How Digital Embroidery Supports Decision Making in the Lingerie Industry

Even though embroidery is one of the most challenging textiles to be digitized, the implementation of the Vizoo xTex material scanning technology in Forster Rohner went smoothly. Usually future users often oppose the change most, as adopting modern technologies can be quite disruptive. However, the Forster Rohner lingerie design team was highly motivated to leverage the new opportunities the system would bring, especially how it would make the creation of innovative designs much more efficient through the reduction of physical samples. This topic attracted even more attention when the management identified 3D digitization as a strategic project.

When the pandemic started, and global selling was on hold for a time, this provided an excellent chance to benefit from the Vizoo xTex products immediately and to define their digital journey.

Especially during design iterations, digital sampling is beneficial for Forster Rohner. Usually, color variations and drafts had to be embroidered, often creating excessive costs of sampling and taking weeks. Using the xTex scanner and software, a digital variation can be created in mere minutes. This also improves communication with the client and makes the overall process smoother. The global lingerie brand Chantelle was one of the first to collaborate digitally with Forster Rohner in this regard, a significant milestone and success. Their collection “FLEURS” was the first developed in the design process entirely in 3D.

Creating digital twins of their embroideries also furthered the underlying goal: improving Forster Rohner’s sustainability and ecological footprint. “Digital processes mean fewer materials must be produced. Sustainable tech will become much more important; it is homework the industry must do to save the planet,” says Elisheva Senn.