Ecology and wearable functionality in garments can co‐exist. Add this up to a consumer‐centered business scenario, where you will be able to configure your wished sensors or monitoring devices, and also the degree of eco‐friendliness of your outfits and enjoy smart, natural and healthy garments.
It may appear at first sight that the two main ideas of the Micro-Dress project (eco‐friendliness and wearable functionality) are somehow contradictory, or at least not converging. However the Micro-Dress project’s work was targeted on proving that ecology and wearable functionality can co‐exist. This becomes even more interesting in a user‐centered business scenario, where the customer is directly involved in the design/configuration process, empowered by the freedom to configure both the technology related added value (user selectable sensors, actuators, physiology monitoring devices), as well as the degree of eco‐friendliness of his/her outfits (natural and healthy garments, preserving the environment and energy resources).
In order to reach the consumers, the Micro-Dress offer was investigated through two distinct models of companies offering customised garments: ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA international brand with vertical integration of its production and also the evolution of the traditional tailor, the so-called Micro-Factory, offering to the consumers customised garments, in an easy and affordable manner.
Addressing the business challenge: Mass Customisation companies will need to address certain production challenges in order to be able to provide consumer-selected ecological and smart outfits. These challenges were investigated through the Micro-Dress project and the research led to the following results:
European Commission (FP7)
Sep 2010 - Aug 2013