Date:09/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/09/stories/2006120901812000.htm

National

Sizing up the Indian body

M. Gunasekaran

NIFT unveils an ambitious project to develop standard size charts

TIRUPUR: The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has launched a research initiative to create standard apparel size charts for Indians, as has been done for apparel markets in the United States and Europe. In doing this, it would factor in the shift in the Indian consumer profile, preference for a quality fit and growing spending power, its Director-General Gauri Kumar has said.

According to Kalpana Swamy, Director, NIFT, New Delhi, the chart will apply to a majority of Indians. In a first phase involving a scientific-analytical study, it plans to generate a database of specific measurements of about 25,000 persons, using three-dimensional body scanners. The population will be categorised on the basis of region, ethnic group, gender and age group, Ms. Swamy said. Data will be collected in different regions through the satellite centres of NIFT.

Tirupur Exporters' Association president A. Sakthivel welcomed the initiative as one that will help domestic garment manufacturers. "Though we export garments across the globe, we follow the size charts supplied by our importers. The U.S. and Europe have standardised size charts but we do not know the standard size of Indians." In the domestic market, shirt and trouser sizes vary from brand to brand. This problem can be addressed once the chart is ready.

Ms. Kumar said feedback is being gathered from garment manufacturers to understand their requirements. This will be a continuous process.