Lectra explained Valia Fashion has been designed to transform the apparel production process by connecting, automating, and optimising each stage, from order processing to fabric cutting, while maximising material efficiency.

The platform automatically analyses and optimises the performance of the cutting room and associated resources thanks to a complete, centralised, secure and shared overview of the process. It also measures the environmental impact of apparel production by providing precise estimates of material use based on actual production conditions.

According to Lectra, its new platform revolutionises the fashion ecosystem by breaking down the barriers between the various industrialisation and production processes to better meet the requirements of brands, manufacturers and subcontractors.

Moreover, the company believes that brands, manufacturers and subcontractors in the fashion industry can adapt more easily and quickly, whatever their type of production (small, medium and large series, or on-demand production).

Maximilien Abadie, chief strategy officer and chief product officer at Lectra, called Valia Fashion a "technological breakthrough" that brings the fashion industry into the era of Industry 4.0.

"It will help them make a leap forward that goes beyond any advance made in recent decades. Valia Fashion has no equivalent on the market. It offers the whole fashion industry a totally new way to meet the challenges it faces during production," said Abadie.

Lectra quotes the example of the rise in online shopping, stating that with the popularity of personalised products, the rapid evolution of trends, costly inventory management and an increased focus on price as well as environmental and social issues, consumers' patterns are changing profoundly, impacting supply chains and clothing production.

The company highlighted that many brands now favour the production of small series, along with and in addition to their usual seasonal collections.

However, it added that to successfully carry out this transformation, the different stakeholders involved in production must communicate and process information in real time, thus, making digitalisation essential to collaborate effectively and preserve industry expertise.

Recently, Lectra partnered with French SaaS company AQC to enhance textile quality control and tackle sustainability challenges within the fashion industry.