The advent of new technologies such as 3D body scanners presents opportunities and challenges for key players in the fashion sector.

The Surge of Online Returns
The continuous growth of e-commerce invites more Filipinos to shift from brick-and-mortar to add-to-cart shopping. The promise of a faster transaction, ease of shopping at one’s convenience, and a range of products available in one click attracts the busy shopper. However, as online orders increase, the amount of returns also increases – one of the biggest pain points among customers and retailers. Sizing problem has become one of the main reasons for a product return. This originates from clothes that don’t match certain body types. In the context of the Philippines, basis for measurements come from American or European sizes resulting to brands with limited size offerings.

The Search for the Perfect Fit
To address the arising problem, Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) showcased a three- dimensional body scanning system called ‘Perfect Fit’ at the recent National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) held at World Trade Center Manila. The 3D body scanner was born out of the need to find for the right fit. It is a non-contact measurement system with optical triangulation sensors that uses an optical transmitter to project light on the target. The Perfect Fit immediately converts body scans, generates precise body measurements, produces a digital imagery (an avatar) of the person being measured, and transmits data for construction or selection of clothing. Essential parts of the body such as arms, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and legs are all captured in 3D.

The Benefits of 3D Body Scanning System
Perfect Fit is an integrated product development system that aims to help designers, social entrepreneurs, and businesses to “reduce errors, reduce wastage, reduce time, and come up with a better product in a quicker space of time”, as stated by PTRI Director Ms. Celia Lumba. It is deemed cost-efficient because it minimizes the back-and-forths. For example, in the case of the designer, fitting schedules and face-to-face meetings with the client can be lessened and modifications of garments can be done at any time. Furthermore, the 3D body scanner is seen as a potential contributing factor to the improvement of online shopping experience as consumers can upload their body metrics while items of their size come readily available. When e-commerce sites gain the confidence of Filipinos to shop with their right size on cart, this will result to a higher number of checkouts.

The Standardized Sizing System
Now on its second phase, the Perfect Fit will be brought to different parts of the country to accumulate over 10,000 scans with the goal of creating a national sizing system. In UK alone, there’s an ongoing nationwide size survey designed to standardized sizes across the country supported by some major retailers including ASOS, Next, New Look, River Island, and Tesco. Amazon, on the other hand, acquired 3D body scanning and is offering 25 dollars in exchange of a 3D body scan. This relatively new revolution in tech allows users to better visualize how they would look like in particular items. “The World Economic Forum suggests that the Philippines should invest to strengthen its drivers – enable access to foreign technologies, increase the absorption capacity of these technologies locally, and technological access and readiness maybe readily addressed”, as relayed by Dr. Julius Leano, Jr., Chief of PTRI Research and Development Division. Director Elumba, when asked regarding their plans on construction of additional 3D body scanners, said they will onboard agencies such as Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) for the study and creation of locally-made 3D scanners.

The Fashion Industry Advances with New Technology
The acquisition of 3D body scanning system presents opportunities and challenges in different sectors particularly in the fashion industry. For someone who works in retail specializing in shoes and apparel, Leila Lachica knew that 3D body scanners like the Perfect Fit will be very helpful in their purchasing as they will get patterns of actual Filipino sizes. It will lessen their spending and reduce the hassle caused by return orders that don’t fit their clients. On the other hand, Camille Duque-Albarracin, founder of a local fashion social enterprise, acknowledged the fact that MSMEs are very labor-intensive but opted to look at the opportunity brought about by advancements in technology. “The new technology [3D scanner] will develop the competency of the current labor force… It will train people without losing jobs”. According to Camille, new technologies will both increase the demand for production quantity and labor force. From a designer’s standpoint, Prince Ventura mentioned that using a 3D body scanner is a convenient way to create designs as it alleviates the traditional process. Moreover, he believes that fashion brands scale up with new technologies such as the Perfect Fit.


*Submitted to MEGA Magazine