Designers and Brands Leading the Way in Contactless Measurement
By Beate Brick
Contactless measurement technologies have been around for several years. But it was during the pandemic that businesses began adopting them more eagerly to survive in the new reality. Today, it’s clear these tools are here to stay. Designers and brands are now embracing contactless measurement, recognizing its potential to challenge the status quo within the fashion industry and meet the increasingly discerning demands of modern consumers. And we’re excited to share the top five trailblazers who are redefining the future of fashion through tech.
Wendy Heijne and Studio Heijne: Personalized, Made-on-Demand Fashion
After over a decade at H&M, Dutch-Swedish designer Wendy Heijne launched Studio Heijne to create sustainable, made-to-measure garments for modern women of all sizes. The brand operates on a made-on-demand model with automated digital workflows, including a proprietary measurement interface, digitally adjusted patterns, and streamlined production orders. The result is a modern European take on luxury fashion, with a focus on sustainability, tech, and personalization.
Iris van Herpen: Fusing Technology and Couture
Another Dutch designer, Iris van Herpen works at the nexus of fashion, design, technology, and science. She was among the first designers to adopt 3D printing as a garment construction technique. Herpen uses 3D scanning to build virtual models before producing a garment, experimenting with complex shapes and materials. Her work is a stellar example of the innovative fusion of technology and traditional haute couture craftsmanship.
H&M: Fast Fashion Giant Embracing Made-to-Measure
H&M Group is developing a custom-made jeans pilot with its Weekday brand, offering made-to-measure jeans created from in-store scans. These scans generate digital models for precise garment production. Although still in the pilot phase, the program shows that even fast fashion giants are exploring digitally driven customization, emphasizing the long-term potential of contactless measurement in ready-to-wear.
Unspun: The Future of Fashion Manufacturing
California-based Unspun combines 3D body scanning, innovative production methods, and automation to create made-to-measure jeans for each customer. Customers can capture a 3D body scan in-store or via a smartphone, generating digital models that translate into personalized patterns. By harnessing data-driven customization and technology-powered production, Unspun makes bespoke garments available at ready-to-wear prices.
Iuliia Trofimchuk: Precision Tailoring Through Contactless Measurement
Russian-American designer Iuliia Trofimchuk developed a contactless measurement methodology based on over 15 years of experience in tailoring and costume design. She creates precise digital models using advanced 3D body scanning technology, which captures dozens of measurements in minutes, and incorporates virtual mannequins into her digital workflow. As a result, Trofimchuk produces perfectly tailored eveningwear, performance costumes, and high-end ready-to-wear, as well as made-to-measure pieces at scale.
Contactless measurement is shaping the future of fashion, as shown by the five innovative designers and brands we’ve highlighted. Their work demonstrates how tech and fashion can come together to benefit customers, businesses, and the environment. And as with most technology created to make human lives easier and reduce mundane tasks, contactless measuring will sustain the test of time.
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