Working with schools to design courses which meet the needs of fashion companies has always been at the heart of Lectra’s education program. The company brings together partnership schools and industry experts to discuss how changing professions in fashion are impacting training programs. It organizes competitions with Missoni, Balenciaga, and Armani in Italy as well as Peacebird in China and JC Penney in the United States.

In the United Kingdom, Lectra collaborated with H&M and the Arts University Bournemouth for a competition centred on the design of a collection with zero waste. The process was totally digital, from design to the creation of a virtual prototype in 3D. Students learnt to optimize each stage of the process. The event also threw a spotlight on China and its major role in the evolution of the fashion industry. It brought together major Chinese companies, experts, and representatives from the biggest schools in China.

Exchanges on the impact of the Made in China 2025 plan on the fashion industry were meant to better prepare students for tomorrow’s professions, where digital and automation will occupy a far more central position than today.

Fashion professions are evolving as companies make their first steps towards Industry 4.0, adopting 3D and rationalizing the lifecycle management for their collections.