Sustainability

In this session, recorded at PI Apparel New York 2023, Centric Brands look into how incorporating 3D in the design, manufacturing, and marketing processes, is an important factor in reducing overproduction and waste.

Speakers in this session:

• Mara Dondero, Director of Technical Design & 3D, Centric Brands Group
• Emily Reynaga, 3D Technical Designer, Centric Brands Group
• Evelyn Moy, 3D Designer, Centric Brands Group

The session covers:

1. An Introduction of the Team and Centric Brands: Mara Dondero, Director of Technical Design and 3D at Centric Brands, along with her colleagues Evelyn Moy and Emily Reynaga, introduce themselves and discuss their roles in the kids division of the company, which is a global leader in apparel and accessories.
2. Journey of Digital Transformation: The team shares their eight-year journey of digital transformation, emphasizing a carefully implemented plan with minimal disruption, including backup strategies. This journey was significantly impacted by the pandemic, leading to an accelerated adoption of 3D technology in their workflow.
3. Implementation and Impact of 3D Technology: The team elaborates on how the adoption of 3D technology allowed them to adapt quickly during the pandemic, facilitating design, communication, and decision-making processes in uncertain times. They highlight the role of 3D in reducing waste and overproduction in their day-to-day operations.
4. Challenges in Replacing Physical Samples with 3D: The speakers discuss the ongoing challenge of whether 3D technology can fully replace physical samples. They mention issues such as difficulty in accurately representing materials and colors in 3D, especially on darker fabrics, and the reliance on physical swatches for in-person presentations.
5. Utilization of 3D in Design, Sales, and Marketing: The team outlines how 3D technology is integrated early in their design timeline, aiding in visualizing designs and reducing physical waste like sample materials. They also touch upon using 3D renders as tools for merchandising and sales, cutting down on the need for physical samples.
6. Opportunities and Challenges in Technical Design and Production: They discuss the successful use of 3D in technical design, leading to more accurate fit samples and efficient onboarding of new employees. However, integrating 3D in manufacturing and production remains a challenge due to various factors like multiple production locations and mass quantities.
7. Future Prospects and Industry Involvement: The speakers encourage others in the industry to explore how 3D technology can be more meaningfully integrated beyond the initial design stages. They stress the need for industry-wide collaboration and innovation to fully realize the potential of 3D in reducing waste and improving efficiency.