13 October 2010
Plus sizes on the rise for intimate apparel
Laura Savery, Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University, led the industry workshops.
The workshops were attended by leading Australian lingerie brands.
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RMIT University has partnered with De Montfort University (UK) to present a series of industry workshops for Australia's leading lingerie brands on bra technology, design, fitting and manufacture.
The Contour Technology Workshop series at RMIT's Brunswick campus focuses on the technical design aspects of bra fitting and the issues and solutions related to plus cup sizes - a growing market in Australia and the UK.
Laura Savery, Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University and freelance technical designer for intimate apparel, said: "We know that, worldwide, there is a miscommunication in terms of what a good bra fit is.
"A correctly fitting bra changes how a woman feels - from how she looks to her posture - so offering the right fit advice is crucial for all brands.
"This becomes even more important when dealing with plus cup sizes, where the technical considerations in the pattern cutting, grading, fabric choice and manufacturing processes require a different approach.
"With women's body shapes changing so much in the past few decades, it is essential to help build skills and knowledge in this area among both manufacturers and the salespeople who can help women make the right choice for their shape."
Leading lingerie brands at the workshops included Pacific Brands, Kmart, Diamond Cut, Linda's Lingerie, Black Box Label, Andorra, More than a Handful and Booby Traps.
Tina Guglielmino, Program Manager in the School of Fashion and Textiles, said RMIT was constantly searching for ways its global networks could add value to the fashion design and technology sector in Australia.
"Plus sizes are a burgeoning market in Australia and it is estimated about 40 per cent of Australian women now buy bras with a cup size of DD or higher," she said.
"These four workshops, being held over two weeks, are a fantastic opportunity for industry and staff to expand their knowledge and skills in this crucial area."
