Fashion designers, apparel makers and retailers searching for ways to better serve the apparel shape and sizing needs of plus size women now have a new tool to create plus size apparel that fits. The tool is Alvanon Inc.'s new Global Plus Women's Series of AlvaForm technical fit body forms.

Based on three-dimensional body scans of thousands of plus sized women ages 25 – 45 from across North America and Europe, the new AlvaForm fit forms, or mannequins, accurately represent the predominant shape, posture and balance of real customers.

According to Alvanon, Inc. President Ed Gribbin, the new forms address a large segment of the apparel industry that is laden with pent up demand.

"Research shows that the plus size market sector offers huge potential for fashion brands and retailers in nearly all Western markets," Gribbin says. "For example, The National Center for Health Statistics in the US reports that 66% of women are now either overweight or obese. And research group Mintel reports that In the UK 80% of plus size women feel that too few stores offer enough choice for non-mainstream sizes. Two-thirds of women in America have plus-size body measurements or body shapes, yet only one-third are actually buying plus-size clothing today. Why the disconnect? Well, partly because plus size women don't like the fashion selections available in their sizes, but mainly because current plus sizes don't really fit their body shape well at all. These are compelling statistics. Brands looking to tap a large, ripe market are turning to the plus size segment for growth. Our new Global Plus Women's Series of AlvaForm technical fit body forms will help them cultivate it."

Alvanon, Inc., which is known throughout the fashion industry as "The Fit Expert," offers the Global Plus Women's Series in sizes that are equivalent to US sizes 16 – 24, UK sizes 20-28 and EU sizes 46 – 54. The wide range of sizes permits users to select the best core or sample size fit form and then validate fit across their apparel line's range of sizes . They are available in full, half and slack forms and come as either fiberglass or soft forms.

"The Global Plus Series body forms, if implemented properly throughout a brand's supply chain, will ensure improved customer satisfaction and brand loyalty," says Gribbin. "But the benefits as a business resource extend beyond sales and marketing. Brands will find that they can dramatically reduce the number of sample iterations, which in turn cuts labor costs, overhead and international shipping costs, all while helping brands reduce lead-times and speed goods to market.

"In operation, brands can bring samples in from suppliers at different locations worldwide, all pre-fit approved on the proper Alvaforms, and then confirm that they will achieve product fit consistency across an increasingly diverse supply base. No matter where a garment is made, it is produced using the same, accurate three-dimensional body shape. Ultimately, the Global Plus fit form delivers value throughout the supply chain, from the point of design to the point of sale."

Through its three integrated divisions, AlvaInsight, AlvaForm and AlvaBlock, Alvanon offers practical solutions that enable its clients to develop, execute and assess "fit" consistently and continuously from design through to consumer.

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Founded in 2001, the Alvanon Group of companies is the global leader in providing full service, integrated fit solutions for the apparel industry. From its head office in New York, operations center in Hong Kong and operating offices in the UK and Germany, Alvanon provides customized fit strategies and product development tools to the world's leading fashion brands, retailers, lingerie, swimwear, sportswear, mail order and corporate clothing suppliers. Alvanon's fit offer combines the world's largest database of 300,000 body scans with the unparalleled expertise, products and services provided by a team of over 70 dedicated sizing and body shape professionals.