Alvanon adds AlvaForm technical apparel fit body forms

Based on three-dimensional body scans of thousands of plus sized women ages 25 – 45 from across North America and Europe, the new AlvaForm fit forms, or mannequins, accurately represent the predominant shape, posture and balance of real customers.

According to Alvanon, Inc. President Ed Gribbin, the new forms address a large segment of the apparel industry that is laden with pent up demand.

“Research shows that the plus size market sector offers huge potential for fashion brands and retailers in nearly all Western markets,” Gribbin says. 

“For example, The National Center for Health Statistics in the US reports that 66% of women are now either overweight or obese. And research group Mintel reports that In the UK 80% of plus size women feel that too few stores offer enough choice for non-mainstream sizes. Two-thirds of women in America have plus-size body measurements or body shapes, yet only one-third are actually buying plus-size clothing today.

“Why the disconnect? Well, partly because plus size women don’t like the fashion selections available in their sizes, but mainly because current plus sizes don’t really fit their body shape well at all. These are compelling statistics. Brands looking to tap a large, ripe market are turning to the plus size 2 segment for growth. Our new Global Plus Women’s Series of AlvaForm technical fit body forms will help them cultivate it.”

Alvanon, Inc., which is known throughout the fashion industry as “The Fit Expert,” offers the Global Plus Women’s Series in sizes that are equivalent to US sizes 16 – 24, UK sizes 20-28 and EU sizes 46 – 54. The wide range of sizes permits users to select the best core or sample size fit form and then validate  fit across their apparel line’s range of sizes . They are available in full, half and slack forms and come as either fiberglass or soft forms.

“The Global Plus Series body forms, if implemented properly throughout a brand’s supply chain, will ensure improved customer satisfaction and brand loyalty,” says Gribbin. “But the benefits as a business resource extend beyond sales and marketing.  Brands will find that they can dramatically reduce the number of sample iterations, which in turn cuts labor costs, overhead and international shipping costs, all while helping brands reduce lead-times and speed goods to market.

“In operation, brands can bring samples in from suppliers at different locations worldwide, all pre-fit approved on the proper Alvaforms, and then confirm that they will achieveproduct fit consistency across an increasingly diverse supply base. No matter where a garment is made, it is produced using the same, accurate three-dimensional body shape. Ultimately, the Global Plus fit form delivers value throughout the supply chain, from the point of design to the point of sale.”

Alvanon Inc.