norsaadah Zakaria – Research Fellow -Taylor’s University, Founder-Sustainable Fashion Technology Business Hub- Universiti Teknologi Mara
• When: 14:30 – 15:30, Tuesday 19th March 2024

Norsaadah Zakaria provided an explanation of anthropometric studies, highlighting the strategic planning involved in conducting the surveys and the importance of gathering anthropometric data. She began by illustrating the process of manual anthropometric surveys and then transitioned to the more contemporary approach of digital 3D body scanning. She explained why the digital method is preferred in modern times. Participants gained an understanding of how digital anthropometrics contribute to creating digital twins’ bodies, enhancing comprehension of the diverse sizes, shapes, and proportions of human bodies. Norsaadah also touched upon the early stages of her research, demonstrating elements of the anthropometric scanning method. She discussed how this method seamlessly integrated with the development of sizing systems, allowing for the exportation of data from the scanning process to the analytic system, which then clustered and calculated the size chart. Furthermore, she emphasised the sustainable significance of digital anthropometric data in sizing system development. This data led to better-fitting clothing, reduced the need for alterations, and minimised waste, thereby promoting the fashion industry.

Dr. Norsaadah Zakaria is a scholar and research fellow at Taylor’s University in Malaysia, specialising in anthropometric and sizing research for sizing system development. Over the two decades, she pioneered manual anthropometric development. With the availability of new scanning technology in Malaysia, she is now transitioning to digital anthropometric scanning and digital apparel product development.
As a research fellow, Dr. Zakaria collaborates with Ph.D. students, focusing on sustainable adoption in clothing technology research. She also serves as a specialised technical skills trainer for apparel product development, integrating digital technology for enhanced body shape understanding and clothing fit. Dr. Zakaria’s contributions extend beyond academia; she founded Telestia Malaysia Clotech Atelier Academy and the Sustainable Fashion Technology Business Hub. These institutions provide highly skilled training using specialized tools and digital systems, promoting technology-based independent and sustainable learning in the industry.
She is the co-editor of the well-cited book “Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design”, a volume in Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles, Elsevier.