The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, sanctioned the project on ‘National Sizing Survey of India: INDIAsize’ to the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to develop a comprehensive body size chart based on measurements of the Indian population, aiming to enhance the fit of ready-to-wear garments.
The session commenced with a welcome address by Mrs. Tanu Kashyap, Director General, NIFT who encapsulated the essence of the project in these memorable words, “This project that stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Ministry of Textiles, academia, and industry partners, notably the Clothing Manufacturing Association of India (CMAI) playing a key role including overseeing and validating the project deliverables, is at the final stage of implementation. We are confident that this Indian sizing system will benefit not only the fashion and textile industry but also address the struggle of the consumer to find clothing that fits them well. The findings of this national initiative will be unveiled very soon”.
Related post: India to Develop a Comprehensive Size Chart for the Fashion Retailers
The session commenced with a welcome address by Mrs. Tanu Kashyap, Director General, NIFT who encapsulated the essence of the project in these memorable words, “This project that stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Ministry of Textiles, academia, and industry partners, notably the Clothing Manufacturing Association of India (CMAI) playing a key role including overseeing and validating the project deliverables, is at the final stage of implementation. We are confident that this Indian sizing system will benefit not only the fashion and textile industry but also address the struggle of the consumer to find clothing that fits them well. The findings of this national initiative will be unveiled very soon”.
Related post: India to Develop a Comprehensive Size Chart for the Fashion Retailers
Professor Dr. Noopur Anand, Principal Investigator of the INDIAsize project, presented the journey of the project from inception to the development of a comprehensive sizing system for the Indian population. Dr. Anand eloquently explained the meticulous process of collecting, collating, and applying the data to develop a body sizing system that embodies the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Dr. Anand also highlighted the significant challenges inherent in this effort due to India's diverse demographic with varying body types. Despite these challenges, the data collection was successfully completed with the support of several organizations, apparel industry, and a large number of volunteers. It is noteworthy that measurements were taken even during the challenging period during the COVID pandemic. She stated “The INDIAsize project addresses the issue of dissatisfaction with poorly fitting garments through a comprehensive national sizing survey which covered 26,324 individuals across six major cities in six regions of India, utilizing cutting-edge non-contact 3D body scanning technology.
This disruptive endeavour, aligned with international ISO standards, captured an extensive array of over 100 anthropometric data points per participant, resulting in the creation of body size charts for a customer through mapping, categorization, and defining of their body types and sizes”.
Dr Anand elaborated on the robustness of the survey process that ensured the privacy of participants, maintained data integrity, and adhered to ISO standards and ethical compliance, while maintaining research rigor.
The Clothing Manufacturing Association of India (CMAI) has been an integral part of the project since its inception, actively participating and collaborating with the NIFT team at every stage. The Executive Director of CMAI, Shri Mohan Sadhwani, stated that "by standardizing body measurements for our diverse population, this initiative paves the way for the creation of ergonomically designed apparel and products, perfectly attuned to the needs and comfort of the Indian population. This country-specific sizing system will enhance customer satisfaction and the prospect of amplified revenues for businesses."
The Clothing Manufacturing Association of India (CMAI) has been an integral part of the project since its inception, actively participating and collaborating with the NIFT team at every stage. The Executive Director of CMAI, Shri Mohan Sadhwani, stated that "by standardizing body measurements for our diverse population, this initiative paves the way for the creation of ergonomically designed apparel and products, perfectly attuned to the needs and comfort of the Indian population. This country-specific sizing system will enhance customer satisfaction and the prospect of amplified revenues for businesses."
News Source: Press release notes provided NIFT