IL PORTALE DELLE MACCHINE PER CUCIRE INDUSTRIALI, TAGLIO, STIRO E ACCESSORI

Paris, December 14, 2011 – Lectra, the world
leader in integrated technology solutions
dedicated to industries using soft materials —
textiles, leather, industrial fabrics and composites
materials — held its fourth education congress in
Cestas (France) on November 17 and 18, 2011.
Lectra’s 2011 education congress welcomed 40
professors, education coordinators, department
heads, and directors of 22 fashion schools and
universities from Germany, Brazil, Canada, China,
the United States, France, Holland, Italy, Great
Britain, and Switzerland. This year, it was organized around three major themes: collaborative work,
design, and 3D as applied to the fashion industry.
“This annual congress is an enriching time for sharing and exchanging and is the high point of the projects
established by Lectra specifically for its Privilege partners. It is part of a comprehensive approach to
providing active support to education which, throughout the year, translates into strong involvement and
concrete action with our 850 schools and university partners,” says Executive Committee member
Véronique Zoccoletto, in charge of the Education Program.
Collaborative work, a new major stake for fashion companies and schools
Fashion companies are constantly seeking new solutions allowing them to reduce their costs, guarantee
the quality of their products, and ensure faster time-to-market for their collections. Collaborative work has
become a key element over the past few years in achieving these objectives. This subject has thus become
increasingly important for schools and universities, which must sensitize their students to this new way of
working and communicating, and to the tools that support it.
During the congress, Allison Smith, project manager at Façonnable, the renowned French brand that
specializes in top-of-the-range ready-to-wear for men and women, underlined the importance of sharing
information company-wide in real time, to be able to develop collections quickly and to increase efficiency
and competitiveness.
Cynthia Istook, professor and director of undergraduate programs in fashion at North Carolina State
University, explained how her students share information especially by using solutions like Kaledo®,
Lectra’s design software suite dedicated to the world of fashion. This university has also just acquired the
Lectra Fashion PLM solution for its fashion and textile department in order to set up a collaborative
environment which reflects that of the company in general.
lectra.com 2/2
Design: more than ever a core concern for fashion schools
The creative process was also highlighted by Francine Pairon, director of the Master’s program for fashion
and accessory design at the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM). She explained how design constantly plays
the edge between freedom and constraint, illustrating her point with work done by her students.
Craig Tudhope, CAD manager at American Eagle, emphasized the added value provided by Kaledo, which
allows his design team to produce an increasing number of styles and fabrics (prints, knits, etc.) in record
time.
Pattern design and 3D virtual prototyping: an innovation/major technical advance for fashion
schools and businesses
3D technologies for fashion were also a subject of exchange among participants who were thus able to
capitalize on the expertise of schools that have already integrated 3D virtual prototyping into their courses.
Sandra Kuijpers and Ineke Siersema, both teachers at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute, presented the
work their students did for a competition on 3D virtual prototyping organized by their institution and Lectra.
These creations convinced the participants that 3D technologies presented a real advantage for designers
and pattern-making departments. This discussion highlighted the value of Modaris® V7, Lectra’s patternmaking
and 3D virtual prototyping solution.
Lectra's education congress: an anticipated annual event and an enriching opportunity to share
experiences
A place for the exchange of experience and expertise, the education congress has also allowed many
schools to present their educational programs, including De Monfort University (United Kingdom), which
has developed a course dedicated entirely to lingerie and undergarments, and Studio Moda Rossella (Italy)
which has placed technology at the center of its development process.
Patrick Hierf, pedagogical coordinator for the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne
(France), revealed the school’s new directions: “A year ago, our institution reinforced its study program by
turning to the expertise of fashion professionals and by increased our use of Lectra’s new technologies.
This gives our students a closer link to business and allows them to be more effective as soon as they
enter the work force.”
About Lectra
Lectra is the world leader in integrated technology solutions that automate, streamline and accelerate product design,
development and manufacturing processes for industries using soft materials. Lectra develops the most advanced
specialized software and cutting systems and provides associated services to a broad array of markets including
fashion (apparel, accessories, footwear), automotive (car seats and interiors, airbags), and furniture, as well as a wide
variety of other market sectors, such as the aeronautical and marine industries, wind power, and personal protective
equipment. Lectra serves 23,000 customers in more than 100 countries with 1,350 employees and $252 million in 2010
revenues. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext.
For more information, please visit www.lectra.com
® Kaledo and Modaris are registered trademarks of Lectra.